Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie discussion

I have just learned how to use the remote for the television- I told my kids twenty years ago, I refuse to learn anything new- why bother- they keep changing the equipment!
You think I'm kidding- when they moved out for a while they had to come back to get the damn thing on for me- well anyhow, I learned. Once I learn something, I become very good at it and I hate to change- which brings me to my next subject.
I liked Createspace. I really liked them. They are so helpful, I finally understood all the buttons, knew what I had to do to fix or change something- so why am I moving to Ingram?
This was not an easy decision-
I am keeping Createspace for Amazon, Amazon Europe and the Createspace store. However, I am moving all our books to Ingram for the mass distribution. I learned a lot of new things.
Last year, I had lunch with an insider who told me to move to Ingram. I called and when they told me they wouldn't take Createspace ISBN's, I hung up. I was content with my CS ISBN's- they were free- I like free- everything else costs money- thank you very much! We sell a good amount of paperbacks, so I was content. My father had a saying- if a worm crawls into horseradish and never tastes anything else, he'll think it's the sweetest thing on earth. So, I was that worm- content with staying in one place. Then sales on paperbacks spiraled down. Amazon has a new system that allows the book to be off Prime- People are buying from small vendors- with a notice that there is only one in stock- making people think your book is out of print. It is affecting sales.
They say you will reach more libraries and institutions with Ingram- so I began the arduous task of switching all the manuscripts ISBN's and replacing them with new ones. Try doing it on 70 books- with three different illustrators and finding someone competent who can put the ISBN on the novels and change to covers to fit Ingram's demands.
Three weeks, we are working. CS can't find the original files! They have sent us manuscripts that were changed years ago! It's a mess!
Will it all be worth it? I don't know- I'll let you know in a few weeks- but one thing I will say- this time I learned really fast how to work on Ingram's program.

Oh Carole, I feel both sympathy pangs and buddy elation for you! I can't imagine...looking forward to updates. Quickquestion...would you ever consider a special edition hardcover boxed compilation? I've been wondering if anyone has done this...

That is our next project. Right now I had the brilliant idea of turning all my books into hardcovers as well. We are in ISBN hell.

Carole wrote: "That is our next project. Right now I had the brilliant idea of turning all my books into hardcovers as well. We are in ISBN hell."

Oooh that is going to be one bad-arse edition, though. I'm excited!

Me too!

Carol, So sorry again for all this extra work and expense, but you learn fast and are very generous in sharing your experience with the rest of us. I agree you should consider a box set of your books through Ingram now. Have something good come out of all this mush! Hugs!!

At the very least you made me quite content with my choice of IngramSpark. Thanks for that. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this effort though!

A huge job. I'm wondering if I'll ever have cause to put anything anywhere other than Amazon's POD. Their actions are suspicious with your books.

I've just taken one very deep breath followed by one very loud sigh. That sums up how I feel for you, Carole. I've just spent an afternoon with my daughter showing me how to set up my iPod. I almost did it myself! But it locked me out. Four months later, I now have a couple of things on it. But I still haven't listened to them. So I'm with you, Carole.

I'm putting off getting my books into paperback. Still.

Wishing you success soon and a week's holiday to follow.

I think everything happens for a reason. So far, I think Createspace is better for a beginner- more user friendly. Almost like grammar school- a good foundation. I think Ingram is like trying tripe or something- not for beginners.
I do like that they give you this choice if you want to advertise. Not sure exactly what it is- but you get to pick whether to spend 85 dollars per title for a big ad, or take free advertisements .
I had a meeting yesterday with the publisher of Publisher's Weekly. He said they put out a monthly newsletter to all libraries. He told me that when you don't pay, your book is mentioned in a thin line and then there are assorted ads pushing trade books and books with those 85 dollar ads. He is sending me a copy and I'll report back.

Just to compare ease of POD. I found Amazon's KDP POD a doddle. Free ISBN, easy to set up. OK for a beginner like me. But obviously no good for Carole if they're playing shenanigans with the availability of POD books.

Thanks for the information. They've (KDP) asked me to switch to them, but I was loyal to Createspace. What I've learned is that if you take the free ISBN- (and I always have) you are technically not the publisher- you don't own the ISBN. That's okay too- it worked for years for us when I didn't quite understand ISBN's.
What I have discovered is speculative until I finish this process- I have made quite a few mass distribution sales- but not the big ones I am looking for. Everyone has told me the only way to get them is through Ingram. They have said that many places won't buy books with the CS ISBN as they see it as supporting Amazon (their competition). Now, Amazon is opening brick and mortar stores all over the place and it may be a great way to get your books to the forefront.
So, that being said, we'll get a better idea when I send out our newsletter in May for mass distribution. I am waiting for the mailing list I purchased.

AMY- so now you have print! I have you listed on the newsletter as an ebook- can I state that print is available through KDP?

Carole wrote: "AMY- so now you have print! I have you listed on the newsletter as an ebook- can I state that print is available through KDP?

Yes great, if it's not too late and too much trouble, that would be superb. Thank you.

I hope to be in a position in the future to say I'll buy my own ISBNs. Baby steps at the moment.

I feel your pain Carole and I have only been trying to do ONE book through Ingram for the last three weeks. I finally got all my files redone to Ingram's specifications (I hope) and went to upload them yesterday. It shows it uploads 100% then when it goes to save it, I get an error message saying to try again or call support. I tried again a couple times and the same thing happened. I called support and waited on hold for 20 minutes before finally deciding to leave a message. I haven't heard back. When I email them it can take 2-7 days to hear back. Maybe my file is too big, I don't know and I can't find file size specifications anywhere, just types and preferences. Hoping I figure it out soon. I definately recommend createspace for beginners! I think this will be a great alternative once I figure out the process.

Wow Carole, that is quite the chore! I hope you enjoy Ingram. The royalties don't come as soon as CS but other than that I find them easy enough to work with. Good luck as you complete this gigantic task! :)

Thanks guys!! Brit is working hard on getting to know. them. Once I think we get it- it'll be easier.

Just got my first batch of books- the quality of Createspace is much better.

Did you do the premium quality print or standard?

I took the first one- Erica- can you tell me the difference?

These are the Ingram ones Carole? It's a crying shame about the Amazon POD sales thingy, I was really pleased with the quality of mine. (Not an expert, wasn't expecting gold leaf, looks fine, got nothing to compare it too but looks OK to me.)

The premium ink is suppose to give you more vibrant pictures and a thicker paper. However, it is more expensive. I am going to try it on my hardback book with them (if I can ever get my files uploaded and approved lol). The premium is recommended for picture books, but I don't think anyone would pay what I would have to charge for a paperback. However, if someone really wants a hardback I want to give them the best quality possible. The only way to may it affordable seems to be to significantly cut my royalties and I can't offer a steep discount to retailers. I should be able to sell them in person at events and still make a good royalty though.

That's a great idea, Erica. I'm thinking on it!

Yes, Amy- Ingram- but they don't look horrible. I may price the more expensive alternative and see the difference.

From what I hear, the difference isn't as noticable between createspace and Ingram with a black and white novels, but picture books are a different story (pun not intended lol).

Yes I was forgetting you both need pictures. So pleased I didn't pick that genre!

lol

Hmm.. one book I'm working on is a children's picture book. Gotta think about this one. : \

I highly recommend to anyone who is between multiple companies to buy your own ISBN. It makes things a whole lot easier if you decide to switch platforms later. That's just my two cents.

That's one definite decision I've made! : )

Agree with buying your own ISBNs. They are expensive but if you can buy in bulk (with an eye towards future writing) do it!

I didn't want to do it- but now I see the wisdom of it.

Ingram is the way to go. Good luck!