Support for Indie Authors discussion

First let me say this is in no way an attack on anyone or a pity party. I submitted my novel into a review group and every one that reviewed did not give it a favorable review due to the editing. I found a great editor and have it scheduled to be re-edited at the end of the month. My question is should I unpublish it and then start over when it is re-edited?
thanks guys.

Updating it once it is edited is also an option. You would be essentially turning your back on everyone that has already bought a copy, and with an updated edited version, they would have access to it.

Lora wrote: "First let me say this is in no way an attack on anyone or a pity party. I submitted my novel into a review group and every one that reviewed did not give it a favorable review due to the editing. I..."

Are you on Amazon? Is the end of the month May or June? Have you sold a significant number of copies?

You should certainly upload the corrected version, but whether you take the additional step to unpublish depends on how soon the new version will be ready. If you have sold significant numbers of copies, or you have a number of reviews talking about the editing, you can make the new version a new edition (on Amazon) which can clue reader to get the new version, and state the new version is available in the description.

If the book has sold a small number of copies so far, and reviews don't mention the editing, and the new version will be uploaded soon, unpublishing and then republishing does not matter so much.

If the new version won't be ready for a month, it's probably best to take the book out of circulation. When you upload the new version (on Amazon), you can call it a new edition and I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong), all your current reviews will still be there.

I did take it down I had it edited before I published but this time I'm paying for professional services thanks

Do your best to give out free copies to people that bought the unedited version. :D

When a couple of errors were pointed out on a couple of my works, I scrambled to correct them in Word and resubmitted them to Amazon and they re-formated them within 6 hours.

Charles wrote: "Do your best to give out free copies to people that bought the unedited version. :D"

Anyone who did buy this copy should get the new edition for free as an update. But you might have to ask KDP to push an update. That seems to not always happen unless you ask.

On republishing, I'd note that a new professionally edited edition is now available. I might consider contacting anyone who received a review copy and asking them if you would consider getting the new edition and perhaps modifying their review accordingly.

That could be dicey, depending on how those people feel. In any case, providing a new edition will show that those reviews are no longer apply.

Deleted unhelpful comment. The name of this group is Support Indie Authors and supporting does not include shaming or name calling.

As for the question, I think Owen answered this best. Pushing an edited copy out may not do anything for those who have already read, but it will mean that those who have your book but haven't read it yet will get the clean copy.

Owen wrote: "Charles wrote: "Do your best to give out free copies to people that bought the unedited version. :D"

Anyone who did buy this copy should get the new edition for free as an update. But you might h..."

I believe that is the difference between updating and unpublishing/republishing. Unpublishing and taking it down kills the former version, and when you republish, it is considered a different book entirely by Amazon. I'm not absolutely sure, but I believe I read that somewhere.

I had to correct a typo and I just updated the file through Amazon for the digital. Thankfully, I was able to change it for createspace too because I know every single person that bought my books so far. I explain to them about the typo just to let them know that I am aware that it was there, but none of them even notice LOL. I guess they were too engrossed in the story LOL. But I am glad that changing the digital file wasn't difficult at all of my reviews are still there. I do have another version of the book that's on publish it I wish there was a way I could delete it. It was before I knew how Amazon publishing worked and I created another instance of the story not realizing I could just update the file. If anyone knows how to get rid of a unneeded file please let me know! Thanks!

Charles wrote: "I believe that is the difference between updating and unpublishing/republishing. "

I've never unpublished and republished, so I'm not sure. I do know that if you unpublish, the book does not disappear from your KDP bookshelf -- it sits there, with all the info intact. If you republish, the ASIN is preserved (I think), which is what governs. Then people should be able to get an update.

I thought you had to upload a whole new book and get a new ASIN to wipe the slate clean. But this should be verified.

Okay, I may have read some old discussion about that somewhere:

Note: When you unpublish a title from the Kindle Store, it should become unavailable to buy within 24-72 hours; then become unsearchable from the Amazon storefront after a minimum of one week. It will not be available for purchase until you republish the item. Republishing a title after it has been removed from the Kindle Store requires approximately 12 hours.

Thanks everyone you guys are awesome

Thanks everyone you guys are awesome

I published my first novel in 2013. It was after we had edited this, corrected, proof read again, had multiple eyes checking it out, etc... I felt like I had edited and read this thing so many times I though my eyes would bleed.

Then I published with Amazon and published with Create Space. I participated in Goodreads giveaway and got some good reviews, but then after soliciting more, the mistakes and errors, both in plot, pacing and content started to surface. I worked hard on a second edition, and republished. I stayed open to what the reviewers were saying, and to date I have had 5 editions of my debut novel. At this time, I rest my case, both for plot, grammar, punctuation, etc...

Just be open is all I am saying, to learn, grow, and to get better. Writing is a craft and it takes time to hone that craft.


Best regards, Morris

Thanks I will

This is an interesting discussion for me, because I've just completed my second book, waiting to have it edited, and I'm wondering about book number one, on Createspace and Kindle. I didn't have it edited, and, although it's 'ok', I don't feel now that it's my best work. I'm not sure whether to pay to have it edited, yank it, or just leave it. Several readers liked it a lot, with no bad comments, but, again, I don't feel it's my best work. I also don't really want to rewrite it.
Does anybody have any thoughts? What do you do when you have a book out there that you're no longer happy with?

Contacted Amazon they will push an updated copy to all that purchased already when I republish do they will get the new version for free it will tell them to update their existing copy this is impt they spent money they deserve the best product

Chris. I am a pretty good editor, if I believe in the project. Let me know what you got, and we'll see if we can work out something reasonable. If I believe in the project, I'll edit 20 pages for free. If you like what it, then we'll talk cost. I have a slot open in June, and I want to get my name out there as an editor, so I will be reasonable.

Best regards, Morris

Hi Morris, thanks for the suggestion. Are we talking about development editing or copy editing? I've never done either on this book and it was having my second book, developmentally edited that made me wonder about my first book.
I like my first book a lot - even now, I dive in somewhere and read it, and I like it. Frankly, I'm not sure that editing is the problem. It's just that I feel my second book is so much better!
I'll be glad to send you 20-30 pages of book #1 - if you want, you can tell me what you think. It's on Kindle - I may have a free week sometimes soon, just to see how it goes.

Thanks,

- Chris

Hi Morris and Chris!

If you could, please take it to a private discussion so we don't thread jack Lora's discussion.

Thanks!

Sure, actually Chris should email me. [email protected].

Apologies for the hijacking.

Morris

My apologies too...