Understanding Amazon KDP: Why Your Book Isn’t Sold by Traditional Publishers

Once a book is published through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it is officially considered published. This fact is encapsulated in the phrase 'published through KDP.' However, this raises questions about the reasons behind rejections and why traditional publishers may not show interest in KDP-published works. This article sheds light on the reasons behind these phenomena.

Why Has My Book Been Rejected by KDP?

One possible reason for rejection is the quality of the final product. Amazon KDP strictly enforces its terms of service (ToS) and genre-specific rules. If your book does not meet these criteria, it may face rejection. Common issues include a cover that doesn't meet the required standards or a manuscript that fails to adhere to genre-specific guidelines. Always read the email from KDP to understand the specific reasons for rejection and address the issues accordingly.

Why Don’t Traditional Publishers Consider KDP-Published Books?

There are two primary reasons why traditional publishers may not consider books published via KDP:

Traditional Publishers Aim for Profit

Traditional publishers are primarily focused on making a profit. They are only willing to take on books that they believe will generate significant sales. Despite the growing success of independent authors, most KDP-published books fail to meet the sales benchmarks required by traditional publishers. If your book doesn't sell at least 10,000 copies in the first three months, traditional publishers are unlikely to show interest.

Mid-Six-Figure Authors Have Little Need for Traditions

Another factor is the financial success of indie authors. Many KDP authors have achieved mid-to-high six-figure earnings. These authors are already making substantial profits from their sales, which includes revenue from Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing and Amazon Kindle Unlimited. Offers from traditional publishers often represent a significant pay cut for these successful authors. For example, an indie author who makes around $70 on each sale and $30 on full Kindle Unlimited reads would see a cut to around $10–15 from traditional publishers. Indublisher authors often laugh at these offers, as they are already making more money through KDP.

Why ‘Can’t’ Isn’t the Issue

It is important to note that the phrase 'can’t' doesn't accurately capture the situation. The barriers to entry for traditional publishers are not insurmountable. Authors can still apply and pitch their books to publishers. However, the primary reasons most authors face rejection lie in the scope of their readership and the sales figures of their work.

Conclusion

Understanding the reasons behind the rejection of KDP-published books by traditional publishers can help authors make more informed decisions about their publishing journey. While KDP offers immediate publication and a direct connection to readers, traditional publishing remains an option for authors who wish to achieve broader recognition and potentially higher sales figures.

Related Resources

For more information on the differences between KDP and traditional publishing, check out our article KDP vs. Traditional Publishing: A Comprehensive Guide. Additionally, if you're interested in learning how to improve the quality of your book for traditional submission, refer to Improving the Quality of Your Book for Traditional Publishers.