In 1995, Amazon began with a simple mission: to create the best possible book-buying experience by offering an unparalleled selection of titles to customers around the world. What started as a small online bookstore has grown into a global movement that helps independent authors reach international audiences and build sustainable writing careers.
Through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), authors can publish their work in up to 40 languages and reach readers in 245 countries and territories, proving that storytelling knows no borders.
Freedom to publish without limits
Deep in the heart of France, Jupiter Phaeton has crafted more than sixty fantasy novels, building a devoted readership that stretches across the Francophone world — and beyond. She started writing stories at the age of twelve and is now one of Europe’s most successful independent authors.
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What started as a personal passion became a full-time creative career built on digital publishing. “I love self-publishing because of the control I have over my work,” says Jupiter Phaeton. “I started on my own when I was 28… now I have a whole team working to make my books better every day and to make sure they reach readers. When we reached one million books sold, that was an achievement for us.”
Jupiter’s journey is a clear example of how digital publishing can transform local talent into global success stories.
Bringing books closer to readers, wherever they are
Similar stories are unfolding all over Europe, where independent authors are reaching readers far beyond their national borders — with thousands now earning more than €50,000 a year through KDP.
As digital reading becomes more widespread, access to books is also expanding in areas where physical bookstores are scarce.
According to research from Oxford Economics, 60-65% of rural citizens in Europe report that e-commerce makes it easier to access books and e-books, illustrating how digital tools support participation in culture, beyond borders.
Celebrating emerging literary voices
Every year, many writers publish their first book — but the visibility, support, and opportunities they receive can vary considerably. To help bridge this gap, Amazon runs a series of literary awards named the Kindle Storyteller Award, which have been running for over ten years in some European countries, designed to shine the spotlight on emerging voices writing in the French, German, Italian, Spanish and English language, and open doors to broader recognition for new authors.
This year, the €10,000 prize for the tenth Storyteller Award in France was awarded to S.D. Fischer for her novel Une pierre, deux proies. Her work will also be adapted into an audiobook by Audible, while the four finalists each received a Kindle Scribe e-reader.
On winning the award, she said: "Participating in the Kindle Storyteller Award is a bit like casting a message in a bottle out to sea... You don't know where it will end up, but you have to dare to try. The first time I took my chance, I made it to the finals. The second time, I won!”
“This competition has given me incredible visibility, new connections and, above all, the conviction that anything can happen with hard work and perseverance. So if you're hesitating, don't wait: submit your novel. This award can truly change your journey as an author."
Together, these programmes reflect a shared goal: to ensure that great stories can be discovered, no matter where they come from or how an author begins their journey.
By expanding access, lowering barriers, and supporting talent at every stage, Amazon continues to help build a more open and inclusive creative ecosystem — one where every story has the chance to be heard.
