I am no longer able to publish an eBook directly to Amazon through the Draft2Digital platform.
Whilst busy listing the eBook edition of one of our authors online through the familiar clumsiness of the Draft2Digital self-publishing interface, I reached the familiar 4th step, labelled “Publish”. This final step showcases all the eBook distribution partners that are accessed when publishing using the platform. Except Amazon KDP was not there…
I have contacted Draft2Digital (D2D) support 3 times in the last 48 hours. I have spoken with two different members of their responsive support team. Hell, I even sent a message to their Facebook business page, just to make sure I was not going crazy.
All 3 separate interactions ended with the same reply, copy and pasted by the member of support.
Amazon support is now only offered by invitation only.
This was the only link that was shared with me each time I asked as to why D2D had removed Amazon KDP as an option for eBooks. The matter-of-fact paragraph of text that the support team shared did nothing to answer my questions.
- Why did Draft2Digital remove direct access to Amazon?
- What exactly does “access to Amazon is offered by invitation” mean?
- Was there any sort of announcement to the removal of Amazon KDP as an option?
What happens to existing eBooks?
I would love to know for those of you who already have a title published to Amazon KDP using Draft2Digital if your access to Amazon has been affected in any way?
Access to Amazon KDP for Print Remains
It seems the removal of Amazon KDP as a direct option through D2D affects only the eBook edition of your book. I was able to successfully publish the paperback edition through D2D, with the title appearing live on the shelves of Amazon with the usual day or two.
What Draft2Digital Says
The reply I received from D2D support did nothing to clear the confusion…and I quote from the emailed reply:
“We must be very selective and only invite authors whose books demonstrate:
High-content, full-length works rather than short or low-content projects.
Unique distinction and originality within their genre.
Strong reader engagement or breakout potential.
You are still welcome to publish directly through Amazon’s KDP platform https://kdp.amazon.com/ while continuing to use Draft2Digital for our wide network of other digital and print partners.
Many authors find this to be the best way to maximize visibility across all retailers.
We value your partnership and truly appreciate your understanding.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Best Regards…”
Shit.
Why Would Draft2Digital End Access to Amazon KDP?
Browsing this page from the Draft2Digital website, it’s hard to guess that it was anything other than the (poor) quality of the manuscripts being listed on Amazon using Draft2Digital. I have recorded a few videos recently lamenting the aggression with which Amazon is terminating new accounts accused (unfairly) of transgressing their vague terms of services. This could very well have been something initiated by the folks at Amazon to tie up another loose end in their quest for publishing purity.
Jokes aside, Amazon KDP does have a well-known problem with an influx of AI-generated garbage. I just wish that their solution to combat authors behaving badly was not to turn off or remove access that many authors have relied on for years.
Conclusion
I really hope I am wrong here. I hope that when I access the Draft2Digital platform again that “Amazon KDP” appears as an option on the eBook publishing screen. Perhaps they are beta testing and only certain territories are having their access to Amazon removed.
Either way, it would really have been nice of them to announce their intentions before ending access to Amazon. Sad. 😭
I’m with d2d now but Ive tried publishing through KDP and had an awful experience. It was a complete nightmare, and I eventually got kicked off over my keywords of all things. Their “support” was just copy and paste replies, no real help. It’s a shame because my books were doing well. I’ve noticed they’re removing a lot of indie authors who aren’t earning the big bucks.
I feel your pain here – they really can be unfair to indie authors in their responses and lack of real support.
What about those of us whose book is already in the process of publishing ? Will they get rejected
Hey John, if you had already published before the change, then perhaps this will still be honoured? To be honest, I am still in the dark here. My advice would be to pop an email to D2D support and check with them. (Let me know what you find out?)