As many of you are now aware, Createspace is merging with KDP – that announcement was made official from KDP’s website on August 27, 2018.
You will find mention to that announcement in the url below (you may also reference the attached image below):
What I’ve been talking about for a VERY, VERY LONG TIME … and now it’s “ALMOST” official. Ha,ha!
There is no official announcement from Amazon (the parent company) yet, BUT there is an official announcement from Kindle Direct Publishing (via their website):
“CreateSpace books are moving to Kindle Direct Publishing”
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/l/print-on-demand
“We’re excited to announce that CreateSpace is combining with Kindle Direct publishing (KDP), making KDP the single place to publish your print and digital books. This move will allow us to focus our efforts and innovate faster for authors, publishers, and customers.
Once the move is complete, CreateSpace members will be able to access the same great features they use today on KDP, as well as features unique to KDP. CreateSpace and KDP will continue to operate as a single team. Paperbacks will continue to be printed in the same facilities, on the same printers, and by the same people.”
The following website url on KDP informs users that CS is merging into KDP Print (this page specifically explains the Createspace/KDP merge and what to do):
“CreateSpace and KDP to Become One Service”:
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GSJULX3WGP36HQ3R
Some of the info you’ll find there:
More KDP Print timeline info and other “stuff” can be found in previous articles of mine:
“Createspace vs. KDP Print – it’s time to make the switch”:
https://ericvanderhope.com/createspace-vs-kdp-print-its-time-to-make-the-switch-2/
and:
“The Most Effective Method to Self-Publish while Getting the Best Distribution”
I’m not really surprised that Amazon hasn’t “come out” to announce this. I’m mean really … this is a big thing! Amazon’s POD “arm” is now merging with Kindle Direct Publishing – all will be under that specific brand now, which makes a lot of sense if you think about it. But technically, Amazon HAS officially announced the merge, but have done so under their other brand: KDP.
I’m sure there’s going to be lots of questions & concerns related to this transition as well as the basics of it all, like: “How do you get started!?”
Well, I’ve decided to create a Facebook group where authors, indie-publishers (and anyone else interested) can go when they need answers to their questions.
The name of the Facebook Group is: “Publishing Made Simple“
https://www.facebook.com/groups/publishingmadesimple/
You are welcome to join me and hopefully many other indie publishers who will probably be just as excited and nervous about these changes as me … ha!
I’ve already transferred over all my books to KDP Print successfully, with no interruption of sales since the Amazon Listings were NOT affected during the transition.
Hope you find this information helpful.
On July 9, 2018 (yesterday), Amazon announced that Expanded Distribution is now available via KDP Print.
The announcement was made via the KDP Community website:
“Expanded Distribution now available on KDP”:
https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/Expanded-Distribution-now-available-on-KDP?language=en
Learn more about the reason why I no longer recommend Createspace to my students and clients:
“Createspace vs. KDP Print – it’s time to make the switch”:
https://ericvanderhope.com/createspace-vs-kdp-print-its-time-to-make-the-switch-2/
I’m sharing this since this was one of the last benefits that KDP Print didn’t have compared to what Createspace has been offering for more than a decade. However, even though Expanded Distribution is now an option with KDP Print, I still recommend using Ingram Spark (or Lightning Source) for “Expanded Distribution” since it’ll be much more favorable and beneficial long-term.
With the inevitable merge of Createspace/KDP Print more and more likely, Amazon’s KDP has recently posted another update to their website related to the KDP Print platform.
I have this Love/Hate Relationship with Amazon and I think all of us experience this type of sentiment all the time with Amazon!
So if you aren’t that curious as to why I’ve mentioned this little tid-bit, you are welcome to scroll on down to the end, almost the last “entry” in this post (surrounded by *** and in bold) for the most recent update to Amazon’s KDP Print Platform …
Otherwise, stick with me, I think you’ll get a laugh and/or perhaps you’ll feel the same pain I endured! LOL
