I want to talk about my experience submitting my book to Amazon’s Search Inside the Book program and see if others are having similar problems.
In November, I completed the application for Search Inside on Amazon’s Web site. After a few days, I received their OK for my title via e-mail, and airmailed them a copy in mid-November. Then nothing.
A week ago, I replied to the Search-Inside approval e-mail, noting that the package tracking showed they received my book in mid-November, and could they tell me when my book would appear?
Today Amazon replied, saying, “… it looks as if we did indeed receive this book at our warehouse back in November. However, it has been sitting there awaiting approval status, so I went ahead and approved the title for our program, and am hoping that this expedites the process of getting it scanned.”
Huh? They approved it in November, and asked me to send a copy! I enclosed a copy of their approval message with the book.
I know many people aren’t fans of Search Inside the Book, but I think it can really boost certain types of books. Mine is a niche how-to book, and my hunch is that anyone who visits its product page on Amazon is much more likely to buy it if they can read the table of contents, index, and a few pages of content.
I published the book through Lightning Source, and I’ve had other problems on Amazon. For example, a couple of months ago, the image of my book’s cover was deleted, and it took me about three weeks of constantly e-mailing Amazon and LSI to get it back on. I still don’t know why the cover was deleted, who deleted it, or how it got back on.
I’m wondering if Amazon is deliberately dragging its feet (or even creating problems) with people who self-publish through providers other than BookSurge. I’ve heard this theory from a few people.
Google had no problems adding my title to its Book Search, and they aren’t even making money on it, Amazon is. Due to a variety of factors (including my book’s content and target audience), I know most of my potential buyers are on Amazon. So I am irritated, to put it mildly, with the possibility Amazon is throwing up roadblocks to my book being sold there.
Has anybody else had these types of problems?
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4 Comments
I have had a similar problem to the one that you were having. I created a book with Amazon’s createspace program. The book title was scanned incorrectly into their system. So I emailed to see if they could fix the problem. It’s been at least a month and every attempt to get the problem resolved has failed.
I have been working with Steve, but he just does not seem to understand what I am asking him to do. No matter how many times I have asked him to either create an account for me, or rescan the book, he either asks for clearification, or says that he does not understand what I mean.
This is the latest response from Steve. Remember this is after a month and several emails trying to get this matter resolved.
(Steve: I still am unclear about what the issue is as the full details don’t seem to be present.)
This was my last email to Steve.
Me: (Hi Steve,
Let me be brief. The book was scanned incorrectly. It’s been like that for close to two weeks. I would like a representative to rescan the book so that it looks like the files I have submitted to Amazon. I assume it’s a simple process. I would do it myself, but my attempt to create an Amazon sellers account has not been successful.
So therefore if you or another rep could rescan the book, so that it looks like what was submitted, I would appreciate it. I hope that clarified everything for you.)
Apparently this did not clearify anything for Steve. Amazon customer service is usually good and pretty responsive, but my every attempt to get this fixed has failed.
I think what should happen is that when an author account is created, the search inside the book program should be a part of that, the two accounts should be linked. They are however separated, this then creates the need for an author to create a separate account, and that should not be required.
I have seen a few others online expressing similar concerns in regards to their search inside the book program, so I think there is likely a disconnect somewhere. Well the book is still scanned incorrectly, so hopefully I can get them to successfully create my account. Just like you I got the invite email, then I signed up, sent them my confirmation code, I was assured that my account was created, but when I tried to sign in nothing. I think also contacted Steve to let him know that I could not sign in, and as you can see he wants to do an investigation.
I will keep you posted, but it’s good to know that I am not alone. There are quite a few other posts online as well.
I have been trying to get the Amazon to “”Look inside my book” for many months. The stange part is the second edition of “From Germany to Antietam” is still listed as “Look inside.”
I have been trying to get the 3rd edition of my book “From Germany to Antietam” listed as “Look inside” for amny months, the strange part is the 2nd edition has been available for “Look inside” for several years.
I was wanting to publish a book through Amazon. After seeing these messes I don’t think I’ll go with Amazon.