A few days ago, I participated in a meeting online to discuss a topic undoubtedly quite popular among young aspirant writers: how to achieve the publication of the “first book”.

It could have been clearer that the purpose was mostly listening to a new writer explaining how she had just done that while I thought of a general discussion on the chosen topic.

Add to this a sudden problem with Zoom that prevented a clarification.

I now aim to clarify and present my points on publishing an author’s “first book”.

This topic implicates several other topics, depending on the kind of book, whether technical or scientific, fiction or biographic, or mainly historical.

For clarity, I will present my points systematically, but not necessarily in order of importance, which changes from author to author and from book to book.

-Basic characteristic of a book: Any book, no matter the topic, has a basic feature: it is the work of an author aimed to make known her/his ideas, culture, and know-how on a specific topic. Even in a commissioned book, that essential feature exists.

-Freedom: Plausibly, all authors desire freedom to shape their books without interference.

-Introducing the book: Marketing support is also a purpose of primary importance.

Given the above, being an author, I think that for a writer seeking to publish her/his “first book”, KDP, the Amazon publishing house, is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.

Absolute freedom of writing about any topic is fully respected. Rules are the ones accepted by the most secular sectors of Western culture.

I tried finding an agent with one of my books without success. I tried with publishers, but I was ignored, and a previous book I sent to one of them to prove I was already part of the fry was returned with a note like “Thanks but no thanks.”

Considering the speed of being on the Amazon markets (I am on seven of them), within seventy-two hours after the submitted book has been perused and accepted (the average for me is three days), little doubt remains on this route.

Add that I use the time I would spend chasing an agent or a publisher for better purposes, like fostering various other forms of marketing, such as Social Media, personal book presentations in various social clubs, timed offers of the book with a discount through Amazon, etc.

Of all the above, the key for me is that I respect everybody’s freedom, but I don’t accept sacred cows, and that’s where KDP appears.

I published a few books with them, but I have yet to hear from them how to write my books, shape them, illustrate them, and what ideas would be more popular or marketable!

My cost for KDP?:

Frankly, I rarely check. But I know that for an illustrated book sold at $32.00 (they impose the price), their share is about $15.