Support for Indie Authors discussion

It seems that you can publish an e-book on amazon in advance, and it is available for pre-order, but this is not possible for print books.

Is this correct? Is there a way around this?

I suppose I would just click "publish" a few days before the desired publication date just to give amazon time to process it?

That is correct. You cannot preorder a print book through KDP Print. You can, however, with Ingram Spark.

I generally give KDP Print three days' lead time ahead of the ebook release, and it is usually through within twenty four hours, but every now and then there is a glitch so it is best to give yourself time.

There is no special magic to having them both appear on the same day. Nor does your "launch" day have to be the same day as it shows up on Amazon.

Thanks for the response. I will go with three days just to be sure. I had some paranoia that it is very crucial to have a strong "launch" the day of publication, but I suppose it doesn't really matter.

I actually put mine through KDP a couple of weeks early than my official release date just so I could have copies on hand.

P.D. wrote: "That is correct. You cannot preorder a print book through KDP Print. You can, however, with Ingram Spark."

I took this route too. Shortly after I made the paperback and hardcover versions available for pre-order through IngramSpark, they appeared for pre-order on Amazon.

The only annoyance I experienced was that before my publication date, 3rd party book farms on Amazon started offering the print versions above list price, making it look like they were already available to ship. In the book's listing, the print versions showed up as "in stock" and shipping in less than a week -- even though publication date was weeks away.

Each time this happened, I sent the seller a "stop that" message, but it was like swatting flies. Not a big deal, but a little irksome.

I always publish the print book about a month later after the ebook has garnered enough interest and you had a chance to correct any typos. Ebooks can be updated, print books take longer and if someone already bought a print book, theirs cannot be changed.

I considered using IS for physical copies just for the preorder but the printing costs was much higher, taking my cut down to less than $1.50 for a $15.95 book. I'm not in this for the money but felt (and still feel) that I deserve more than that per copy.

A. wrote: "I always publish the print book about a month later after the ebook has garnered enough interest and you had a chance to correct any typos. Ebooks can be updated, print books take longer and if someone already bought a print book, theirs cannot be changed."

I plan to delay print version for the same reason, possibly 2-3 months, no idea yet.

It seems to me that my book is basically invisible on Ingram Spark. I can order author copies, but I can't find a way to search for it outside of my account. Is this intentional? I understand that Ingram is where bookstores would order my book and get their 55% discount in theory.

It's unfortunate because I find the print quality to be quite a bit better on Ingram (better color quality on the cover and better and thinner paper quality).

Contact them and ask if they only distribute or do they actually put the book on every online site listed. I've not used them yet, but am planning on it with this next book. The reason is that this book is one libraries would like better than the Jillian factor. I plan on checking on exactly what services they provide and choose who does what based on that. I may have D2D do the ebooks and paperback distribution.

I have a related question. I'm planning to publish on both paperback with KDP and case-laminated hardback with Ingram Spark. I'd like to use the paperback author copies as advance copies for reviewers and so on. But does KDP allow purchase of author copies before publication?

(Some reviewers, following an industry model, ask for their copies well in advance of publication.)

To the original question, you can't use KDP for print ARCs. That is where you need places like Ingram Spark or a way to turn that manuscript into a book. If you are wanting a print book to send out, you'll need to use an actual printer like IS and yes, they will print copies before your release date. They are expensive though. You will have to check with KDP to see how many author copies you are allowed since they will want their cut so I'm sure it is minimal.

You might find a printer in your area if you are near a big city who will do a short run for you if you have all the print-ready files. Most ARCs today are sent out in e-book format which is easy to store on Google Drive, Dropbox or Bookfunnel with a link you send to the person to get the book. Other than Bookfunnel, you'll need directions for how to download that book and be prepared to walk the digitally challenged through it which is the reason I use Bookfunnel, it's easy. Other than those reviewing for traditional publishers, most take e-files...even Kirkus and Blue Ink do e-book or PDF. I can't imagine any reviewer who wants paperbacks cluttering up their already overloaded office.

Thanks for the reply, B.A.

It is as I suspected then: you can order author copies from KDP, but not in advance of publication.

But could you pause publication shortly after receipt of author copies?

I had hoped to distributed copies for review (ARCs) in digital format. However, I recently compiled a list of book bloggers, using Reedsy's list, filtering the search to those who accepted requests from self-publishers/indies, and the majority of those requested a physical copy or stated a preference for a physical copy. Hence, my query. It should be noted that less than half of those bloggers expected the review to precede the release.

The last time I pubbed a book, you could order proof copies to read in book format before you hit the 'publish' button. There is a limited number you can get, I think, but you can use these for ARCs. If you make a few changes and order proof copies again, you can probably get enough this way.

Michelle wrote: "The last time I pubbed a book, you could order proof copies to read in book format before you hit the 'publish' button. There is a limited number you can get, I think, but you can use these for ARC..."

Thanks, Michelle. I don't need a great of many so that could be the solution.

(I have a slight problem now because original hardback version of the book was designed inside and out in a trim not offered by KDP. So this route would, strictly speaking, require re-design work.)

The paperback proofs from KDP just say 'Not for Resale' across the front and back of the cover. That makes it unlikely your book will be resold if that was the person's intent. Also, the Not for Resale is in a narrow ribbon, not plastered all over the cover, so it still looks good. :)

I'm hoping you are meaning paperback, Richard because KDP dosen't do hard cover. That is something you would need to go to Ingram Spark for in the US. You can order copies of the book in paperbackfrom Amazon but check with thme for pricing. I've heard that they do and don't offer author discount copies. You woukd have ti check with the support team on that.

B.A. wrote: "You can order copies of the book in paperback from Amazon but check with them for pricing. I've heard that they do and don't offer author discount copies."

Currently I can order author copies of my previous book, published on Createspace, now KDP. But I don't recall being able to do that when the book came out. Hence my confusion.

(an author copy has to be discounted otherwise it's the same as any other copy purchased.)

Amazon's author prices are dependent on the length of the paperback. Usually $3+ or 4 or 5 plus shipping. I then add about $10 as my sale price. Definitely there's a discount.

I can confirm that KDP allow the purchase of five proof copies of your book before it goes live. I up-dated the interior files and was able to purchase five more proofs. Once the title goes live you can purchase author copies. All the aforementioned are at a discounted rate not retail, plus postage.

Pre-orders are for ebooks only. Proof copies for Print books.