5 Reasons to Avoid IngramSpark & Self-Publishing Alternatives
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
- 5 Reasons to Avoid IngramSpark & Self-Publishing Alternatives // Recently I had a terrible experience self-publishing my book with IngramSpark, and for that reason, I've made the decision to no longer work with them. In this video, I wanted to go over some of the big reasons why you may not want to work with them either, and some self-publishing alternatives you can do to avoid having to work with IngramSpark. So, let's save us all some headaches and talk about what other options we have as authors when self-publishing our books on Amazon and beyond!
Why I Will Never Work with IngramSpark Again: • Why I Will Never Work ...
KDP Hardcover Review: • KDP HARDCOVER BOOK REV...
A Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing Playlist: • 9 Steps to Self-Publis...
IN THIS VIDEO:
2:05 - Printing Costs
2:24 - Low Royal Rates
3:21 - Terrible customer service
4:33 - Bad customer interface
6:10 - Long ship times
6:32 - Alternatives to IngramSpark
6:47 - Quality of books
8:36 - Hardcover books
11:59 - Print book pre-orders
14:26 - Expanded distribution
19:48 - Tips if you choose to publish with IngramSpark
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Mandi Lynn published her first novel when she was seventeen. The author of multiple books, Mandi spends her days continuing to write and creating CZcams videos to help other writers achieve their dreams of seeing their books published. Mandi is the owner of Stone Ridge Books, a company that works to help authors bring their books to life through cover design and digital book marketing. She is also the creator of The Book Launch Planner, a planner designed to help authors publish and market their books. When she’s not creating, you can find Mandi exploring her backyard or getting lost in the woods.
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. By purchasing a linked product or service, Mandi Lynn will receive a small commission at no additional fee to you.
Mandi Lynn, NO ONE makes the process more clear to understand than you. Your intuition is unmatched. The detail that you share makes listening to others almost totally unnecessary. Can't thank you enough. 🙏🏿
~ K. E. Dorham ~
The BLACK NOVA Experience
Draft2Digital Print has expanded distribution. They actually get your book onto the Ingram Catalogue. I know you said your wary of D2D PRint just beause it's so new, but I've been pleased with my experience with them so far.
Good to know! I'll be looking into it more!
They're good for ebooks and audiobooks.
I tried D2D but when I removed my books from them they kept the books live and kept the money for them for over a year, D2D are thieves! CAREFUL
@adamcollings Do you know if they still adhere to the same uploading rules/time table for pre-orders? I also had a pre-order nightmare situation with IngramSpark, so I'm super wary of going through that again. 😢
I love their ebook experience. I’m testing their paperback print service now.
Thank you. That was my question. I can’t wait till a new provider pops up and blows IngramSpark out of the water or forces in his work to become user-friendly.
The older I get the more I judge customer support as my litmus test for whether or not I use a company. If they can't get that right, I don't trust my time and money with them. Have had too many negative experiences that have taught me that lesson.
i told Ingramspark just yesterday that i can't trust their tech support and wanted them to unlist all my print books, and they can't even get THAT right.
Exactly my thoughts as well; after working for AT&T for 34 years in customer service, I expect the same quality CS, and now-a-days, with the new upcoming generation, it's just not there, most do not care.
Waiting for the BookVault review.
I would love to publish initially on KDP but can't get printed author copies to do a pre-launch party unless the book is already live on KDP. That's the only reason I'm going with IngramSpark--so I can get printed copies in advance of the publish date!!
Great video, one of your best. You are a very reliable resource, thanks
I love your channel. Please reconsider Draft 2 Digital. They don't currently offer Hard Cover, but I believe they do have good expanded distribution. They may be a viable alternative to Ingram Spark on the expanded distribution issue. I use them as an alternative to Ingram Spark and have sold paperbacks in other countries. Their print quality was good. (I believe they may be using Ingram Spark's printers.) Also, have you looked at Bookvault? I've heard good things about them, and I know they recently hopped the pond and distribute in the US using US printers, but I was wondering what your thoughts were. Thank you for all your videos. I really appreciate the information you bring to the community and value your insight and opinion.
Barnes and Noble is not international. It is just America. Quality of the final hardcover book (complete with jacket) is top priority for me, 2nd is potential range of distribution/availability/ceiling for sales. I'm not in a hurry, I'll definitely make sure it is totally finished before I upload, have been working on one book for a decade. I don't even understand what "pre-orders" are and wouldn't be doing them. So... I'm feeling like my best option is still IngramSpark?
I feel the same way with my children's picture book, in the making for 5 years now.
Distribution is key... She talks about it as a sidenote but you need the distribution to be as wide as possible.
The first thing i do after paying for a book is throw the jacket away. I hate them, they won’t make it to my car. I wish more authors would make a pretty hard cover that could be displayed without the jacket.
Really I love Jackets
Agree! Jackets are always in the way, ripping, sometimes they are beautiful but I adore a classic hardcover book without a jacket that took the time to include a lovely design. It's one reason I love older books like that with colors and designs. If I ever did a hardcover this is what I'd do. I don't care about looking like what's the trend these days.
The only hardcover I do through B&N is "case wrapped". Makes for a colorful, durable glossy cover.
Apparently Smashwords and Draft2Digital are merging their services. Though I don't know what that means.
So this is MY STORY. I set up an account with Ingramspark. i didn't get my upload correct to their specifications, my bad, but i figured it out, fixed and its been 2 weeks and i still can't upload the corrections. i send messages to their support and i'm told to log into their zendesk support system to get help, however i can't do that. I've never been able to do that because for reasons i can't explain when i type in the same account information i'm rejected. i complain to support and they tell me they can't help me because my email doesn't match their records. well, that's not my fault is it? so it's just this vicious never ending circle of me complaining that i can't log into their support and them telling me the solution is to log into their support.
Hello. I understand that you had a fiasco with IS, but in my dealings with them, I've found them very helpful. The reason that I used IS is that Amazon will not publish books under 75 pages. So, I went with IS for my debut children's picture book (The Ball at the Circus) in hardback and paperback and had a pleasant experience. I realize you don't like them, but in my circumstance, it's where I had to be. I admit I didn't check out B&N, but might in the future only for comparison purposes. Thanks.
Thank you for this comment, really helped me a lot.
I use Ingram Spark. Everyone has their own opinions on print on demand companies. All companies have their pros and cons. Authors will choose what they feel will work for them.
Thank you so much! so useful :)
I noticed you praise KDP's hardcover printing, but I'm actually watching this video because I want to find alternatives to KDP. KDP has been absolutely horrible to work with for me, though I've only listed ebooks and paperbacks with them. The paperback text alignment sucks (skewed or shifted typically several millimeters), there are discrepancies in the infill printing (I've had books printed where every page has a ~1-pt vertical shift halfway through), marks on the book edge where it looks like it was rough-cut with a circular saw, they shipped an order of ten author copies in individual envelopes (which caused edge wear during shipping and is of course a waste of material and labor), the books often come scuffed or marred in some other way, and I can go on. And most of these defects are actually within KDP's listed defect specifications, which makes it even worse. Never in my life have I seen a book have skewed cover text, let alone several millimeters. The author copies also take weeks to arrive; I'm not sure if this is typical, but I just wanted to add that in. I assume nobody that values their image as an author wants their readers to receive books of such awful quality, which is why I'm seeking a replacement service.
KDP is shit. They don't even ship author copies if they want to kill the book and do not refund the money. AVOID.
Thank you for all the info. I just wrote my first book and am new to self-publishing. There's so much info out there. I couldn't figure out IngramSpark. So, I think I'm just going to stick with KDP for now. I also had to figure out the whole isbn part too. I would like to sell my books in stores so I might just have to work with IS eventually.
Thanks so much for your insight 🙏 all great info to know as an indie author! 🎉🎉❤
Regarding Barnes and Noble: Their customer service is TERRIBLE. I am in the UK and opened an account, filled in the tax forms and waited for my account to be approved. I got a standard email from them telling me my account was declined, no reason why, no recourse to opening another or rectifying a mistake (if there was one). I emailed support as i thought it might have been something to do with me using the incorrect UK taxpayers number on my form. Again, I get a response saying, we can’t tell you why we have rejected you, we can reject anyone, we don’t have to tell you why. Oh, and I can never try again. Nice. Back to KDP
Wow, good to know! Thanks. Sorry for that experience. There's no excuse for poor customer service. Or such a harsh policy. Yikes.
Unfortunately, I had the exact same experience. No explanation whatsoever.
Me, three. Exact same issue. And I live in the U.S.
Thanks for the info.
I typically use Lulu and I like the way the have used their color for printing. I haven’t had any issues
Thank you for the invitation. I was just planning to upload my work. L!lol!
I have read and seen videos on Kobo and that they have connections to libraries and I did find some indie published authors at my local library on e book format. I have heard from my library that they take patron suggestions for purchases, too. Kobo seems to be new in the field, though.
Thanks for this video. Avoiding IS.
I never thought I could donate m own book to a library.
Having worked at two libraries, just know your book isn't guaranteed to be on the shelf even if donated. They still have to approve it, which takes time. Often it will wind up as a donation. I have had success doing readings at libraries, donating my time first. Then they were happy to start a local authors shelf. Libraries are good for more than just getting a book on the shelf though. They are usually very author friendly. Book fairs and signings are two ways they support their writing community. Also, heads up: give your book to librarians as a gift and if they like it you will have high value, passionate promotion to your target readers for life.
Thanks so much for sharing! Good to know!
@@Angela_Yuriko_Smith @milestrombley1466 It also depends on the state laws. Things may have changed here in PA since I had asked about it, but my local librarian told me that they were required to only purchase new books if they wanted them to be available for the public to check out. Any book donations were only ever to be offered for sale as a fundraiser, they could never be eligible to be put on the shelves as part of the library collections.
Great advice, thanks so much!@@Angela_Yuriko_Smith
I work at Barnes & Noble and we do consignment. 😊
It varies depending on the location but it think more and more are starting to offer consignment!
Interested to hear what you think of BookVault
Thanks for all the content on Ingramspark.
So, if you do all the initial legwork with KDP to sort out any formatting issues (cover, dust cover, interior) and you decide not to pre-order (which I think you now recommend that you don't), it seems like Ingramspark is a smart choice. Print quality and wide distribution are major pros. Customer service is nasty but that's usually only an impact when you are setting up your book. Pricing is on the high side, that could be a deal breaker but you said the Lulu has some problems with print quality and BNP has limited distribution.
All that said, it really just seems like Ingramspark just made a bitter enemy out of you when they changed the preorder rules. I don't see a lot of cons with them outside the pain of initial setup which can be mitigated by making sure the format is solid and avoiding preorders.
Thoughts?
I'm having an issue now with them and my book was published in 2018. So I decided to check out their reviews on the Better Business Bureau. Reviews of late are not good. I hate that I can't pick up the phone and talk to someone. This is a major change to how they did business back in 2018.
fwiw d2d uses ingram for printing.
Thank you Mandi...I want to publish my hand-made colouring books (with my own ISBN) and I had a plan to go Lulu & KDP (want to do a series of three). what do you think?Thank you Gaia
@AdamCollings I am wondering how do you order your advance reader copies using D2D?
Do you have any advice on what alternatives might be best for a children’s book? My 11 year old wrote a book, short chapters and a few colored pictures. I’m so overwhelmed 😅
Hi. I just discovered your videos and a question popped into my head. When you publish a book, are you required to only publish through one print on demand company?
No, but be careful, because sometimes they can create duplicate copies/listings of books.
What are your opinions on hardbacks and paperbacks available through both KDP and Barnes & Noble Press? I’m planning to publish through both with both options so people have options
I think both are good options.
I have a question, can I use D2D for ebooks and KDP or Barnes and Noble for print books?
So which company is the best?
@Mandi Lynn, what are your thoughts on using Book Baby as an alternative?
So, here's a story. My first book Get Out and Thrive! (helping Veterans transition back to civilian life) was only published on KDP ebook and paperback. Glossy cover was incredible, interior perfect. When I went to my small town library - sorry can't order from there and the local bookstore was openly hostile when I asked them to carry it. Lots of anger towards Amazon dominating the bookseller space. Eventually, the order manager at the bookstore explained everything and gave me a list of alternative publishers. Bookbaby was one of them. For my next book, started the route of ebook on KDP select (keeps you exclusive to Amazon but gets you into the KENP pages read on Kindle unlimited which has turned out to be about 60% of revenue generated). For printed version I worked for a while with Bookbaby but their prices were ridiculous. They want to force you to use overly large fonts to drive up the page count and then require that you buy 25 copies from them. On top of that, they were holding me hostage for a $1000 edit and format fee. The fees and printing costs seemed much more expensive that D2D or IS. At this point, I wouldn't recommend BookBaby. To be fair, I could have just gotten a greedy handler but it wasn't the experience I had hoped for so I'm back to IS for the larger distribution. Still waiting on my eProof and then the printed copy, but ok so far. Website is pretty difficult to sort out as are the instructions. Oh by the way, IS formatting instructions imply that you have to provide your interior file IN REVERSE PAGE ORDER. I emailed customer support and 2 days later they told me this is incorrect.
The binding of hardcovers with the fabric band at the heads are more durable.
The plain glued binding won't last.
Sadly KDP doesn't do square hardcovers for children's books.
I Love all of your videos I have watched so far, I was ALL ready to work with Ingram Sparks, but I am now second guessing myself. If KDP did children's picture books, it would be a No Brainer! After getting all ready to upload, I found out they do not do them, which I was royally pissed about. I mean, how in the world do all the children's books get written and put out on KDP, are they ALL using Ingram Spark, that's just hard to believe? I must be missing something. Please let me know what I am missing...Please. Lost in Antarctica, Suzan
Thank you for videos. I received a sample printed copy from IS and it was horrible. I sent them a message and image a sped awaiting to hear back. I can I take my product and ISBN and move to KDP? Does KDP have expanded distribution? My book is 92 pages, it seems too small for a dust jacket and KDP did not have a dust jacket. I cannot figure out if IS charges for the expanded distribution
I had the same experience. I am waiting for them to resend an author copy to see if it was just a freak misprint. I was directed to Yurchak printing in PA. They have been very responsive, even sent me samples of their printing. Just unsure of distribution options once book is printed...again why IS sometimes is the best option After KDP.
I am with KDP, and no problem at all on top of I got my copies for myself so fast plus the quality of the prints is just so perfect, only when printed from the United States though, however, when I got my copies printed in Canada; it just looks like garbage plus missing pages too. I am planning to go to Barnes & Noble as well, but KDP has a trick rule not to publish anywhere when a book has already been published on their platform. I don't know how true this is, so far I am doing good at KDP.
Curious about what that trick rule you mentioned is? I know you don't have any other options for the ebook while using KDP, but I was under the impression can cancel this agreement at any time by removing your book from KDP entirely if you wanted to distribute it elsewhere.
@@MrZkinandBonez Hi, thanks for your reply, the KDP select has a 90-day rule since the day you signed up as a program member.; after 90 days, it will put that membership as an option where you have to literally cancel it. Without canceling your membership; your ebook is still tied up to that membership. If you really want your ebook to be removed from the KDP select while the 90 days are still in effect, you have an option to just unpublish your book, and then republish it within a few days. The best way to republish your book is to change the Title of the book. Comparing all the print-on-demand platforms, KDP is the best of all, and the worst is the IngramSpark. The only reason why people choose IngramSpark is because of their massive distribution outlet.
I have to ask this, why on Earth does anyone think that as a small author that any publisher would put dime 1 on their book in marketing efforts? I don't understand it. Can you please explain? The distribution that you get will be whatever you generate. The publisher is a placeholder.
I published on KDP first, but chose expanded distribution. When I went to Ingram they told me my ISBN is already in use, so I emailed them. They said if I want to use the same ISBN I have to request a transfer to IngramSpark and it can take up to 30 days, which now has me a little nervous, as I have a promo coming up in August on KDP and I don't know how that will affect my KDP account, though I know it's only the paperback that's a concern.
I actually didn't know transferring ISBNs like that was an option. It's be curious to know how the process goes.
I'll provide you ISBN.
Can you have your book on KDP and Ingram Spark or B&N?
I just set up an IngramSpark account not realizing that I would have to transfer the expanded distribution for my first book from KDP. I couldn't get past the continue button to add a title anyway so I got frustrated and decided to forget IngramSpark only to discover there is no way to delete the account. I guess it will just sit there forever unused.
Am in middle of shifting to another publisher - made no money on my book on KDP... Amzn takes 40% royalty .. 3rd party booksellers have been making money on my book while printing cost is taken from my royalties leaving me with Zero. I am moving on to another self-publisher company who will handle things differently. And yes Ingram prints /manages sales for them.
IngramSpark attributed two of my book titles to another author by the same name.
Completely agree with everything you said 100%. 💜 Barnes & Noble is far better than Ingram to work with for Hardcovers and as you said, I also just market it as a Barnes & Noble Exclusive, rather than seeing it as a limitation of my distribution.
That being said, I still have a print version through Ingram that’s there just in case libraries do you want to order a copy but it’s not something I promote. I’d much rather people by the hard copy of my book from Barnes and Noble or KDP. Ingram is the absolute worse.
Also, there is another way to get expanded distribution. I looked into it a few years ago before I publish my debut.
There’s a company that Ingram and BN Press works with to print and distribute their books (I forgot the name, but if I remember I will come back and update my comment)
You can apply for an account with them as a publisher or wholesaler If you have an LLC and they allow you to upload your book directly to their database and have your book printed through them directly rather than going through Ingram.
Bookstores order from this company as well. There was a lot of red tape to get onboarded that didn’t seem worth it the hassle when you can just go through BN Press. But again, it’s all a bit hazy as it was was several years ago.
I believe I found it buried somewhere in BN Press FAQs or Books-A-Million. Definitely one of those two. 💜💜
I just outsourced my hard cover prints and going to sell those from my own inventory.
Lightning Source@@AuthorDarrellCScottJr
Mandi, a hurricane of a woman, bright and beautiful
Please tell me what a good company is to use. I have used create space that’s now KDP, but they’re giving me all kinds of problems. I don’t know what company to go with. I need distribution.
YES I AGREE, ITS CUSTOM SERVICE IS TERRIBLE! NO ONE ANSWERS PHONE CALLS, IF EVER ANSWER, THE VOICE IS ALWAYS COLD, ARROGANT, NEGATIVE, AS THOUGH ON DRUG
Sadly KDP doesn't print hardcover for books under 72 pages so doesn't work for Children's Picture book. I love KDP but won't work for my childrens picturebook about racing pigeon
I heard that kdp expanded distribution is good
i want to remove my book from ingram spark. So please can you help me. how can i remove..... Please.. please...
what about publishdrive (as alternative to D2D oder to Ingramspark)? What are your experiences? - Greetings from Germany. I am just publishing my first book in the USA und want it to be printed and distributed as wide as possible in the English speeking countries.
What do you think about book baby
I would like to know this as well. I just got a quote from them
Hi, Mandi! I have a question about proof copies. Seeing as it can take so long for IS to get copies out and you’re recommending using KDP to get proof copies . . . if the file in KDP is finally how one wants it, will it come out exactly the same once printed with IS?
Would you suggest doing the uploading and proofing strictly on KDP and once it’s perfect to upload on IS without needing to request a proof from them? I’m just curious if it would be the EXACT same interior without having to see a proof from IS. Or is that risky?
Thank you for your help!
I would get proof copies from all. My cover print file used for physical printing in NZ which went perfect had to be adjusted for KDP even tho the book size and everything was exactly the same 😖.
I've just ordered my 2nd print proof from them to make sure (fingers x'd).
Always do proofs for every vendor. It's not just about printing the file, it's about binding and packaging as well, you need to see what each printers finished product looks like. It's an assurance of quality you have to check before it goes to your customer.
Good question
What's to stop me from jacking up my base price on IngramSpark, so I can give a higher wholesale discount? (I imagine there has to be something)
Nothing is stopping you, you just might not sell as many because people don’t want to pay
@@MandiLynnWrites Okay, thanks! I was looking at more as an opportunity to discount direct sales. If my wholesale break even point is $18 and my direct break even point is $16, I can charge less.
How does this video have 9,000 views but 21,000 likes?
KDP hardcover is 72 pages, so children’s books are kind of out with them…😞
Mandi' I used DiggyPOD BOOK PRINTING and They are great my book looks fantastic check them out! my book ( The book of Commn Point ) by john tenuto
When I worked at a small press we used Ingram, and even for publishers with businesses doing big print runs, they still have shotty customer service support. We almost didn't have our print run for the release party on one title, but thankfully we had the budget to do a last moment second print run while waiting on our refund. But an Indie author likely doesn't have that budget, which makes ingram's slow service so heartbreaking.