Thank you for this, Brooke. I typically try to link author's book titles to the publisher's page, where they offer several options as to where to buy a book. The Author Central information was so helpful to me personally--I've been trying to figure this out. :) I'm an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I live in San Luis Obispo, California, and I am so excited that you'll be delivering the keynote address at our Central Coast Writers Conference this fall!
Agreed--I work in publishing and see firsthand how awful Amazon is to the publishing community. I only buy a book from Amazon if it's the ONLY place to get that book. And, in that case, more often than not, I will skip buying the book since I really, really don't want to buy a book through Amazon. So, yes, please make your book available through other sites. 👍
Great article, Libby. A lot of good information. Something worth mentioning is listing with Draft2Digital which makes your books available to the libraries. Let’s stay in contact, as my newsletter ‘Author Circle’ is also about helping aspiring authors.
Hi Brooke and other readers, I wanted to add a note to your #8 (If you see that your book is selling for lower than its list price, don’t worry. You get paid on the list price, not the sale price). I recently reached out to you because my book was listed on Amazon for OVER the list price, not under. When I reached out to them, they told me they have the right to price it for over or under the list price, and we only get paid on the list price. Great news if it's priced under the list price, since ostensibly our sales will improve if the reader gets a discount. But terrible news if it's priced above the list price, as it might drive our sales numbers down while driving Amazon's profit on our book up. Plus, nowhere do they list the list price! They just list THEIR price, which would have readers believe that's the list price and not turn elsewhere to buy the book for less.
I find this maddening. I complained up a storm to their customer service (which, you are right, is very easy to get ahold of for self-published authors!), and it worked--my book is currently being sold at list price.
Amazon used to be so great for authors… we could add our website or book title in our bios that would be seen on every review we submitted. There were gift lists that we could make and other ways to interact with Amazon book buyers. No more. Although Amazon Author Central still allows authors to connect with their books, as you wrote, they added restrictions on links we can include. So sad. Anyway, Thank you, Brooke, for explaining the finer points of Amazon book selling in 2025 for authors. You took a complicated topic and made it understandable for the newbie or the seasoned author. Amazon is unavoidable as a distributor for books at this point, as you wrote, but it’s nice to understand the areas where we CAN be advocates for our books.
I'm trying to wean myself off the Amazon addiction, but I also realize it is important for authors! I don't want to limit myself when it comes time to get my book out in the world. I hate feeling conflicted but you gave some great suggestions. Thank you!
I loved reading this! I really appreciate it when people share insider tips and tricks. I write book reviews, and have worked with a couple of new authors who would benefit greatly from this info.
Do you have a list of other digital platforms for book sales? Maybe your top 5, with pros and cons?
I don't like Amazon. I don't buy books from Amazon. Whenever possible, buy from your local bookstore. I'm luck to have a wonderful local store, The Golden Notebook, Woodstock, NY
Great post. The price control thing drives me the most bonkers as a self-pubbed author. I hate not being able to set ebook prices above 9.99 at the 70% royalty rate, or set the price to free without going through unnecessary hoops. All the other retailers make it easy to schedule price changes, including to free. It's so good for authors and readers to remember they do have options outside of Amazon!
Fantastic info! Thank you, Brooke. I've heard firsthand from booksellers that Amazon is intentionally trying to close down indy bookstores. Love your advice to authors to share links to their books to include several options. I always suggest that our authors include Bookshop.org. Proceeds go to local bookstores so they can create a great relationship with a local store.
Thank you for this, Brooke. I typically try to link author's book titles to the publisher's page, where they offer several options as to where to buy a book. The Author Central information was so helpful to me personally--I've been trying to figure this out. :) I'm an Author Accelerator certified book coach, I live in San Luis Obispo, California, and I am so excited that you'll be delivering the keynote address at our Central Coast Writers Conference this fall!
Looking forward to seeing you at the CCWC, Leanne!
This is so helpful for authors, Brooke.
Thanks, Kathleen!
Agreed--I work in publishing and see firsthand how awful Amazon is to the publishing community. I only buy a book from Amazon if it's the ONLY place to get that book. And, in that case, more often than not, I will skip buying the book since I really, really don't want to buy a book through Amazon. So, yes, please make your book available through other sites. 👍
Great article, Libby. A lot of good information. Something worth mentioning is listing with Draft2Digital which makes your books available to the libraries. Let’s stay in contact, as my newsletter ‘Author Circle’ is also about helping aspiring authors.
Hi Brooke and other readers, I wanted to add a note to your #8 (If you see that your book is selling for lower than its list price, don’t worry. You get paid on the list price, not the sale price). I recently reached out to you because my book was listed on Amazon for OVER the list price, not under. When I reached out to them, they told me they have the right to price it for over or under the list price, and we only get paid on the list price. Great news if it's priced under the list price, since ostensibly our sales will improve if the reader gets a discount. But terrible news if it's priced above the list price, as it might drive our sales numbers down while driving Amazon's profit on our book up. Plus, nowhere do they list the list price! They just list THEIR price, which would have readers believe that's the list price and not turn elsewhere to buy the book for less.
I find this maddening. I complained up a storm to their customer service (which, you are right, is very easy to get ahold of for self-published authors!), and it worked--my book is currently being sold at list price.
Shady shady.
Thanks for sharing this, Jennifer. Another reminder that we have to stay vigilant with all things Amazon!
Amazon used to be so great for authors… we could add our website or book title in our bios that would be seen on every review we submitted. There were gift lists that we could make and other ways to interact with Amazon book buyers. No more. Although Amazon Author Central still allows authors to connect with their books, as you wrote, they added restrictions on links we can include. So sad. Anyway, Thank you, Brooke, for explaining the finer points of Amazon book selling in 2025 for authors. You took a complicated topic and made it understandable for the newbie or the seasoned author. Amazon is unavoidable as a distributor for books at this point, as you wrote, but it’s nice to understand the areas where we CAN be advocates for our books.
I'm trying to wean myself off the Amazon addiction, but I also realize it is important for authors! I don't want to limit myself when it comes time to get my book out in the world. I hate feeling conflicted but you gave some great suggestions. Thank you!
I loved reading this! I really appreciate it when people share insider tips and tricks. I write book reviews, and have worked with a couple of new authors who would benefit greatly from this info.
Do you have a list of other digital platforms for book sales? Maybe your top 5, with pros and cons?
Awesome stuff!
Thanks for the thought here for a future post! Appreciate you reading and the comment and good idea. :)
I'm happy to be here. I'll look out for more of your posts.
This is sooo helpful! I’ve published books through KDP and it’s beneficial to see how their platform works. Thank you!
There's a wonderful eye opening book called 'How to Resist Amazon and Why' by a local bookstore owner, Danny Caine. Check out The Ravan Bokkstore!
One of the places you can go instead is Bookshop.org to support local bookstores.
Use the library. Ask them to order books anywhere but Amazon. Use Hoopla or Libby for ebooks (sometimes you can get it through your library.)
There's countless ways.
Good suggestions, all of them. Thank you, Ada!
I don't like Amazon. I don't buy books from Amazon. Whenever possible, buy from your local bookstore. I'm luck to have a wonderful local store, The Golden Notebook, Woodstock, NY
100%
Brooke,
What a fabulous post. As always, I’m amazed, impressed, and grateful for the generosity you show in sharing your knowledge so freely. 💕🙏🏼🌺
Great post. The price control thing drives me the most bonkers as a self-pubbed author. I hate not being able to set ebook prices above 9.99 at the 70% royalty rate, or set the price to free without going through unnecessary hoops. All the other retailers make it easy to schedule price changes, including to free. It's so good for authors and readers to remember they do have options outside of Amazon!
Yes, it's infuriating because it's keeping eBook prices low, and by extension print prices low when paper costs are going up.
Fantastic info! Thank you, Brooke. I've heard firsthand from booksellers that Amazon is intentionally trying to close down indy bookstores. Love your advice to authors to share links to their books to include several options. I always suggest that our authors include Bookshop.org. Proceeds go to local bookstores so they can create a great relationship with a local store.
All such good info and good reminders! Thanks so much for alerting we authors to these things that sometimes fall through the cracks for us.
Good info! Thanks, Brooke.