Are you sure that the Lulu version doesn't remain up? I published my first book through Lulu and then recently when I decided to retire it and re-publish through CreateSpace, the Lulu versions are still listed on Amazon and other sites. Maybe if you're only publishing through Lulu and not choosing to distribute it to any retailers, that's possible. But if you want the print version on Amazon, then that version will remain there, regardless of if you print through Lulu or CS.
A book on Createspace will remain till the Apocalypse (vs. Lulu)
I have long been using (or planning to) use Createspace as my only POD source; I love its simplicity, community, quick customer service, etc, and the theoretical direct access to Amazon.
But what I discovered recently is that when you decide on a title, you better be sure you're ready to have it there forever (or until the Apocalypse, whichever is earlier).
Because, if you change your mind, if you think you made a mistake ... too late. Even if you retire the title on CS, CS/Amazon will keep the listing and its ratings forever under your name, because "customers might wish to sell used copies).
Even if you point out to them that you just published it, ordered four author copies, and sent them to your close friends/family who would not ever sell them or make a big fuss about selling something they received free.
So if you come up with a bad book title, and later think it was a mistake, there's no going back; it will stay in the author search for your name forever. Because the "customer" needs to have a place to sell used copies.
However, an E-BOOK can be unpublished, and that's that on Amazon (though sometimes it remains on Goodreads).
So, until I'm absolutely sure of a title ... in future, I'll print-publish it on Lulu first, and only after a while, when I am sure, on Createspace.
[P.S. I published on Lulu long back, don't know present setup; I'll be re-trying them soon.]
But what I discovered recently is that when you decide on a title, you better be sure you're ready to have it there forever (or until the Apocalypse, whichever is earlier).
Because, if you change your mind, if you think you made a mistake ... too late. Even if you retire the title on CS, CS/Amazon will keep the listing and its ratings forever under your name, because "customers might wish to sell used copies).
Even if you point out to them that you just published it, ordered four author copies, and sent them to your close friends/family who would not ever sell them or make a big fuss about selling something they received free.
So if you come up with a bad book title, and later think it was a mistake, there's no going back; it will stay in the author search for your name forever. Because the "customer" needs to have a place to sell used copies.
However, an E-BOOK can be unpublished, and that's that on Amazon (though sometimes it remains on Goodreads).
So, until I'm absolutely sure of a title ... in future, I'll print-publish it on Lulu first, and only after a while, when I am sure, on Createspace.
[P.S. I published on Lulu long back, don't know present setup; I'll be re-trying them soon.]
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Just make sure the book description says clearly (perhaps in bold, definitely up top, perhaps at the only thing), "This is actually Book A under a different title." Then you won't need to worry about readers being confused if they see it and think they are missing something.
Or you can ask Amazon to link them. My first Myth Hunter book was just called The Myth Hunter and I didn't initially plan on it being a series. When i decided to make it a series, I released a new edition and updated the title. Emailed Amazon support and they linked the two.UnicornEmily said:Just make sure the book description says clearly (perhaps in bold, definitely up top, perhaps at the only thing), "This is actually Book A under a different title." Then you won't need to worry about readers being confused if they see it and think they are missing something.
No, I don't know. It's been so long since I published a print book on Lulu (only one, I think, which I unpublished). I don't even know that Lulu books appear on Amazon listings automatically. Do they? Whereas Createspace books do, especially if there is an e-book with the same title. If the e-book has a review, even just one, and you unpublished the e-book, the review would still attach itself to the listing of the CS book, which would be on Amazon listings forever, even if you unpublished the print book. Why? "To provide customers a chance to sell their used copies." Even if no print copies were sold.Perry Constantine said:Are you sure that the Lulu version doesn't remain up? I published my first book through Lulu and then recently when I decided to retire it and re-publish through CreateSpace, the Lulu versions are still listed on Amazon and other sites. Maybe if you're only publishing through Lulu and not choosing to distribute it to any retailers, that's possible. But if you want the print version on Amazon, then that version will remain there, regardless of if you print through Lulu or CS.
That's not a unique feature of CS though. This will happen with Lulu books as well.Richardcrasta said:No, I don't know. It's been so long since I published a print book on Lulu (only one, I think, which I unpublished). I don't even know that Lulu books appear on Amazon listings automatically. Do they? Whereas Createspace books do, especially if there is an e-book with the same title. If the e-book has a review, even just one, and you unpublished the e-book, the review would still attach itself to the listing of the CS book, which would be on Amazon listings forever, even if you unpublished the print book. Why? "To provide customers a chance to sell their used copies." Even if no print copies were sold.
IIRC, your books on Lulu will only end up on Amazon if you pay the expanded distribution fee or whatever it is (not sure if this has changed). If you put your book on Amazon, be it through Lulu or CreateSpace, it will be there forever. The only way you can avoid this is by not putting your book on Amazon. CreateSpace books aren't automatically added to Amazon, you have the option of only distributing through the CreateSpace e-store and not distributing through Amazon.
There's not really a benefit to going with Lulu over CS. Either way, if your book is on Amazon, it will be there forever. The only real difference is Lulu charges you a fee for distributing to all the channels, CS doesn't.
G
Yes, Amazon will keep the title forever so it can get the "used" copy sales.
But Amazon is not consistent.
For example, travel guides are updated every year. So Amazon takes down Lonely Planet 2001 editions, etc.
If you have a non-fiction book, I would add the year to the title and describe it as updated.
Fiction could perhaps be labeled "new expanded/revised/updated edition" or some such.
Something like this could separate it from the other book.
But perhaps there is madness in this idea.
But Amazon is not consistent.
For example, travel guides are updated every year. So Amazon takes down Lonely Planet 2001 editions, etc.
If you have a non-fiction book, I would add the year to the title and describe it as updated.
Fiction could perhaps be labeled "new expanded/revised/updated edition" or some such.
Something like this could separate it from the other book.
But perhaps there is madness in this idea.
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