KDP vs. Create Space

Doctor T · 10-16-2014, 07:34 AM

Hi!

What’s the difference between Amazon’s KDP and Amazon’s Create Space?

Thank you!

Dr. T

HarryT · 10-16-2014, 08:08 AM

Moved to the Writers' forum, where you're more likely to get an answer.

ApK · 10-16-2014, 01:32 PM

KDP is a platform for publishing ebooks.
CreateSpace is a platform for publishing printed physical books.

That's the most fundamental difference.

Nancy Fulda · 10-30-2014, 11:04 AM

What ApK said.

In terms of user-friendliness, kdp is extremely easy. If you have a MS word document, you can create a finished ebook. (Although if you want high-quality meta-data and internal formatting, you're going to need more sophisticated software.)

Createspace requires a PDF document sized to one of the standard print specifications. I believe there's also an extra charge for extended distribution, and other online vendors -- such as Barnes & Noble -- don't always like to display the cover images of books published via Amazon.

SciFiWriter · 11-01-2014, 02:02 PM

If you want maximum exposure, why are you not going to SmashWords? They distribute to all of the major players for you. If I were you, I would at least give it a looksee to see if that is what you want.

And, no. I am not affiliated with them in any way shape or form. If I was self-publishing, though, I would use them myself.

Just my humble opinion.

Nancy Fulda · 11-01-2014, 05:19 PM

Smashwords does not distribute to Amazon (or at least it didn't, last time I checked). So if you want an ebook available on the Amazon web site, you have to go through KDP.

Lazybones · 11-07-2014, 02:18 PM

I've found that CreateSpace has a higher learning curve than KDP. Also, the base cost for physical books is significantly higher than e-books. I went as far as setting up a book in CreateSpace but haven't published it yet, since I generally sell my e-books for around three bucks and the physical books have to be about three times that for you to do anything more than break even on the price.

I second SciFiWriter's recommendation on Smashwords. I publish on both, but be aware that you cannot use Amazon's KindleSelect program if you also list your book on other sites.

SciFiWriter · 01-15-2015, 04:44 PM

They are just trying to strangle the market at the writers expense! Dirty Rotten SOBs!!!!

Cram it down their regular Kindle Direct. You book will still be listed. Plus, you have the strength of all of those OTHER outlets. I hate when the big guys try to bully us with tactics like this!

I would bet that if you could get accurate data, you would find all of those other outlets beat the crap out of KindleSelect.

Does anyone have any good data? I would really like to know.

ApK · 01-16-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SciFiWriter

I would bet that if you could get accurate data, you would find all of those other outlets beat the crap out of KindleSelect.

Does anyone have any good data? I would really like to know.

Only anecdotal and personal, but Amazon seems to outsell all other outlets combined by an order of magnitude or three.
Has anyone ever done a poll in the writer's corner here of those of US who sell though multiple outlets?

10-16-2014, 07:34 AM	#1
Doctor T Member Posts: 17 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2013 Device: None	KDP vs. Create Space Hi! What’s the difference between Amazon’s KDP and Amazon’s Create Space? Thank you! Dr. T

10-16-2014, 01:32 PM	#3
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,384 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	KDP is a platform for publishing ebooks. CreateSpace is a platform for publishing printed physical books. That's the most fundamental difference. Last edited by ApK; 10-16-2014 at 01:34 PM.

11-01-2014, 02:02 PM	#5
SciFiWriter SciFi-natic Posts: 48 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2014 Device: Samsung Tab 4 7"	Smashwords rocks the ebook world for distribution. If you want maximum exposure, why are you not going to SmashWords? They distribute to all of the major players for you. If I were you, I would at least give it a looksee to see if that is what you want. And, no. I am not affiliated with them in any way shape or form. If I was self-publishing, though, I would use them myself. Just my humble opinion.

11-01-2014, 05:19 PM	#6
Nancy Fulda I write stories. Posts: 700 Karma: 16437432 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Germany Device: kindle	Smashwords does not distribute to Amazon (or at least it didn't, last time I checked). So if you want an ebook available on the Amazon web site, you have to go through KDP. Last edited by Nancy Fulda; 11-01-2014 at 05:22 PM.

01-15-2015, 04:44 PM	#8
SciFiWriter SciFi-natic Posts: 48 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2014 Device: Samsung Tab 4 7"	To Hell with KindleSelect They are just trying to strangle the market at the writers expense! Dirty Rotten SOBs!!!! Cram it down their regular Kindle Direct. You book will still be listed. Plus, you have the strength of all of those OTHER outlets. I hate when the big guys try to bully us with tactics like this! I would bet that if you could get accurate data, you would find all of those other outlets beat the crap out of KindleSelect. Does anyone have any good data? I would really like to know.

10-16-2014, 08:08 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Moved to the Writers' forum, where you're more likely to get an answer.

10-30-2014, 11:04 AM	#4
Nancy Fulda I write stories. Posts: 700 Karma: 16437432 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Germany Device: kindle	What ApK said. In terms of user-friendliness, kdp is extremely easy. If you have a MS word document, you can create a finished ebook. (Although if you want high-quality meta-data and internal formatting, you're going to need more sophisticated software.) Createspace requires a PDF document sized to one of the standard print specifications. I believe there's also an extra charge for extended distribution, and other online vendors -- such as Barnes & Noble -- don't always like to display the cover images of books published via Amazon.

11-07-2014, 02:18 PM	#7
Lazybones Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 1719250 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sacramento Device: Kindle	I've found that CreateSpace has a higher learning curve than KDP. Also, the base cost for physical books is significantly higher than e-books. I went as far as setting up a book in CreateSpace but haven't published it yet, since I generally sell my e-books for around three bucks and the physical books have to be about three times that for you to do anything more than break even on the price. I second SciFiWriter's recommendation on Smashwords. I publish on both, but be aware that you cannot use Amazon's KindleSelect program if you also list your book on other sites.

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