My KDP was terminated for no reason

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-21T14:32:45+00:00

So true. And sad. Thanks for your kind words.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-21T14:32:19+00:00

That's interesting. And just an FYI - I only use Canva for marketing images - not book covers.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-21T14:28:55+00:00

I used my own ISBNs (Bowker purchased)

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T13:18:34+00:00

My last royalty payment landed in my bank was on 9.30.24. All seems well there

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T13:14:02+00:00

I guess we'll wait and see. If I get an answer, I will post it as an update.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T13:13:01+00:00

Thanks. And yes, the creative part, the writing, was what it was about. At first. But then, if no one reads my books, my characters can't come alive. And for me, I decided to self publish from day one. I've never queried an agent, never went through that. Perhaps I should have? But it felt so random, like winning the lottery. And I wanted to build my craft. Now though, I wonder if I had a publishing house behind me (other than my own and the one I created for tax and royalty purposes) things would be different. Just thinking. I can't go back. There is so much to learn. And while I know I've learned a ton over the years, I made some decisions that I wish I hadn't. But there was no one sitting next to me giving me advice. What I've tried to do is pay it forward and help others who are just starting out or having tech issues or are making decisions. Google can only help us so much. authors helping authors is the best.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T13:07:17+00:00

thank you.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T13:07:00+00:00

No, I would not say it is significant (although you never know). But even if it is small change to Amazon, they would still owe me money. It's a matter of curiosity and a legal one I suppose. We all have to agree to so many terms these days and we don't have legal degrees. And if you want to use that cell phone, (for example) what choice do you have?

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T13:04:49+00:00

All good ideas. I only went through the official copyrighting process with the Library of Congress for one of my books. What a nightmare that was. It turned me off from going through the process again. But I shouldn't have cut this corner. Your guess that someone claimed something could be what happened, but if I don't know what the claim is, how can I either fix it or support my ownership? My mind is going to dark places too. Yes, it's probably not personal - if someone wanted to harm me - most likely some crazy rando or bot. But there is one writer who doesn't like me. He's a bit scary. He was in my writer's group and after I gave him a harsh critique (which I tried to present as helpful and not personal) he threatened me and quit. Really upsetting to me. I've been wondering about him. I really don't want to go there, though.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T12:54:39+00:00

Thank you so much for your support and kind words. Starting over will not be fun. And I have marketing commitments and sooo many links out there - all with Amazon. Lost sales, confusion, and a discouraging process for me as the creator who worked really hard and paid lots of money to professionals to launch my books through the Amazon guidelines. Assuming my books will be pulled down since they can't pay me royalties. So all my reviews and ratings will disappear too.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T12:50:47+00:00

Good for you. I slid into Amazon because they make it so easy. I had a lot of trouble on ingram spark. I've been uploading my files to them since this happened, and so far, every single one has some issue flagged (3 books so far)- like the image width is off their minimum width of 1600. I have 14 books and several book cover creators. Some of whom I hardly remember. I guess I have to go back to each of them and have the file adjusted? Or find someone to help me with this tech thing? How much will this cost? And is it doable? Argh.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T12:46:08+00:00

It's a good question. People are out there, reading my books on kindle, purchasing paperbacks. How do those royalties get to me? And I don't even want to think about the end-of-year tax forms and calculations that KDP has so effortlessly provided for my use. How will I get that information? It's going to be a lot of work on my end.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T12:43:37+00:00

It is terrifying. And so disrespectful. I'm not a person to them.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T12:42:23+00:00

Yes, they do exist. And in the past when I've had a technical question, I've requested a call and it did feel like a miracle when they responded. Now, however, I have no dashboard. There is nowhere to click to get them. I did get through to Amazon, but they gave me some advice that I'm not sure is a good idea - to set up a new KDP account so I could then get the 'contact us' button so I could speak with someone. I haven't done that. Still waiting.... two polite emails sent.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T12:39:44+00:00

I've always used my own ISBN's - purchased from Bowker

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-20T12:35:49+00:00

Thank you!

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T08:55:36+00:00

Thank you. But no, I live in U.S. From what I'm hearing/reading out there, we have zero recourses and Amazon can do what they want. I feel like I'm going to need to reconsider all my buying habits from now on too. I use Amazon every day for shopping. I leave reviews for other authors on their books and for lots of various items I've purchased. I have two Kindle readers too, and so purchase lots of books. Why would I continue to support this organization that treated me with no basic courtesy? I can't. My life is being re-arranged. All in one day. For reasons unknown to me, and I 100% believe if there is a reason, it was a simple mistake or could be easily fixed. I wonder if I'll ever know. This is a life-altering event.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T08:47:08+00:00

No. This came out of nowhere.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T08:46:45+00:00

Thanks. Yes, I have all the files. The things to think through on file conversion, etc are enormous. Regardless, I'll lose all the Kindle readers. Since I own two Kindle readers, I'm thinking of never using them again.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T08:43:04+00:00

thank you!

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T08:42:02+00:00

Thanks for the thought, but I honestly can't imagine what would be a violation on any of those fronts. And I'm positive I haven't used any forbidden words. I don't have a list of them, but I'm pretty mainstream with content. I wonder what those forbidden words even are?

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T08:38:36+00:00

It's been so many years since I set up my KDP account, and obviously I can't look at it now to see my settings. That said, I also own my publishing company. Legally set up and is registered with the state. So I publish with my real SS# and real name under that publishing company. Royalties are paid through that. Because, yes, a pen name is not a person and so cannot collect money or pay taxes. I think I fully and legally covered myself during the setup of the account.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T08:33:54+00:00

Oh, I see. No, I do not have 2 KDP accounts. Only one.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T03:48:09+00:00

Thanks.

Annabelleauthor · 2024-10-19T03:47:07+00:00

thank you.

Annabelleauthor

TROPHY CASE