FAQs

Yes, you can make a KDP book available for private sale only and not for public sale by using Amazon KDP’s “Unpublished” status and distributing it via other means. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Set the Book to “Unpublished”:

   • When you create your book in KDP, you can choose not to publish it immediately. Instead, you can save it as a draft and keep it in an “Unpublished” state. This way, it will not be available for public purchase on Amazon.

2. Order Author Copies:

   • Even if your book is not available for public sale, you can order author copies at the print cost plus shipping. These copies are identical to the final product and can be distributed privately. To order author copies, follow these steps:
     • Go to your KDP Bookshelf.
     • Click the ellipsis button (“…”) next to the book you want to order copies of.
     • Select “Order Author Copies.”
     • Specify the number of copies and the shipping address.

3. Distribute Privately:

   • Once you receive your author copies, you can distribute them privately to friends, family, or anyone you wish. This method allows you to control who has access to your book without making it available to the general public.

4. Direct Sharing:

   • You can also share the digital version of your book directly with specific people by providing them with the file, but keep in mind that this method does not offer the same level of DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection as purchasing through Amazon.

This approach allows you to use Amazon KDP’s printing and distribution capabilities for private projects without making the book available for public sale.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows authors to publish a wide variety of books, including personal and vanity books. Whether it’s a story about you and your family, a photo book, or a genealogy book, KDP provides a platform for publishing personal content. However, there are some general guidelines and considerations you should be aware of:

1. Content Guidelines:

   • Original Content: Ensure that the content you publish is original and you have the rights to use any included photos, images, or text.
   • Quality Standards: Even personal books should meet Amazon’s quality standards. This includes proper formatting, clear images, and no significant errors in the text.
   • Prohibited Content: Avoid any content that violates Amazon’s content guidelines, such as hate speech, pornography, or other offensive material.

2. Rights and Permissions:

   • Permissions for Photos: If your book includes photos of people, make sure you have their permission to publish those photos, especially if they are not public figures.
   • Copyrighted Material: Do not include any copyrighted material without proper authorization or attribution.

3. Formatting and Presentation:

   • Professional Presentation: Personal books should still be presented professionally to appeal to readers and meet KDP’s quality expectations.
   • Metadata and Categories: Accurately categorize and provide metadata for your book to ensure it reaches the right audience.

4. Privacy Considerations:

   • Sensitive Information: Be cautious about including sensitive or private information about yourself or others. Consider the potential privacy implications of making such information publicly available.

In summary, there are no specific guidelines from Amazon KDP that would prevent you from publishing a book that is personal or a vanity book, as long as it adheres to their general content guidelines and quality standards. Ensure that the content is original, respectful of others’ privacy, and professionally presented.

If you have specific questions or need further clarification, you can always refer to the Amazon KDP Content Guidelines for more detailed information.

Paying for book reviews can offer benefits such as increased exposure and professional feedback. However, it’s essential to choose reputable review services and consider them as part of a broader marketing strategy.

Whether or not to pay for book reviews is a decision that can depend on several factors, including the reputation of the review site, the cost, and your overall marketing strategy. Here are some insights to help you decide if it’s worth investing in paid book reviews:

Pros of Paid Book Reviews

1. Exposure and Validation: A review from a reputable site can increase your book’s visibility and add credibility. Sites like NetGalley and Kirkus Reviews are well-known in the industry and can provide significant exposure.
2. Professional Feedback: Paid reviews often come with detailed feedback from experienced reviewers, which can be valuable for improving your book.
3. Marketing Material: Positive reviews can be used in your marketing campaigns, on your book cover, and in promotional materials.

Cons of Paid Book Reviews

1. Cost: Paid reviews can be expensive. For example, Kirkus Reviews charges a substantial fee, which might not be feasible for all authors.
2. Potential Bias: There is a risk that paid reviews might be perceived as less objective, as some reviewers might feel inclined to provide a positive review to maintain a good relationship with the author.
3. Uncertain Impact on Sales: A positive review does not guarantee increased sales. Book sales are influenced by many factors, including genre, marketing efforts, and reader preferences.

Recommended Platforms

1. Goodreads: Offers both free and paid options for increasing your book’s visibility through reviews and giveaways. It is a popular community for book lovers and authors.
2. NetGalley: Provides digital ARCs to professional readers, including librarians, booksellers, and reviewers. It is effective for getting professional reviews and increasing exposure.
3. BookSirens: Connects authors with serious book reviewers and has a high review rate. It allows authors to target specific genres.
4. Booksprout: Similar to BookSirens, it automates the delivery of ARCs and has a good review rate, though results can vary.

Alternatives

If paying for reviews seems too risky or costly, consider alternative methods such as:

• Submitting your book to free review sites and bloggers.
• Building a mailing list and offering free copies in exchange for honest reviews.
• Engaging with book communities and forums to organically generate interest and reviews.

Overall, while paid reviews can offer benefits, they should be viewed as part of a larger marketing strategy rather than a guaranteed path to success. It’s essential to research and choose reputable services that align with your goals and budget.

For more detailed insights and resources, you can check out articles from Jane Friedman, Self-Publishing Review, and Atmosphere Press.

1. Reedsy Discovery – A platform where indie authors can submit their books for reviews and gain visibility among readers and reviewers. Reedsy Discovery
2. BookSirens – Connects authors with over 100 book reviewers who are open to reviewing new books. BookSirens
3. Self-Publishing Review – Offers professional editorial book reviews across all genres, which are shared on major websites. Self-Publishing Review
4. NetGalley – A service where authors can distribute digital review copies to thousands of professional readers and reviewers. NetGalley
5. The Indie Reader – Provides reviews for indie authors and also recommends titles to major publications like HuffPost and USA Today. Indie Reader
6. The Book Smugglers – Specializes in speculative fiction, YA, and diverse genres. The Book Smugglers
7. Paper Fury – A blog with a large following that offers detailed book reviews and promotional features. Paper Fury
8. Caffeinated Reviewer – Accepts requests for book reviews and has a strong social media presence to promote books. Caffeinated Reviewer

For additional options and further details, you can also explore comprehensive lists such as Reedsy’s Best Book Review Blogs and BookNook’s 28 Book Review Sites.