Kindle Preorders!
On the same day that Kindle Unlimited downloads are reported to pay $1.81, we discovered that Kindle has enabled preorders for e-books.
Here is the Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) help page on this: https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A3P7F81795P0RA&ref_=kdp_EB_PREORDER_phl.
Here is how to do it:
- Log into KDP.
- Go to your Bookshelf.
- Add a new book or edit an existing book that you haven’t already published before.
- Proceed to publish your book as usual.
- In Step 4, choose “Make my book available for preorder.”
Select a date.
Notes:
- Only new books can be made available for preorder.
- Customers won’t be able to sample books while they are available for preorder.
- A new reporting feature tells you about preorders and cancellations.
- If your preorder creates a long window of slow sales, it could adversely impact your sales rank compared to having all those sales on day one; but if you generate many preorders, your book will come out of the gate running, which may help. Preorders can also help you generate buzz for your new release.
- You have even more reason to preview your book carefully on every device and get excellent editing. You want your book to be perfect right out of the box. You won’t have the luxury to make many changes. Problems can lead to many early returns and negative reviews.
- You can make your print book available for preorder using Amazon Advantage. There is a great thread on the CreateSpace community forum with instructions for how to do this.
Chris McMullen
Copyright © 2014 Chris McMullen, Author of A Detailed Guide to Self-Publishing with Amazon and Other Online Booksellers
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- Volume 2 on marketability and marketing
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chrismcmullen 
I’ve been wondering about it, figuring you would know – so I hopped over here, and you indeed have the information. Thanks! Good to know. I think it may not work for unknown authors on their first few books, but will be a great idea for, say, the long-awaited third book in a trilogy. One people would WANT to preorder.
Definitely. Though a few new authors do find effective ways to create buzz for their first books.
Amazon keeps giving me reasons to stay with them. I wish other self publishing sites worked this hard to give indy authors a voice.
I feel the same way. It’s a great feeling. 🙂