There’s something profoundly powerful about reaching this stage of life and realising you have stories worth telling. Decades of experiences, lessons learned, love found and lost, challenges overcome, and wisdom gained – all of it sitting there, waiting to be shared. If you’ve been contemplating writing your memoir, you’re not alone. More people over 50 are discovering that putting their life story into words isn’t just a creative pursuit; it’s a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy.
But here’s where many aspiring memoirists get stuck: once the writing is done, how do you actually get your book out into the world? The traditional publishing route can feel daunting, with literary agents, rejection letters, and years-long waiting periods. Thankfully, self-publishing has revolutionised how we share our stories, putting the power directly in our hands.
Today, I’m comparing the major self-publishing platforms to help you decide which one is right for your memoir journey. Whether you want to create copies for family members or dream of seeing your book on digital shelves worldwide, there’s an option that fits your goals.
Why Writing Your Memoir Matters After 50
Before we dive into platforms, let’s acknowledge why this matters. Writing your memoir isn’t about ego or thinking your life is more interesting than anyone else’s. It’s about preservation, reflection, and connection. Your grandchildren might one day want to know what life was like during the events you witnessed. Your experiences navigating career changes, health challenges, or relationship dynamics could genuinely help someone facing similar situations.
I’ve spoken with many people in our community who started writing their memoir as a personal project and discovered it became deeply therapeutic. The process of organising memories, making sense of pivotal moments, and finding the narrative thread through your life can be incredibly rewarding. And now, sharing that story has never been more accessible.
Understanding Your Self-Publishing Options
The self-publishing landscape has evolved dramatically, and each platform offers different strengths depending on what you want to achieve. Let me walk you through the main contenders.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon’s KDP platform is the giant in self-publishing, and for good reason. It offers both ebook and print-on-demand paperback options, meaning your book is printed only when someone orders it – no need to fill your spare room with boxes of books.
The benefits are substantial. Your memoir becomes available on the world’s largest online bookstore, reaching millions of potential readers. The platform is free to use, and you can earn royalties of up to 70% on ebooks and around 60% on paperbacks (minus printing costs). The interface is relatively straightforward, with templates and guides to help you format your manuscript.
However, KDP does have limitations. You’re locked into Amazon’s ecosystem, and while their reach is enormous, some authors prefer wider distribution. The cover creation tool is basic, so investing in professional cover design is worthwhile if you want your memoir to stand out.
For someone writing your memoir primarily to share with family and friends while also making it publicly available, KDP offers an excellent balance of accessibility and reach.
IngramSpark
If you’re serious about getting your memoir into physical bookshops and libraries, IngramSpark deserves attention. Ingram is the distribution powerhouse behind most bookshops worldwide, meaning your book can be ordered by retailers everywhere.
The platform offers superior print quality options, including hardcover editions – perfect for a memoir you want to feel substantial and lasting. Distribution extends to over 40,000 retailers and libraries globally, giving your story remarkable reach.
The trade-offs? IngramSpark charges setup fees (around £49 per title) and revision fees if you need to make changes after publishing. The interface is more complex than Amazon’s, with a steeper learning curve. It’s geared toward authors who approach self-publishing as a serious business venture.
For memoirists wanting premium quality and maximum distribution potential, IngramSpark is worth the investment and learning curve.
Lulu
Lulu has been in the self-publishing game since 2002 and offers a user-friendly experience that appeals to first-time authors. The platform excels at creating beautiful printed books with various binding options, paper types, and sizes.
What sets Lulu apart is its flexibility. You can create private projects available only through direct links (perfect for family-only memoirs), or opt for global distribution through their retail network. Their pricing is transparent, and there are no upfront fees for basic publishing.
Lulu also offers enhanced services like professional editing, cover design, and marketing support – all for additional fees, but helpful if you want guidance through the process.
The downside is that Lulu’s retail distribution isn’t as extensive as IngramSpark’s, and their royalty rates can be lower when selling through third-party retailers.
Apple Books
If your primary audience uses Apple devices, publishing directly to Apple Books is worth considering. The platform reaches millions of iPad, iPhone, and Mac users, and Apple’s 70% royalty rate is competitive.
Publishing through Apple requires a Mac computer and their free Pages or iTunes Producer software. The interface is clean and intuitive, and Apple Books tends to have a more curated feel than some competitors.
The limitation is obvious: you’re only reaching Apple users. For most memoirists writing your memoir for wide distribution, Apple Books works best as part of a multi-platform strategy rather than your only outlet.
Draft2Digital
For those who want simplicity with wide distribution, Draft2Digital has become a favourite. This platform acts as a distributor, sending your ebook to multiple retailers including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and numerous library systems.
The interface is genuinely beginner-friendly, and they’ve recently added print-on-demand services as well. Draft2Digital takes a small percentage of your royalties rather than charging upfront fees, making it financially accessible.
Their formatting tools automatically convert your manuscript for different platforms, saving considerable time and technical headache.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Memoir
So which platform should you choose when writing your memoir? The answer depends on your goals.
If you want maximum reach with minimal complexity: Start with Amazon KDP for both ebook and paperback, then use Draft2Digital to distribute your ebook to other platforms. This combination covers most bases without overwhelming complexity.
If quality and bookshop presence matter most: IngramSpark for print distribution, combined with KDP for ebook reach, gives you premium quality and extensive availability.
If your memoir is primarily for family: Lulu’s private project option or Amazon KDP’s simple process both work well. You can order author copies at reduced rates and distribute them personally.
If you’re technically confident and want full control: Consider using multiple platforms directly – KDP, Apple Books, IngramSpark – to maximise royalties and reach without intermediary services taking a cut.
Practical Tips for Your Self-Publishing Journey
Whichever platform you choose, a few universal principles apply. Invest in professional editing – at minimum, have several trusted people proofread your manuscript. Cover design matters enormously; readers do judge books by their covers, and a professional design signals quality.
Take time to write a compelling book description. This is your sales pitch, and for memoir, it should convey both what your story covers and why readers will connect with it emotionally.
Consider your metadata carefully. Categories, keywords, and descriptions all affect discoverability. Think about who your ideal reader is and what they might search for.
Finally, don’t rush the process. Writing your memoir is a significant achievement. Give the publishing stage the attention it deserves to ensure your story reaches readers in the best possible form.
Your Story Deserves to Be Told
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about writing your memoir, I hope this comparison helps you see that the barriers to sharing your story have never been lower. The technology exists to turn your manuscript into a professional book, whether you want ten copies for family or thousands for the world.
Your experiences, your perspective, your wisdom – these are uniquely yours, and they have value. Someone out there needs to hear exactly what you have to share. Self-publishing platforms have democratised storytelling, putting the power of publication in your hands.
Why not take the first step? Your memoir is waiting to be written, and now you know exactly how to share it with the world.
