Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hello everyone, this is my first post and I have to say I've learned so much from the discussions here.

I'm about to publish my book on CreateSpace. Should I get a test print before I publish the book? How do I go about getting a test? Your thoughts would be much appreciated and thank you in advance!

Bee

Thanks very much Rebecca. Once I upload my book, won't it be available for sale, and if there's something wrong with the printing, the first readers would get a faulty book. That's my concern!

Bee wrote: "Thanks very much Rebecca. Once I upload my book, won't it be available for sale, and if there's something wrong with the printing, the first readers would get a faulty book. That's my concern!"

Hi Bee,

No, it won't be available until you hit publish. Createspace is merging with KDP though, and anything on it will be moved over anyway (and frozen for editing during this process, unless you transfer your books yourself). Are you creating it on KDP or the old Createspace site?

The dashboard of KDP is way easier to deal with than Createspace, and it will ask you at the bottom of the book details page if you want to order a proof. You can just save your book as a draft while you wait for this to come through.

Hi Jessica,

That's such a relief to know! It sounds like it'll be easier to upload to KDP for both the print and ebook versions, so that's what I plan to do. Thanks so much, this is helpful!

KDP allows you to buy up to five proof copies at a time. I highly recommend getting one. The covers tend to print darker than you expect. My last book was so dark, you couldn't tell my character was standing inside a bar. I had my artist lighten it, and the second proof came back good. It may add a week to your publishing timeline, but it's a week well spent.

I don't know how the process might differ now it's moved over to KDP, but my recollection is that on CreateSpace you had to order and review a proof copy and confirm it was OK before you could click "Publish". Regardless, simply uploading all the files and entering the necessary information doesn't make it available to the public without your say-so.

Good luck, Bee! Hope it all works out for you! Hugs!

Hi Phillip, Ian & Sam,

Knowing that I can order proofs and not have to publish my book until the proofs are good is a huge help. Thanks so much! (And thanks for the well wishes, Sam, I need them!)

You're quite welcome, Bee! Hugs!

You need to be aware that if you happen to be Australian (like me) that you can no longer order proof nor author copies from any Amazon company. Otherwise you're probably fine to do so.

Ian wrote: "I don't know how the process might differ now it's moved over to KDP, but my recollection is that on CreateSpace you had to order and review a proof copy and confirm it was OK before you could clic..."

This is still correct - KDP will show you the layout and highlight any issues. It's a much smoother dashboard I find in comparison with Createspace!

Angela wrote: "You need to be aware that if you happen to be Australian (like me) that you can no longer order proof nor author copies from any Amazon company. Otherwise you're probably fine to do so."

Wow, what reasoning do they have for that?

Angela wrote: "You need to be aware that if you happen to be Australian (like me) that you can no longer order proof nor author copies from any Amazon company. Otherwise you're probably fine to do so."

Hi Angela, that's odd! I looked up KDP's site and it says proofs are not available for several country-specific sites. Amazon.com.au is one of them. I'll be using Amazon.com, so I hope I can get proofs! Thanks for letting me know and wishing you lots of luck with your book.

Ian wrote: "I don't know how the process might differ now it's moved over to KDP, but my recollection is that on CreateSpace you had to order and review a proof copy and confirm it was OK before you could clic..."

The same process in KDP! Though manuscripts are less friendly in KDP - but eBooks KDP is faster and more friendlier than CS!

I always order a proof copy for new books. If I am just updating a file, then the online previewer is enough. Seeing a physical copy allows you to see how the margins look, how sharp the printing looks, etc. You see it like the reader will see it. That's important.

Majid wrote: "James - "

Majid, every time I see you post, it is to list your books, to push your web site, or some other thing that is against our rules. We are here to support one another, not to sell to each other. You are welcome to join the conversations, but you are not welcome to continue to try to sell your books here. Thanks.