Amazon Kindle: Updating/revising/modifying the content of an existing book

Once you finish the revision and click the Save, the old version goes off sale until the new one is approved.

lvcabbie said:

Once you finish the revision and click the Save, the old version goes off sale until the new one is approved.

Click to expand...

…What are you talking about?

When I update my file, the old version's still on sale until the new one goes live. It only goes off-sale then takes a few days to go back on sale if I "Unpublish" it.

I even checked with some folks over on KindleBoards to make sure it wasn't my imagination.

Well then, I guess I'm wrong!
Seems that when I did a revision, it got pulled until the staff okayed it.
Sorry 'bout that.

OK, this might offend some self published writers, and this is not my intent. Please read carefully...

I have a big problem with writers putting up books and then revise time and time again because they did not get it right the first time. I feel like the buyers for the first version were lab rats and that does not make me feel good as one of the lab rats.

I mean, why even put something up if its not a finished product? It feels like a cheat...

thothguard51 said:

I have a big problem with writers putting up books and then revise time and time again because they did not get it right the first time. I feel like the buyers for the first version were lab rats and that does not make me feel good as one of the lab rats.

I mean, why even put something up if its not a finished product? It feels like a cheat...

Click to expand...

Um, off the top of my head, I can think of several reasons to upload a new version that don't involve revision:

• fix the formatting your vendor screwed up
• update reference links and mentions author's other titles
• change the excerpt(s) listed in back
• add new cover to the inside of the file
• repair the handful of typos that a reader pointed out

Now, if a writer posts a brand-new revision, I agree that can be annoying, but just because there's a new upload doesn't mean that the story's changed at all, or that there was some major story error that got fixed.

I like the Kindle system myself. You're not locked in to someone else's time schedule. And the ability to revise or unpublish at anytime is invaluable. As for the revisions after publication. You have to see the book live on Amazon to know if changes are needed. Sometimes the blurb just doesn't seem adequate, or you'd like something different on the cover, etc. Kindle is a great way to get published with only a 24 -48 hour delay! Sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? ?And what's not to like about it? Especially for poor beleaguered writers who have been jerked around by publishers and made to wait for months or even years before their book is released. I intend to upload all my novels to Kindle, as soon as they're out of contract. It's super to be in control again.

thothguard51 said:

OK, this might offend some self published writers, and this is not my intent. Please read carefully...

I have a big problem with writers putting up books and then revise time and time again because they did not get it right the first time. I feel like the buyers for the first version were lab rats and that does not make me feel good as one of the lab rats.

I mean, why even put something up if its not a finished product? It feels like a cheat...

Click to expand...

Yup. Greek Seaman...

Another great bonus about the Kindle, is that it can be used by the chemically sensitive. No odour. Whereas print books often present a problem.