I Pulled My Self-Published Book from Amazon on Friday and Now I Need Your Help More than Ever
If you'd told my past self I'd be pulling this book off of Amazon (after all the extra time, effort, energy, and money getting it set up took), I'm not sure if past me would believe it.
I spend the day Friday poking around on the backend for the distribution of my best-selling business ethics book, Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising, on Amazon and other platforms.
I was on a mission to remove my book from its primary distribution source (despite the financial pain this action would likely bring my way).
If you'd told my past self I'd be pulling this book off of Amazon (after all the extra time, effort, energy, and getting it set up there took-because the process was a pain in the ass), I'm not sure if past me would believe it.
As a small self-published author, having my book on Amazon allowed my work to be seen organically by people who otherwise might never stumble across it. This allowed me to reach more people and do more good in the world.
Now I don’t know if I’ve just secured my book’s slow spiral into obscurity. Still, even if it hurts my book sales, I'm done with Amazon.
While Amazon has always been "questionable" (to put it very lightly), its atrocities have become unignorable in recent months.
Because of this, I can no longer, in good conscious, partner with Amazon, so I've pulled my books (though I do see one independent source still offering them at above market price on the platform). Though I can't stop that from happening), I discourage anyone from buying from this seller (it will also cost you more if you do).
I pulled my book from some other places, but these other sources rarely sold copies. On the other hand, Amazon was where most of my books were sold.
Many small authors (and even some bigger ones) have expressed frustration at the suggestion that they consider severing ties with big retailers (like Walmart, Amazon, and Target) because many authors have tied their survival to these companies (which, from where I’m seated, don't appear to value our work). Some have even suggested that I am not taking a risk in pulling my book from its leading distributor.
We all do WHAT WE CAN with our available skills and resources.
This (pulling my book) is a considerable risk I've decided I can take (even if other authors aren't willing or able to take the same risk I am taking).
My book would never have made any best-seller lists without Amazon.
I owe much of the success of my first book to this book-selling giant (and over the years, most of my book's sales have come from it).
Yes, severing ties with Amazon (and others) may hurt my book sales, but do you know what would damage my book sales even more???
World War 3.... or a complete fascist takeover of this country.... or if DEI&A becomes a criminal offense in the United States... or if it becomes illegal to air your grievances against your government and those in power.
All of what I stand to lose if we don't stop this fascist regime is far worse than me losing another of my main income streams (as I've already lost 80% of my consulting business in addition to stopping my Amazon book sales last week because of this administrations anti-DEI&A witch-hunt).
Who knows if money will be worth anything in the future. This whole economy could collapse, and none of it (the money) would matter.
Some authors may opt not to cut ties with their distribution channels, and some may not be able to (especially if they're not self-published), but options are out there (for many of us).
Options are Out There
If you're an author curious about what other options are available to you, check out Draft2Digital. It is the simplest way I've found to distribute to multiple sources simultaneously (this is not a sponsored post).
NOTE: Draft2Digital can be set to distribute to Amazon (and others from which I've pulled my book), but you can opt out of specific sellers.
There are things you can do to help me (that don’t cost money).
Because I've pulled my book (Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising) from its primary distributor, fewer people will naturally stumble across my work. However, multiple distributors still carry it, and I need you to help me get the word out.
NeuroDiversity Library Initiative
It would help me out a lot if patrons of local libraries could contact their libraries and request copies of my book Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising (and other books I've worked on, like the Autism, Identity, and Me Workbook and the Autism, Identity, and Me Parent Guides - the US versions) to be carried.
If you have a library card, calling or emailing your local library and requesting they carry my books will help me (AND anyone who checks out these books in the future). This will also help all of us, as when more people understand NeuroDiversity makes the world more Neuro-Inclusive.
If even a fraction of my readers made these calls (or sent these emails) his would be a HUGE help to me (and the communities these books land in).
Reviewing my books also is a HUGE help!
Now that I don't have the book-selling giant (Amazon) behind me, getting the word out about my book will be more challenging (because Amazon recommended my title to others based on similar books), but you can help me fight back (by spreading the word).
If you've read any of my books and have the time and energy to leave reviews for them anywhere book reviews are found (like GoodReads and retailers offering my book), it would help me out more than words can express.
More distribution options could be on the way.
I'm additionally looking into offering Workplace NeuroDiversity eBooks on my website without a "middle person," - but I have questions about checkout, the technology, and file distribution (so it may be a while before this can happen).
Half-priced eBooks of Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising will also be available this week.
I'm also offering half-priced eBook versions of Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising as part of Read an E-book Week (a week encouraging readers to pick up the digital device of their choice and download a new book). This is a chance to get my book and books from many other great authors at a discount so you can get right to reading.
Please note: you MUST use the code EBW50 at checkout to claim the 50% off. This offer is only available on Smashwords for eBooks and is good through March 8th, 2025 (this Saturday).
Many eBooks are available with deep discounts this week as part of Smashword's sale.
There are many authors who’ve opted in to be part of this event.
If you would like to take part in promoting this celebration of e-books and reading, please feel free to share this promo with your friends and family.
Please forward this email/post to anyone who would love to find their next favorite book and read an e-book!
Thank you for your help and support!
Happy reading!
-Lyric Lark Rivera
If you are in need of a discount, please use the button or link below to get your subscription at a deep discount (because I don't want money to be an obstacle to people):
https://neurodivergentrebel.substack.com/LowIncomeDiscount
For readers experiencing financial hardship, please note that this offer is exclusively for you. This discount is offered on the “honors system” - I am not going to ask anyone for proof.
Please, kindly refrain from taking this offer if you do not need it.
I hope this helps,
- Lyric
I highly advise checking out Bookshop.org, the Etsy for small business bookstores, for an Amazon alternative.
(Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising is already there, which means a bookstore has it.)
All power to you for this Lyric, are you happy with draft2digital? It has some horrific reviews, if they’re to be trusted