Hi, guys!
So, I figured I’d get back to writing related topics today. I don’t know if you guys will be relieved or disappointed by that (let me know in the comments below), but that’s what’s happening.
I been trying to make a pretty important decision regarding publication, this week. I think I’m going to publish my books through Ingram Spark instead of KDP.
Now, that may not sound like it would be make a difference to anyone but me. But it does mean something important to readers.
Ingram Spark allows the option of… *drum roll* …
Hard back books!
KDP doesn’t have that. At all.
Ingram Spark also allows me to do a couple different types of ebooks. So basically, I can offer my book in more formats, so people can read it however they want. Now, to save myself some money, I’ll be using KDP specifically for the Kindle ebook.
That brings me to the impact for me.
Amazon KDP generates its own ISBNs and Barcodes…for free.
Ingram Spark does not provide free ISBNs. And let me tell you, they aren’t cheap. I never expected a little number on the back of the book to cost so much.
But, at the end of the day, it’s an investment in the career I want, an investment in my dream. And if that’s what it takes to get my book out in every format (fucking hard back books, guys!), then so be it.
Another plus side to Ingram is that they offer preorder for all formats. Amazon KDP only allows preorder on ebook. :/
Which is dumb.
Ingram Spark also seems to concentrate more on expanded distribution (bookstores, libraries, etc.), which is nice.
With Kindle, it’s just kinda…there. Lol. Just an afterthought. It’s an Amazon company after all, and brick and mortar stores are the competition.
Amazon keeping their competitors afloat by having their stuff sold in stores? Stores keeping their competition afloat by selling Amazon stuff? Not super likely.
So, while this did just become a much more expensive endeavor, I’m psyched to get a hard back option for my books.
And I’m glad I made this decision now, because I’m almost done with the final edits of Soul Bearer.
I’m within 20 pages of the end!
Granted, there’s an adjustment that I need to make which may add a page or two, but still!
It’s so close!
I got to this point a couple days ago, but I had 12 hour shifts both days since. They were only 12 hours apart, so I had to go to the store, eat, take care of animals, shower, and sleep. I never get to do book stuff on weekends.
(Side note, don’t work in a tire factory over the summer. It’s fucking miserable.)
So, all day at work, today and yesterday, my head was stuck in the ending of my book, circling, waiting, begging me to get back to it…
And, tomorrow afternoon (I still have yet to sleep since getting off work and have to run errands in the morning), I’ll have it finished.
Then, I just have to do formatting, make final adjustments to the cover, and learn how to navigate a new publishing process. Lol.
No big deal. Just a bunch of shit that’s gonna be difficult and tedious.
The formatting is what I’m looking forward to the least. KDP has these helpful little plug-ins for Word…Idk if Ingram has that. We’ll see what happens, there. Lol. But I’ll figure it out.
I always do.
Anyway, after that, I’ll be looking for ARC readers. (I have a list of reviewers to ask.) Then, I need swag for giveaways.
Yeah, you heard (saw) that right. Every book release will have giveaways. I’ll choose winners from IG, FB, and from my email subscriber list. (Participate/subscribe on all three platforms for extra chances to win.) A grand prize winner will be selected from my subscribers, btw. So make sure you subscribe. Don’t forget. (It’s down at the bottom of the page, btw. Lol.)
I’ll announce more details on the prizes (and subscriber grand prize) closer to time.
So, if you’re an indie author trying to decide between the two, maybe this will help. Maybe not. You may like ebook better, and not care about hard back books at all. Maybe you don’t want to buy your own ISBN for your book, which makes complete sense.
You may have stock in Amazon. I don’t freaking know. Lol.
If my post wasn’t thorough enough for you, or didn’t hit the points you were curious about, there are plenty of reviews out there.
But for now…
Keep reading. Keep writing.
Later.