Draft2Digital review: Stay away

Draft2Digital markets itself as a friendly, author-first publishing platform, but my experience—and that of several others I personally know—reveals something far darker. This company has evolved into a predatory operation that hides behind vague “account policy violations” and opaque internal rules to justify stealing royalties and shutting down accounts without cause. They tout independence and fairness, yet operate more like a black box—one that swallows your earnings and leaves you powerless to fight back.

My account was shut down almost immediately after creation. I had uploaded one book and hadn’t even distributed it before receiving a curt email claiming I had “three prior accounts.” That was an outright lie. I had never before registered with Draft2Digital under any name, email, or pen name. When I asked for evidence, I received nothing—just boilerplate language about “internal verification systems” and a reminder that their decisions are final. In other words, no proof, no appeal, no transparency. They can accuse you of anything and wipe out your account on the spot.
Worse, I am not alone. A close friend of mine—an experienced author with verified titles and a strong readership—was similarly locked out without warning. Her royalties, representing months of sales, were confiscated. Draft2Digital simply declared her account “terminated,” citing supposed policy violations. No specific rule was mentioned. Her funds vanished, and customer service ignored multiple follow-up messages. It’s clear this company operates with no meaningful oversight or accountability.

The root of the problem lies in their structure: Draft2Digital is based in Oklahoma, which makes legal recourse nearly impossible for out-of-state or international authors. They know this. They count on it. Their terms of service are written to shield them completely. They can terminate anyone “at their discretion” and keep any outstanding royalties. Once you accept their terms, you’ve essentially handed them permission to rob you—and there’s nothing you can do short of hiring an Oklahoma attorney, which would cost more than your withheld income.

What makes it more infuriating is how Draft2Digital positions itself as the savior of indie authors, preaching about empowerment and transparency. Their public image is pure marketing; behind the scenes, they act with total impunity. They prey especially on new writers, people eager to publish but unfamiliar with the legal traps baked into the fine print. Once they’ve flagged your account, there’s no appeal system, no phone line (it’s a recording), no human accountability—just silence.

I regret ever trusting this company. My experience—and the growing chorus of similar stories online—shows a pattern of deception and exploitation. If you’re an independent author, do yourself a favor: stay far away from Draft2Digital. Use Amazon KDP, Apple Books, or Kobo directly. Do not risk your time, your work, or your royalties with this company. Draft2Digital is not a partner for authors. It’s a trap.