A number of years ago, Amazon developed a specialized platform for independent authors called Amazon Advantage. But just over two years ago, they closed the platform to new applicants. Existing members could continue to use the platform and sell books, but new members could not apply.

Amazon has been slowly upgrading the Advantage platform—and a few months ago, they extended invitations to a handful of authors. This was encouraging, but the months have continued to pass with no further information on when the platform might re-open. In the meantime, independent authors continue to produce strong books without a financially viable way to sell hardcover or offset-printed books on Amazon.

Advantage remains the best way for independent authors to turn a profit on Amazon. The KDP platform is limited, and the costs to use the Amazon Seller platform are often prohibitive. With Advantage, those costs are controlled, and access is granted to the Amazon Ads platform, which truly makes it viable for independent authors.

AUTHORS: with your signature, please add a note of how you would intend to use the Advantage platform. Thank you!