Kindle eBooks will have PUBLIC Warnings for spelling/formatting errors!

[GlenBarrington]

I wish I could give karma to Amazon!

[doubleshuffle]

Outrageous decision. I'm sure that Amazon will be violating several inclusion laws. How can they even think of discriminating against illiterate authors like that?

</sarc>

[MikeB1972]

I wonder how many times Finnegans Wake will get flagged

[Tarana]

That's good and not surprising. It takes up staff time to have to refund the books that readers don't want because of the many, many errors. I've returned 3 books for that reason since I bought my first kindle (2009 or 2010).

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Tarana

That's good and not surprising. It takes up staff time to have to refund the books that readers don't want because of the many, many errors. I've returned 3 books for that reason since I bought my first kindle (2009 or 2010).

Well, I don't know about that; I'd imagine it's automated. Hell, if Amazon doesn't have that automated, who does? But nonetheless, it's an interesting development.

Hitch

[Little.Egret]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Well, I don't know about that; I'd imagine it's automated. Hell, if Amazon doesn't have that automated, who does? But nonetheless, it's an interesting development.

Hitch

As many will know (it's mentioned on the Amazon Order email even) you can "Return for refund" using the automation in "Manage Your Content" in the first 7 days after purchase (14 days in UK).

Some have had this withdrawn for using it too often or don't know. These will take up Customer Service call time, totals for which Amazon doubtless study closely.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Little.Egret

As many will know (it's mentioned on the Amazon Order email even) you can "Return for refund" using the automation in "Manage Your Content" in the first 7 days after purchase (14 days in UK).

Some have had this withdrawn for using it too often or don't know. These will take up Customer Service call time, totals for which Amazon doubtless study closely.

Yes; I meant that generally, the return and refund of the monies is automated. I know that the books can be returned via button-pushing. ;-)

I inferred that Tarana may have thought that all the refunds required staff time, like in a department store. However, I would add that a lot of Kindle readers don't use that functionality--they call Amazon to process those types of returns.

Heck, not everybody uses the automated anythings. I was startled this week to have a person working with me on something unrelated to the books say something to the effect that she stopped reading on her Kindle...because the print was too small. And no--this isn't some 95-y.o. This is a woman working as tech support in an online business. Yes, really. She didn't know that Kindles have resizeable text.

So...I think, Little.Egret, that we cannot assume that the bulk of returners use the automated functions as much as we ourselves do. I believe that would be an assumption that would have a lot of room for error in it.

Hitch

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Well, I don't know about that; I'd imagine it's automated. Hell, if Amazon doesn't have that automated, who does? But nonetheless, it's an interesting development.

Hitch

It is automated NOW. The automation also only works for so long so if you didn't get to your book within a certain period, you still have to involve Customer Service. In addition, you get pi$$ed off customers who think it's AMAZON's fault for not editing these ebooks.

Also, as you point out, even smart people are stupid.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Tarana

It is automated NOW. The automation also only works for so long so if you didn't get to your book within a certain period, you still have to involve Customer Service. In addition, you get pi$$ed off customers who think it's AMAZON's fault for not editing these ebooks.

Also, as you point out, even smart people are stupid.

Exactly, on both fronts.

Hitch

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Tarana

That's good and not surprising. It takes up staff time to have to refund the books that readers don't want because of the many, many errors. I've returned 3 books for that reason since I bought my first kindle (2009 or 2010).

But it's going to take up MORE staff time--at least I think it will--to organize and verify complaints about specific mistakes in books, to contact the authors, and to follow up.

[mitford13]

Originally Posted by Catlady

But it's going to take up MORE staff time--at least I think it will--to organize and verify complaints about specific mistakes in books, to contact the authors, and to follow up.

I do think 'warnings' on sales pages will make Amazon look like an a**, but as far as staff time for 'verification', they've already been doing the error reports/emails to authors for quite a long time. Just need to add a button o'shame...

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Catlady

But it's going to take up MORE staff time--at least I think it will--to organize and verify complaints about specific mistakes in books, to contact the authors, and to follow up.

Originally Posted by mitford13

I do think 'warnings' on sales pages will make Amazon look like an a**, but as far as staff time for 'verification', they've already been doing the error reports/emails to authors for quite a long time. Just need to add a button o'shame...

Hey, Catlady:

Yes, it will, indubitably, take more time. Amazon's organized their "bad stuff" page ( https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A1MMQ0JHRBEINX ). As mitford13 said, they're already doing all of this. They simply have to add the "bad stuff" button. W

hat they will be doing that's new is the inevitable emails back/forth from offended authors, explaining that Jethro has a twang, or that Sonny really "tahks dat way," or {insert creative umbrage explanation here}.

I have to confess...much like Slushpilehell, I WISH I WISH I WISH I had a secret spy in that office. I'd give a LOT to be able to read some of these explanations, I really would.

I know, I know, I know. I suck, beyond redemption. But when you've plowed through 5,000 self-pubbed books in order to assess them, quote them, figure out what needs technological fixing, then you get to look down on me. Not before!

Hitch

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Hey, Catlady:

Yes, it will, indubitably, take more time. Amazon's organized their "bad stuff" page ( https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A1MMQ0JHRBEINX ). As mitford13 said, they're already doing all of this. They simply have to add the "bad stuff" button. W

hat they will be doing that's new is the inevitable emails back/forth from offended authors, explaining that Jethro has a twang, or that Sonny really "tahks dat way," or {insert creative umbrage explanation here}.

I have to confess...much like Slushpilehell, I WISH I WISH I WISH I had a secret spy in that office. I'd give a LOT to be able to read some of these explanations, I really would.

I know, I know, I know. I suck, beyond redemption. But when you've plowed through 5,000 self-pubbed books in order to assess them, quote them, figure out what needs technological fixing, then you get to look down on me. Not before!

Hitch

Let me go find a dozen more self-published books.
Oh wait, I don't want your job.
And I would never look down on you.
I noticed one author made a standard but my budget can't afford editing. Now he/she may be good, but I would ask why are you hurting yourself by putting out "not ready for primetime" books.
First impressions are lasting.
So to any poor authors that are reading this: save your pennies, work at a menial job, quit any bad habits or vices, and remember this is your career we are talking about. If your first book is crap, readers won't bother with a second.
Buying books is a luxury not a necessity. (Ok yes, I know some of us need books, but that doesn't mean we will waste our money on bad books.)
So avoid the bad reputation and be professional.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Let me go find a dozen more self-published books.
Oh wait, I don't want your job.
And I would never look down on you.
I noticed one author made a standard but my budget can't afford editing. Now he/she may be good, but I would ask why are you hurting yourself by putting out "not ready for primetime" books.
First impressions are lasting.
So to any poor authors that are reading this: save your pennies, work at a menial job, quit any bad habits or vices, and remember this is your career we are talking about. If your first book is crap, readers won't bother with a second.
Buying books is a luxury not a necessity. (Ok yes, I know some of us need books, but that doesn't mean we will waste our money on bad books.)
So avoid the bad reputation and be professional.

I'm with you there. And while we're at it: they don't even have to pay an editor, if they are simply willing to invest a little time and effort. First, they can buy Brown and King on Self-Editing: http://www.amazon.com/Self-Editing-F...dp/0060545690/ . Second, they can act like real-grown-up writers, and JOIN a BLOODY CRITIQUE GROUP. Spend some time trading critiques with other writers; read their crap out loud, and suffer the slings and arrows of other writers' input.

To my mind, the single biggest loss in self-pubbing is the omission of a critique group and/or writing group. It's a writer's rite of passage (along with all the OTHER things that self-pubbing omits: writer's courses, seminars, etc.) and it also provides a TON of editorial polishing that you only get by rubbing up against the coarse edges of other people's opinions.

Oh, well.

Hitch

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Hitch

I'm with you there. And while we're at it: they don't even have to pay an editor, if they are simply willing to invest a little time and effort. First, they can buy Brown and King on Self-Editing: http://www.amazon.com/Self-Editing-F...dp/0060545690/ . Second, they can act like real-grown-up writers, and JOIN a BLOODY CRITIQUE GROUP. Spend some time trading critiques with other writers; read their crap out loud, and suffer the slings and arrows of other writers' input.

To my mind, the single biggest loss in self-pubbing is the omission of a critique group and/or writing group. It's a writer's rite of passage (along with all the OTHER things that self-pubbing omits: writer's courses, seminars, etc.) and it also provides a TON of editorial polishing that you only get by rubbing up against the coarse edges of other people's opinions.

Oh, well.

Hitch

"But I has an English degree and don't need no editor or book."
Yes, that was an actual excuse.
Oh heck one of the worst books I ever read was an unedited novel by an English professor.
No, he had not shown it to anyone before publishing.

Agreeing with you on the critique group.