The Compromise Dilemma

This initial hurdle made it clear: throughout my publishing experience, compromises would be essential. I needed to modify my grand plans to align with what was feasible on Amazon.

These adjustments were necessary—either I compromised and published my book, or I held firm and published nothing at all.

It wouldn’t be the last time I had to make such concessions. When it comes to publishing, being flexible is key.

# Free Accounts for All

Anyone has the opportunity to become an author on Amazon.

Creating a writer account required no financial commitment or promises of future fees. Amazon only takes a cut when a book sells.

This surprised me—not because I expected to pay to sign up as a writer, but it shifted my perspective on the vast number of authors on Amazon.

Anyone can write a book.

Anyone can compile pages and a cover, then sell a book without any quality checks, market research, or consideration for the audience.

This realization weighed heavily on me. I was entering a realm filled with countless others attempting the same thing.

The pressure mounted to ensure I not only produced quality work but also didn't become just another mediocre Amazon author.

The Pressure Factor

Feeling pressure during the publishing process is entirely normal.

A little stress can actually be beneficial for a writer. If you experience it while publishing, try to view it positively. Use that pressure to enhance your work rather than fear it.

You can't entirely eliminate pressure from your life, so why not embrace it?

# The Word Processing Journey

I began searching for the best editing software to create a manuscript suitable for Amazon's Kindle and print-on-demand services. This was uncharted territory for me as a self-publishing novice.

Hoping for a universally accepted program or strict guidelines from Amazon, I was disappointed to find numerous options available for manuscript assembly. Some of the most popular choices included:

• Reedsy
• Scrivener
• Atticus
• Vellum
• Word
• Google Docs

My Final Choice

I could elaborate endlessly about the pros and cons of various editing software for novel writing. Many factors come into play when selecting the right tool, especially since several offer drafting features.

These programs are crafted to assist with chapter development and ensure continuity, rather than just formatting for Amazon.

However, once my manuscript was drafted, my priority shifted towards software that provided robust editing capabilities and an efficient exporting method for Amazon (which turned out to be PDF format).

I also sought a cost-effective solution. While I was willing to pay for a quality program, I couldn't afford to spend hundreds of dollars without testing it first.

This meant I needed a program that offered a free trial.

After considering various recommendations, I ended up choosing Word. It was the only program that:

• Was user-friendly — I was already familiar with Word and knew how to create a printable document.
• Was free to use — This task incurred no additional costs since I had Microsoft Office.
• Provided maximum design flexibility — While I appreciated the sophistication of other programs, they lacked the font options and design flexibility I desired.

After my hardcover experience, I was determined to avoid overlooking potential issues.

Yet, many other authors praised Word for its utility in printing their works, providing the social proof I needed.

In the publishing world, we often view free options with skepticism, assuming they’re too good to be true.

I learned that this assumption doesn’t always hold.

# The Kindle Create Challenge

I initially thought I could use Word for my Kindle book, but many writers suggested an Amazon-specific program just for Kindle.

That's when I discovered Kindle Create, another free resource.

While I wasn't thrilled with its features, it was the simplest way to prepare the EPUB manuscript required by Amazon.

However, this free option came with its own set of challenges. Once again, I had to compromise my plans to meet Amazon's specifications.

# The Cover Design Process

Creating a book cover was yet another aspect I had to format and upload to Amazon.

I felt confident about designing my own cover, given my background in web design and frequent use of Canva for graphics.

There’s a wealth of information online about what a book cover requires, and a quick stroll through a bookstore can provide inspiration.

I knew I had to draw from existing examples while incorporating my own imagery.

A year prior to publishing, I hired a graphic designer to create character illustrations for my fiction series. Armed with these images, I was set to use them for both my book cover and future installments.

I didn't need the designer to create the cover itself; Amazon's system is straightforward for those familiar with tools like Canva.

Once my manuscript was ready, I simply logged into Amazon's "Kindle Direct Publishing" and followed the cover size requirements.

It took under a minute to enter my cover details.

This tool is known as the KDP cover calculator. As illustrated above, all I needed to do was select the relevant information from drop-down menus to generate a cover template.

Here’s an example of a template I created. I downloaded it, uploaded it to Canva, and designed my book cover based on those dimensions.

I’ve simplified the process, but I’m open to diving deeper into cover creation in a dedicated article if there’s interest.

Creating the cover involved multiple attempts to ensure it was just right. Once I viewed it in Amazon's system, I recognized things differently. Amazon would also highlight any potential issues, like print margins.

While I assumed the cover upload would be quick and straightforward, it turned out to be one of the more time-consuming aspects for me. Having never designed a book cover or navigated Amazon’s printing system before, I realized the learning curve was steep.

Approaching this process with the mindset that it would take time to learn made the experience more manageable.

# The Proof Copy Experience

One of the most beneficial features of self-publishing on Amazon is the ability to order proof copies of your book, covering only printing and shipping costs.

Receiving a bound copy of my book for review cost around seven dollars, significantly cheaper than printing and binding at my local store, which would have cost fifty dollars more.

I never considered publishing without first reviewing a test copy. Quality control is essential, and regardless of the cost, I had to see the book firsthand.

Yet, I was unaware of how many test copies I would need just to make minor adjustments to the design.

In the end, I ordered four test copies to:

• Evaluate the book's appearance in matte versus gloss.
• Assess the back cover font design to achieve a cleaner look.
• Verify the front cover image adhered to Amazon's printing guidelines, as I misjudged the required cut-off point.
• Compare the Amazon-generated barcode with the one I created in Canva.

Did I expect to require so many quality checks? Absolutely not. I thought I would only need one or two copies at most. Even with my design skills and confidence, I learned that each stage of the writing process requires as much time as the previous one.

If this experience doesn't deepen your appreciation for book production, I’m not sure what will.

# The Scheduling Challenge

I altered my book's launch date multiple times.

Before even reaching Amazon, I had already changed the date three times. Once I got to Amazon, I set a date for a pre-sale but accidentally hit publish.

This premature action made the book available for order on Kindle before I was prepared.

I had to push back the pre-sale date, but then I stumbled upon a rule I wasn't aware of.

If you change your Kindle book’s pre-order date twice, you face a 12-month ban on running another pre-sale. Amazon implements this rule to prevent authors from frequently shifting launch dates and misleading customers.

I received a warning—if I altered the date again, I risked a pre-sale ban. This was my last chance.

It’s a wise policy, but how was I to know? I never thought to check for potential pitfalls, nor did I expect to have to change the date at this stage.

Surprisingly, I don’t harbor much resentment over this mistake or the near-ban. It motivated me to step up my game and ensure my book was ready for the set date, while also providing insight into business operations.

You can't casually change launch dates when customers and businesses are preparing for your release. Manipulating others' time isn't acceptable when people are depending on you.

While mistakes occur in business, and tough decisions must be made, this near-miss with Amazon taught me the importance of precision and accountability in my actions.

# The Print-on-Demand Perspective

I understand that not everyone will appreciate Amazon's print-on-demand model.

While I would have preferred a traditional publishing method where copies are printed ahead of time and sent to bookstores, from an environmental standpoint, print-on-demand is superior.

It makes little sense to print books if I’m unsure about their sales potential.

From a cost perspective, the expenses associated with printing, shipping, and running an online store can accumulate quickly.

It's a considerable financial commitment prior to publishing, and it’s an investment I'm not entirely sure I can recover.

I appreciate the print-on-demand feature of Amazon, but I also discovered its drawbacks.

I’m not particularly fond of how Amazon delivers its books—arriving in plain brown packaging with an Amazon logo. I would prefer something more aesthetically pleasing or an option for personalized packaging.

Nonetheless, I take comfort in knowing Amazon customers know what to expect when ordering books from the platform.

Experiencing this side of the purchasing process has inspired me to eventually offer a limited edition hardback of my book, complete with custom packaging and thank you cards.

In many ways, recognizing what I like and dislike allows me to plan for the future and deliver the experience I envision.

Sometimes, you need to encounter the less favorable aspects to appreciate the positives. Adversity can motivate you to strive for a better final product.

# The Amazon Factor

Now that my book is live on Amazon, I find myself navigating an entirely new set of challenges. I’m learning to manage feedback from the public.

More specifically, I'm facing scrutiny from people in my personal life regarding my choice to use Amazon for publishing.

The reactions have been varied, with some suggesting I’ve taken the easy way out.

I didn't anticipate this kind of judgment, especially considering that self-publishing has become increasingly mainstream. Yet, it’s challenging to shake outdated perceptions from people's minds.

I’m grateful for the scrutiny I’ve faced regarding my publishing choice. It’s prepared me for future criticism I will likely encounter when self-publishing again.

It's like a trial run for the more significant, potentially controversial challenges that lie ahead.

In many respects, this is just another learning experience.

I feel more empowered as a businesswoman and writer, having had to articulate my choices and justify my decisions. My confidence has grown, and even though I’m not yet an Amazon bestseller (here’s hoping!), I believe I can navigate this process again.

I recognize I will encounter new mistakes next time, each with its own unique set of challenges.

But at least I can step forward with renewed confidence.

And that, ultimately, is what matters.

For more of my real-life experiences and business-building adventures, follow my journey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenjellymcrae