I've been subscribing to WritersWeekly for decades and have also used their Booklocker to publish one of my 20 book. I've also used KDP, which is through Amazon, but this list includes web addresses from snakes in the business who try to pass themselves off as Amazon. If you choose to use Amazon, go directly to the Amazon website for the link.
Amazon KDP is FREE. Publishing is free. Setup is free. You can play with the cover template to add your own images. There is NO charge. So in this list that WW includes -- undoubtedly those "Amazon" spoof links charge.
My experience with KDP and Amazon is pretty good, especially the free. My first several books cost $$$ for graphic design, printing, legal, etc. to create a professional-looking book. Amazon is okay, not as perfect as doing it from scratch to finish. Also, IMPORTANT!!!! With Amazon, you own your files. Snake print on demand companies charge you to retain the print files you already paid for.
I use Amazon now, because I'm more interested in producing a Kindle book rather than a printed book. Also, using Amazon links it directly into their library. Think of Amazon to books like YouTube is to video. If you can't find it there, it doesn't exist.
https://writersweekly.com/angela-desk/a-list-of-publishers-that-all-auth...
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Yes, definitely go direct with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP.) You can choose to be exclusive with Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program or you can chose to also self-publish with other vendors, such as Kobo, Barnes & Noble (Nook), Apple/iBooks, and Google Plus.
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Thank you so much for this resource!
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I've been getting messages from some unknown publishing house wanting to offer me a 70/30% split profit. I've been ripped off by publishers in the past, and it's been a tiresome affair.
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Excellent post and resource for the community. Thanks, Debbie Elicksen!
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Thank you! Now if only we had a list of film festivals/ competitions and awards on FilmFreeway to avoid at all costs - that would be awesome! :-)
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It is nice of you to share this list with us, their actions, and to warn us. You are a Christmas angel.
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Kobo.com and draft2digital.com are good too for self-publishing
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Very good resource, thank you :) I’m still crazy enough to want to get trad published though lol
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Thank you for this list. The writing environment is full of pitfalls. I appreciate the warning.
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Thank you for this invaluable information.
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THANK YOU, Debbie Elicksen!!!
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Thank you very much. It's good to know who the bad guys are.
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Lois Sullivan If it feels too good to be true, it absolutely is. Publishing is cutthroat and traditional publishers aren't much better. They pay zip for royalties (5 to 10%) and you own nothing.
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Wow. Super interesting, Debbie Elicksen. Most of these I've never heard of so good to know. I used to use KDP and D2D exclusively but I also added in Ingram which is the bookstore distributor. They're great to work with.
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I've used Amazon KDP and D2D (who incorporated SmartWords that I also utilised into their fold) - no complaints from either here.