You took 40 hours of research & bullet pointed it perfectly into a 40 minute video. If theres 1 of your videos kdp reps need to have & watch its this one. Even if they have a pdf of the transcription to reference. They need to work on all these points. Indies want to be on kdp. Kdp drives indies away with their bipolarness.
I have been publishing ebooks since 2007 and print books since 2009 with what is now called Amazon KDP. You are right on target. I hope the honchos at KDP set us a special commission to review this video point-by-point and resolve the issues you raise. They need to address each one from an account holder's perspective, not as the giant corporate gorilla they are. Many of us love Amazon KDP, but feel this Amazon division has become very slack and is lost in the past of bookselling. You've done excellent work here, Dale.
Thanks so much! They'll see it. I've found they've had a passive presence on my channel, having watched most of my videos about their company. I appreciate the kind words and support, ThinkerX.
Agree! So wrong a guy (who never even bought my book!), gave me a review. He said he can’t get excited about my book because he didn’t like my A PLUS CONTENT. The review is still there to this day! I can’t understand how they are letting ppl publish those reviews. Ppl I have told about this don’t believe it’s even possible that AMAZON would allow somethimg like that.
It’s a lack of integrity. I’d accept it if it was a genuine customer review as something to learn or improve, but this stuff is just cruel. No reply from Amazon.
Excellent video. Several of the issues you hit on I have personally experienced, and it is extremely aggravating. I hope that someone at KDP that has some rank, sees your video. KDP is really a mess right now.
Honestly i have been publishing with Amazon from 2015 and i have enjoyed both the highs and lows. However i am moving away from Amazon KDP. I think indie authors deserve much more and can do better. The only reason why many indie author stull pursue KDP is because there is ready made traffic that you can tap into if you know how. KDP for the past 4-5 years have been steadily shifting towards established book companies and authors.
Thanks Dale for sharing your insights. As I am a newbie in this, your video is the first detailed video to share what needs to be aware of if we decide to go with KDP. All the videos I have watched were mostly positive, like how easy and effective it is. Having a thorough review will definitely help me to plan better. Thanks again!
Thank you for addressing termination. It’s terrible. I just got mine terminated for no reason. I have over 165 books on my platform and I’m devastated about it. I’ve lost my entire income source. It’s been absolutely so stressful trying to get it back. Any advice on getting my account back? Attorney? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Dale for all you do. You’re amazing. ❤😊
Dale, I started indie publishing picture books at KDP in 2018. I haven't ordered for quite awhile. I just received a proof copy today for my latest book. IT'S GARBAGE!! My proof copies in 2018 and 2019 were nice and sturdy, the interior paper and ink were great, and they were the same cover and interior paper and ink as the purchased copies, with no cover watermark. Now, I don't even want to order paperbacks or send anyone to buy them from Amazon! The cover paper is so thin now! Not at all what an 8.5" x 8.5" children's book should be to hold up for even one day! The interior paper is terrible now too! They still call it "premium" which is baloney! If this is a true proof of the current paperback quality (which is what it should be), I'm faced with going elsewhere now. I'm glad to have been warned by watching your video last night, of the watermark (that I did see on the image in the cart). But, I will say, I wouldn't sell this piece of garbage anyway. I seriously could print a much better and even sturdier copy on my home printer! I actually may, just to glue it over this flimsy cover, to keep myself. Hey, thanks for your extensive work! I'm grateful. Thought I'd add this. I was very happy with the color and the actual printing of the cover and pages (just not the quality of paper).
Well, I published my first comic with them and if you are not careful, they can print and sell a faulty copy. For example they were selling my copy with a line around the bleed. Nobody noticed or informed me about it. When I spent money buying the copies I discovered the line. My biggest issue is the quality of paper, even if it's really confortable to sell like this, Amazon printing quality and paper is exteemely limited and the quality is not the best for comics. They should think of adding new papers for illustrated books otherwise I woul go somewhere else to print.
Dale, I think your heart is in the right place! Your info is priceless although a bit overwhelming for a novice like me. I know 3 published writers who have ceased writing simply because of the stress of dealing with the publishers.I have B.S and a M.Div. Degrees from Wofford and Emory but now I'm oid and uneducated as relates to computers. formatting etc. I have submitted my books {epub} to both to D2D and KDP and not only was there No support; their formatting was worse than mine. It's like they did not even proofread their work!Nevertheless thanks for your honest, helpful approach.
Yeah, I recommend formatting your content before publishing. Don’t rely on their automated formatting systems. D2D is pretty good, in my opinion, but if you have a graphic heavy book, it might not be a good fit. And the KDP team watched this video then discussed some of these points with me. It just so happens one of the items is getting handled right now (user interface overhaul).
Yep now if you this is why I suggest people negotiate with Amazon. Especially if you've been doing this for a while and you have a large backlist you might be surprised what you can get.
Great video. One thing you don't mention is the lack of an API. It's a problem for any small company trying to support authors with distribution--making it harder to automate updates to metadata, requiring manual work and therefor cost. Amazon is good at providing APIs elsewhere in their business, so it's curious that they don't for KDP.
Great content. I especially agree with the ability to delete books. I considered uploading a new black cover for a book I wanted to delete, rather than a book with a cover that no one could buy. What do you think about the KDP AI for audio books? I've been doing it for about two months and so far no change in revenue.
I think it’s interesting but not enough for me to switch from a human narrator to digital. I’m excited for authors who have no other alternative though.
KDP sent me an email stating they wanted me to change a title of one of my books . . . 6 months AFTER it was published! Wouldn't explain what was wrong with the title. I replied that it would have been nice to know EARLIER, and I'd be happy to change the title if they would pay for the new cover, ISBN, etc. They gave me no reason why they didn't like the title AND I found another book with the same type of title (and same wording)! Why me? Why not them as well? No answer. So, now my customers can't find my books on AMZ. By author name OR KW's from the title! Have to type in the entire book title to find it. Who does that?
I have just received a box of 30 author copies of my new book using KDP to sell locally. Result? I am moving to Bookvault NOW. Issues with the KDP delivery: 1. Came in a flimsy box without decent protection for the books. The box must have take a minor bash resulting in slight damage to quite a few of the books and more to the couple nearest the corner that sustained the main impact. These books are destined to go into local outlets. I'm the type of person who passes on new books that don't look pristine and I won't be the only one. Perhaps an outlet won't even take these though the damage is slight (but very noticeable). 2. There's a very noticeable inconsistency of colour on the covers from this SINGLE order. It looks like two printers have been used that were not calibrated the same. 3. The trimming is really poor. I have dark borders around the solutions pages (it's a puzzle book - of my own devised puzzles) and have those going properly to the very edge of the bleed area. But many pages still have a white band down the side, and the difference from page to page as you thumb through is huge and makes the books look very cheaply printed. The proof copy I got wasn't like that (it was a bit off, but not to the same extent, and didn't have any white strips at the edge). 4. The books don't even lie flat - they are a bit waved and the covers are already curling a bit though I got them out only last night. If I manage to sell this first lot OK there's no way I want to get another lot from KDP so will be getting it onto Bookvault now. Fortunately I've got my own ISBN so that isn't an issue. (I was already planning Bookvault for the next one, but didn't expect my first Bookvault experience to be with this one.)
Can't say I blame you. Bookvault is great! They're marginally more expensive but the quality is impeccable from the UK printers. The US printers aren't as good, but are still pretty decent.
Glad you liked it! Did I miss any issues? Someone mentioned issues with upload time, but I haven't uploaded a book in months, so I don't know how that's faring.
Thanks for always having it's great content Dale. I was wondering, I want to translate my book from English to Spanish and sell it in the American market. Is this going to be a problem when I up load it in Spanish to KDP?
Hey, Dale! Thank you for all of your helpful content. Question for you kind, Sir; would you happen to know of a legitimate source for print on demand companies specific for board books? Thank you
Sadly, you'll have to look into offset printers for board books. This is a popular question, so I have my ear out for any POD companies who adopt this option. For now, I can recommend Puffer Print. I interviewed the founder on my podcast here: ruclips.net/video/VGiKzYjkEn0/видео.html Shop around some offset printers ahead of time. It's going to be a significant investment, so you better make sure you're spending money on a quality resource. Also, you have to consider how you'll distribute/fulfill orders. That's a whole other headache. Good luck! If you find something, let me know. I'm learning along with you.
Looking forward to trying some other platforms moving forward for security. Would you or others have a first recommendation when first moving from KDP?
Though this video is a couple years old, it still gives good recommendations - 10 Best Self Publishing Companies ruclips.net/video/H6kVCEKO41Y/видео.html
An indie author is a writer who publishes their own work without the help of an established press, and is also known as an author-publisher. It's short-hand speak for "independent author."
@@kevinalmiron8693 "Self-publisher" is an outdated term. Virtually everyone will give you the stink eye for using it these days. It has become a derogatory term. Indie publishing, like indie music, is respectable and indicates a higher level of accomplishment. The process is similar, but you pick an indie publishing brand name (and corresponding ISBNs if you wish). You wear two hats: Author and Publisher. Your credibility will soar when you do this, so the distinction is no small thing.
But isn't KDP the biggest market for books? Sure you can publish your book elsewhere, but as a self-publisher, you really need all the help you can get...
Roughly 60%. But it doesn’t mean we have to settle or be okay with less than the best from them. That’s not unreasonable to ask for a few issues to be ironed out.
Well, it's a Catch-22 isn't it? Move away from Amazon and you give up the largest market for sales. Without improved competition, KDP has little incentive to improve.
You took 40 hours of research & bullet pointed it perfectly into a 40 minute video. If theres 1 of your videos kdp reps need to have & watch its this one. Even if they have a pdf of the transcription to reference. They need to work on all these points. Indies want to be on kdp. Kdp drives indies away with their bipolarness.
Thanks so much for the kudos. Wow! I really appreciate it.
Thank you sir, you are doing a great job helping self publishers.
So nice of you to say. Thanks!
I have been publishing ebooks since 2007 and print books since 2009 with what is now called Amazon KDP. You are right on target. I hope the honchos at KDP set us a special commission to review this video point-by-point and resolve the issues you raise. They need to address each one from an account holder's perspective, not as the giant corporate gorilla they are. Many of us love Amazon KDP, but feel this Amazon division has become very slack and is lost in the past of bookselling. You've done excellent work here, Dale.
Thanks so much! They'll see it. I've found they've had a passive presence on my channel, having watched most of my videos about their company. I appreciate the kind words and support, ThinkerX.
Agree! So wrong a guy (who never even bought my book!), gave me a review. He said he can’t get excited about my book because he didn’t like my A PLUS CONTENT. The review is still there to this day! I can’t understand how they are letting ppl publish those reviews. Ppl I have told about this don’t believe it’s even possible that AMAZON would allow somethimg like that.
Wild, right???
It’s a lack of integrity. I’d accept it if it was a genuine customer review as something to learn or improve, but this stuff is just cruel. No reply from Amazon.
That sucks!
Excellent video. Several of the issues you hit on I have personally experienced, and it is extremely aggravating. I hope that someone at KDP that has some rank, sees your video. KDP is really a mess right now.
It just so happens I forwarded the video to the KDP team. We’ll see if it influences some change. Thanks for the kudos!
Honestly i have been publishing with Amazon from 2015 and i have enjoyed both the highs and lows. However i am moving away from Amazon KDP. I think indie authors deserve much more and can do better. The only reason why many indie author stull pursue KDP is because there is ready made traffic that you can tap into if you know how. KDP for the past 4-5 years have been steadily shifting towards established book companies and authors.
Well stated!
Thanks Dale for sharing your insights. As I am a newbie in this, your video is the first detailed video to share what needs to be aware of if we decide to go with KDP. All the videos I have watched were mostly positive, like how easy and effective it is. Having a thorough review will definitely help me to plan better. Thanks again!
Glad it was helpful!
Oh, how I hate that watermark on the proof cover. You can never fully check the cover with that abomination. An excellent video.
I don't know of any author who's thrilled about that watermark. So silly and unnecessary. Thanks so much for the kudos!
Thank you for addressing termination. It’s terrible. I just got mine terminated for no reason. I have over 165 books on my platform and I’m devastated about it. I’ve lost my entire income source. It’s been absolutely so stressful trying to get it back. Any advice on getting my account back? Attorney? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Dale for all you do. You’re amazing. ❤😊
The only recourse you have is to reply to the termination emails. A lawyer might help, but that’s going to get costly.
@@DaleLRoberts Thank you so much. That’s pretty much what I figured. Oh well.
Excellent information-thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Dale, I started indie publishing picture books at KDP in 2018. I haven't ordered for quite awhile. I just received a proof copy today for my latest book. IT'S GARBAGE!! My proof copies in 2018 and 2019 were nice and sturdy, the interior paper and ink were great, and they were the same cover and interior paper and ink as the purchased copies, with no cover watermark. Now, I don't even want to order paperbacks or send anyone to buy them from Amazon! The cover paper is so thin now! Not at all what an 8.5" x 8.5" children's book should be to hold up for even one day! The interior paper is terrible now too! They still call it "premium" which is baloney! If this is a true proof of the current paperback quality (which is what it should be), I'm faced with going elsewhere now. I'm glad to have been warned by watching your video last night, of the watermark (that I did see on the image in the cart). But, I will say, I wouldn't sell this piece of garbage anyway. I seriously could print a much better and even sturdier copy on my home printer! I actually may, just to glue it over this flimsy cover, to keep myself. Hey, thanks for your extensive work! I'm grateful.
Thought I'd add this. I was very happy with the color and the actual printing of the cover and pages (just not the quality of paper).
Thanks so much for sharing!
I love you, ‘random bald-headed guy on RUclips’! =))) Really, it is great video, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Well, I published my first comic with them and if you are not careful, they can print and sell a faulty copy. For example they were selling my copy with a line around the bleed. Nobody noticed or informed me about it. When I spent money buying the copies I discovered the line. My biggest issue is the quality of paper, even if it's really confortable to sell like this, Amazon printing quality and paper is exteemely limited and the quality is not the best for comics. They should think of adding new papers for illustrated books otherwise I woul go somewhere else to print.
Have you looked into Lulu or BookVault? Those might be worth exploring.
Amazon needs to Hire you for better KDP :) Great informations
Haha thanks! I’m in regular contact with their team and even forwarded the video to them. 🤞
Dale, I think your heart is in the right place! Your info is priceless although a bit overwhelming for a novice like me. I know 3 published writers who have ceased writing simply because of the stress of dealing with the publishers.I have B.S and a M.Div. Degrees from Wofford and Emory but now I'm oid and uneducated as relates to computers. formatting etc. I have submitted my books {epub} to both to D2D and KDP and not only was there No support; their formatting was worse than mine. It's like they did not even proofread their work!Nevertheless thanks for your honest, helpful approach.
Yeah, I recommend formatting your content before publishing. Don’t rely on their automated formatting systems. D2D is pretty good, in my opinion, but if you have a graphic heavy book, it might not be a good fit. And the KDP team watched this video then discussed some of these points with me. It just so happens one of the items is getting handled right now (user interface overhaul).
GO GET 'EM, DALE! 🤜 🤛
Thanks!
Yep now if you this is why I suggest people negotiate with Amazon. Especially if you've been doing this for a while and you have a large backlist you might be surprised what you can get.
Precisely!
Thanks for sharing: I'm out after 14:00 minutes. This system is so arbitrary it's repulsive. NEVER is my last word.
Oof! Fair enough.
Great video. One thing you don't mention is the lack of an API. It's a problem for any small company trying to support authors with distribution--making it harder to automate updates to metadata, requiring manual work and therefor cost. Amazon is good at providing APIs elsewhere in their business, so it's curious that they don't for KDP.
Yes! Totally agreed!
Amazing info! Thank's Dale 👌🏻
Thanks, Kev!
Thank you Dale from Nigeria 🤗👍
You are so welcome
Great content. I especially agree with the ability to delete books. I considered uploading a new black cover for a book I wanted to delete, rather than a book with a cover that no one could buy.
What do you think about the KDP AI for audio books? I've been doing it for about two months and so far no change in revenue.
I think it’s interesting but not enough for me to switch from a human narrator to digital. I’m excited for authors who have no other alternative though.
Word of wisdom
Thanks!
KDP sent me an email stating they wanted me to change a title of one of my books . . . 6 months AFTER it was published! Wouldn't explain what was wrong with the title. I replied that it would have been nice to know EARLIER, and I'd be happy to change the title if they would pay for the new cover, ISBN, etc. They gave me no reason why they didn't like the title AND I found another book with the same type of title (and same wording)! Why me? Why not them as well? No answer. So, now my customers can't find my books on AMZ. By author name OR KW's from the title! Have to type in the entire book title to find it. Who does that?
That’s pretty wild!
@@DaleLRoberts Yeah, makes me wonder how many other authors have/are experiencing the same thing. But most people won't say anything because it's AMZ.
I've heard this often happening in the low content book publishing space, not usually fiction/nonfiction.
I have just received a box of 30 author copies of my new book using KDP to sell locally. Result? I am moving to Bookvault NOW. Issues with the KDP delivery:
1. Came in a flimsy box without decent protection for the books. The box must have take a minor bash resulting in slight damage to quite a few of the books and more to the couple nearest the corner that sustained the main impact. These books are destined to go into local outlets. I'm the type of person who passes on new books that don't look pristine and I won't be the only one. Perhaps an outlet won't even take these though the damage is slight (but very noticeable).
2. There's a very noticeable inconsistency of colour on the covers from this SINGLE order. It looks like two printers have been used that were not calibrated the same.
3. The trimming is really poor. I have dark borders around the solutions pages (it's a puzzle book - of my own devised puzzles) and have those going properly to the very edge of the bleed area. But many pages still have a white band down the side, and the difference from page to page as you thumb through is huge and makes the books look very cheaply printed. The proof copy I got wasn't like that (it was a bit off, but not to the same extent, and didn't have any white strips at the edge).
4. The books don't even lie flat - they are a bit waved and the covers are already curling a bit though I got them out only last night.
If I manage to sell this first lot OK there's no way I want to get another lot from KDP so will be getting it onto Bookvault now. Fortunately I've got my own ISBN so that isn't an issue. (I was already planning Bookvault for the next one, but didn't expect my first Bookvault experience to be with this one.)
Can't say I blame you. Bookvault is great! They're marginally more expensive but the quality is impeccable from the UK printers. The US printers aren't as good, but are still pretty decent.
@@DaleLRoberts Yeah, and I'm in the UK, which is my primary market at the moment, so perfect fit
It is a pain to do promotions on KDP. The hardcover is also restricted to 550 pages which was a problem for my 2nd book which was 588 pages.
Yes, I’d love to see hardcover improve on KDP.
🎉🎉 the Obi-Wan Kenobi self-publishing and even publishing Dale Roberts 🎉🎉
Thanks, haha.
A must view!
Tom! Great to hear from you.
Great video. Thanks.
You mentioned many of my frustrations.
Glad you liked it! Did I miss any issues? Someone mentioned issues with upload time, but I haven't uploaded a book in months, so I don't know how that's faring.
@@DaleLRoberts I've never found issues with upload time. Maybe it's where you're from.
Wow!!! Bravo!
Thanks!
Ingram Sparks does the same with the deletions
Didn’t know that.
Thanks for always having it's great content Dale.
I was wondering, I want to translate my book from English to Spanish and sell it in the American market. Is this going to be a problem when I up load it in Spanish to KDP?
Go for it! Just make sure you get it edited by a human editor so it’s not riddled with errors. You should be fine then.
Amazon currently blocks every book being published on their platform
Really? I hadn’t that yet. I’ll see if I can find out what’s going on. 🤔
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Saved to my Dale Roberts folder.
Nice! Thanks so much!
Hey, Dale! Thank you for all of your helpful content. Question for you kind, Sir; would you happen to know of a legitimate source for print on demand companies specific for board books? Thank you
Sadly, you'll have to look into offset printers for board books. This is a popular question, so I have my ear out for any POD companies who adopt this option. For now, I can recommend Puffer Print. I interviewed the founder on my podcast here: ruclips.net/video/VGiKzYjkEn0/видео.html
Shop around some offset printers ahead of time. It's going to be a significant investment, so you better make sure you're spending money on a quality resource. Also, you have to consider how you'll distribute/fulfill orders. That's a whole other headache. Good luck!
If you find something, let me know. I'm learning along with you.
Looking forward to trying some other platforms moving forward for security. Would you or others have a first recommendation when first moving from KDP?
Though this video is a couple years old, it still gives good recommendations -
10 Best Self Publishing Companies
ruclips.net/video/H6kVCEKO41Y/видео.html
@@DaleLRobertsthank you!!
I need help. I have a stalker leaving bad reviews
Whoa! Did you report it? You'll find directions here: www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GLHXEX85MENUE4XF
The uploading process is extremely delayed lately
Really? I haven’t uploaded in a bit so I wasn’t aware of the issue.
What is "indie" authors? You mention that all the time and i dont know what it is
An indie author is a writer who publishes their own work without the help of an established press, and is also known as an author-publisher. It's short-hand speak for "independent author."
@@DaleLRoberts ohhh well self publisher author then
Correct! "Indie author" is much easier to say. Less syllables. haha
@@kevinalmiron8693 "Self-publisher" is an outdated term. Virtually everyone will give you the stink eye for using it these days. It has become a derogatory term. Indie publishing, like indie music, is respectable and indicates a higher level of accomplishment. The process is similar, but you pick an indie publishing brand name (and corresponding ISBNs if you wish). You wear two hats: Author and Publisher. Your credibility will soar when you do this, so the distinction is no small thing.
But isn't KDP the biggest market for books? Sure you can publish your book elsewhere, but as a self-publisher, you really need all the help you can get...
Roughly 60%. But it doesn’t mean we have to settle or be okay with less than the best from them. That’s not unreasonable to ask for a few issues to be ironed out.
Yep they came out for round 2016 for me.
What’s that?
my rose color glasses when came to Amazon@@DaleLRoberts
Ohhhh, yep! It helps to see all sides to KDP.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
🙏
Should I be expecting a 1099 form from Amazon for my taxes?
Yes. You can also access it through taxcentral.amazon.com/.
@@DaleLRobertsTHANKS 😊
Well, it's a Catch-22 isn't it? Move away from Amazon and you give up the largest market for sales. Without improved competition, KDP has little incentive to improve.
So true. There are alternatives but nothing that draws the same as Amazon.
👀👀👀👀👀
😎🔥
Thank you!
You bet!