Away from the Amazon
A few weeks ago, I decided to move my books to IngramSpark. IngramSpark is an online self-publishing platform that connects authors with potential audiences around the world, in markets from bookstores to libraries. Much like Amazon’s KindleDirect Publishing, IngramSpark is both a print and ebook design and distribution company. Unlike Amazon, though, IngramSpark is not owned by a billionaire oligarch.
I consider Jeff Bezos to be scum. That’s the main reason I shifted my attentions away from Amazon and toward IngramSpark.
You still won’t find my book in bookstores, though.
This is because I still do print on demand, and bookstores don’t like print on demand. They’d much prefer to buy 10 copies and then be able to return those 10 copies if they don’t sell. For a very small author like me, the potential price of returns isn’t worth it. But it does feel good to be getting away from Amazon.
Now, Amazon remains the big go-to for many authors, and I understand why. Its global presence seems unbeatable; everywhere, there is Amazon. Amazon can also afford to do things cheaply, like free shipping. But Amazon’s anti-union and slave labor practices don’t align with my personal values. Of course, I’m in a position where I can afford to be selective. Not everyone is in that boat. I don’t blame anyone for sticking with Amazon or using Amazon or KindleDirect Publishing.
In order to give people a reason to buy my book (maybe someday it will be books) from IngramSpark rather than Amazon, I’m making the IngramSpark version $1 cheaper. That cuts a bit into my profit, of course, but to me, it’s worth it to get people to shift even a little bit away from Amazon.
I also plan to offer signed or personalized copies of my book through this website and my Ko-Fi. I’ll be ordering those books from IngramSpark, for sure.
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