Following the closure of CreateSpace’s eStore, Amazon has now delivered a further blow to the company. This makes it all more likely that all of CreateSpace operations will eventually be rolled into KDP Print.
In a surprising statement, Amazon announced its decision to move CreateSpace out of paid author services such as professional design and editing:
After a thorough review of our service offerings, we’ve made the decision to discontinue Createspace’s paid professional editing, design, and marketing services. We will work closely with impacted employees through this transition to help them find new roles within the company or assist them with pursuing opportunities outside the company.
Amazon Statement
Even though most Indie authors I know prefer to use their own resources for such services, CreateSpace’s design and editing services were in direct competition to book publishers such as BookBaby and IngramSparks. Still, Amazon says the latest round of layoffs won’t affect its printing operations in the Midlands, and its North Charleston office will stay open. This indicates that CreateSpace’s book printing side of business is safe, at least for now.
It now looks like CreateSpace will focus exclusively on what it, arguably, does best: Print On Demand–aka get books ready for publishing on Amazon. As a reminder, Createspace, which makes books, CDs, and DVDs on demand, was initially known as BookSurge, a startup that Amazon bought in 2005.
Thanks for this info. It seems to be a question of what the heck will Amazon do next. Buying the Whole Food stores here was just strange…
Lol-“first we take Manhattan”… 😀
It was a matter of time. The ‘wild west frontier’ of indie publishing’s first baby steps is coming to an end. Not necessarily a bad thing, everything cycles around, but it will be interesting whose still standing in another 10 years.
Oops, not paying attention there … ‘who’s’, not ‘whose’ … c’est la vie. 😀
Lol-no worries. Blog comments don’t have to go through Grammarly 😉
Pretty few of the ones now around, would be my guess!
Still wondering what will happen to my royalties from CS if they completely move over to KDP which it seems they’re doing. As it is, they won’t pay me royalties for books sold from each Amazon country until sales reach $100 threshold 🙁
My guess is, you’ll get it even if it’s under $100,
Yes, but will they move over the money that is still under $100 in the various currencies right now 🙁
That’s what I’ve been hearing 🙂
I’ll keep you posted 🙂
Since I publish my paperbacks through Create Space and I find it easy and convenient I can just imagine them folding into KDP. Thanks for the information, Nicholas.
There was a big announcement from Amazon yesterday. I’ll share on Monday 🙂
I hope it is good. I know KDPRocket is down on several searches until all the programming is done.
Yes, and it’s been holding me back from creating new ads for you 🙁
I figured.
I was afraid that was coming./will come…their customer service was top-notch..so much better than BookBaby.
Oh, absolutely!
Thanks for keep us updated, Nicholas. I’m dreading the time when we’ll be forced to KDP, as Createspace had excellent customer service and I could order books at publishing costs.
I know. Same here 🙂
I’ve used the KDP version of paperback publishing and found it fairly user friendly. I like having easy access to my stats via the KDP dashboard, and with being out of the US, it’s nice to receive payment in a timely manner. My only real complaint is with Amazon charging authors full price to receive their own books. Though I read this week that you can now order a paperback for vetting before release. It’s a step in the right direction.
Thank you for sharing that! Can you also preview your book online, like you can with CS?
Yes, they have a viewer that works the same as the ebook version. That’s what I used. I’m happy with how it turned out. 🙂
Thanks! Can you also download it in PDF format?
I went back in to check, yes you can. Also, big news, you can now order author copies at print+shipping cost!
There were only a few countries listed (not Canada) so you might have higher shipping by this is no different than Createspace.
Yay!
Thanks! I just heard about it myself. I’ll post about it on Monday 🙂
Thank you for the information. I didn’t use them, however it is important to keep up with CreateSpace. Is there any more news whether Amazon with shut down CreateSpace all together and move it to KDP? I would prefer to submit my paper back and eBook using one service. My problem, KDP doesn’t have a format service for the Mac to create the paperback. I had to use CreateSpace last time. You mentioned previously there was discussion of moving CreateSpace to KDP and the revenue share would decrease. Any more news? I hear nothing on my end. Thanks as always.
So far, CS’s POD services look secure. Amazon has rented some space in the city on CS’s behalf, and there’s a penalty if they leave before their 5-year lease expires. KDP Print has two major problems; no book preview and no author discounts. I’m not sure what the royalty is like, though.
I’m not surprised in the least. I knew this day was coming. Sigh.
True. Now, all that’s left is for its POD services to be rolled into KDP Print.
If you don’t mind, I’m going to share your blog on FB and Twitter.
Mind? I’d be grateful if you did!!
I did earlier today. 🙂
Thank you so much for helping spread the word 🙂
You’re welcome!
Thanks for the heads up, Nicholas. I’d heard something about changes to CreateSpace in the works, but not the details. Appreciate the info.
A pleasure 🙂
Thanks for keeping us updated, Nicholas, and for being our eyes and ears as always. I always feel a little unsettled when I hear of changes in Createspace as I publish all my paperbacks through them. Not looking forward to the day that Amazon will prompt me to change over to their own service at KDP, especially as it will mean I may have to pay for paperback cover pdfs all over again. Fingers crossed that at least that won’t be needed when the day comes.
My thoughts exactly!
Seems like the market continues to adjust and settle. Thanks as always for keeping me up to date.
“Adjust and settle”–I like that 🙂