How much do the retailers take and how much do I keep?
This chart is accurate as of December 15, 2010. Although some retailers take more than others, it is strongly suggested that you do not opt out of any retailer because of their take. For example, Amazon takes a whopping 65% for books priced OVER $9.99 and less than $2.99 (otherwise they give a generous 70%!), but they have the best distribution.
| Retailer's Share | Notes | |
| iBookstore | 30% | |
| Amazon | 30% or 65%* | 30% is the RETAILER'S SHARE if your book's retail price is between $2.99 - $9.99. For retail price below $2.99 or over $9.99, RETAILER'S SHARE is 65%.* |
| Sony ReaderStore | 60% | |
| Barnes & Noble | 35% or 60% | For eBooks with a retail price at or between $2.99 and $9.99, 35% is B&N's share. For eBooks with a retail price at or below $2.98 or at or greater than $10.00, 60% is B&N's share. |
| Kobo | 45% | |
| $48.05% | Retailer's approximate share | |
| eBookIt.com | 25% | For any priced book. The best place to send potential readers of your book |
| All Others | 55% |
eBookit.com keeps 15% of the NET profit from the books. So for example, let's say your book sells for $9.99 at Amazon, and qualifies for the 70% royalty. Amazon would pay eBookIt.com $6.99; eBookIt.com retains $1.05, and pays the author $5.94.
If you sell the same book through the sales page for your book at eBookIt.com, you get to keep $7.49, as eBookit.com pays the author 75% (and we don't take 15% on top of that).
* Amazon Update: If you submit your book to us with a retail price between $2.99-$9.99, we will submit to Amazon with the 70% royalty option. If you request a suggested retail price book of less than $2.99, or over $9.99, we'll select the 35% royalty option. Amazon's policies regarding the different royalty options, and the royalties they will pay in certain situations, are complex. For full details, please see their Sales & Reporting and Royalties FAQ.
Note also that Amazon adds a small "delivery" fee to certain ebooks based on the file size.
You may also wish to see this other FAQ related to Amazon.