Fun With the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing Team
Introduction
I'm preparing to publish two derived works. Both are unique because they have been edited to put women in the leading roles. The underlying works are public domain books.
I checked the guidelines and also found this excellent example of how you should set up the author metadata for a derived work book: https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Jane-Austen-ebook/dp/B004HW7E6U/
Hopeful that I'd done the right thing, I submitted the books to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
Then, things got weird.
Indeed, things became so ridiculous that Charlie suggested I create a record. So, here we go...
Fun with the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing Team
1. Thursday 18th February 2021: Email Received from the KDP Team
I checked my emails and found the following:
Subject: Action needed for 2 Amazon KDP book(s)
Hello,
During our review, we found that the author and title information you entered for the following book(s) may cause a misleading customer experience.
The Land That Time Forgot by Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR); Burroughs, Edgar Rice (AUTHOR) (ID: 39949206)
Poirot Investigates by Christie, Agatha (AUTHOR); Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR) (ID: 39811575)
Inaccurate book details can lead to a disappointing or confusing experience for readers.
Examples of inaccurate author and title information may include:
• Author name and/or title information does not match between the cover and interior content
• Author name and/or title information does not match between the cover and/or interior and book details
• Author name and/or title information does not match the print edition of the same book
• Author name and/or title information does not match the original public domain work or underlying work
• All original contributors, including translators, for the original public domain or underlying work are not listed for your book
Review your book(s) for accuracy, update the contributor(s) and/or title information by following the steps below, and resubmit the book(s) for publishing within 5 days.
1. Go to your Bookshelf
2. Click the ellipsis button ("…") under KINDLE EBOOK ACTIONS next to the book you want to update
3. Choose "Edit eBook details." This will take you to the Details page
4. Edit the necessary details
5. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Content page
6. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Pricing page
7. Click the publish button at the bottom of this page
Please update your book(s) details or respond to this email within 5 days. Otherwise, the book(s) will be set to "Blocked" in your Bookshelf and will be unavailable for sale on Amazon.
For more details about KDPs eBook metadata guidelines, visit Help:
https://kdp.amazon.com/help/topic/G201097560
If you have questions or believe you've received this email in error, reply to this message.
Thanks for using Amazon KDP.
I was baffled. Which one of the scenarios inside the 5 dot points were the problem? I had dilligently checked the guidelines before submitting the books, and also copie the metadata configuration of an accepted best selling book as a reference.
2. Thursday 18th February 2021: Phone Call and Email Response
I explained the situation to a member of the KDP Team on the phone. They said that they couldn't give me any advice and told me to send a reply email instead, asking for more specific feedback. They said they'd make a note in the system about my call and send it to the review team too.
As suggested, I sent the following email:
Hello KDP Team,
Thank you for your email.
I respect your rules and did a lot of reading before publication. I thought I had entered the book details correctly, but clearly I misunderstood the requirements. I'm sorry! I am really keen to do the right thing and comply with the guidelines. Could you please provide me with more information about the problem with each of my books so I can fix the issues?
My sister is an experienced author, but I have only just started learning! I'd really appreciate your advice.
Kind regards,
Penelope
3. 18 February 2021: Reply Email from the KDP Team
The KDP Team were quick to reply, as follows:
Subject: Alert from Amazon’s Content Review Team – Case #02351314
Hello,
Thanks for your message regarding the following book(s):
The Land That Time Forgot by Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR); Burroughs, Edgar Rice (AUTHOR) (ID: 39949206)
Poirot Investigates by Christie, Agatha (AUTHOR); Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR) (ID: 39811575)
During our review, we found that the title listed may cause a misleading customer experience.
We found that your book(s) are misleading because:
• Author name and/or title information not matching the original public domain work or underlying work
The title and author information you enter in KDP for public domain works must match the original work.
When publishing a translation, both the original author and translator must be listed as contributors.
Review your book(s) for accuracy and make any necessary corrections within 5 days.
To resubmit your book(s):
1. Go to your Bookshelf
2. Click the ellipsis button ("…") under KINDLE EBOOK ACTIONS or PAPERBACK ACTIONS next to the book you want to update
3. Choose "Edit eBook details" or "Edit paperback details." This will take you to the Details page
4. Edit your details
5. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Content page
6. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Pricing page
7. Click the publish button at the bottom of this page
Please take action within 5 days or your book(s) will show as "Blocked” in your Bookshelf and you will be unable to offer it for sale on Amazon.
If you have questions or believe you've received this email in error, reply to this message.
Thanks for using Amazon KDP
Jesse
Amazon Content Review Team
Ok, so the title information was a direct match to the original public domain work / underlying work. So, I guessed that they wanted the Authors changed to match the original. That would mean I'd need to remove myself as an author.
I was worried about this for a couple of reasons. Firstly, readers could think that they're buying a copy of the original book! This be misleading could cause negative reviews.
4. 18 February 2021: Reply Email to the KDP Team
I spoke with the KDP Team on the phone again. The person I spoke with explained that the review team does not communicate by phone, only by email. They said they'd send a note to them, and suggested I email them again to explain and seek advice.
I sent an email to the KDP Team to explain:
Hello Jesse,
Wow! Thanks for your super-fast reply!
I still don't understand, I'm sorry! Is it that the rules mean I need to delete myself as a co-author if I've written a derivative work? Or, should I change the title if I want to keep myself listed as a co-Author? I'm happy to do what ever is needed!
I used the book description and author treatment of this book as a guide on how I should treat my derivative works: https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Jane-Austen-ebook/dp/B004HW7E6U/ I hope that helps give you a feel for the fact my objective is to change the work and that's why I'm keen to be able to be listed as a co-author.
What do you recommend please?
Kind regards,
Penelope
5. 19 February 2021: Reply Email from the KDP Team
This reply came in, responding to the email I'd sent the day before:
Subject: Alert from Amazon’s Content Review Team – Case #02351314
Hello,
During our review, we found that the author and title information you entered for the following book(s) may cause a misleading customer experience.
%{Info}
Inaccurate book details can lead to a disappointing or confusing experience for readers.
Examples of inaccurate author and title information may include:
• Author name and/or title information does not match between the cover and interior content
• Author name and/or title information does not match between the cover and/or interior and book details
• Author name and/or title information does not match the print edition of the same book
• Author name and/or title information does not match the original public domain work or underlying work
• All original contributors, including translators, for the original public domain or underlying work are not listed for your book
Review your book(s) for accuracy, update the contributor(s) and/or title information by following the steps below, and resubmit the book(s) for publishing within 5 days.
1. Go to your Bookshelf
2. Click the ellipsis button ("…") under KINDLE EBOOK ACTIONS next to the book you want to update
3. Choose "Edit eBook details." This will take you to the Details page
4. Edit the necessary details
5. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Content page
6. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Pricing page
7. Click the publish button at the bottom of this page
Please update your book(s) details or respond to this email within 5 days. Otherwise, the book(s) will be set to "Blocked" in your Bookshelf and will be unavailable for sale on Amazon.
For more details about KDPs eBook metadata guidelines, visit Help:
https://kdp.amazon.com/help/topic/G201097560
If you have questions or believe you've received this email in error, reply to this message.
Thanks for using Amazon KDP
Santino L.
Amazon Content Review Team
Yes, that's right! They sent me the original email again! 😂😲
6. 19 February 2021: Penelope's Reply to the KDP Team
My baffled reply was as follows:
Hello Santino,
Could you be more specific please? Was the link I sent you broken?
Penelope
7. 19 February 2021: Reply from the KDP Team
The KDP Team replied:
Subject: Alert from Amazon’s Content Review Team – Case #02351314
Hello,
Thanks for your message regarding the following book(s):
The Land That Time Forgot by Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR); Burroughs, Edgar
> Rice
> > (AUTHOR) (ID: 39949206)
> > Poirot Investigates by Christie, Agatha (AUTHOR); Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR)
> > (ID: 39811575)
During our review, we found that the [title/author/title and author] listed may cause a misleading customer experience.
We found that your book(s) are misleading because:
• Author name and/or title information not matching the original public domain work or underlying work
• All original contributors, including translators, for the original public domain or underlying work are not listed for your book
The title and author information you enter in KDP for public domain works must match the original work.
When publishing a translation, both the original author and translator must be listed as contributors.
Review your book(s) for accuracy and make any necessary corrections within 5 days.
To resubmit your book(s):
1. Go to your Bookshelf
2. Click the ellipsis button ("…") under KINDLE EBOOK ACTIONS or PAPERBACK ACTIONS next to the book you want to update
3. Choose "Edit eBook details" or "Edit paperback details." This will take you to the Details page
4. Edit your details
5. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Content page
6. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Pricing page
7. Click the publish button at the bottom of this page
Please take action within 5 days or your book(s) will show as "Blocked” in your Bookshelf and you will be unable to offer it for sale on Amazon.
If you have questions or believe you've received this email in error, reply to this message.
Thanks for using Amazon KDP
Santino L.
Amazon Content Review Team
This is around the time that Charlie suggested it was amusing. He still thinks it's funny. I sure don't!
8. 19 February 2021: Penelope's reply to the KDP Team
I spoke with the KDP Team on the phone... again. I was told that email was the only way to get advice... again. They said that they'd put a ticket in the system... again... but that I should email too.
So, I patiently wrote out the following detailed reply in the naive hope that we could resolve the issue:
Hello,
Thanks for your email, telling me that I should edit the book as follows: "The title and author information you enter in KDP for public domain works must match the original work."
Does this mean that this book is breaking your rules? https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Zombies-Jane-Austen-ebook/dp/B004HW7E6U/
Because my book is a derived work. Both of these books are heavily edited, to switch the lead characters from male to female. I am not publishing unedited public domain work.
I used the book description and author treatment of the above book as a guide on how I should treat my derivative works.
Should they change their title and author details to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, instead of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith? Because, that's what you're suggesting to me. Surely it would "create a misleading customer experience" and people would be surprised to be reading about zombies when buying that copy of Pride and Prejudice from Amazon's catalogue! I don't want to risk a similar issue. So...
Could you please confirm that I should change my books as per the list below?
The Land That Time Forgot by Burroughs, Edgar Rice (AUTHOR) (ID: 39949206)
Poirot Investigates by Christie, Agatha (AUTHOR) (ID: 39811575)
(Note: Neither book has any translator.)
OR
Would the following new details comply with the guidelines?
The Land That Time Forgot with Female Submariners by Burroughs, Edgar Rice (AUTHOR); Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR); Burroughs, Edgar Rice (AUTHOR) (ID: 39949206)
Madame Poirot Investigates by Christie, Agatha (AUTHOR); Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR) (ID: 39811575)
Once you clarify this, I will fix it immediately.
Kind regards,
Penelope
P.S. I called to discuss, but apparently email is the only way sorry!
I went to bed feeling confident. They'll surely understand the situation now. That book is a great example of a derived work, and it's metadata clearly complies with the rules.
I was wrong...
9. 20 February 2021: Reply from the KDP Team
In a bizzare twist... I awoke to TWO emails!
Here's the first one:
Subject: Alert from Amazon’s Content Review Team – Case #02351314
Hello,
We look forward to reviewing your book.
At this time, we are unable to accept or provide information until a book has been submitted.
Upon its submission, we may contact you if we need additional information.
The guidelines available to all publishers are located here: https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=A2TOZW0SV7IR1U
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.
Best regards,
Amazon KDP
Santino L.
Amazon Content Review Team
I stared at the screen. 👀
Wait. What? But, the books have already been submitted? *deep breath in to stay calm*
Then, I opened the second email...
Subject: Alert from Amazon’s Content Review Team – Case #02450900
Hello,
Thanks for your message regarding the following book(s):
39811575
Poirot Investigates
Christie, Agatha (AUTHOR); Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR)
During our review, we found that the author listed may cause a misleading customer experience.
We found that your book(s) are misleading because:
• Author name and/or title information not matching the original public domain work or underlying work
• All original contributors, including translators, for the original public domain or underlying work are not listed for your book
The title and author information you enter in KDP for public domain works must match the original work.
When publishing a translation, both the original author and translator must be listed as contributors.
Review your book(s) for accuracy and make any necessary corrections within 5 days.
To resubmit your book(s):
1. Go to your Bookshelf
2. Click the ellipsis button ("…") under KINDLE EBOOK ACTIONS or PAPERBACK ACTIONS next to the book you want to update
3. Choose "Edit eBook details" or "Edit paperback details." This will take you to the Details page
4. Edit your details
5. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Content page
6. Click "Save and Continue." This will take you to the Pricing page
7. Click the publish button at the bottom of this page
Please take action within 5 days or your book(s) will show as "Blocked” in your Bookshelf and you will be unable to offer it for sale on Amazon.
If you have questions or believe you've received this email in error, reply to this message.
Thanks for using Amazon KDP
Melanie
Amazon Content Review Team
So, what I've achieved so far is... nothing! I still can't get a clear answer. And, now there are two case numbers.
Should I submit a complaint? Should I send reply emails to both case numbers and explain the situation again? What should I do? 🙏
I went through another cycle of communitcation similar to the experiences above. Then I posted the question to my iampenelopefry twitter account, to no avail. I decided to wait and think.
10. 25 February 2021: Random update in KDP
Today, I decided to take a punt and changed one of the books as follows:
Madame Poirot Investigates by Fry, Penelope (AUTHOR); Christie, Agatha (AUTHOR)
Then, I resubmitted it for publishing.
I look forward to seeing what the weird folks at KDP throw at me with next!
To be continued...
xox Penelope
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