Draft2Digital (D2D) has just announced a significant update to its pricing model, effective May 14, 2026. For the first time in the company’s history, they are introducing account-level fees to help manage costs and maintain the quality? of their book distribution platform.
One-Time Activation Fee ($20 USD)
This fee applies to new accounts only. It must be paid before an author can publish their first book through the platform.
Why? To prevent automated “bot” accounts and low-quality content from saturating the platform.
Exception: If you already have an active D2D account before April 14, 2026, you are exempt from this fee.
Annual Maintenance Fee ($12 USD)
This is a rolling annual fee that applies to accounts with low book sales.
Why? To offset the costs of hosting and managing accounts that are not currently generating sufficient sales to cover their administrative overhead.
Exception: If your royalties exceed $100 in a year, the fee is waived entirely.
Effect on Authors
I really used to love Draft2Digital however I’m really not sure how I feel about this introduction of fees. Did we need to do something to combat the rise in AI-slop being funnelled into the platform? Yes we did. But did it have to be “surprise” fees?
Together with the D2D platform removing Amazon KDP as a eBook channel – this introduction of new costs to publish is likely going to piss off new authors – although I am more than a little curious to see if it is truly effective at reducing low quality content.
First, they remove eBook access to Amazon.
Now they introduce new fees and yearly charges.
What will it be next?
