What if I Sell my Book on Gumroad, and then Upload it to KDP?
Does Amazon have a problem with this?
This story contains affiliate links.
What if I sell my book on Gumroad, or try to, or give it away, and then decide to upload it to KDP? Does Amazon have a problem with this?
Selling or trying to sell your book on Gumroad, and then uploading it to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) can be a viable strategy for you as an author, but, there are some important considerations to keep in mind to ensure compliance with Amazon’s policies.
Amazon KDP Exclusivity Program
Amazon offers different publishing options through KDP, and the level of exclusivity required depends on which program you choose:
Standard KDP- There are no exclusivity requirements for publishing through the standard KDP option. You can sell your book on multiple platforms, including Gumroad and others.
KDP Select- Enrolling your book in KDP Select requires exclusivity. If you choose this program, you cannot sell the ebook or any digital format of your book on another platform, including Gumroad, while it’s enrolled in Select. KDP Select offers benefits such as access to Kindle Unlimited and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, as well as promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions. I have used it before for the free Kindle option, and I sometimes love the option to offer a free book period. You can use it all at once or spread it over several days. The Select program lasts 90 days and self-renews when it expires, so you need to make a deliberate decision if you chose to get out.
Key Points to Consider
Standard KDP Publishing
You can sell your book on Gumroad and your website without any issues. You can publish your book on KDP simultaneously, provided you do not enroll it in KDP Select.
You do, of course, need to follow the other KDP guidelines, such as formatting and content policies.
KDP Select Publishing
If you decide you do want to take advantage of KDP Select benefits, you must ensure your eBook is exclusive to Amazon while it is enrolled in the program. You can still sell print versions of your book through other platforms, as the exclusivity requirement only applies to digital formats.
Steps to Follow
Evaluate Your Overall plan- Decide whether the benefits of KDP Select (increased visibility, promotional opportunities) outweigh the need for your ability to sell your book in various places.
Different Editions- Consider offering different formats or editions. For example, you might sell a premium edition on Gumroad with additional content, and a standard edition on KDP.
Be Careful- If you decide to switch your book to KDP Select after initially publishing it widely, make sure to remove it from other platforms as KDP requires.
What Works for Me
Standard KDP- I probably use this one the most My goal is to maximize my book’s reach and sell it on multiple platforms, so I publish on KDP without enrolling in KDP Select.
KDP Select: I use this one a lot, especially to experiment. If you want to leverage Amazon’s promotional tools and reach Kindle Unlimited readers, go with KDP Select, but ensure you comply with the exclusivity terms. Then I keep a chart of all my books and redecide for each book every 90 days. If you don’t like keeping records, you can look at each book and see when it started and ends on Select. You can go back to being on Select after you’ve been out in the world, just be sure to remove all the other offers and remaining book scat.
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the best strategy for your publishing goals while adhering to Amazon’s policies. KDP is hard to beat!
I am Don Martin. I write books and stories. Check out my new microbook about writing microbooks. Join my reader family for my writing news and rumors.
Also, this post may contain sales or affiliate links, so I might get a little money if you purchase anything. Thank you in advance!