tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post6653473795509362941..comments2023-08-08T02:21:47.042-07:00Comments on The Writing Bomb: Why I'm Joining Amazon's KDP Select ProgramJeff Benningtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846791553554124991noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-88783232050559713272012-04-18T06:30:13.093-07:002012-04-18T06:30:13.093-07:00I have several books in the system and I have not ...I have several books in the system and I have not seen my first check yet. The way the lending program is structured makes sense. In March 2012(my first month), my report shows (30 borrows).<br /><br />April is starting on a good note. Amazon is slowly creating a monopoly through bribes and incentives. We independent authors better be mindful of the pitfalls of monopolist capitalism. <br /><br />Monopolies are just like dictators, eventually they might screw you royally!Gilbert Ryanhttp://healthinfotimes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-58513093327798408832012-04-04T01:03:22.011-07:002012-04-04T01:03:22.011-07:00Great post, thanks.
Does anybody have insight int...Great post, thanks.<br /><br />Does anybody have insight into the Smashwords-related questions/concerns voiced by Richard and Phantomimic? My novel Under Angels is currently published through Smashwords, and Smashwords is distributing it to everything (Apple, Sony, BN, etc.) <br /><br />To rephrase the question: Once I click the 'unpublish' button on Smashwords, how long must I wait to (legally) enroll in the KDP Select program? And who's checking?<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Jace DJace Dhttp://underangels.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-24072679120630886242012-04-01T17:52:51.687-07:002012-04-01T17:52:51.687-07:00Just signed up. Thanks for the confidence!
O, and...Just signed up. Thanks for the confidence!<br /><br />O, and I'll check out yer work 2. Looks like I'll like your stuff.<br /><br />:) MiaMiahttp://www.di-dio.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-52729985979878692482012-01-23T08:06:35.543-08:002012-01-23T08:06:35.543-08:00Read your post and all these comments. Decided to ...Read your post and all these comments. Decided to give KDP Select a shot.Dicey Grenorhttp://diceygrenorbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-65188671826990314722011-12-14T20:54:59.319-08:002011-12-14T20:54:59.319-08:00UPDATE: I enrolled all three of my novels. Since o...UPDATE: I enrolled all three of my novels. Since offering my thriller Permanent Interests as a freebie this morning, over 5,000 people have downloaded it, advancing it in popularity to #1 in the Political Fiction category, #2 in Spy Tales, #4 in Thrillers, #23 in Fiction, and #32 among all book genres. This is a two-day promotion, after which my other two will go freebie, sequentially, for 48 hours each. Whether this translates into higher sales afterward is an open question. It behooves us all to share our experiences.JAMES BRUNOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16915420421912064053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-56870416450156200682011-12-13T13:57:06.133-08:002011-12-13T13:57:06.133-08:00I'm in, too. I've tried different distribu...I'm in, too. I've tried different distributors, but Amazon is where I've made 99% of my earnings. If Smashwords, B&N, Apple, etc., want my ebooks, then it's their responsibility to make it worth my while. It's not my responsibility to take care of Mark Coker or any other publisher or distributor. It's not about monopoly---it's about who is running a better business model. Amazon, the "ruthless greedy monster" has put thousands of dollars into my bank account this year. Their business model has made it possible for me to pursue writing fiction full time. They've paid me on time and responded to all of my questions and concerns. <br /><br />As an author, it's really a shocker to not be treated like crap for a change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-77481696889579230682011-12-12T19:21:04.299-08:002011-12-12T19:21:04.299-08:00@Richard, You have every right to give copies away...@Richard, You have every right to give copies away in any format you wish. You just can't sell your Select titles in any other platform. You can give review copies away. As far as your SW question, I don't know. I didn't use SW to publish in the other stores. I did that myself and so I had to remove from B&N, SW, apple etc, on my own. You'll have to contact SW to find out. Sorry I couldn't help w/ that one.<br /><br />@Anonymous~ In your case, I wouldn't either... maybe. But I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well in B & N . You are one of the few and I'd love to hear how that has happened for you... How you're marketing to accomplish that... Who your publisher is... What your genre is etc. Congrats!<br /><br />@Stavros~I like your enthusiasm. Best of luck to you.Jeff Benningtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01846791553554124991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-66509722576111323132011-12-12T14:20:10.252-08:002011-12-12T14:20:10.252-08:00I'm one the fence, but leaning towards going w...I'm one the fence, but leaning towards going with the KDP program. <br /><br />'d like an answer to Phantomimic's question about whether we can send electronic copies to reviewers, though. We shouldn't be limited as to how we promote our own businesses. <br /><br />Also, Jeff - if I unpublish from Smashwords, does that take my book off other distributor's sites?<br /><br />Thanks, a great article and discussion!Richard S. Freelandhttp://www.dragonlyre.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-36965468029166754532011-12-12T08:14:44.787-08:002011-12-12T08:14:44.787-08:00Concentrating one's efforts in one spot conser...Concentrating one's efforts in one spot conserves time and energy for a busy author. For me, that spot has to belong to Amazon Kindle. Let's not forget that Amazon began reasearch and development into ebooks over a decade ago, which has paid off by granting the biggest voice to authors who otherwise wouldn't have had one. As to whether I'm participating in Amazon's KDP Select program? Hell, yea!Stavros Halvatzishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18210022903271196185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-53989285727503603972011-12-12T05:26:23.840-08:002011-12-12T05:26:23.840-08:00I sell a lot of books at B&N. To jump in witho...I sell a lot of books at B&N. To jump in without really reading all the fine print is far too risky for me. Believe me, Amazon is going for the jugular and monopoly is NEVER a good thing. Still not sure what to do but I don't like a carrot being dangled in my face with little clauses that most authors ignore. Go read the terms and conditions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-17293322057449910722011-12-12T04:54:26.702-08:002011-12-12T04:54:26.702-08:00I love your comments and opinions, folks. I'm ...I love your comments and opinions, folks. I'm so glad I posted this. After three days in the select program I've rented 5 books, my sales have spiked tremendously, I've had a great 2 day promo, and I've sold 5 copies of one of my books in Amazon.de....and I've never sold anything there. Plus, my UK sales have taken their first spike ever (+50 copies). So far so good. <br /><br />Honestly, I can't believe how passionate some of you are regarding this monopoly business. B&N and apple will likely respond and if the don't, their market share will simply crumble; and that won't be on Amazon's back. That'll happen because of their own unresponsiveness. I'd recommend going with the hot button for now, or you'll miss the opportunity while it's here. <br /><br />We're not guaranteed any of this will last, so don't worry about what the market will do and who "could" monoplolize. If B&N changes their policies, I'll go back. For now, they ain't doin' nothin' for me and probably not much for you either.Jeff Benningtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01846791553554124991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-33808815866026336932011-12-11T21:57:07.072-08:002011-12-11T21:57:07.072-08:00While all three of my novels have been Kindle paid...While all three of my novels have been Kindle paid genre bestsellers, they have sold squat via other platforms (B&N, Smashwords, etc.) So, I'm willing to give it a shot. The way I look at it, I've got little to lose. So far, Amazon has been very good to me and also very responsive with my queries, troubleshooting, etc. Five minutes after signing up, a Prime member borrowed one of my titles. I'll decide after 90 days whether it was worthwhile and whether or not to renew. It's nice not being treated like chopped liver as an author.<br /><br />I'm wondering when to do the 5-day free availability option. I would think the week before Xmas would make sense.JAMES BRUNOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16915420421912064053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-1704491601675889852011-12-11T21:36:38.979-08:002011-12-11T21:36:38.979-08:00I can use all of the tools, resources, support and...I can use all of the tools, resources, support and proven success to build my kindle empire and take full advantage of what Amazon is creating for a new media professionals like me @katie_quistKatie Quisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04095614546282803921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-56384584096645398912011-12-11T19:40:59.574-08:002011-12-11T19:40:59.574-08:00I am releasing a collection of short stories later...I am releasing a collection of short stories later this month and I intend to enroll it in the KDP Select program. For me, it's as much about experimenting as anything else. <br /><br />Microsoft has an arguable monopoly on PCs and software. I hate MS... I use Linux Ubuntu. It's free and growing in popularity. When you are the top dog, the only direction to go is down and there is always another dog ready to take your place. The Indie market is too versatile and accessible for even Amazon to completely dominate it. Eventually, someone else comes along with a better mousetrap.<br /><br />I'm an entrepreneur, even if only as a self pub author. If I come up with an awesome idea that makes me millions of dollars but makes it harder for my competition, then they either step up to the plate or die. It's called capitalism. If Amazon starts playing games with their commission structure, they will see Indie authors retaliate in droves. It wouldn't take much "banding together" before we found another way to sell our books. Let's face it, it's pretty easy to send someone an ebook and taking credit cards is a piece of cake, too. So let's see what Amazon's competition is willing to offer to stay in the game. In the meantime, I want my share of the pie. BTW, I only make .35 a book now, so I don't see much of a danger with Select. We'll see.Edward Owenhttp://www.storiesbyedwardowen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-66802805475555619072011-12-11T10:19:01.401-08:002011-12-11T10:19:01.401-08:00I'm not interested in taking part in anything ...I'm not interested in taking part in anything that gives a retailer a monopoly over the market. Why give Amazon so much power over ebooks? Companies who think they are the only game in town are bound to abuse their power. <br /><br />Barnes & Noble is spending every advertising dollar they've got (and they have a lot) pushing Nook. The Nook is a more versatile and user-friendly product. I'm not going to leave Nook users out in the cold, and I'm not going to discount the possibility that Nook will overtake Kindle, either. <br /><br />Eventually, the technophobes who are afraid of e-readers will give in, and they're more likely to give in to Nook, which is already sold at their local bookstore and where booksellers can take it in their hand and fix their problems for them, than to order sight unseen from Amazon.Natalie Keller Reinerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12171624494588937877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-70044209480380906882011-12-11T07:18:15.953-08:002011-12-11T07:18:15.953-08:00I have a question. These are the terms of the prog...I have a question. These are the terms of the program:<br /><br />"During this period of exclusivity, you cannot sell or distribute, or give anyone else the right to sell or distribute, your Digital Book (or content that is reasonably likely to compete commercially with your Digital Book, diminish its value, or be confused with it), in digital format in any territory where you have rights."<br /><br />Does this mean I will not be able to send free copies to book blogs for review? I think it does. I don't think I like that.Phantomimichttp://phantomimic.weebly.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-85559128554814978212011-12-10T13:55:19.624-08:002011-12-10T13:55:19.624-08:00I'm biased. I've always been one for diver...I'm biased. I've always been one for diversity and Amazon clearly tries to push the other retailers out of the market. Sure, for the individual author, this seems to be a great idea. But in the long run, I am sure it will be a bog disadvantage -- especially for non-US authors. In Europe, many more copies are sold through the other retailers because the Kindle isn't as far spread. If Amazon succeeds in pushing those retailers out, it will become exceedingly difficult for authors from other countries to be successful. I don't like it -- I've got a conscience to live with.Katharina Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00223722392075669331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-90535766814167438902011-12-10T07:45:51.400-08:002011-12-10T07:45:51.400-08:00I suspect Apple and others will counter with a mor...I suspect Apple and others will counter with a more juicy carrot.Caroline Gerardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12376556246231855571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-5365397242536088642011-12-10T07:12:29.110-08:002011-12-10T07:12:29.110-08:00The danger of a monopoly (not that a small handful...The danger of a monopoly (not that a small handful of us little people can do anything about it, but I think it's what's causing a lot of the angst) is that once that monopoly is in place, they can do what they wish pricing-wise. And in our case (self-pub authors), while we're still on an agency pricing model (we set the price), Amazon can (and if they're the only game in town, will) reduce the royalty rate. <br /><br />Making 70% royalty is absurdly lucrative, and while every business (including Amazon) has the right to grow and make money, I think that's the stick at the end of this carrot. If Amazon succeeds with this exclusivity program, and Nook/iBooks suffers (or cannot grow further), I have no doubt that 70% royalty goes the way of the buggy whip.<br /><br />Coke has its Pepsi, Walmart has its Target, Google has its Microsoft, Apple has its Android...and we need Amazon to have its BN/Apple/Kobo/Sony/etc.<br /><br />~SteveSteve Umsteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13322071371363967352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-34133135140582293252011-12-10T07:10:09.118-08:002011-12-10T07:10:09.118-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Steve Umsteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13322071371363967352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-23100856657794518052011-12-10T04:03:44.795-08:002011-12-10T04:03:44.795-08:00Supporting this program, to me, as an author is su...Supporting this program, to me, as an author is supporting an attempt to monopolize. Not only do I like my Nook better than I ever liked Kindle, but I don't like Microsoft's business practices nor Adobe's and I certainly am getting very unhappy with Amazon's. This is just Amazon's way of buying their way to monopoly. And while my books also sell more Kindle than Nook, I cannot ever support such a business philosophy. Not when brick and mortar stores continue to fail. Not when publishing industry issues continue with Amazon. Not when there are still readers who buy my books other places. Not at all.Bryan Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942472363470824138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-60180235262279829792011-12-10T02:46:58.402-08:002011-12-10T02:46:58.402-08:00I'm amazed at the number of authors who have d...I'm amazed at the number of authors who have dismissed this program outright, purely because of the 'exclusivity' factor. Yes, Amazon is one of the big boys and only wants to get bigger, but so what? It's a business; of course they want to continue to grow. If authors are smart about things, they'll see that this new program offers some huge promo opportunities and control over them as well. Remember, just because you join the program doesn't mean ALL your books have to join the program.Marissafarrarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409272164117892923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-13515293160464040502011-12-09T19:48:19.699-08:002011-12-09T19:48:19.699-08:00Jeff,
This is a fascinating debate. I don't li...Jeff,<br />This is a fascinating debate. I don't like the control being exerted by Amazon yet, it's hard to deny they do account for 99% of my sales as well. Thanks for covering this topic so thoroughly. You've given me a lot to think about.Angela Artemis/WriteABookhttp://www.writeabookandbookmorebusiness.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-53815267773352355542011-12-09T19:26:59.036-08:002011-12-09T19:26:59.036-08:00I had a few questions about the program, and Amazo...I had a few questions about the program, and Amazon answered all of them. And, as the other distributors accountd for less than 1% of my sales, I signed up the first book in my series. I'm waiting to see how the first 90 day period goes.CS-Connie Suttlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15619897360824844430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285913204707798277.post-35119342842261012642011-12-09T18:51:39.788-08:002011-12-09T18:51:39.788-08:00Great points, Steve. I certainly don't plan on...Great points, Steve. I certainly don't plan on getting $7,500 in December, but I have already had one of my titles loaned in the first 24 hrs. That's a good sign considering none of my books are priced higher than 99¢ at the moment. Who knows what motivated that reader to borrow my book. Hopefully they'll borrow more.Jeff Benningtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01846791553554124991noreply@blogger.com