Brave New Books
Dutch self-publishing platform from Amsterdam with free platform use, a 12.75 euro ISBN as the only mandatory cost and listings at Bol.com, Bruna and Amazon.nl
Quick Overview
| Company | Brave New Books B.V. |
|---|---|
| Category | Self-Publishing Platforms |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Netherlands (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages checked |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Free platform use, ISBN barcode, print on demand, e-book publishing, cover design tool, personal author shop, monthly royalty payments, paid editing and layout |
| Pricing | Platform use free; ISBN barcode 12.75 euro one-off for retail channels; paid editing and layout on request |
| Best For | Dutch-language authors who want their book listed with Dutch bookshops and online retailers |
| Replaces | Amazon KDP, Lulu |
Detailed Review
The terms name Brave New Books B.V., KvK 71550259, at Weteringschans 259 in Amsterdam. The homepage calls it the largest self-publishing platform of the Benelux with more than 30,000 authors.
Publishing follows seven steps in an author account: choose print or e-book, upload files, set a price and publish. The cover design tool covers authors without their own cover.
What Costs Money
Using the platform is free, with no minimum purchase of your own book. When a book should be available through bookshops, a one-off ISBN barcode at 12.75 euro is required, and the FAQ calls it the only mandatory expense.
Books are printed only when sold, so no stock costs arise. Editing and layout by professionals are paid extras.
Retail Listings
The about page says titles are available through more than 2,500 online and offline retailers in the Benelux, including Bol.com, Amazon.nl and Bruna. A personal digital shop at the platform address raises the royalty for direct sales.
Royalties are paid monthly and the author sets the sales price. A dashboard shows sales data.
Control and Exit
Authors can end the cooperation at any time without giving reasons and keep 100% of the rights, also if a publisher takes the book later. Writing under a pseudonym is possible through an author profile.
Paid help comes from editors and designers of Singel Uitgeverijen, according to the about page.
Limitations to Consider
The royalty percentages are described only as higher than elsewhere and no figure was found. The site footer reads copyright 2020, and the privacy statement names Mybestseller in Rotterdam as contact, which points to shared back-end operations that were not explained. This review rests on the vendor's pages, not a hands-on test.
Who Should Use Brave New Books
Dutch authors who want to start for free and reach the Benelux bookshops and Bol.com without a package fee.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Platform use is free
- ISBN is the only mandatory cost at 12.75 euro
- Monthly royalty payments
- Cancel at any time with rights retained
- Listings at Bol.com and Bruna named
Cons
- No royalty percentage on the pages checked
- Reach is focused on the Benelux
- Footer copyright dated 2020
- Privacy statement points to another company's address
Alternatives to Brave New Books
Other European self-publishing platforms worth comparing before you decide:
BoD Books on Demand
Germany · Hamburg print-on-demand house with fixed one-off publishing packages
tolino media
Germany · Self-publishing arm of the German tolino bookseller alliance
epubli
Germany · Berlin platform that publishes books free and keeps 30% of net
tredition
Germany · Family-run German platform with a quality check on every book
See all European self-publishing platforms or compare them directly against Amazon KDP on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using the platform is free of charge with no required purchase. If the book should reach bookshops, an ISBN barcode costs a one-off 12.75 euro, which the FAQ names as the only mandatory expense.
The about page names Bol.com, Amazon.nl and Bruna among more than 2,500 online and offline retailers in the Benelux. Authors also get a personal shop on the platform.
Yes. The FAQ says you retain 100% of the rights and may end the cooperation at any time without giving a reason, including when a publisher wants to take the book.