
I recently self-published my poetry collection "17" on Amazon and have learned a few things in the process. Here are some points you need to be aware of:
1. Your book size
2. Proof vs. Author Copies
3. Proofread Period
4. Different platforms for different purpose
1. Your book size
Even before I started my manuscript I knew what I wanted my book size to be like.
However, I did not inform myself about the book size options provided by Amazon kdp.
When I then uploaded my manuscript I realised that my wished book size was only available for paperbacks and not for hardcovers. Book size options for Paperbacks and Hardcovers differ.
So, if you have format in mind, do your research in advance because it might not be available.
(This also goes for other publishing platforms such as Barnes and Nobles..)
Your book size is also one of the factors that determines if your book can be book can be enrolled in Expanded Distribution, which basically let's Amazon make your book available to distributors. This gives booksellers and libraries more access to find your book and order it from these distributors.
Before you format your manuscript, get clear on your book size and the (dis)advantages.
2. Proof vs. Author Copies
Proof Copies: Copies of the to be published book for proofreading
Author Copies: Copies of the published book at a cheaper price
Shipping time
Proof copies take about 2 days to 3 weeks to arrive and depends on the season, city and Amazon status.
When you live in a big city your copies will most likely arrive quicker than when you live in smaller city.
When you order your book in a week of November you'll most likely receive it quicker than when you order it a week up to Christmas.
Generally, proof copies ship faster than author copies.
For example: I live in a rather big city thus proof copies usually arrive within 2/3 days and author copies arrive within a week.
Problem With Proof Copies
Unfortunately proof copies have a big "Not for Resale" watermark on the cover, which doesn’t allow you to see the book in its entirety before your publish it.
In order to see the finished book, you have to publish your book first. Then you can order author copies.
That’s why it’s not uncommon for (new) authors to set the official release date a little after the date the book has peen published on Amazon so that they can order their author copies beforehand and have a chance to see what the final book looks like.
3. Proofread Period
Make sure to incorporate a time wise proofread period to your Amazon publishing plan.
As mentioned earlier proof copies can take 2 days to 3 weeks to arrive. Other steps such as requesting a Proof Copy (takes up to 4 hours), re-editing your manuscript, Amazon Publishing (up to 3 days) and receiving the final book (around one week) can be time consuming as well.
Hence, the more changes you make the more time it will take.
Example of a proofread period:
Monday 1st → You request a proof copy & order proof copy
Wednesday 3rd → Proof copy arrives → You notice a formatting mistake while reading
Thursday 4th → You apply changes to your manuscript → You request a proof copy & order proof copy 2
Monday 8th → Proof copy 2 arrives → You approve proof copy 2 → You publish the book
Wednesday 10th → Your book is officially live on Amazon → You order an author copy
Thursday 19th → Your author copy arrives and you're happy
Total proof read period: around 2 1/2 weeks
(This is an example of a pretty smooth beginner proofread period.)
Keep in mind that there could be book related and/or external factors causing a delay, like shipping, you getting sick, you having to change bigger mistakes, technical issues with laptop/computer..
4. Different Platforms for different purpose
Publishing your book on Amazon requires you to do different tasks.
These will be done on different platforms.
Amazon:
+ Search for/ purchase/return books etc.
Amazon Kdp:
+ Upload, edit and publish your book
+ Request proof/author copies
+ Set up all the legal stuff required for selling on Amazon
Amazon Author Central:
+ Create your author profile which will be visible on Amazon
+ You can see statistics surrounding your book sales
(After setting up my author profile it took around 5 days for it to be visible on Amazon. So if you plan on having everything set up perfectly on the release date, make sure to include the "profile realisation time".)
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