What "10% of Net Profits" Means
Unlike competitors who charge a percentage of your list price or fixed monthly fees, we only take 10% of your net profits—that's what you earn after the retailer takes their cut.
infoKey Principle
We only make money when you make money. If you don't earn anything, you don't pay us anything. No monthly fees, no setup costs, no hidden charges.
How It Works: Step-by-Step
Example 1: $4.99 Book on Apple Books
- List Price: $4.99
- Apple Takes 30%: -$1.50
- Your Gross Royalty: $3.49 (70% of list price)
- Shelf Indulgence Fee (10% of $3.49): -$0.35
- Your Final Payout: $3.14
Example 2: $2.99 Book on Kobo
- List Price: $2.99
- Kobo Takes 30%: -$0.90
- Your Gross Royalty: $2.09 (70% of list price)
- Shelf Indulgence Fee (10% of $2.09): -$0.21
- Your Final Payout: $1.88
Comparison: Us vs Competitors
Shelf Indulgence vs Draft2Digital
| $2.99 Book Sale | Shelf Indulgence | Draft2Digital |
|---|---|---|
| List Price | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| Platform Fee | 10% of net | 10% of list |
| Store Takes (Apple) | -$0.90 | -$0.90 |
| Net Before Platform Fee | $2.09 | $1.79 (D2D takes first) |
| Platform Fee Amount | -$0.21 | -$0.30 |
| Your Payout | $1.88 | $1.79 |
| You Earn More By | $0.09 per sale (5% more) | |
Shelf Indulgence vs PublishDrive
Monthly Earnings: $500
- Shelf Indulgence: You pay ~$50 (10% of net) = $450 payout
- PublishDrive Starter (48 titles): You pay $83.99/month flat = $416.01 payout
Break-Even Point
Earning under $115/month? Shelf Indulgence saves you money (PublishDrive charges $13.99 fixed for 3 titles, we charge nothing if you earn nothing).
See detailed PublishDrive comparison
What You Never Pay
- No monthly subscription fees
- No setup costs or onboarding fees
- No per-title fees
- No minimum commitment
- No hidden fees or surprise charges
- No fees if you don't make sales
When You Pay
Our fee is deducted automatically before we pay you:
- Retailers pay us your royalties (minus their cut)
- We deduct our 10% platform fee
- We pay you the remaining 90%
- You receive a detailed breakdown in your monthly statement
Why This Model Benefits Authors
- No risk: If your book doesn't sell, you don't pay us
- Aligned incentives: We succeed when you succeed
- Fair for all levels: New authors and bestsellers pay proportionally
- Predictable: Always 10%, never changes
- Transparent: See exactly what we charge in your statement
calculateCalculate Your Earnings
Want to see how much you'd earn at different price points and sales volumes? Use our royalty calculator to estimate your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VAT/sales tax included?
Retailers handle all sales tax collection and remittance. The royalties they pay you are net of any taxes they're required to collect.
Do you take 10% of the list price or the royalty?
We take 10% of the royalty you earn from retailers (your net profit), not the list price. This is more favorable to you.
What about currency conversion fees?
Currency conversion is handled by retailers and payment processors. You'll receive payments in your chosen currency. Small conversion fees may apply but are not charged by us.
Can I see a breakdown of fees?
Yes! Your monthly royalty statement shows sales by retailer, their royalty rate, our platform fee, and your final payout. Complete transparency.