Anita’s Comments (group member since Jul 12, 2017)

Anita’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Update--results of another call. I have started the load of my new book to CS. Called to find out if I should complete the load with them or stop and do the setup through Kindle. I was told I should complete the setup up with CS, then transfer, rather than starting a new title setup with Kindle.

I would add this rider. The transfer is transparent to the sale of any books. The book is still for sale and can be purchased during the transfer process. The book I transferred was in limbo for weeks over the issue with the page numbers. During that time it was still for sale on Amazon.

2nd question dealt with the transfer of the free ISBNs. Asked that one again. This time I was told the ISBNs would be transferred, and the author doesn't have to get a new number.

3rd question. Asked about the transfer when an author doesn't have a KDP account. Was told that there would be an option for the author that would keep the book on Amazon.

Carole wrote: "Yes, Ted- that makes sense. Anita did they they would just move authors over, too. ( if they didn't do anything about it.)

I'm going to start the process of moving over now, though. I like to be p..."

I was told the first push to get the books to Kindle would be on a volunteer basis. They are going to send out emails to all authors with instructions on the process. For those that "don't or can't" move theirs, then CS will do the transfer.

IngramSpark has a promo running until June 30th. Free setup. The promo code is SELFPUB. All upper case, no spaces.

A penny difference. The author price from CS was $4.37. It is $4.38 from Kindle.

I also ordered a book after the transfer to Kindle was complete. I wanted to compare the quality to one from CS. I couldn't tell any difference. Matter of fact, the one from Kindle came from the same printing plant that printed the one from CS.

It was Sentinels of the Night that I transferred. I didn't have to change the ISBN. It still has the same ISBN that I used for CS and IngramSpark. The content never changed so it is not a republish. My publish date didn't change with the transfer. It is still the original date.

Yes, the reviews transfer. The reviews I had are still there.

R.L. wrote: "Oy. This is gonna be a head ache. Mind if I share in other author groups Anita?"

Not at all. This is why I started the thread. This is an issue that affects all of us.

No, I didn't. I own the ISBN.

But that is a good question, and one I asked the rep. What about all the free ISBNs from CS? CS is listed as the publisher of record: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. According to Bowker, the publisher listed for the ISBN cannot be changed. So what happens when Kindle takes over, they aren't the publisher of record. The representative couldn't answer that one.

The procedure itself was relatively simple. I added the title and followed the steps. There is a field where you select new book or transfer from CS. If you select transfer, Kindle automatically grabs the interior file and cover from CS. It is not necessary to upload the files. The rest of the steps are similar to CS. Adding price, keywords, etc.

One rider I should add. Kindle is not offering the extended distribution channel. That was another question I asked. Didn't get an answer.

The review process is more detailed than CS. I did encounter an unexpected issue. My book was rejected due to pagination. I had an excerpt at the back. I re-numbered starting with 1 for the excerpt. What is interesting is that the book has been published on CS for over a year, as well as on Ingramspark in paperback and hardback. No one had an issue with the page numbering. I protested, but after multiple emails, I lost. I was told that CS made the original mistake by accepting the book with a second numbering system. I had to redo the manuscript. I deleted the page numbers for the excerpt, reloaded, and it passed with no problem.

This was another question that I raised with the representative. What happens if CS does the transfer and there is an issue? He couldn't answer that one either.

It's been a hassle ever since I started it. I finally decided it was more trouble than it was worth, especially in light of all the adverse publicity.

I had the best success with Ereader News Today, and the AMS ads.

Good luck on the Facebook takeovers. I finally gave up on Facebook and deleted my account.

I started a new thread for the discussion of the upcoming merger of Createspace and Kindle.

Today, I talked with a Createspace representative regarding an issue on my proof book that I had just received. During the conversation, I asked about the merger. I was told it would happen in October/November time frames. Authors will receive an email with instructions on how to transfer their print books to Kindle. For those who don't voluntarily transfer their books, then once the deadline is past, Creastespace will do the transfer.

I had several other questions that the representative wasn't able to answer. He said the guidelines have not been published yet, but expects that will happen within the next month to six weeks.

I have already transferred one of my books to test the program if anyone has questions.

I absolutely agree with having multiple editors. The more eyes the better. I used three editors for my new book, Au79. All three are very competent individuals. Still, each missed something the other two didn't. I am doing a final run-through before I put up the eBook. So far, I have found two dropped words, and a couple of other issues that all three missed. What's scary is I have to wonder what's been missed by all four of us.

Thanks all for your good comments.

This is a good day. I am getting ready to launch my third book Au79. I am excited.

The eBook will be up for sale next week. Here is the synopsis.

What connects the two largest Texas universities to a missing Laredo ATF agent, Stuart Dyson?

Sent to take over the investigation, FBI Tracker Adrian Dillard’s arrival in Laredo is met with hostility from local agents and Dyson’s fiancée, Homicide Detective Tracy Harlowe. When every lead ends with a dead body, his uncanny sixth sense kicks into high gear.

Who knows more than they are telling? Is Dyson a victim or a deadly mastermind? Tracy Harlowe may have the answers, but the secrets she’s hiding could very well get her killed.

What Adrian uncovers sends shockwaves all the way to the White House. When Tracy disappears, he doesn't need his strange gift to tell him time is running out.

Kudos to you. You are an inspiration to the rest of us.

Carole: That's great news, and well deserved!!!

Right now, KDP is not offering the Extended Distribution Channel which distributes the book to retailers in the US. The website says it will be an offering in the future.

if your book is still on CS, it will show as CS. CS is not automatically transferring to KDP. The author has to initiate the transfer. There shouldn't be an issue with reviews because the reviews are posted against all versions, which includes the eBook on KDP.

Theodore wrote: "Why, if you have your book already published on CS, would you move it to KDP? In my case, the paperback and Kindle files are NOT identical. The Kindle editions have hotlinked footnotes and endnotes..."

Rumor mill is that CS will be closing down and books will be shifted to KDP. Layoffs in the CS division have started in Washington and North Carolina. CS discontinued the paid services they offered for cover design, editing and formatting. KDP has new procedures to move a print book from CS to KDP. One of the reasons touted is to consolidate all books under one account.

When the print book title is loaded to KDP, there is a yes/no, for CS. If the author clicks that the book is on CS, KDP transfers the files, cover and manuscript, that were uploaded to CS, and moves them to the KDP system. It is not necessary to reload files. The book is automatically removed from the CS dashboard. When one is sold, the sale will be recorded on the KDP account. The process is transparent to the sale of the book. It is still online and can be purchased. It is still printed at the same printing facility.

I moved the first of my books to KDP because I am writing an article about the changes for Indie Author's Monthly magazine. This book has been published for over a year through CS and IngramSpark. I have both the paperback and hardback version with Ingram.

The initial process was simple. If the book is on CS, KDP grabs the interior file and cover file. No new upload is required. They do, however, put the book through another review. Mine got rejected. I had added an excerpt at the back of the book from the second book in the series. I started with page 1 for the excerpt. KDP rejected because of the break in the numbering system. This wasn't an issue with CS or with Ingram.

I have been trading emails for the last two weeks trying to get this resolved. You can't get a person on the phone, which is a negative. Current status is that I have to redo the manuscript and change the numbers, then resubmit the manuscript. I was also advised that CS made a mistake not rejecting the book.

I wrote an article in ebook distribution for the January issue of Indie Authors Monthly magazine that compared Ingram, Smashwords and D2D. I don't believe you can still access the issue, but here is a link to the article. Hope it helps.

http://bit.ly/2EViz1y