Why do I want to write the title as Going Postal? and why does the process remind me of a Terry Pratchett novel? Perhaps because taking my books out of Amazon select in order to sell them in as many places as possible feels big and rebellious.
I wanted to do that from the beginning, but after a few failed attempts, couldn’t face the complications I know the process is simple for other people, in my mind I hear you laughing. It wasn’t simple for me, there are too many words I don’t understand in the context they are used. Even now, posting a new book on Amazon takes several days and gives me a headache. I get it wrong, and need to redo something the next day, I forget what information I need, or begin only to find things have changed since the last time and I don’t have the correct information. I am not good at the administration involved in self publishing a book.
The obvious question is why change?
I was never comfortable with the exclusivity that Amazon builds into its platform. I don’t enjoy buying e-books only to discover that they are not really mine and that I can only read them on a kindle. Or putting my books in the select program for people to borrow and tying myself to into the Amazon eco-system.
I am not not knocking Amazon as a a platform for self publishing, they are the best thing that happened to publishing. They paved the way for indie Authors and KDP is is still at the forefront. It has the most innovation, the simplest and most comprehensive platform and some of the best e-readers. They have pushed the boundaries of print on demand making it both possible and affordable for normal people. My books are still for sale on Amazon and unless something drastic changes will remain available in the Amazon shop.
From the beginning I have had people asking if my books were available anywhere else. They have explained that they use a an e-reader made by a different company or that Amazon deliveries are unreliable in their area, or they have objections to the way that the company treats it’s employee’s.
I expressed discomfort but felt Amazon was the best option for indie authors due to my resource constraints.
It was fear, that stopped me. I get page reads, so I worry that I won’t make up the difference in sales. I will have to learn to work with other platforms when I find the technical aspects difficult. I might discover that I have made a mistake in changing. But if I don’t do anything I will never find out.
I am writing this after a year away from my desk.This has encouraged me to rethink everything, and see things differently.
I use a Kobo e reader, not only because I like the device, but because I like keep my e-books on my computer to make them easier to organise and Amazon no longer allow my to do that. I can’t buy author copies of my books because I live in a rural location and Amazon won’t deliver to my address. They tell me that my village doesn’t exist.
So, I have bitten the bullet, over the next two or three months my books will be available from other retailers, I will keep my website updated with the details. One day I hope that I will be able to sell directly from my website but I am taking things one step at a time.
Watch This space.
Abigail Thorne 