Battling the Kindle Create Beast: A Writer’s Journey with Reunion: ‘Coda’

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The cover of the hardcover edition. © 2025 Alex Diaz-Granados

 For many authors, Kindle Direct Publishing is a godsend—offering an accessible way to bring stories to life for readers around the world. However, as convenient as it may be, the road to publication often feels like a rollercoaster ride of triumphs and challenges. As I prepared Reunion: Coda for its print and e-book editions, I discovered that even the most user-friendly publishing platforms come with their quirks.

One of the biggest hurdles? Kindle Create. While it’s a fantastic tool in theory, the reality is often enervating. Subheading formatting seems to have a mind of its own—refusing to preserve capitalization and undoing corrections even after files have been saved. For instance, when I typed "Fayerweather Hall 301M," Kindle Create repeatedly rendered it as "Fayerweather Hall 301m." Fixing these glitches took multiple attempts, testing my patience and resilience in equal measure.

Then there’s the matter of covers. To my horror, the paperback edition of Reunion: Coda went live on Amazon with a front cover devoid of its title and byline—a glaring oversight born of excitement and exhaustion. I’ll be correcting this soon, but let’s just say the process has been a learning experience I won't soon forget.

Another challenge has been pricing the print editions. Printing and distributing physical books is costly, and original prices would have left me with a mere $1.37 in royalties per copy sold. To ensure fairness for both readers and myself, I adjusted the prices:

·         Hardcover Edition: $30.00

·         Paperback Edition: $26.00

·         Kindle Edition: $5.99

Now for some good news: The print editions of Reunion: Coda will soon be finally available on Amazon in paperback and hardcover! Although the Kindle edition’s updates may take hold by Wednesday, I’m thrilled that readers can order the print editions and continue Jim Garraty’s story, perhaps as early as tomorrow.

This morning, I uploaded a revised version of the manuscript to KDP for every version of the first edition of Reunion: Coda. Additionally, I have created a second edition in all three KDP formats, with new cover art that includes the title and byline. The second edition should be “live” by tomorrow morning. Whether you’re a fan of Reunion: A Story or new to this heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and memory, I hope Reunion: Coda resonates with you.

If you’ve navigated the ups and downs of self-publishing, you’ll understand the joy and frustration I’ve experienced in bringing this novel to life. And if you’re in the process of publishing your own work, remember: the journey might be maddening at times, but it’s always worth it.

 

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