KDP Paperback Option

[matteomatt]

I wanted to see if anyone on this forum that does KDP Kindle self publishing has tried the new option to publish a paperback version?

I know createspace was allowing this, but I have not seen any threads about the KDP Version. It was just added to my dashboard about a week ago, but I have not tried to publish a paperback yet. I do like the idea and it seems like it could be pretty cool.

Has anyone here at mobileread tried to publish a paperback on KDP?

[Lima Bean]

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend it for several reasons.

1) No distribution outside of Amazon. That means it doesn't go to places like Barnes & Noble, which was a concern, but I decided I was okay with it since I rarely sell any of my other paperbacks outside of Amazon.
2) You cannot order a paperback copy to look at before the book goes LIVE.
3) There are no discounted PROOF copies or discounted copies period. The author has to pay full price just like a regular customer.
4) Their system is really picky about images. For example, Createspace will flag an image under 300 DPI's, but it's up to the self-publisher if he/she wants to approve it or not. KDP PRINT won't allow you to continue the process if the book includes even one such image.
6) KDP PRINT doesn't permit you to use your own publishing name. It will show as Publisher: Independently Published. The independent label is a big turnoff to a lot of readers. It can cost you book sales.
5) My paperback's online cover image looks washed-out compared to the ebook. They're from the same JPEG file, so you would think the online images would look equally as vibrant. But, nope. If you click on Kindle version, then paperback version, you'll understand what I mean.
6) Everytime I make a change to the content or the cover and hit submit, the system gets stuck in the publishing phase. I have to contact Amazon Support to fix it. However, my last change went through in a normal amount of time. I think Amazon has finally worked out this particular kink.
7) Oh, I almost forgot to mention Amazon's misleading statement that you get 60% royalties. Read the small print carefully! Paperback royalty rates are 60% of your list price minus printing costs, applicable taxes and withholding. That's a very important detail.

This might get deleted, so if you want to see what I'm talking about for yourselves you better move fast. It's called Comet Dust, by C.D. Verhoff.

[Dr. Drib]

You're not promoting your book, so nothing will be deleted

Rather, you're answering - legitimately - a question.


Don
(Moderator)

[AndrewMowere]

Lima, your answer is great. There was a lot I didn't know about the issue.

[Lima Bean]

I should ad that the print quality is pretty similar. I'm pretty sure Amazon outsources KDP PRINT to Createspace. The addresses printed at the back of the books are a match. The mailing is a little different though.

With Createspace, an individual book comes in a sturdy cardboard box. The KDP Print comes in a manila envelope with built-in bubble wrap. Either way is fine by me, but some of you might find that interesting. Or, not.

Last, but certainly not least, the actual royalties earned per copy, Createspace versus KDP PRINT, are within pennies of each other. At least they were for one of my titles when I ran the comparison.

Remember, KDP Print is still in the beta stage. They're collecting input. Fixing. Tweaking. Improving. Things are sure to get better.

[Gregg Bell]

Thanks Lima Bean. That was really helpful information. I've been considering doing it too but have been too scared to. Is it really hard turning the ebook into a paperback in KDP PRINT? I know the cover needs to be tweaked. Steep learning curve or not too bad? Are there any good tutorials around or does Amazon provide sufficient intruction?

[Lima Bean]

Glad to be of help, Gregg Bell. If you've already been through the Createspace process, KDP Print will be a snap. The setup of the two are very similar.

Just like with Creatspace, you will need to format a different version of the document to fit the needs of a paperback.

I didn't need any tutorials because this wasn't my first rodeo. For someone brand new to self-publishing paperbacks, no matter which way you go it will be intimating.

For a veteran, KDP is a bit more user-friendly until you factor in the inability to purchase proof copies. That's a huge strike against KDP print for me. However, unlike with Createspace, I didn't have to tweak my ebook cover at all to keep it out of the bleed area, which saved me a lot of hassles.

There are serious pros and cons to consider. It's smart to be afraid, LOL.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Lima Bean

Glad to be of help, Gregg Bell. If you've already been through the Createspace process, KDP Print will be a snap. The setup of the two are very similar.

Just like with Creatspace, you will need to format a different version of the document to fit the needs of a paperback.

I didn't need any tutorials because this wasn't my first rodeo. For someone brand new to self-publishing paperbacks, no matter which way you go it will be intimating.

For a veteran, KDP is a bit more user-friendly until you factor in the inability to purchase proof copies. That's a huge strike against KDP print for me. However, unlike with Createspace, I didn't have to tweak my ebook cover at all to keep it out of the bleed area, which saved me a lot of hassles.

There are serious pros and cons to consider. It's smart to be afraid, LOL.

Sorry about the delayed response, Lima Bean. Thanks for the info. I haven't done the Createspace process, but looking at the KDP bookshelf it seems as if they are going to pretty much walk me through the KDP PRINT process. And good to know about the bleed issue. I remember being concerned about my name being too low on the covers, that sort of thing.

I've heard others describe about the difference between Createspace and KDP PRINT being also the the former allowed for bookstore distribution and the latter does not. A few other cons. The pros mostly center on convenience.

A question though. When you say

you will need to format a different version of the document to fit the needs of a paperback.

could you be a little more specific about what you mean?

To do an Amazon ebook I start (in LibreOffice) with an .odt file. Turn it into an .html (again in LibreOffice). Throw it in Sigil to make the epub. Then drop the epub (without the html cover) onto Kindlegen to create a .mobi and then upload that to KDP.

What sort of 'different version of the document' are you referring to?

Thanks.

[Lima Bean]

To do an Amazon ebook I start (in LibreOffice) with an .odt file. Turn it into an .html (again in LibreOffice). Throw it in Sigil to make the epub. Then drop the epub (without the html cover) onto Kindlegen to create a .mobi and then upload that to KDP.

Call me a Luddite, but I use Word from start to finish. I can't offer you any useful insights on how your methodology might affect the printing process. Sorry. But, it wasn't what I was referring to anyway. I should have been clearer.

By formatting a different version, I was referring to creating a second file (.doc, .mobi, or whatever works for you) for the print book. This is because you will need to adjust margins, gutter, line spacing, add page numbers and headings, etc. Of course, you'll first need to decide what size of book you want. I usually use 6 x 9 inches, but there are lots of options to choose from.

What I'm saying is that you can't simply download the ebook file and expect it to look good in print. You'll have to do a lot of tweaking first.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Lima Bean

Call me a Luddite, but I use Word from start to finish. I can't offer you any useful insights on how your methodology might affect the printing process. Sorry. But, it wasn't what I was referring to anyway. I should have been clearer.

By formatting a different version, I was referring to creating a second file (.doc, .mobi, or whatever works for you) for the print book. This is because you will need to adjust margins, gutter, line spacing, add page numbers and headings, etc. Of course, you'll first need to decide what size of book you want. I usually use 6 x 9 inches, but there are lots of options to choose from.

What I'm saying is that you can't simply download the ebook file and expect it to look good in print. You'll have to do a lot of tweaking first.

Okay. Gotcha. Thanks for the explanation. I was glad to hear you say a mobi could be used because I don't have a .doc. I'm just going to have to wade into the process and find out what tweaking I need to do. All the information you've given me before going into it all has made it a lot easier. Thanks a lot.

[Lima Bean]

Actually, I didn't verify if .mobi is allowed or not. I used .docx and didn't check beyond that. Your comment made me go back to look. It appears that .mobi isn't allowed.

See here:

https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A39QXS5Z54LMXF

If you can't access the link, just so you know, the only files mentioned are PDF, DOC (.doc), DOCX (.docx), HTML (.html), or RTF (.rtf). I'm not exactly an expert though, so don't take my word for it.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Lima Bean

Actually, I didn't verify if .mobi is allowed or not. I used .docx and didn't check beyond that. Your comment made me go back to look. It appears that .mobi isn't allowed.

See here:

https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A12NQC9HQPI9CA

If you can't access the link, just so you know, the only files mentioned are DOC, DOCX, HTML, TXT, PDF. I'm not exactly an expert though, so don't take my word for it.

Thanks Lima Bean. Appreciate the heads-up.

[KenMagee]

I recently used the KDP 'create paperback' option for one of my books. It took a bit of an effort to work out the margin sizes etc but the whole process was pretty pain free.

I agree with the concern that you have to put the book live before you can get a proof copy but it's not really an issue for me as no one is likely to buy the book until I start marketing it.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by KenMagee

I recently used the KDP 'create paperback' option for one of my books. It took a bit of an effort to work out the margin sizes etc but the whole process was pretty pain free.

I agree with the concern that you have to put the book live before you can get a proof copy but it's not really an issue for me as no one is likely to buy the book until I start marketing it.

Thanks Ken. Good to know it's not that hard.

[Lima Bean]

I received this from KDP today about upcoming improvments:

We'll add more print features in the future, including the ability to order proofs and author (wholesale) copies at cost, and expanded distribution to bookstores.

They're listening. Yeah!