Amazon, in particular KDP, has been extolling the virtues of going exclusive with Kindle Select—offering a variety of incentives, including Kindle Unlimited. I blogged earlier that I decided to try it out, so I withdrew from all other sales channels, waited a suitable period of time, checked to see that the titles weren’t on Kobo, B&N, etc.

When it looked clear, I signed up with Kindle Select. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to me, one title (out of several) still lurked on a site so I had to ask it be taken down. Eventually it resolved. I had learned about the issue via a threatening email that I was in violation of terms and conditions, with links to remind me that Amazon has hegemony over not just my words, but my body and soul. I immediately addressed the problem.

I did my part, it all seemed fine…

And as the blog indicated, I was rather pleased with the results of being in KU and decided to add some other titles. This morning, I got this email:

Hello,

We found the following book(s) you’ve published doesn’t meet the KDP Select content guidelines. Books enrolled in KDP Select must be exclusive to Amazon in digital format during the entirety of their enrollment in the program.

Points on a Curve (ASIN: B00C6ND2YA) is available on: http://www4.fnac.com/livre-numerique/a5904628/Diane-Nelson-Points-on-a-Curve#FORMAT=ePub

Our records indicate that we previously informed you that submitting non-exclusive content to KDP Select is not acceptable and may result in loss of KDP Select benefits.

As a result of repeat violations of the KDP Select exclusivity requirement, we have removed all of your books from the KDP Select program. Your titles remain available in the Kindle Store.

Please note that repeat violations of the program’s exclusivity requirement may result in loss of KDP Select benefits, including participation in the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL), Kindle Unlimited, and the usage of free promotion days. To ensure KDP Select benefits are not revoked, please be sure that all of your KDP Select-enrolled books are exclusive to Amazon in digital format at the time of enrollment.

Check out this page to learn more about the KDP Select guidelines:
https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/help?topicId=200798990#eligibility
For all other KDP questions visit: kdp.amazon.com/self-publishing/contact-us

Best regards,

Kindle Direct Publishing
http://kdp.amazon.comom

By-the-by, that’s a French site I never heard of, I don’t speak French and have no clue how to go about getting it off, and they also have another book of mine that they really shouldn’t be selling. That’s two from the “Diane collection” that’s been off all other sales channels for a while.

So, yes, Amazon took all the titles off Kindle Select and KU. They halted what was a very good record of borrows, one that promised to increase nicely in the future, and did all this without allowing any discussion or offering a grace period for me to deal with something about which I really have no control over. And, this happened even after I successfully resolved the initial issue and was allowed back into the Kindle Select program!

Of course, I sent an email explaining the situation (two in fact), but at this point, I am done with Amazon. They claim to provide the “best possible experience” for readers and content providers. I don’t see how this serves that purpose whatsoever.

I shall no longer be a cheerleader for Amazon. I will reconsider purchasing anything from them in the future. And I will put all my titles on as many channels, domestic and international, as I possibly can reach.

Amazon ain’t the biggest dog in the yard. Perhaps at some point they’ll recognize that fact and start behaving like responsible corporate citizens.

Or is that an oxy-moron?