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If you're publishing with KDP, prepare yourself for poor turnaround on proof orders.

Proofs I ordered last Wednesday now are not scheduled to be delivered until next Tuesday. So, I called KDP this morning and asked if they might not yet have been printed. The agent couldn't tell me. So, I attempted to cancel the order. No go! (As I recall, CS proofs were turned around in a day, two at most.)

I also noticed the back covers of the last KDP proof order appeared to be out of registration. Because I was going to change the interior, I didn't raise a stink. But, it appeared a new print factory did the job (at least they came from a location I'd never seen before). Just something else to watch out for.

The switch from CS to KDP sure hasn't provided benefits to authors, that's for sure. What else is new?!

FYI...based on a recent order for books from KDP (a REGULAR order), you can expect to wait THREE (3) weeks for delivery.

Theodore wrote: "FYI...based on a recent order for books from KDP (a REGULAR order), you can expect to wait THREE (3) weeks for delivery."

I don't know what happened--earlier today I sent a scathing note to Amazon in response to their e-mail following up on my call to their agent this morning (though I complemented the agent)--but I just got an e-mail stating not only would the proof copies of my children's books be delivered by 8 pm tomorrow, but also, some other books I ordered, originally scheduled for delivery by the end of the month, also would be included in the same shipment. Both shipments are to arrive via Amazon courier (their local distribution warehouse is located 2 miles from my home in rural PA).

Ted

PS I may have to cut them some slack...one look at the WX map will tell you things could be a mess overnight in this area (just south of the Delaware River, near where Washington crossed the river to surprise the Hessians on Christmas) because of a major snow storm. T

Goodness. What a runaround. I'm glad you got better news, and I hope they follow through sooner rather than later.

Carmel wrote: "Goodness. What a runaround. I'm glad you got better news, and I hope they follow through sooner rather than later."

Thanks.

Just saw that the delivery is on the truck.

What's a shame is that you have to go to these lengths to get printing service that once was standard under CS operations. But perhaps, once things settle down, normalcy will return. I had a long talk with an agent in RSA a week ago, and he said they are going through a rigorous training process as CS moves to KDP, but in the meantime, delays will crop up.

Theodore wrote: "Carmel wrote: "Goodness. What a runaround. I'm glad you got better news, and I hope they follow through sooner rather than later."

Thanks.

Just saw that the delivery is on the truck.

What's a s..."

And they just arrived!!!

We're good!

This time the covers--front and back--were rendered perfectly! On both books (one of those delivered was one of my flash fiction anthologies). So, perhaps, Amazon is slowly getting the bugs out of the switchover to KDP.

I just made some minor changes to the children's book.

I've said it before: when using the KDP file editor (their system software that processes your pdf, Word, etc., book file), do NOT (!!!!!) click on the viewing capability in a lower window until the process has been completed and the note on the screen, indicating their system is processing your file, disappears.

If you click on the viewer too early, it will delay the processing of your file.

All good to know. Glad you were happy with the final products.

Carmel wrote: "All good to know. Glad you were happy with the final products."

Thanks...yep, things did work out well.