KDP, Select & Price-Matching?

[Mia]

Hi,

Hopefully this is the right place for this question... Folks here seem to cover a spectrum of publishing selections, so perhaps someone may be able to tell me something I've been wondering (worrying) about.

I heard from another author that they heard - I know, a game of internet style telephone - that Amazon/KDP wasn't going to price-match free promotions any longer for titles not in their Select program. (With some of Amazon's efforts these days, I wouldn't be surprised.)

Has anyone had a non-Select title price-matched for free recently? If so, could you say how long/how many 'reports' it took for them to do so?

Thank you very much.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

Been there, done that. Once I dropped my first book to free on Smashwords, and I started actively trying to get Amazon to match, it took about two weeks for Amazon to make it free.

Once that happened, book sales skyrocketed!,

[Mia]

This is what I'm hearing, and it was a big part of my plan for my series! But did you do this before or after they introduced KDP Select?

It's been almost two weeks since my book showed up at Barnes & Noble and iTunes as free, and it's been "reported" by a few friends for me, but still no price-matching. I remain hopeful, but am worried about 'rumor' on the KDP Selectthing.

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

The thing to remember, unfortunately, is that the price matching to free doesn't always work.

And for the record, I got Amazon to drop mine before the whole KDP Select thing came out. I usually frown at being told what to do with regards to my books, and as soon as I saw instructions to remove the book from everywhere it was being sold caused me to back away holding two fingers up in the shape of a cross. I might have hissed a little, too. :)

[Mia]

*lol*

Yeah, I don't really like the exclusivity thing either though I am experimenting with a short novella entirely unrelated to my "main" stories. Those I will never let near KDP Select because I like my freedom!

But still, I am worried that Select is going to make them less likely to price-match me. I was just wondering if it was a guarantee or if someone else had been able to get a free promotion price-match in a post-Select era! :)

[Mia]

Well, that answers my question. 'Cameron's Law' was made free tonight!

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

Very nice, Mia! I'll have to jet over there to take a look to see if it's something I'd be interested in reading.

Big J

[Mia]

It's paranormal, but I flatter myself to say I take an avenue that not *everyone* has taken with it. So, if you do check it out - if that's your thing - I hope that you enjoy it. :)

There are so many books from writers in this group that I want to check out now myself. Don't know where to start!

[Jeffrey, Lentarian Fire Thrower]

I'm not a big fan of werewolves or vampires, yet thanks to writers in this club, I've read a few stories with those creatures in minor roles and absolutely loved it.

I see that yours features both vampires and werewolves. Now, it used to be seeing "vampires" or "werewolves" instantly pushed my ignore button, but I am more apt to try other books out. I'll download a sample and take a look. I make no guarantees other than I'll load it on my iPad to take a look. :)

Big J

p.s. I actually had to have someone from this club explain to me what was the significance of "sparkly vampires". Was so very thankful that I didn't know that.

[Mia]

Hey, we all have our things. :) I'm... kind of anti-Twilight, so yeah. My vampires do not sparkle. I like writing them just like anyone else. Like... what if they had to be "regular people" like the rest of us, but just happened to be preternatural?

[Rosen]

I tried for ages to get Amazon to price match two of my short stories, with no success. I guess they want to keep "Free" as bait for their KDP Select programme.

[Mia]

I'm not sure what their criteria are, but they just made my book free and it's not in their Select program.

[Rosen]

Oh dear, looks like I was being too cynical.

[Mia]

Well, I had become almost convinced of the same thing until they made mine free. I wonder if it has something to do with the number of different people who "report" the lower price for you?

[Rosen]

Who knows. Amazon have many, many secrets...