Battling Amazon

Not that I liked Amazon before, but my experience with trying to publish a book this week made me like them even less. They offer free ISBN numbers, but they can only be used on their platform. So I had to buy them from the only company that sells them. $125 for one or $295 for ten. Another scam. Got the copyright registered. Pretty straightforward. Another $65. Then I learned that if I sell my book for 20 bucks, and it costs 9.50 to print, Amazon takes another $8 and leaves me with $2.50. I thought this would be a better deal financially for the author than traditional publishing. Guess not. It's crazy how much they control. From the Internet, to the printing presses, to the distribution networks and even the digital devices. Too much of a monopoly for my liking; as an author I don't really have a choice.

Formatting was a huge job, but I think it turned out well. I wanted to get a proof copy to double check the book before publishing, and Amazon insisted that wouldn't be a problem. It isn't if you live in the US, or Germany, or France, or lots of other places. But it doesn't work in the Netherlands. Have to publish before you can see how it prints. Makes it impossible to have a proper book launch here. Was really hoping to get a hardcover copy for Beth as she designed the cover, so I thought I could ship it to her parents before they leave to come visit us, but it would have arrived on the day they left. The Sankeys should be arriving in Amsterdam today! 

Still need to check out the printed versions to make sure they are okay, but won't be able to until after we get back from Rome. Trying to figure out how to put together a Kindle version as well. Once that is done, can put together a delayed launch. Probably too late to get any traction with Amazon, but that's okay I guess. It is just a tool to get my book out there and make it available to a few people. Not trying to write a best seller. Will be fun to get it into some local bookstores and such once we are in the States. 

Easter Brunch!

It was sad to say goodbye to Claire and Matt, but we had a great visit!

Naomi and the girls had a kickboxing lesson with her former student. 

My last chance to bring the table back into spring mode.