Forum: Author Hangout

Really? You think this thread is already dead? I, for one, was hoping someone would know the answer. :(

AJ

From everything I have read, the traditional dead tree publishers don't treat most authors any better than Amazon.

But what they do, is to undercut the traditional publishers, hurting those authors and cutting their sales (by not offering traditionally published authors the same search algorithms that Amazon offers it's own books).

Traditional publishers don't offer much, but they'll back you and support you across multiple books. With Amazon, one hundred-thousand selling book doesn't mean any more than a print run of twelve. They're only interested in volume publishing by a gazillion wanna-be authors.

I am constantly throwing money at SOL authors. If I have liked the first few chapters of a book I will contact the author and send some money his way to get the whole book as soon as it is finished as opposed to waiting for them to post it chapter by chapter and then if there is a sequel I will preemptively send them money.

Heh-heh. By all means, feel free to contact me! But seriously, I have many fans without such a formal arrangement. Since I publish my books, they'll often read the entire book for FREE on SOL (time delayed between publishing and posting on SOL), while others will purchase my books as soon as they're published (give or take on the titles they're not as crazy about).

That's why I continue posting my works for free on SOL (even my Catalyst series, which I made Premiere Only on SOL and am now offering for free on Sci-Fi to help promote the lesser-known site). Not only do I get the much needed feedback about what works and what doesn't in each story, but it helps boost flagging sales after my book has been out for a while.

But I have deliberately, when I can afford it, bought the NOOK ePubs as a way of helping support the author. I only buy from Amazon if I can't find it elsewhere; this is a deliberate choice I've made, to help preserve a larger marketplace; it's also a little unethical, because a lot of the time I become aware of a sale on a title because of an email from Amazon, to then turn around and buy it from someone else who is matching that price is somewhat scummy, it's taking advantage of Amazon's aggressive marketing.

Actually, if you're purchasing it to benefit the author, then Amazon should be your LAST choice. If they're an independent author, Amazon has the least favorable author reimbursement of ALL the independent outlets (30 - 70% vs 80 - 85%). If it's via a major publisher, then it doesn't matter, since the author sees only a minor fraction of any retail sale price (generally only some loose change for any $20 book). In the case of 3rd party resellers (like B&N, Google and Nook), authors get even less because everyone gets a third (the primary site, the author and the seller site).

I've always preferred Smashwords, because there you get to choose which format you want. However, most regular Amazon users read their books on the Amazon App, so they'll typically use that anyway.

Also, in many cases, if you purchase directly from the author or their webpage they'll do better. In the case of print books, they get a bigger share if they sell it themselves, plus, many sites allow them to embed linked code which gives them a 'kickback' for any other books you purchase after visiting their site (i.e. if you visit my webpage, decide you like my current book but end up buying something else, I'll still earn about 6% of the retail price of the other book). Although it sounds kinky, it helps everyone since readers like the "Other readers who bought this book purchased ..." links.

Actually, if you're purchasing it to benefit the author, then Amazon should be your LAST choice.

I disagree.

Actually, if you're purchasing it to benefit the author, then Amazon should be your LAST choice.

I disagree.

Care to explain why? You don't want to be bothered (as a reader), or you don't think individual contributions matter?

I disagree.
Care to explain why?

Unlike others, I like Amazon.

I've sold stories to readers through PayPal. We had the discussion, "If I send you the money how do I know you'll send the story?"

I prefer the convenience of having the sale through Amazon. 70% is a good enough royalty for me. The only thing I don't like about the sale from Amazon is the reader can read the book and return it. No questions asked.

Also, my novels are ebooks. If I send an .epub file to someone for a price, who knows what he's going to do with it or who he's going to give it to?

And, finally, one of my novels is in the KU program which requires it to be exclusive to Amazon. If I sell it outside of Amazon, I'm cheating.

Also, my novels are ebooks. If I send an .epub file to someone for a price, who knows what he's going to do with it or who he's going to give it to?

Amazon's got a setting for that. You flag it when you submit your file, and it prevents them from transferring the story to anyone else. What's more, you can also flag a story so readers can't 'copy' the 'read more' pages. That's especially useful for the authors who publish via Kindle Unlimited, where readers got your entire book for free, but that one setting prevents (theoretically, at least) from simply copying the book to everyone enmasse. (Which, I realize now, was WHY you said you'd rather stick with Amazon rather than sending readers your book yourself.) To be truthful, though, that was mainly a technique perfected by Wes, specifically so he wouldn't have to worry about publishing his books independently. I certainly wouldn't suggest it as a viable option for most new authors.

And don't get me wrong. I like what Amazon offers me as well, but it's Not my primary sales vehicle. Instead, I view it as a link to new readers (i.e. ones who don't already know me from SOL). What's more, as I said, readers typically go to an authors primary outlet. So if you promoted yourself on Amazon, your SOL followers know to look there (if and when you ever publish any more), so it wouldn't be an issue for you.

However, JohnBobMead expressed a theme I hear often, that SOL readers purchase the book to encourage the authors. In that case, I figure directing those readers to Amazon is taking the money that was designed to encouraging me and lining Amazon's pockets with it. And trust me, Amazon doesn't need that small amount of cash any more than I do.

And, finally, one of my novels is in the KU program which requires it to be exclusive to Amazon. If I sell it outside of Amazon, I'm cheating.

That's true, but the exclusion period is only for 90-days/3-months. After that, you either have to sign a NEW exclusion contract with KU, or you're free to publish anywhere else you want to.

However, I REALLY didn't want to go down this particular rathole. There aren't many SOL authors who are publishing their books, and those discussion should be reserved to those of us who choose to go that route. I was merely responding to a single user who expressed an interest in encouraging an author by purchasing his book. If he's more comfortable with Amazon, then by all means, Buy it on Amazon!

That's true, but the exclusion period is only for 90-days/3-months. After that, you either have to sign a NEW exclusion contract with KU, or you're free to publish anywhere else you want to.

It's the opposite. You sign up for Select and commit to being exclusive for 90 days. After 90 days you can elect to drop out, but if you don't you remain exclusive and in the Select program. You don't have to sign up again.

Amazon's got a setting for that. You flag it when you submit your file, and it prevents them from transferring the story to anyone else. What's more, you can also flag a story so readers can't 'copy' the 'read more' pages

I think you're talking about the piracy protection. It's called DMR or something like that. I was told not to choose that option.

But even without it, someone can't do a copy and paste. I went to one of my novels and did the "Look Inside." Then I tried to do a cmd/c (ctl/c). It would not highlight it so you can't copy it.

Now if someone buys the ebook, without the DMR protection they can give it to others. I think they can.

Now if someone buys the ebook, without the DMR protection they can give it to others. I think they can.

There are a couple of related settings. One is DMR protection, and another is 'allow lending' (which allows you to GIVE a copy to one other person (presumably a spouse of family member).

In my case, I tried KDP Select once, and never say any benefit (i.e. I didn't get any additional reads and NO associated sales). You tried it and found it beneficial. More power to you, but I'm unconvinced it's worth trying again given my poor results.

I'm unsure whether that's because of different writing styles, different stories or simply different circumstances.

I tried KDP Select once, and never say any benefit (i.e. I didn't get any additional reads and NO associated sales

Since my novel "Sexual Awakening" has been out there a long time, I get more KU reads than sales. When my new novel is done, I won't release it in the Select program (just like I didn't for "Last Kiss" since it's so new), but I'm hoping that a KU reader of "Sexual Awakening" will end up buying my new one (currently untitled).

I scrape data off websites for fun and profit.

I haven't looked at the previews on Amazon, but I'm betting I could find a way to download the text with a script.

Another thing that Amazon does (for some books) is to list only random pages, rather than the first several pages from the first chapter. I have no clue how to select that option, but I know that several books appear that way in the Amazon 'Look Into' feature.

Print screen works just fine. Just tried it with one of Railroad Martin's books. It does have the drawback of grabbing the entire screen, but I pasted it into my imaging software with no problems. Suspect the apps that let you grab selected parts of the screen would do just as well.

Kindle's DRM is busted. Apprentice Alf's Calibre plug-in strips it right off; you have to be running the right version of the Kindle PC reader software for it to interface, but they archived the installation files for that version just for this purpose. I've done it with my Kindle eBooks, converted them to ePubs. I haven't given copies to anyone, that's not my style, but the Kindle DRM is not secure.

That's why few authors even use the DRM feature. Not only is it unreliable, but it also produces unreliable results, meaning many legal purchasers of books are frequently unable to read their purchases.

Why bother with something that will only piss off your most loyal readers?

As for Print Screen functionality, I've long relied on TechSmith's Snag-It, but stopped upgrading after version 11, as the newer versions stripped out the most essential benefits of the program. I use to to grab screen shots of my books, to illustrate passages, or to show other authors how I format books.

That's always the key with software nowadays. Always back it up, so if they yank functionality, you can roll back to the last working version.

To this day, I continually get notices that the New York Times no longer supports the outdated iOS software I'm running to read the content I legally purchase from them, because they disabled my ability to copy and paste parts of relevant news stories several years ago. I will NEVER upgrade if it means I get LESS service. That's why I stopped upgrading PC software (MicroShit's "Essential Upgrades" years ago, because they kept trying to FORCE you to upgrade to Windows 10, which NO ONE liked!).

I'd rather risk hacker blackmail than support the PC makers version of blackmail.

but pretty much everything B&N sells can be gotten elsewhere. They are NOT a monopoly, and shouldn't use a monopoly's tactics because they'll back fire.

B&N's problem, like all booksellers and newspapers (until President Trump guaranteed the continued survival of everyone he labels 'fake news' (the only ones who'll actually fact-check statements), is that their entire business model is collapsing, so they're desperately searching for any new ways to finance their enterprise. B&N is the LAST remaining national bookstore chain, and as you say, no one buys from their online site because they only sell ebooks from mainstream publishers, which guarantee the ebooks cost substantially more than the print books do (typically $29.99 vs $24.99 in the U.S.). They do not list any independently published ebooks, which typically cost anywhere from $0 to $9.99 (the average is only around $2.99 USD).

Like the ancient horsewhip trade before them, they'll continue floudering until they either discover a way to continue, or they fold, like all the rest of the national bookstore chains and other retail outlets.

I happen to like B&N, but until they carry something I actually want to buy, I'll never purchase a thing from their website, and since no one else is, I don't plan to publish there, either.

Note: Now that I'm back on Smashwords, my newest books are back on B&N through a 3rd party 'reseller' basis. I just won't bother formatting a specific B&N version and they won't list my books, though you can search for them.

I have no clue where you got that idea from. I just spot checked a few books on B&N's website, under science fiction and romance. The e-book price was at or below the paperback price which is in the $4-$10 range ($9.99 at the high end).

As I said, I haven't been keeping abreast of B&N's online offerings for quite some time. If the paper books are in the $4 to $10 range, then those are definitely independent books (unless they're all heavily discounting 'storage bin' prices). I'm guessing they've finally abandoned their 'ignore the burgeoning Indie movement' stance.

Guess I may need to revisit and revise my opinions of the site. My books have been available there for some time, but they were never a productive outlet for me, so I've learned to ignore it over time.

Actually, if you're purchasing it to benefit the author, then Amazon should be your LAST choice.

I agree. But it might be worthwhile asking the author which outlet gives them the most cash or which they prefer you buy from.

I agree. But it might be worthwhile asking the author which outlet gives them the most cash or which they prefer you buy from.

Readers already do, indirectly. They typically use whichever outlet the author favors, and then remembers that when they hear they have a new book.

I use Amazon strictly to snag NEW readers who've likely heard of me before. Since each sale in that case, stands to be multiplied fifteen times if they like the book, it's worth the terrible success ratio (since I'm not a household name in publishing).

In fact, there's an author who made it big. So big he's thinking about quitting his day job. He lucked out because some famous Fantasy author said on his blog that if you read only one Fantasy book all year, read his (Alec Hutson's "The Crimson Queen").

Alec has a thread on wattpad discussing his publishing journey. Even after all these months he sells thousands each month. Why am I bringing this up? Because in his thread, he once said he finally enrolled his novel in the Select program and wished he had done it from day one). Unlike me, he did it while his book is still selling well.

I don't doubt he's done very well, and for those authors with a broad appeal, it's definitely the way to go. But I've long recognized that I play to a very select and small readership, as my writing is very particular (I write the kinds of stories that I like to read, not the kind that everyone else likes to read).

As such, I recognize that I'll never become a millionaire author. Like most here on SOL, I'm happy for the recognition and support that my loyal fans offer me.

For the authors who write the kinds of things that everyone wants to read, it pays to give it away for free so even More people will read it, and seek out your other stories.

However, in my case, since I'm dealing with a small but dedicated readership, my sales are Not price sensitive. I'll sell just as many at $5.99 as I do offering them for free. Thus I price my books for the maximum return for me! However, I wouldn't advise other authors to follow my lead. Instead, I advise them to study their readership, and learn what they're market will support.

I suspect, most here on SOL will have very limited sales, so they key is to maximize your limited returns, rather than seeking the ever elusive golden grail that few, if any, manage to ever grasp.

You can terminate the agreement but they still own your book forever. Oh-kay.

They have to. If someone buys the ebook, Amazon can't take it away from them.

They have to. If someone buys the ebook, Amazon can't take it away from them.

Switch,

If someone buys the e-book the buyer should be able to keep that copy. Mind you, there have already been 2 cases where Amazon used their links to Kindle to erase sold books from buyers storage on the Kindle.

However, the point jplong was mentioning is under the Amazon terms you can cancel your account by terminating the agreement, and Amazon can continue to sell your book.

And Amazon refunded the purchase price, right?

sort of, they gave the people an in-store credit of the same amount, despite most of the buyers not being regular buyers from Amazon - and the people bitched about it claiming Amazon should have re-credited their credit cards used to make the payments because they now had to go and buy the book from someone else. Check the news archives it made a big stink at the time. There were two titles within a few months of each other.

If someone buys the e-book the buyer should be able to keep that copy. Mind you, there have already been 2 cases where Amazon used their links to Kindle to erase sold books from buyers storage on the Kindle.

And the consumer response was so negative over those two cases, that Amazon swore they'd never do that again—under any circumstances. If they hadn't, no one would ever have bought any more books from Amazon if they suspected it might disappear before they ever got a chance to read it.

Still, it made sense (for Amazon) at the time. Think of the authors where someone else sells their work to Amazon under another name. Amazon wanted to be able to delete those books and return the money. They can no longer do that, as the reader now 'owns' the copy, NOT Amazon and not the author.

Sometimes, the issues can get a little messy.

You can terminate the agreement but they still own your book forever. Oh-kay.

That's mainly to guarantee that Amazon can continue selling your published books (via their resale market) once you've pulled your work. Also, Amazon's strategy is to store multiple copies of every book at their warehouse—without paying you for it—so they can ship it out to customers immediately, and only pay you once the sale is 'complete'. If they didn't allow that clause, they couldn't 'dump' those 'in case someone wants it' books. However, that only applies to print books they have on stock. I've never known, and have never heard, of their ever selling an ebook once an author removes it. I had a book I yanked, and Amazon continues to offer the print book to this day (offered via Createspace, an Amazon affiliate). If someone still wants to purchase it, and I get money from the sale, then more power to them!

But Ernest is right, the language is overly generic for a legal contract. However, if push comes to shove, I doubt any judge would support such an overreaching claim (assuming you had the money to fight it, in the first place).

Much of Amazon's boilerplate is left over from their earlier days, when they had plans to 'take over the world', but they scaled many of those plans back when it wouldn't fly (like shutting down each of the mainstream publishers by NOT selling any of their books). So the legacy clauses in their contracts have never been cleaned out.

Also, Amazon's strategy is to store multiple copies of every book at their warehouse—

The terms I'm quoting relate specifically to their e-book sales via Kindle, so I don't see how they can store any in the warehouse.

The terms I'm quoting relate specifically to their e-book sales via Kindle, so I don't see how they can store any in the warehouse.

I believe their contract terms apply to both cases—especially now that they're offering to automatically convert ebooks into print books for you. Since they've NEVER tried to sell any ebooks I or anyone else has removed from circulation—but do keep offering the print books they've never yet paid me for, I don't object to the practice, as long as it doesn't continue past the few copies they keep on hand for 'prompt delivery' (as far as I understand, only 5 or so books for the largely 'unrecognized' authors).

As long as the sales continue coming to me, I don't mind what games they play until they do.

especially now that they're offering to automatically convert ebooks into print books for you.

Any idea how good a job they do?

Any idea how good a job they do?

From what I've heard (online, on the various LinkedIn Author Groups), it's not bad. However, none of the people who were already publishing via other sources have switched, so it may not be a fair comparison.

As they say, those that never had never complain!

you have to be willing to walk away.
That's the basic of every contract negotiation.

But with contracts, there's supposed to be a negotiation. Unless you're famous, the traditional publishers will not negotiate. It's take it or leave it.

So you take it or walk away. You have the same option with Amazon.

I actually believe you're giving away less with Amazon. Some traditional publishing contracts give the publisher first option on the next book (or 2) you write. And they want all rights, like digital, print, audio, etc. Michael J Sullivan had to end his relationship with Hatchett because of that.

I still consider it a negotiation.

Saying "take it or leave it" is not a negotiation. They are dictating — dictating the terms.

They are dictating — dictating the terms.

Which is exactly the way Amazon and most other Internet sites operate.

They are dictating — dictating the terms.

Which is exactly the way Amazon and most other Internet sites operate.

They do. And exactly what traditional publishers do. But traditional publishers take more rights from you than Amazon.

For that matter, probably what the giants do to the smaller ones. I once read how Walmart dictates its terms to its suppliers. Don't like them? Don't sell at Walmart.

But traditional publishers take more rights from you than Amazon.

Traditional publishers write contracts for specific periods, and when the contract runs out the author has all the rights to contract with others, and the traditional publisher can't print any more of the books in that contract unless they sign a new contract. The traditional publishers also accept some of the costs and provide other services. While Amazon demands the right to continue to sell your book forever, and insist you do everything to have the book prepared and made ready in exactly the way they want it presented to them. Both make their demands, they just have slightly different demands.

As to Walmart, they aren't the only people who put terms on what they buy. I sued to do purchasing for some companies, and if what the supplier didn't meet the terms on the order in regards to quality or time we rejected the delivery and sometimes cancelled the orders and contracts for non-performance.

In any, and every, negotiation each party has some aspects they aren't willing to make changes to, and both parties have the right to refuse to do business with the other, so they can just walk away from the situation in normal capitalist environment.

Don't like the price of the hamburgers at McDonalds, you can walk out and buy one at Burger King or another store.

A lot of traditional publishers in the US have required new and or less popular authors to permanently transfer the copyright to the publisher.

First I've heard of that happening, but it seems they're following in the footsteps of RIAA, MPAA, and Amazon.

First I've heard of that happening, but it seems they're following in the footsteps of RIAA, MPAA, and Amazon.

Yes, Amazon is following in the footsteps of Amazon, while the music industry is following the footsteps of their legal arm, the MPAA!

A lot of traditional publishers in the US have required new and or less popular authors to permanently transfer the copyright to the publisher.

Not the copyright. The author always keeps that. You give them publishing rights until they revert back to you.

Not the copyright. The author always keeps that. You give them publishing rights until they revert back to you.

If they 'reserve the right to publish the book as long as they like', without a specific termination clause, and they also include a 'non-compete' clause, then they've essentially transferred the copyright in everything but the name and title!

If they 'reserve the right to publish the book as long as they like', without a specific termination clause, and they also include a 'non-compete' clause, then they've essentially transferred the copyright in everything but the name and title!

There are reversion clauses in contracts. Some are written in a way it's almost impossible for the author to get them back, but they're there. If you get them back, as the copyright holder you can then republish. If you don't have the copyright anymore, then you can't.

At least that's how I understand it.

In the John Fogerty case, he gave them the copyright to all his old songs to get out of the contract. That means he also gave up the royalties.

There are reversion clauses in contracts. Some are written in a way it's almost impossible for the author to get them back, but they're there. If you get them back, as the copyright holder you can then republish. If you don't have the copyright anymore, then you can't.

Yes. Legally, the author has his name on the Copyright, even if he never officially files it. But, the only way to regain ANY protections under copyright, they've got to PURCHASE their original copyright (not the title, but the rights TO the title) from their publishers, who'll only grant it IF they're not currently generating any income from the work.

So yes, the authors STILL retain the copyright, but it don't mean shit if you can't exercise any of the rights afforded by your copyright. Hell, the author can't even sue for copyright violations, as the publishing company sues to restore THEIR copyright claim over the property (even though the author retains his 'name' on the claim)!

Traditional publishers write contracts for specific periods, and when the contract runs out the author has all the rights to contract with others, and the traditional publisher can't print any more of the books in that contract unless they sign a new contract.

Not always true. I've heard the reversion rights from traditional publishers are all in their favor. I remember one that said if your book is still in the catalog it was still "selling" and therefore the author doesn't get his rights back. Ebooks stay in the catalog forever. Several authors on wattpad bought their rights back because books weren't selling. So until the author gets his rights back, he can't publish it anywhere else even if it's not selling.

I heard the other day that some traditional contracts have a non-compete clause. So if they publish one of your stories, you can't publish a sequel with another publisher. I think someone even said if they publish a Sci-Fi book you can't publish another Sci-Fi book with another publisher. An author in the UK said that's illegal over there, but it's in some contracts.

And if you only want a traditional deal to get onto bookstore shelves, you ain't gonna get it. They get all rights: digital, print, audio, foreign, etc.

The traditional publishers also accept some of the costs and provide other services. While Amazon demands the right to continue to sell your book forever, and insist you do everything to have the book prepared and made ready in exactly the way they want it presented to them.

Which is why you get 70% royalty from Amazon, but only 15% from a traditional publisher. And to be published by one of the Big-5, you need a literary agent who takes 15% of your royalty. And worse, most traditional publishers today don't even assign editors. They expect you to pay for that before you submit. And marketing... Pretty much none is offered. When you submit to an agent or a publisher they want to know what platforms you have and what your marketing strategy will be.

ETA: And some contracts say they own the rights to your next (or next 2) novels if they want it. I remember an interview with John Fogerty (from Credence Clearwater Revival). He was almost in tears talking about his contract that said the music company had in the contract they owned his next two albums. To get out of that he gave up the copyrights to all his old songs he wrote. It's similar in book publishing.

Amazon's contracts are much more author friendly.

Traditional publishers write contracts for specific periods, and when the contract runs out the author has all the rights to contract with others, and the traditional publisher can't print any more of the books in that contract unless they sign a new contract.

Not quite. Often, the contract is for a # of books, and until you meet the contract, you can't sell ANYWHERE else for ANY amount of time. What's more, once you enter into the contract, they have a set amount of time (often 15+ years) where they can continue to sell your books, even AFTER you've walked away from the contract and settle with someone else. They OWN your ass in the interim! No if, and or buts!

Saying "take it or leave it" is not a negotiation. They are dictating — dictating the terms.

Once you have SOMETHING to negotiate with (say a proven sales record, or enough glowing reviews to promise a potential market), then you'll have something to negotiate. Why they hell should they enter negotiation with someone with nothing to offer them. In that case, they're simply offering you a 'standard' contract. Like with most publishers, you simply don't submit a book if you don't consent to the basic contract. You ONLY negotiate if they reach out to you, offering you a deal. THEN you have something to negotiate!

I've never seen a traditional publisher's contract since none offered one to me, but from what I hear on wattpad is, when you sign it, you're selling your first born.

Most have a 'reserve clause', at the very least, which not only says you CAN'T publish anywhere else until you've published a set amount of books with that publisher, but most also refuse to pay you for audio books—even without your approval!

About 30 years ago

A lot has changed in 30 years. For example, back then there were no ebooks. You probably missed what I added while you were busy typing. Some reversions are simply, if the novel is still in the catalog then it's still selling. Many reversion clauses aren't by timeframe alone. They're by sales during a period of time. So for those contracts, the only way to get your rights back is to buy them back.

Did you ever see the movie "Genius" about Thomas Wolf and his editor, Max Perkins? According to the movie, it was the publisher's editor that turned a thousands-of-pages manuscript into a novel. The same editor worked with Hemingway and Fitzgerald. Times were different in the old days.

I have an unrelated question about KDP.

The only reviews I have are from the U.S. at amazon.com. I always thought it problematic that other Amazon sites didn't see those reviews. I recently noticed that on the UK site (amazon.co.uk) it says: "4 reviews from Amazon.com" with a link to it. Yet the other sites I checked (like amazon.ca and amazon.com.au) say, "Be the first to review this item."

I'm a member of the Amazon Associates program (where they allow you to run ads for other Amazon products on your webpages). I use it so I get a small kickback if someone buys other sci-fi books after selecting one of mine, but it keeps me in the loop.

You're right. Amazon has been discussing adding reviews from other countries, but is worried about potentially adding non-native reviews (potentially someone writing a review in German to a Canadian story page), so they're expanding it VERY slowly.

However, you'll notice that every time you publish something on Amazon, they suggest repeatedly checking EVERY single market for your own books, just so you don't miss any.

I typically don't, only occasionally remembering to go looking for them. But usually, when I do, I'm pleasantly surprised by what I find (and frequently add the reviews to my books and website as promotional material).

P.S. I frequently receive more money from Amazon for my participation in their 'Associates Program', which only pays 6% of the total sales prices, than I do for sales of my own books (all 15 of them!).