Massive Changes Implemented by Amazon KDP: What Authors Need to Know
Introduction
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) has recently announced a significant change to its fee structure for print-on-demand printing costs. The changes are due to come into effect on June 20th, 2023. These changes will impact authors who self-publish through KDP. Though the changes will come with both upsides and downsides, authors will need to adopt a new strategy to ensure their royalties won’t be affected too much. In this article, we’ll break down what these changes are, how they will impact authors, and what can be done to avoid any serious financial implications.
Changes in Printing Costs
KDP’s announcement highlights that the price of printing costs for print-on-demand books will change according to each book’s region, page count, and trim size. While there are some areas where there will be a reduction in printing costs, there will be a rise in pricing for some regions and page counts.
On the topic of page count, KDP has confirmed that books under 100 pages will undergo a significant printing cost increase while books with more than 300 pages will witness a huge reduction in printing costs. This will no longer be the case with the onset of KDP’s new fee structure.
Furthermore, the new fee structure will introduce cost fluctuations based on sales channels. For instance, publishing an e-book through KDP will have different printing costs compared to publishing a paperback or hardcover book.
Recommendations for Authors
To avoid a decline in royalties as a result of increased printing costs, KDP is advising its authors to do the following:
- Download a CSV file that prioritizes books that will not earn zero royalties.
- Manipulate prices of their books to offer a reasonable price.
It’s safe to say that the most advisable recommendation for authors during these changes is to consider aligning prices within the industry standard. Remember, KDP’s print-on-demand service remains free, and authors only pay for the base cost of printing and fulfillment. It’s fundamental to think about pricing books at a fair and competitive rate while also accounting for the new changes.
FAQs
- What is the reason behind these changes?
The changes in printing costs have been necessitated by changing costs in the supply and resources industry. KDP has reported that this resulted in an increase in printing costs for some regions and page counts.
- Will these changes affect e-books?
No, these changes only affect print book-on-demand authors.
- What if I don’t change my book’s pricing according to KDP’s recommendations?
KDP stated that royalty calculation for books affected by the changes in printing costs will be based on current prices listed on the website.
- How can I compare prices of books within my genre?
There are online platforms to compare book prices, such as BookBub, BookFinder, and BookGorilla.
- Can royalties be changed after publishing a book?
Yes, necessarily. Authors can modify their book’s price to ensure that it aligns with the industry standard.
Conclusion
In summary, KDP’s announcement of a change in printing costs for print-on-demand authors may have been received with some dismay, but it’s essential to remember that it’s free, and authors only pay for base costs when it comes to printing and fulfillment. It’s vital to realign book prices with industry standards to lessen the impact it may have on royalties. We hope that this article has empowered you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions to adjust your book prices to suit the changes and continue sharing your work with the world with less financial implications.
