Overcoming Challenges in Self-Publishing:

A Personal Story

Self-publishing on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Amazon's self-publishing branch, initially feels like a dream come true for many authors. The platform promises creative freedom, easy distribution, and the potential to reach a global audience. This initial excitement is what draws many authors, including myself, to the platform. However, as we soon discover, the reality can be quite different behind the scenes.

When I first started publishing with KDP, the pre-publication review process was a breeze. My books sailed through the initial checks, and I eagerly awaited the feedback from readers. But soon after, the frustration began. Unbeknownst to many authors, KDP continuously uses algorithms and bots to scrutinize published works. These automated systems, which are notorious for over-accusation and often get things wrong, became a source of immense frustration. Unfortunately, the burden of proof falls on the authors, who must navigate the opaque and frustrating process of dealing with KDP representatives.

One of the challenging aspects of this ordeal is the nature of KDP's customer support. The representatives are scattered across the globe, and each email comes from a different agent, even within the same thread. This design minimizes human subjectivity but also de-personifies the support experience. The agents are limited to templated responses, often resulting in vague and sometimes misleading communications.

I encountered this firsthand when I received a message from KDP stating, “We are terminating your KDP account effective immediately because you have repeatedly submitted title(s) with book details that do not comply with our guidelines and may cause a misleading customer experience.” I was blindsided. I had no prior warnings and was unaware of any repeated non-compliance. The flagged book, a coloring book, seemed innocuous to me.

I immediately replied, seeking clarification and reinstatement of my account. However, my polite inquiry was met with a firm decision to uphold the termination. Subsequent emails were met with silence. I was left with little recourse except to seek outside advocacy. As a member of an authors' alliance, I am now receiving their assistance in pursuing a reversal of the decision. Meanwhile, my books were removed from Amazon.

Despite these setbacks, there is a silver lining. I have found a new book printer, and my works are now available at The Great British Book Shop through tiofelipe.com. Their printing quality is exceptional, and I can offer more bespoke book options moving forward. This journey has been an eye-opening experience about the unseen struggles of self-publishing on KDP. The dream of self-publishing can quickly become a nightmare when dealing with unpredictable algorithms and impersonal support systems. For authors navigating these challenges, persistence and finding alternative avenues for publication are crucial.

Thank you for your continued support and for purchasing my books. You can now find my latest works at The Great British Book Shop through tiofelipe.com, where I will continue to offer high-quality, unique publications.