The Adventure So Far, Again – Part 2
- TH.Malcolm
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
Wherein I learn that “going wide” means going insane (but in a productive way).
Let’s talk about distribution. AKA: The labyrinth of publishing where you dodge gatekeepers, chase logins, and wrangle more platforms than a millipede on roller skates. Welcome to my world.
Building the Channels (aka Herding Digital Cats)
Here’s what I’ve learned about “going wide.” It sounds exciting, right? Open markets, more readers, more opportunity? In reality: it’s like trying to plan a family reunion where half the relatives speak in riddles and the other half ghost you.
Amazon
Refer to Blog 6 for the full saga, but here’s the short version: I asked if I could list my novella for free. Amazon said no. I asked why. They said no. I asked again—nicely, even. They said no again. I asked for a full explanation for my friends at the Alliance of Independent Authors. Silence. So, there it is. You can’t offer your own book for free unless theydecide it’s okay. Bless their hearts.
Apple Books
Oh, Apple. You shiny, locked-down, robotic fruit. I tried to register using my LLC, complete with all the bells and whistles—EIN, D-U-N-S number, digital paperwork at the ready. And what did I get? Declined. No explanation. No customer support. No appeal process. Apparently, Apple doesn’t want you unless you’re already nestled comfortably inside their walled garden. Good luck climbing over.
I don’t want to use my personal Apple ID because… well… I’m publishing books under my company. It’s tiny, sure, but it’s a legitimate business. Even our friends at the IRS agree. Just not Apple, apparently.
IngramSpark
I set up shop here as a safety net—for getting my print books into the hands of readers who don’t shop my website or the usual big-name platforms. Will any librarians or indie bookstore owners take a chance on a gritty Southern noir author with a few quirks? Maybe.
But at least the door is open. IngramSpark does what it’s supposed to (with a few formatting gymnastics and the occasional eye twitch). One oddity? Their all-or-nothing distribution model. You either let them toss your book to the winds—or you don’t. No fine-tuning. No “pick this but not that.” Gotta love a good old-fashioned shrug emoji in business policy.
BookFunnel
Initially, I used BookFunnel to give away Snake Pond. Crickets. I’ll admit it didn’t go anywhere. Now? I use it to distribute digital versions of my books from my website—watermarked, secure, and easy for readers to load into any device. Their customer support is stellar. That’s a win in my book. Pun totally intended.
The Socials
X/Twitter
Technically easy. Emotionally exhausting. Everyone’s shouting about politics and conspiracy theories. I just want to talk about crime fiction and old ghosts. I post, I log off, I preserve my sanity.
Still on the to-do list. I want to make boards for each of my stories—character inspiration, setting visuals, vintage crime references, and so on. I just haven’t done it yet. The desire is there, but time is a liar.
This one works for me. I like making visuals. I’ve learned about hashtags. I get to play with design and share story snippets without feeling like I’m being screamed at. For a private introvert? That’s a win.
Dipping Toes into Marketing
This is new territory for me, so here’s where things stand:
Goodreads
I claimed my author profile and my books. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got to say about Goodreads right now.
BookBub
Ran one campaign. Learned a lot. Didn’t see huge results, but it was a solid first try. I’ll revisit BookBub ads down the road with Charlie’s help—he's great at spotting what’s worth the spend.
Bargain Booksy
This is part of Written Word Media, and I have nothing but good things to say about them. Real humans. Real answers. Great support. I’ll definitely be working with them again. They’ve got other tools too, and I plan to explore all of them.
The Plan Going Forward
Here’s the deal: I never planned to rely on Amazon or IngramSpark forever. I’m not anti-business—I am a business—but I don’t appreciate being treated like a disposable cog. I went in knowing the megas would be a means to an end, not the goal.
So, I’m building my own path. Direct sales. Human readers. Books I control. And yeah, it’s harder. But it’s mine.
I don’t know if authors can begin without Amazon. I have my doubts. But I do believe we can grow beyond it, and that’s what I’m working toward—phasing out the middlemen and connecting directly with readers who actually give a damn.
That’s the mission: to find my tribe. Folks who love true crime and small-town noir. Readers who admire fearless women and crave that punch-in-the-gut moment that only a good mystery can deliver. People who want story over flash. Who value grit over gloss.That’s who I write for.
And Charlie? He’s running the numbers, suggesting the strategies, and helping me market like a grown-up. Which means I might actually get to go back to what I love most—writing books that raise a little hell.
Let’s swap stories—ping me on Instagram and tell me how your own publishing adventure is going.