I had promised you a post detailing how to move your books from Createspace to KDP Print. Here are step-by-step instructions, courtesy of Createspace/Amazon:
Specifically, the video above explains how to:
- avoid getting your book listed in two places (your book will disappear from Createspace when you move it to KDP Print)
- avoid having to upload your files again
It’s literally as easy as ticking a couple of boxes and copying/pasting your ISBN, so be sure to watch all 3 minutes of it and avoid a lot of hassle down the road!
Here is a breakdown of the process:
- Set up a new paperback title on your KDP Bookshelf.
- On the Paperback Details page, enter the same metadata used for your CreateSpace book.
- Select “Yes” when asked whether this book was previously published on CreateSpace.
- Click “Save and Continue” to move on to the Paperback Content page.
- Under the ISBN header, enter the same 13-digit ISBN used to publish your book on CreateSpace. Do you have a 10-digit ISBN issued by CreateSpace? If so, use the ISBN converter to find your 13-digit ISBN equivalent.
- Click “Continue” to sign in to your CreateSpace account and validate your ownership of the title.
- Once you’re redirected back to KDP, your book’s files and details should update automatically. Scroll through to see that your files and information have properly transferred over. You can launch the Previewer to review your book before publishing.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Paperback Content page and click “Save and Continue.”
- In the Paperback Rights & Pricing tab, you can enter the same price you used on CreateSpace.
- Now scroll to the bottom to submit your book for publishing.
After you publish your CreateSpace book on KDP, Amazon will automatically remove your CreateSpace paperback from sale. Your KDP sales will be tracked in your KDP sales and royalty reports. You can still access historical sales reports on CreateSpace, but you won’t need to take further action there.
What If I’ve Used A Createspace Template?
Did you use a CreateSpace template to format your cover or manuscript file? If so, you can normally reuse the same files to publish your CreateSpace paperback on KDP (see exceptions where you’ll need to edit your Cover files and Manuscript files below). Did you pay for a CreateSpace cover or interior service? If so, contact CreateSpace customer support to get your files.
If the Previewer tool finds errors in your uploaded files, correct the formatting and upload the files again. You can check out the Paperback Publishing Guidelines for detailed help with formatting errors.
Cover files
Some older CreateSpace cover templates include white space around the edges that trigger errors in Previewer. If you used a CreateSpace template to create your cover, make sure it matches your book’s intended trim size. Remove any extra white space. Click here to learn more about KDP’s cover size requirements.
Manuscript files
KDP does not support custom CreateSpace trim sizes. If you used a CreateSpace interior template to create your manuscript file, make sure it’s in a trim size KDP supports. If not, reset the trim size and reformat your manuscript file to match your new trim size.
As a side note, KDP Print will offer certain paperback features currently unavailable to Createspace titles. These won’t affect existing CreateSpace titles unless you choose to republish them on KDP. In other words, these will take effect only if/when you decide to re-upload your manuscript.
What About My Royalties and Taxes?
The lovely author D.G. Kaye has shared with us Createspace’s response as to what happens to your royalties.
I understand that you are concerned with the royalty balance you have accrued should you publish your work on KDP.
After you publish your CreateSpace book on KDP, we’ll automatically remove the CreateSpace version of your paperback from sale.
Any pending CreateSpace royalties (resulting from sales up to the date on which your book went live through KDP) will be reported and paid through your CreateSpace account. Your book remains available throughout the transfer process so that you don’t lose any sales
Going forward, from the date when your paperback becomes available through KDP, royalties earned from sales of your book on KDP will be reported and paid through your KDP account in accordance with KDP’s payment terms.
As far as your current account, payment, and tax information, more good news: they don’t need to be updated.
Oh, Canada… And More
And now, on to the final question: what happens if you’re outside the US? KDP Print distributes to most of the countries with Amazon eshops, including Japan (which is not covered by Createspace). However:
- it does not yet distribute to Canada and Mexico (Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.mx respectively) and
- it does not yet offer expanded distribution to bookstores and non-Amazon websites.
- It does not support several languages supported by Createspace, including Greek. For some reason, KDP Print only supports languages also supported by Kindle. Click here for a full list of supported languages.
The two first features are expected in the future. However, I have no information on the third one.
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“Under the ISBN header, enter the same 13-digit ISBN used to publish your book on CreateSpace. Do you have a 10-digit ISBN issued by CreateSpace? If so, use the ISBN converter to find your 13-digit ISBN equivalent.”
Tried that. I was told that ISBN was already assigned. Why could they not have made it automatically convert the PDF, cover, and ISBN from CreateSpace to KDP? Having to recreate that cover is a hassle.
To say that I am angry is just the beginning.
Ouch. But how can the ISBN be already assigned? I’m confused. Does your cover already include the ISBN as part of the graphic? If so, you’d need to remove that anyway (thankfully, you don’t need to recreate the whole cover).
The ISBN was assigned when I created the paperback in CreateSpace. Why they did not import the paperbacks to KDP eludes me.
Ah, that I do know. It’s because of the way ISBN is assigned: each publisher issues their own. As a unique identifier, it corresponds to a particular edition of your book, by a specific publisher. That’s why you can’t transfer an ISBN from one source to another: it’s a whole new edition, as far as ISBN is concerned, even if the book is the same. That’s just the way ISBN works.
Hope this helps explain things 🙂
The day has come when we must move our little ones to another country (KDP Print) I have 22 names, where should I begin this process?
Thanks for helpful video. Being told to log into your account at CS does not actually work as there is no platform for sending your books to KDP Print. (Just Electronic books)
Logging into KDP Bookshelf makes more sense. I am dreading this whole process… and am working on going ahead with Ingramsparks despite their upfront cost.
The move is a blow for Australian Indie Authors as Amazon.com.au is new and difficult to deal with, as there are no regulations about pricing for AU. I found a book for $25 US with Independent seller for $73 AU two days ago. Wall ahead. 😀
According to CreateSpace, a way to move all of your titles will be made available in the coming days. I’ll let you know when it does.
The price difference between $25 and $73 is impressive! Wow…
I have a question that I can’t seem to find an answer to. I understand the royalty pay out after transfer as: The money that is earned in Create Space, but is not up to the $100 threshold, so say $90, will just sit in the Create Space account after transfer and not pay out because it isn’t over the $100. Is this right? Or will they pay out the money since the book is no longer available and the account will close?
They’ll pay out the money, even if it’s under the $100 threshold.
Publishing a paperback on KDP has been around for quite some time, but they don’t seem to be making much progress. I find the lack of expanded distribution to be a particular issue for authors I work with. Amazon has CreateSpace, but they’re taking paperback distribution in-house to KDP. It concerns me that they will take distribution in-house as well; as in distributed only through Amazon.
The more authors that jump ship to CreateSpace will hasten it’s demise and I’m not sure CreateSpace’s demise is good for authors.
I agree. It’s part of the reason I’ve stuck with CS, even though that means I can’t buy my books at author prices.
Nicholas, I am confused. I do buy my paperbacks from CS at cost. I am doing this from memory but it is posted on the web site at CS and the cost is the same at KDP – .012 x the number of pages + some change. You can also order your books from Lightning Source and the cost is just about the same but I don’t remember the formula in my head but it is on their web site too. They are the same as Ingram Spark in case you are wondering – and that is how Barnes & Noble and Independent booksellers take direct order requests in the store (the old fashioned way). So be sure to list your titles with Ingram Spark in case someone walks into a bookstore looking for your book. I spoke to CS on the phone – to a real person – and they assured me they are not going anywhere. Now, it is possible they didn’t lie to me, but maybe that is a long term plan. They told me they are not going to offer design and editing services through CS on KDP. And if there are any plans to consolidate they will email every single author and publisher.
As I am in Europe, the p&p/customs costs raise the price to the point where it’s just easier (and much faster) to just order from amazon.co.uk at full price.
https://www.ingramcontent.com/about/locations Ingram has several printing outlets in UK so maybe your cost would be better ordering from them? Just a thought but I don’t know.
I’m not actually with Ingram, but thanks. You’re right, Ingram is another possibility.
the problem with ingram is the setup fee and the cost to order a physical proof.
I see. Thanks for sharing that 🙂
If they don’t offer expanded distribution yet it’s not worth moving my titles out of CS for the time being. It’s important for me that my readers can get them anywhere no matter how small the bookshop. Thanks for the information, Nicholas. Great to know the latest and that the transition to KDP, whenever they get their act fully together, is going to be that smooth.
As you point out, it’s important to know that yes, there are still differences between them. Some will find them minor, while for others they will be dealbreakers.
Thank you for sharing, Nicholas. My independently designed book was accepted by Create Space and IngramSpark for POD, but when I submitted it to KDP, it did not meet their standards. KDP was inflexible and would not budge on accepting the formatted book although I had not had issues with the other sites. Ugh!
Really?! Thank you for sharing that. Was it a size (trim) issue? They seem to have trouble with that.
The issue has to do with the bleeding of the pages of my novel, particularly with a map I included. I explained to a representative that I was able to print the book on Create Space and Ingramspark without issue. A KDP rep said KDP will not allow you to print the book unless it absolutely meets their standards. I gave up and stayed with Create Space.
Ah, I see. Thanks for sharing that!
Thanks for this. I think I understand how to do it – but I’m still not sure about why I should. I’ve read your other posts on the topic but am still not really seeing what the advantage is. Is CreateSpace going to disappear? If so, won’t Amazon tell us?
There are some advantages to moving to KDP Print, especially for us Europeans authors. It’s all about cost/benefit really, and that’s down to each individual author 🙂
I spoke with Create Space on the phone yesterday. They assured me they are not going away – but are discontinuing creative design and editorial services that are provided by KDP. On the distribution side of things, The CS rep told me that KDP has print shops in Europe making the retail cost of the paperback book less expensive to readers outside the US. Something to consider. I also did a print cost analysis between CS and KDP and it is exactly the same, so our royalty would not change, only the convenience and cost to potential readers would be improved.
Thank you for sharing that, Luna!
Hi Nicholas,
Great post and very timely since CS seems to be on the demise. With the question and responses here, I believe my question is answered, but I’ll ask it anyhow. Is there any advantage to having your paperback listed with KDP rather than CS? Currently I have my ebooks with KDP and my paperbacks with CS. Thanks
Lol-I’d have to reiterate the entire post, as it’s not a simple yes-or-no question. It really depends on your needs 🙂
First, thanks for sharing my enquiry with Createspace here Nicholas. Next, your last 3 things, just to clarify on ‘Oh Canada’, does that mean paperbacks published by Canadians and Mexicans on KDP doesn’t yet allow those paperbacks to be sold in Canada or Mexico?
And last, I’m with you. I think I’ll leave my paperbacks on CS for now until all the teething and glitches are ironed out. Somehow it feels Canadians are still getting the short end. Thanks for all your investigative work. 🙂 🙂
Thank you for allowing me to share 🙂
As for your question, the way I understand it, your book will be shipped from the US; not Canada or Mexico.
Oh, ok, thank you. Well that would indicate nothing has changed between the two, lol. Still, I think, like you, I’ll wait awhile until they get out of beta. I wait for you to hop on before I do so. 🙂
Great article BUT – Nowhere do I see a word about how to contact a human being at KDP to troubleshoot issues that crop up along the way. Why in the world would I switch from the human touch that CreateSpace provides? Will there be only internet support? And how much help will it be? Will we, the authors, have to become our own support through forums via trial and error? Or will “ALEXA” handle everything at KDP? Customer Support has to be my top priority.
In that case, stick with Createspace until the very end! KDP support is rather poor, especially compared to Createspace. As for your question — why I didn’t write anything about contacting an actual human being at KDP (I assume you mean by phone) — it’s because you can’t.
to reach KDP you call Author Central which is very responsive – and they connect you to KDP – Not elegant, but it works.
I had no idea! Thank you for sharing this! Do you have a number for author central?
authorcentral.amazon.com – it’s the full author pages for your titles – your bio, reviews, etc. do you not use it?
All the time. I meant if you have a phone number for them 🙂
the link is at the bottom of your author page (off your book page when you click on your name) and underneath it has the link to author central. then I just bookmarked it. but it is easy to contact them – there is the button that says “contact us”
Will you end up losing wide distribution option that puts the books on B&N websites and book depository?
KDP does *not* yet offer expanded distribution to bookstores and non-Amazon websites. So, yes, you’ll end up losing that.
I sell a lot through expanded distribution so I won’t be moving any of my paperbacks to KDP. Eventually when they do away with CS though then I’d have to have them made through Ingramspark.
Makes perfect sense!
Thanks for the info. It looks pretty easy, but I hope KDP will eventually do everything CreateSpace does, including distribution and languages. I think I’ll wait until then — or until there’s no choice, I suppose.
Couldn’t have put it better myself 🙂
Are you saying this for new books only? What about my paperback that is currently for sale on Amazon? Do I have to do anything? And, what about ordering paperbacks for personal use? It was always just a click. Now what?
This is for books published through Createspace. If you’ve published your book on KDP Print, then you need to do nothing. Ordering copies of your own book is now available at KDP Print, just like it was on Createspace.
It won’t just get moved over automatically?
It’s almost as easy as that, but no 🙂
Geez…
I thought CreateSpace would do it because they set my book up and formatted it and everything LOL
This was really helpful, Nicholas. Are you moving your books over? And if you have, are you happy with the results? I might try this with my new books, but I’m so nervous about trying new things (from experience,since I’m technologically jinxed).
Lol-technology jinx is a thing, believe me, so no arguments here 😀
I’m still considering it. I’m waiting for the inevitable teething problems to get fixed first.
I may give it a try with the new books this spring. Maybe…. I have a feeling that CreateSpace may gradually fade away and I’ll like to become familiar with it before I’m in a panic! 😀
Same here. I wonder if it will make it through the year.
Thanks Nicholas
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
As usual, great info!
Thank you, Michael! I hope you’re enjoying the weekend 🙂
You rock! Thanks!
Yay 😀
I hope you’re enjoying the weekend 🙂
Thanks for this helpful update, Nicholas. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thank you, Suzanne! I hope you’re enjoying the weekend 🙂
Many thanks for linking to my post! Amazon has said they will simplify the process of moving over books from Createspace to KDP, so the process I had described in my previous post may not work for much longer. Let’s hope the new process is simpler!
Thanks for ever kind post Nicholas. You are a true gentleman.
If we leave the transfer up to KDP Amazon what will the shocking results be? And then reviews of our messed up books will appear….
I just read a few comments on Create Space Community: One author has 300 books, so is not going to transfer anything! It is a ‘sayonara’ for many authors. A sad loss.
Nicholas, I have just finished my first book moved over to KDP Print. Ordering a Proof I must select my Marketplace. There is no .au in this list. That means I can be charged goodness knows what for a proof. And there were issues with Amazon.com.au on the pricing structure, which is taken out of our hands. Is this changing in the near future? Thanks for your help.
By the way, I deselected Extended distribution to keep the minimum price down and see if anything else changed.
That author may wait until Amazon has implemented their promised “one-click” (my words, not theirs) solution to the problem, which is supposed to let you move all your titles at once. Let’s hope it’w delivered in time–and works as promised!
Many thanks for sharing your experience, Marie! It remains to be seen how Amazon will handle books outside the US. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear more!
Thank you. Sorry to bring this up today, but here it is 12th September. (9/11)
I remembered yesterday here, R.I.P lovely people gone.