I often get asked about why I sell my books on Amazon. It’s fair to question, and I want to be honest with you about why I made this choice.
My main goal is to make my music (compositions, arrangements, and exercises) available to everyone. To do that, I need to spend my time writing and teaching—not managing a warehouse.
At first I offered PDF copies by e-mail. However, some readers wanted hard copies. Here’s my journey in self-publishing.
1. The “DIY” Challenge
I tried to do everything myself in the past.
I cycled to a Staples, a local print shop, to print the pages and get them bound. Then I walked to the post office to mail them. There was a lot of back-and-forth to get the books properly printed and bound. It was time-consuming.
More importantly, it was too expensive. To print just one 100-page book, it cost more than $20—before I even added the book covers (in color and heavier paper), the binding (spiral or staples), sales tax, and postage.
The local library charges 20 cents per black & white page. I don’t have my own printer. So I looked for another way.
2. Local Printers
I asked a local businessman to refer me to a professional local printer. To make it affordable to sell, I’d have to order hundreds of books at once. This means paying upfront and storing the unsold books in my home. I neither have the space nor the stamina to pack and ship them all by myself.
These books are a great gift for your kids and grandkids.
3. The Amazon Trade-Off
When I offered my books only as digital files (PDFs), many readers expressed a preference for physical, printed book. However, when I tried to print them in small batches, some still preferred to order through Amazon for easier shipping and better service.
Using Amazon’s “Print-on-Demand” service is my solution. They only print a copy of the book when a customer buys it. I do not need to store hundreds of books, and you get a professionally printed book sent to your home. It is not a perfect system, but it is the best way for me to get my music into your hands while keeping my focus on teaching.
Through Amazon, I also offer all my books on Kindle. While I personally have no experience of Kindle, I notice that it’s a great option for those with Kindle Unlimited and the flexibility to take my books on the road.
How You Can Help
I respect your personal choices. If you prefer not to use Amazon, I am always happy to provide the PDF version of my work. I sell the PDF copies at US$30. Please order through this FORM.
Also, if you want a physical copy but do not want to buy from Amazon, you can ask your local library to buy my books. This is a great way to read my work without having to purchase it from a retailer you would rather avoid.
Thank you for your support and for continuing to learn with me!
