Amazon’s New KDP Print Feature is Bad News for CreateSpace Users – Diane Tibert
Read the Fine Print
Today’s reblog is an interesting look at what the pros and cons are for authors to create their paperbacks on KDP as opposed to using Createspace. It may be beneficial for some, but as far as mine and Diane Tibert’s opinion goes, for Canadian authors, it’s a lose, lose. Despite the fact that Createspace holds our (Canadian) royalties as hostage until they’ve reached a $100 threshold, it would cost us even more than it already does to order our own books through Amazon with NO discount.
Have a read in more detail about Diane’s article:
The first news I heard about KDP Print was in an email from Amazon on February 15th. Since then, I’ve read articles, blog posts and comments about it and watched the praise given by Amazon for this service dwindle quickly.
In the email, Amazon announced they were making print book publishing easier for writers. They stated, “KDP prints your book on demand and subtracts your printing costs from your royalties, so you don’t have to pay any costs upfront or carry any inventory.”
That’s what CreateSpace does. Sort of. I believe CreateSpace takes the cost of the printing of the book from the sale price, then takes a cut of the royalties. Until I see the numbers and do the math, I am unsure which service will offer a better financial deal for authors.
The message also stated, “It also enables you to receive consolidated royalty payments for paperback and eBook sales. You can view combined reports and manage your print and eBook publishing from one website.”
Except, I’m okay with visiting two sites to get my sales reports. In fact, I prefer CreateSpace’s sales report much more than I do Kindle’s. Kindle’s is not straightforward and too clunky to find answers quickly.
Amazon claims the benefits of using KDP Print over CreateSpace are:
Reach paperback readers through Amazon websites in the US, Europe (amazon.co.uk, amazon.de, amazon.fr, amazon.es, amazon.it) and Japan (amazon.co.jp).
Earn up to 60% royalties on the list price you set, minus printing costs.
You get to use Amazon’s catalog system. CreateSpace’s catalog used the BISAC system. With the new KDP Paperback features, you can use the same categories you picked for your eBook, plus you get keywords!
Distribution to Japan.
My Assessment of These Benefits
My paperbacks through CreateSpace already reach these markets and more. Did you notice one important country missing from the list? CANADA! In other words, I cannot order a copy of my own book, and neither can my friends, my neighbours or anyone else . . . Continue Reading
Source: Amazon’s New KDP Print Feature is Bad News for CreateSpace Users – Diane Tibert
