Moving away from Amazon

I had the honor of running into the wonderful author: A.E Mysers at the local bookstore this last week while putting a deal together to get Forever in His Veins shelved there.

The conversation switched to her choice to move away from Amazon. I got some advice for publishing elsewhere and generally had a wonderful time speaking to her. The general consensus was that she was moving her works over to Ingramspark for a variety of reasons. The one that sold me was from Ali, the store owner.

Ali pointed out that Ingram was better for distribution channels. Amazon is limited to just its ecosystem. Ingram allows you to branch out to libraries, bookstores and schools Not that I expect forever to end up on school shelves but you know. It is what it is.

What that being said, I've made a decision that might surprise some of you: I'm moving away from Amazon's ecosystem for my debut novel, "Forever in His Veins." Instead, I'm partnering with IngramSpark for distribution, and as a result, we won't be doing a preorder campaign.

The Amazon Dilemma

Don't get me wrong, Amazon revolutionized indie publishing. They gave authors like me a platform when traditional publishing wouldn't even return our query letters. But success on Amazon increasingly means playing by their rules, optimizing for their algorithms, and accepting their terms for everything from pricing to exclusivity.

I realized I was building my author career on someone else's foundation. Amazon's Kindle Select program offers benefits, but it comes with exclusivity requirements that limit where my readers can find my work. That felt increasingly restrictive as I thought about the long-term trajectory of my writing career.

Why IngramSpark?

IngramSpark offers something Amazon can't: true independence. Here's what sold me:

• Wider Distribution Network: While Amazon dominates online sales, IngramSpark connects directly with bookstores, libraries, and international distributors. My books will be available through traditional retail channels that many readers still prefer.

• Better Print Quality: IngramSpark's print-on-demand technology consistently produces higher-quality paperbacks. As someone who believes books should feel substantial in readers' hands, this matters.

• Improved Royalty Structure: The math is simple — IngramSpark's expanded distribution royalties are more favorable for authors who want to build sustainable income from their work.

• Professional Credibility: Bookstores and libraries take IngramSpark titles more seriously. They're more likely to stock books that come through traditional distribution channels.

No Preorders This Time

You might notice we stopped the preorder campaign for "Forever in His Veins." This was a strategic decision tied to the distribution change. Preorders within Ingram would push the date available out upwards of five weeks from my initial release date.

With IngramSpark, I'm playing a different game entirely. Instead of chasing algorithm optimization, I'm focusing on building genuine reader relationships and creating a book that will have staying power beyond its first week of sales.

What This Means for Readers

Your reading experience won't change, you'll still be able to find "Forever in His Veins" wherever you prefer to buy books. The difference is that you'll have more options: your local bookstore, your library, international retailers, and yes, still Amazon too.

What will change is that I'll have more control over pricing, distribution, and the long-term availability of my work. That means I can focus on writing the best possible stories instead of constantly optimizing for platform-specific requirements.

The Bigger Picture

This decision reflects my commitment to building a sustainable author career rather than chasing quick wins. I'm not anti-Amazon, they'll still be part of my distribution strategy. But I refuse to be dependent on any single platform for my livelihood as a writer.

Publishing is changing rapidly, and authors who want longevity need to think strategically about platform diversification. IngramSpark gives me that flexibility while maintaining the professional standards my readers deserve.

Moving Forward

"Forever in His Veins" will launch on July 31st, I'm confident that readers who connect with my work will find it regardless of the distribution method.

This is about building something lasting in an industry that often prioritizes speed over sustainability. I'd rather take the time to do it right than rush to market with a strategy that serves platforms better than it serves my readers.

Thank you for supporting independent authors who are willing to take calculated risks for creative freedom. The best stories come from writers who aren't afraid to forge their own path.