Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hello,

I'd like to ask some questions regarding KDP (previously know as CreateSpace, if I'm not mistaken) and more specifically the Expanded Distribution option available through KDP.

I want to publish a paperback in French and I'd like to make it available through amazon.fr as the Primary Marketplace. So far so good, but I would also like to make it available through bookstores in France and maybe in some other French speaking countries (let's say Canada or Belgium or Switzerland or in any other French speaking country).

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS: am I required to enable the Expanded Distribution option in order for them to be able to LEGALLY make my paperback available in their bookstores? In other words, is enabling the Expanded Distribution option a (legal) prerequisite for someone who wishes his/her paperback to be available in bookstores?

I mean, if I don't enable the Expanded Distribution option, does a bookstore have the right to make my paperback available? (just by purchasing my paperback through amazon.fr and then reselling it at whatever price it wants, for example)

Thanks!

Christos wrote: "I mean, if I don't enable the Expanded Distribution option, does a bookstore have the right to make my paperback available? (just by purchasing my paperback through amazon.fr and then reselling it at whatever price they want)..."

Christos, as far as I've been told no bookstore will buy from Amazon or KDP. For worldwide distribution the best option is to also list your book on IngramSpark. You need to use your own ISBN but you can use this ISBN for your KDP version as well. Don't enable expanded distribution on KDP. Ingram is a world wide distributor and they will also list your book on Amazon.fr as long as you don't enable expanded distribution.

First, I have no experience with non-US markets. But, I do have clients who have books in bookstores, purchased from Ingram through Amazon's Expanded Distribution. The bookstores aren't always happy about it because they do not get their traditional 55% discount, nor does Amazon allow returns. But if the books are good sellers, they have done it anyway.

IF you elect to go with IngramSpark, pay close attention to the return terms and conditions. Ingram's own website says that authors should be prepared financially for the impact of returns. If your book does not sell well and bookstores return them, you could end up owing more money to Ingram than you receive in royalties. They have examples on their site. Just know what you are getting into.

Thank you both for your replies.

I checked IngramSpark's website and there is no mention of French retailer channels working with them (most of these retail channels are located in the UK, some in the USA, one in Spain and one in Romania). There is "Chapters/Indigo" for Canada, but, to be honest, my main target audience is France.

In any case, I'm still wondering if a bookstore has the right to make my paperback available if I don't enable the Expanded Distribution option in KDP or if it's maybe common practice for a bookstore to just purchase a paperback through the primary marketplace (amazon.fr in that case) and then resell it (at whatever price it wants).

*I should note that I don't live in France, I'm not even French, but the book I'm hoping to publish is in French. This is why I'm asking specifically about the legal aspect of the matter, because I won't (?) really be able to know if some bookstore in France will make my book available (and if it will have the right to do so).

Anyone else maybe care to comment on this?

I had several of my books translated and published on Amazon. One of the first things you do is indicate which language applies, and Amazon will publish to the appropriate country, for example, Amazon.fr, uk, it.

For what I understand, you have to enable the "expanded distribution". But there are some conditions.
For example, I wrote my book in French and in English, to be able to reach a wider public. The problem was that the format of my book wasn't accepted for the Expanded distribution.
As for being able to publish only on one Amazon, I think it'll be distributed on all the amazon platform, even if it's in French.
My French version is available everywhere, even in Japan.

Finally, you might want to try ordering your author copy and then distribute them yourselves. but it is costly.

Good luck and keep us informed!

Andres and Emmanuelle, thank you both for your replies!

Emmanuelle, you actually helped me a little bit because my book will be in French but will also have some Greek words and phrases in it. Do you think this would be a problem for the Expanded Distribution?

In any case, my question as regards Expanded Distribution and bookstores is still pending:

If I don't enable the Expanded Distribution option in KDP, has a bookstore (anywhere in the world but, more specifically, in that case, in France) the right to make my paperback physically available in it?

Just to make sure I didn't induce you into an error (my english is not always good), I made two versions of the same book. One in French and one in English.
I don't think it'll be a problem if there are Greek in it as long as the majority of the language is specified correctly. The problem with mine was the physical format of the book, the width and length weren't matching what was needed.

As for the bookstore having the right? I think you should contact some and discuss with them or directly contact Kdp.
Each time I did I received an answer and they were very explicative. You can even have it in French (I speak mainly French so most of the time I prefer this language).

Emmanuelle wrote: "Just to make sure I didn't induce you into an error (my english is not always good), I made two versions of the same book. One in French and one in English."

Oh OK, yeah, I understood that your book was in French AND in English (as opposed to mine which is mainly in French but also has some Greek text in it).

In any case, thank you for your replies, I'll contact KDP directly in order to find out more!