Time to address an issue about which I am frequently asked. Namely, the intricate process of self-publishing with Amazon KDP…

Readers, fans, and aspiring authors alike all ask me about self-publishing with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (or KDP). I published both of my books this way, after doing a fair bit of research into the pros and cons of independent publishing over traditional publishing, weighing up the costs, and getting some advice from another author.

There were, however, a few things they didn’t tell me too. And so, as I am something of a seasoned veteran with the process, I’m offering some pearls of wisdom in this regard. So the following post (and the video below) covers 5 things you should know or should be advised of before self-publishing with Amazon KDP.

EXPECT TO COVER THE COSTS YOURSELF

So the first thing you ought to know about Amazon KDP is that it is totally free to use. As self-publishing goes, it is also quite easy. You upload your Word document or PDF, fill in all the data about the book, including what paper you want it on; if it has photos or illustrations, should they printed in colour; add your cover art, which we’ll come onto in a minute, and when you’re done, hit publish.

This process does not cost you a penny, but don’t be deluded into thinking you can conduct an entire book publishing project for free. Amazon won’t necessarily cover costs for things like your cover design, the marketing and promotion, or advance copies for events, signings, pre-orders and so on. Like any sort of independent project or business, there will be expenses, so prepare for them.

KINDLE AND PAPERBACK ROYALTIES ARE DIFFERENT

At first, Amazon KDP only self-published to Kindle, so e-book format. However, in 2017 or 2018 they rolled out their beta version of paperback self-publishing, which I got on when I launched Lust & Liberty. So now, there are two publishing options for this service.

It’s worth noting that the royalties – the profit margins – are very different between the two formats. On Kindle, it is quite reasonable: you can choose between 35% and 70% royalty plans, which determines your minimum price. Either way, you can set quite a low cost for your book and make a decent royalty per copy sold. In my case, for example, I sell Sin & Secrecy for £2.50, Amazon takes a tiny delivery charge and their 30% cut, and the £1.60-something left over is mine.

When it comes to the paperback format, it becomes a lot harsher. In my case, the only royalty rate available is 60%, which sounds nice on the surface. You go into that thinking you can price a 500-page book at £10 per copy and make £6 per book sold. Lovely.

Actually no, not lovely. Because you have to factor in the printing cost for each book. That’s another cost that Amazon does not cover. It comes out of your 60% royalty. So a 500-page book that you sell for £10, but costs £5.86 per copy to print, leaves you 14p profit. This is why my paperback versions are priced so highly on Amazon.

GET YOUR OWN COVER DESIGNER

At the start of this video, I know I said that Amazon won’t cover the cost of your cover design. That’s not strictly true. They do have a cover creator tool, with which you can put together some perfectly adequate designs. Play around with stock photos as well if you will – I’ve seen a lot of these around on the Amazon self-published book promotion groups on Facebook. And while these authors may do very well out of these books – I don’t know – the only words that spring to mind when I see such covers are: “amateur” and “tacky”. Especially books that have “Book #4 in the XYZ detective fiction series” written on them. It looks and sounds awful. How many well-known, successful, professional-looking books have that kind of thing emblazoned on the front cover? None come to my mind.

Of all the expenses incurred in the independent publishing business, getting a professionally designed cover is the MOST IMPORANT one. The one that is most worth investing in. I hit the jackpot with both of my designers. Dan Lipski who designed Lust & Liberty’s cover did a fantastic job suggesting the mood of the piece, and he laid the groundwork from which Michał Musiałek took inspiration when designing the cover for the sequel, Sin & Secrecy. And my readers LOVE the covers – some of them as much as the content within. It tips the scale in your favour as an independent author to step up your professional game and engage a proper cover designer. At the end of the day, it’s the first thing your readers will see.

GET HELP WITH MARKETING (UNLESS YOU’RE AN EXPERT)

My main stumbling block in my literary career thus far has been marketing. I did one or two events pre-COVID, but the rest has been all online and social media based. And the results show – the books are not exactly flying off the shelves. And that’s because I did not put much – anything, really – by in the budget for proper marketing assistance.

If marketing is not your strong suit, I highly recommend consulting with someone. If it’s in the budget, pay for some services – even if it’s just to get you started. I consulted with a really good company based local to me in Bournemouth, called Ocean View Marketing. They were a great help and come highly recommended – to find out more about them, check out their website.

ENCOURAGE YOUR READERS TO LEAVE REVIEWS

The last point on the list is more relevant after you’ve finished self-publishing with Amazon.

Reviews mean a lot to an independent author anyway, as they would any businessman with a new product. And on Amazon, it’s no exception. If anything, it’s even more important on Amazon. Reviews are what people scroll down to check to see if a product is worth buying. As an author, your immediate supporters are, or should be, family and friends. So get them to chuck a review up once they’ve read it. The more reviews you have, theoretically the better it should do on Amazon’s listings.

Want to know more? Why not let me know in the comments? For more author news and views, my Facebook and Instagram pages are here.

Something that has been getting on my nerves lately. Social media book reviewers sending me messages. Why am I not replying? Well… I’ll tell you!

One of my pet peeves at the moment: social media book reviewers sending me messages. I hear you say, “Surely that’s a good thing? People are showing an interest!”

You may well be correct. Or then again, maybe it’s all a scam. It’s a bit difficult to tell when the messages have such an array of off-putting elements. In my latest video (above), I offer some advice to the social media book reviewers who want independent authors such as myself to take them seriously. At least, to reply to their messages, which, in most cases, I don’t do.

1. CHECK YOUR MESSAGES FOR MISTAKES

Before you send your message, give it a read through. Remember, you are supposedly in this to persuade me to use your services. Therefore, it makes sense that you would send me a message that uses correct English. A message that isn’t riddled with spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Also a message that doesn’t fawn and simper and use overly polite language. Or that hasn’t been copied and pasted from a generator on the Internet. Too many times have I read messages saying things like, “Kindly please reply to my email…” and beginning with “Hey Dear Dale Hurst – Author”. If it begins like that, I don’t want to read on.

2. DON’T BEG

No means no. If in the rare event I choose to reply to your message, declining your reviewing services, do not respond by saying something like: “Oh, but sir! Our services are very high-quality. And cheap…” It does not create a good impression; it just comes off as desperate, or that you are trying very hard to rope me into a scam. Take me at my first answer and be understanding. I might remember your professionalism and may well seek you out when it comes to the next book.

3. BE UP FRONT ABOUT COSTS

A lot of independent authors operate on very slim marketing budgets. And so there may not be much in the kitty to pay strangers to review the books, or to send free copies away – in many cases, overseas. For those of us starting out or still establishing a brand, every sale means the world to us. So asking us to send free copies is a tad unreasonable, especially when it costs less than a Starbucks coffee to buy the Kindle edition. It’s also a bit of a gamble to send copies to people for review that we neither know nor follow and pay money for something that may not get an honest review (I refer to my earlier point about scams).

Therefore, when you send your message, be up front about how much it may cost the author there and then. Don’t wait for us to get drawn into conversation before you hit us with the price. You may find giving it to us straight away may prove more persuasive. Also, do your homework and quote the price in the AUTHOR’S home currency. In my case, GBP (£). I will ignore anything quoted in USD, Rupees or, especially, cryptocurrencies!

4. CONSIDER WHEN THE BOOK WAS RELEASED

Following on from the last point about budgets, authors may have budgeted for reviews when their book was first released. In addition, they usually approach the reviewers, rather than the other way around. So when you’re sending your message, double-check when the book was actually released. If it was a week or two ago, then there’s a fair chance the author may have something left over to maybe take a chance on social media book reviewers. If it was more than a year ago… it’s highly unlikely unless sales are literally pouring in. And even in that event, they may not feel they need your services.

FINAL ADVICE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA BOOK REVIEWERS

There is a lot of distrust going around, especially on social media. If you operate a genuine review channel, you must be professional and persuasive about your approach to independent authors if you want us to take you seriously. Otherwise, we may just think you’re another scammer looking to make some easy money and otherwise damage our brand and/or reputation.

Do you agree (or disagree)? Why not let me know in the comments? For more author news and views, my Facebook and Instagram pages are here.