“1612” Series Variation

[Harald, The Swimmer]

Because I’m doing a series, I had to think through how to handle each book’s cover and how they held together as a series. I had already paid for a license to use the “virgin Manhattan” image you see in “1609” so wanted to use that as much as possible. In the end—and having to change the series name for various reasons—I decided to only change the main title and then the treatment of that background image. Like so (only these two are live so far):


Here’s the series link, if you’re interested (and also to see how Amazon handles a true series once you’ve convinced them that’s what you have — and you do have to request it directly from them):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...

1609

1612

[Christa]

I think this is a great way to have series cohesion and to keep costs down at the same time. Also, thank you for the tip on Amazon having better ways to present a series if you contact them about the issue.

[Harald, The Swimmer]

Hi Christa! Yeah, it's a balancing act between Cohesion and Difference (in a series).

And Amazon will answer questions directly, even if it takes them 2-3 days. So don't be shy about asking. I think they're getting to know me! :)

[Richard]

I'll have to get in touch with them about my series, thanks for the heads up Harald.

[Harald, The Swimmer]

And two Amazon rules about Series:
1. Each book must be over 100 pages.
2. You cannot call them "short stories" or "novellas" (which was my initial problem). They specifically "do not support" them, per their written guidelines. But there are ways around this.

[Richard]

Each of mine are in excess of 50,000 words so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll be contacting Amazon today.

[Harald, The Swimmer]

Richard wrote: "Each of mine are in excess of 50,000 words so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll be contacting Amazon today."

Richard: I'm guessing that your 50k words will translate into ~160 Amazon pages (depending on Front & Back Matter, of course). Tell me if I'm right or wrong at some point! :)

P.S. My "rules" about Amazon series refer to the official Series Bundles they do with books hooked together.

[Richard]

You're pretty much on the money, with front and back matter my two are coming in at around 170 pages give or take a page or two.

Heard back from amazon with directions on how to have a series page set up.

[Harald, The Swimmer]

Richard wrote: "... Heard back from amazon with directions on how to have a series pag..."

Share any Amazon directions (other than filling in the Series and Vol # boxes), if you want. Then, when finalized, put them both up for us to see!

[Richard]

They said I just needed to send them the aisn of every book in the series. I've asked them if the series set can be discounted but no response yet. Will set mine up when book three is ready for pre-order at the end of this month.

[Harald, The Swimmer]

Richard wrote: "They said I just needed to send them the aisn of every book in the series. I've asked them if the series set can be discounted but no response yet. Will set mine up when book three is ready for pre..."

Yeah, I've never gotten a clear answer on the series discount thing, either. Tell us what you learn.

FYI: You can start a Series Bundle with 2 books (minimum), but if you want to wait for 3, that's fine too. I started with 2 just see how the system worked. And it does!

[Richard]

May have to set up a boxed set in order to discount. Book 3 should go into pre order at the end of this month at which time I'll set up the series link with Amazon. At this point it depends on if my editor can have it ready by the due date.

[Richard]

Amazon is in the process of setting up the series page for books one and two, they can include a per order, but if they do they can't activate the one click buy button for the series as the pre order is not yet available. I told them to set up books one and two and when three releases officially I'll contact them to add it.

[Harald, The Swimmer]

Richard wrote: "Amazon is in the process of setting up the series page for books one and two, they can include a per order, but if they do they can't activate the one click buy button for the series as the pre ord..."

That makes sense, Richard. And in the meantime, you can put all this sort of info in the blurb or Edit Reviews section on the product pages (revisable in Author Central).