Amazon affiliate Readers’ Favorite is a favorite literary contest of mine—not because I’ve won it yet, but because of their early review process. Once again, amid entering my new book for their upcoming award, I took the opportunity to request that some their reviewers put eyes on it.
I don’t know of any author who doesn’t want tons of story feedback, and it’s especially important for hermits like me who work mostly in the dark.
I’m so happy to see that not one but FIVE folks there really liked my story. We’re talkin’ here about five out of five five-star reviews! At twenty-five in total that’s almost twice as many stars as bedazzle my cover!
In other news, things are proceeding apace here at “Two Goats Press.”
The Amazon hardcover proof looked good, and I would have posted a picture of it here, if it weren’t for an ugly little stripe they put on it marking it “not for resale.” Not to worry, I’ve already ordered some author copies that won’t have this. I’ll post a pic of one of them instead as soon as they arrive. Surprisingly, all the colors and shapes printed true on my handmade cover. I did use MS Publisher, but still I’m a rank graphic design amateur!
Inside, every word of my story was present and professionally formatted, though that actual work was accomplished by a KDP robot tool. In fact, if I had any complaint at all, it would be about the lack of interior options. But beggars can’t be choosers, right? Or so I’ve been told. What I’m specifically referring to here is that the chapter headers are a bit modern for both my taste and the nature of the book, but again outside of that issue everything else is clean. It even has the little drop caps that make a novel look real smart.
Speaking of the physical book, I’ve hatched another lead—another professional design team who might help me out with Ingram. You see, as I understand it. for the best broad distribution, independents are supposed to go first with Amazon then later IngramSpark. Though Amazon has an expanded distribution model of its own, apparently, shops, libraries and the like still prefer their older, more established standby, Ingram.
The problem I’ve run into concerning this is that my KDP files won’t transfer. Meaning I will have to reformat both my cover and interior just for Ingram’s purposes. Why I can’t quite do this is a long story, but suffice it to say, I have another lead on a designer who might make my dreams come true. I’ll continue to keep you posted on this, but for now here’s where we stand:
No matter what, September 18, 2024 is GO!
If you want to read my new book you’ll have three options on that official release date!
Amazon Kindle, which is already in PREORDER. Go and pre-buy your copy now! It’s only $3.99. An exceptional bargain for a wonderful heartwarming story!
Amazon Hardcover! Yep, now while this format is not showing in pre-order, it will be available for purchase on September 18th at midnight GMT. The reason I think this isn’t showing as pre-orderable now as well is that I technically have the right to change the files up until just a few days before. I won’t be; don’t worry. I have a Library of Congress number now that I didn’t have before, but I’m not going to re-proof the book and potentially delay it further just to go back and insert it versus “applied for”. This Amazon hardcover isn’t deluxe, but like I said, it’s smart, and at $14.99 it too is a scream of a deal! We’re talking about a 6×9 Case Laminate Hardcover in Matte with 50 weight cream paper for scarcely more money than a smaller paperback manga!
The eBook will also be available through each and every one of Ingram’s Global partners. Click here for a list of them: https://www.ingramspark.com/how-it-works/distribute#onlinedistributionpartners. And note it includes Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, Overdrive, and hoopla! The price through all of these vendors will be the same as through Amazon’s Kindle, $3.99. And this is already set up and ready—only the hardcover through those global partners might be delayed.
So… pretty exciting, yes? Only a little over a month away… And don’t forget there’ll also be a fourth option. You know how I love my libraries… Once I sort out which version of my hardcover I’ll be giving them, you’ll be able to read me for free through that channel as well (i.e. if my Ingram hardcovers are delayed for too long I’ll give them Amazon copies instead).
I’ll continue to keep you posted as things develop.
In the meantime, continue to pray for peace, the failure of warmongers, and for hurricanes to hardly ever happen (one’s heading for me now as we speak).
