Review of "Wide Publishing for Authors" by Dale L. Roberts

Score: 93/100 (9.3 out of 10)
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Wide Publishing for Authors is an eye-opening, insightful glimpse into the expansive and opportunity-filled world of self-publishing! It is yet another solid addition to Dale L. Roberts's "Self-Publishing with Dale" book series, being the sixth installment.

If you're interested in publishing your own book, then this series is a God send!

Dale L. Roberts isn't just someone who knows something, he's someone who acts upon his knowledge, learns from his experiences (good and bad), and is willing to share that knowledge with all of us. That's invaluable!

Roberts is living the dream, making a living off of his passion for writing and publishing books, making a sustainable income from self-publishing.

Why wouldn't you want to learn from him and follow in his footsteps?

With all that said, this book really focuses on the different options that self-published authors have available to them as far as distribution beyond Amazon is concerned.

Yes, Amazon is a very large marketplace, but this book supports the argument that Amazon isn't everything—it is just one of MANY marketplaces to sell different versions of your book on.

What does that ultimately mean? Well, it means that if you're focused only on Amazon, you're missing out on millions of potential readers and customers! You're also probably leaving a lot of royalties (i.e. money) on the table.

We were actually stunned by some of the data and statistics!

Amazon does not reach all regions of the world, and certain countries lack Amazon's presence for book and ebook distribution. While the book does not provide an exhaustive list of such countries, it explicitly mentions that platforms like PublishDrive and Kobo Writing Life offer distribution to regions Amazon does not, such as China.

Other platforms, like Apple Books, have a wider distribution reach than Amazon, covering over 51 countries, including some where Amazon is not available.

Those are some major untapped markets for those only selling on Amazon!

So, why do people stick with Amazon? Well, it's partially out of habit and a mostly-unproven feeling that authors/books who are signed up for KDP Select & Kindle Unlimited get preferential treatment by Amazon and its algorithms.

Again, there are so many other options out there.

Also, this book, similar to books by Julie Broad, does a good job at making the argument that you can't put all your eggs in one basket. It puts you at a HUGE risk of losing it all with one mistake or misunderstanding. This book provides a lot of warning tales about authors who've lost their whole businesses, reach, and distribution because they were suddenly removed or banned from Amazon.

This book implores authors and prospective authors not to put themselves in that precarious position.

So, if you're an Amazon/KDP Select homer, this might be a book that you might not totally jive with, but open your eyes and be willing to learn new things, even things you might not be comfortable with learning initially.

The truth of the matter is that Roberts is right. It's like what Al Gore would call an "incovenient truth." Believe it or not, Amazon might not even be here 10-15 years from now, or it could be a VERY different marketplace, perhaps dramatically changing royalty agreements and even rights to products like books. This is speculative and hypothetical, of course, but if they can have you sign a piece of paper that makes your ebook exclusive to them for 90 days, what's to stop them from expanding that period or expanding future agreements to paperback & hardcovers in the near future?

And before you think that lovable Amazon would never do that, just know that power does things to people. Also, everything follows the almighty dollar. When you give Amazon this must power and leverage over you, what's to stop them from taking advantage of that in the future?

Things could change in a way that drives authors away from the platform.

Roberts does a great job at reporting on similar examples such as when Google Play Books required aggregate publishers to access an author’s account to manage distribution, which raised privacy and control concerns.

He also discussed Google Play's controversial pricing flexibility. While it's usually fine, some authors discovered their books being discounted without consent, affecting their earnings and pricing strategies on other platforms that price-match.

Roberts also highlights the frustration that audiobook creators had with ACX in terms of its seven-year exclusivity lock-in when an author chooses a royalty-split agreement with a narrator. This lengthy commitment can hinder authors who wish to go wide later. Also, platforms such as Apple Books and Barnes & Noble Press do not allow direct audiobook uploads, requiring authors to use intermediaries like Findaway Voices. This additional step reduces author earnings, leading to frustration among those who prefer a direct relationship with distributors.

Roberts also highlights an incident in early 2024 involving Findaway Voices (owned by Spotify), where changes to their Terms of Use sparked backlash for what many perceived as a rights grab. After public outcry, the terms were revised for clarity and fairness.

So, again, don't put all your eggs in any one of these baskets. Expand!

Thankfully, Roberts provides a highly detailed run down of all of the major book distribution channels he has tried and/or is familiar with. He offers valuable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for different publishing goals.

He breaks down the nuances of platforms, distribution channels, and marketplaces like Barnes & Noble, IngramSparks, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo Writing Life, Gumroad, and Draft2Digital, while also discussing audiobook distribution via Findaway Voices and Author's Republic. With clear explanations of royalties, payment timelines, and unique features, Roberts equips authors with the knowledge to make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of self-publishing across multiple channels.

Check it out on Amazon!