Had a very interesting discussion with Amazon today

I had a very interesting discussion with someone from Amazon today. I told them about my fears, why I left KU, what happened to MSE, and that I would love to come back to the KU program. However I think I'm entitled to a warning if there's something wrong so that I can fix it, rather than just end up completely banned. I've been with Amazon for seven years now, and I've worked hard to get where I am and have never abused any of their programs  Nor would I, it's just not worth it.

They agreed with my sentiments and said that they would take my case up with the business unit and see if my fears, and the fears of a lot of other folks, could be addressed. If I get a positive response to this, I will definitely go back into KU.

I just don't know how long it will be until I hear something however. It took them two months to get to the awareness of this problem, so I have no idea how long it will take them to address it.

Going 'wide' and writing Amazon

First off I'd like to thank all of you for your support.

Now that I'm no longer exclusive to Amazon by being in the KU program, I'm free to put my books up on other booksellers. I just started putting them up on Barnes & Noble (B&N), and will be putting them on Kobo soon as well. Apple (iTunes or whatever they call it for ebooks) and Smashwords will probably follow.

It will take a few days, I have a lot of stuff to move over.

As far as contacting Amazon, I would suggest jeff@amazon.com. BE POLITE!! Ask for them to restore Michael-Scott Earle, or at least to provide evidence. Ask the to consider if perhaps this was  a third party seeking to remove competitors? Let them know that other authors are leaving KU out of fear, because of Amazon's draconian actions (no warnings, no removal from KU, just a total ban).

I don't know Cipriano, so I can't speak about him (though I honestly doubt he was gaming the system) though I do know MSE, and I know he wasn't doing anything illegal or wrong. He had no reason to, when you consider how many fans he has. I may someday return to KU, IF they stop acting like complete idiots. It's incredibly sad that after years of working with Amazon, that they would engage in this kind of treatment to people who have toiled long and hard and made them a fair deal of money.

Again, thank you all.

Leaving KU ASAP. Sorry, but Amazon is being a dick.

Effective immediately I am pulling all of my books out of Kindle Unlimited (KU). Apparently someone at Amazon is engaging in a witch hunt and is shutting down authors, completely destroying their livelihoods.

I'm not talking about small time authors either, I'm talking about the name authors in the genre in which I write. I realize that I will probably be next, and I can not afford to lose my income, that it is far better for me just to take a hit from no longer being in the KU program.

If you are an author, I would highly recommend you drop out of KU as well. Remember, Amazon can not be questioned or appealed to. You can sue them, that's about it.

Now, some of my books will still be in KU for the next few months, because it's a 90 day sign up. I will be contacting them tomorrow to see if I can get everything pulled immediately. Financially, I just can not take this risk.

EDIT: Just to be clear, I'll still be selling on Amazon, I just won't be in their subscription program (KU) anymore

I have a mailing list

A number of you (a shockingly large number actually) have been telling me that you don't know when the new book comes out until a week or so after the fact. That Amazon is slow to update you on my releases.

Well, I do have a mailing list, and it only gets updates on when Stryvant books or Van Stry books are released (I really don't want to spam anybody). I admit that sometimes I'm a day or two late on the mail, but it does go out.

So, if you want to be sure you get up to the minute updates on my releases, please sign up for my mailing list. I promise that I'll never turn it over to anyone. Actually, I don't even have a copy of it, it's all on mailchimp, the people who provide my mailing services (I probably should back that up one of these days), and they're not allowed to share it with anyone.

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It's live now, so here's a prettier link

Here's a prettier link:


Paperback should be available soon.

It's not live yet, but here's the link...

I have the link for the book now, but as of 1am PDT it's not working. I suspect that'll change soon, usually the link goes live pretty quickly after they give it to me.

Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FKVCWGV

In the hands of Amazon

I submitted it at 8pm PDT. Hopefully it will go live at midnight.

For those who are looking for a cast of characters list for the series, I started on one. Currently it can be found here: Jan Stryvant home page Link
Look in the menu list on the left side for the link.

Shadow will be put out in Audiobook format

I've just entered into an agreement with Podium Press to release 'Shadow' as an audiobook. When a voice artist and a release date has been identified, I will be sure to let everyone know.

Secret Treaties will go up for sale on the 13th

But due to changes in the way Amazon handles Pre-orders it will NOT be available for pre-order. Used to be you could set it up and didn't have to have the final manuscript in until 48 hours before release.
Well, I guess too many people were abusing that, because now you have to have it in 108 hours (4.5 days). I was going to set it up tonight, and then drop the cleaned up version from my editor in on Wednesday with all the typo fixes and such. Like I used to. But, you can't do that anymore.

So sorry about the lack of pre-orders.

First draft for #9 is done

The first draft for Secret Treaties is now complete. I'll start the rewrite tonight, and hopefully by tomorrow or Monday it will go off to my editor. Expect to see it up for Pre-Order by Monday.

Cover for #9 is done

The cover for #9 is done. I'm aiming for a 7/13 release date, hopefully pre-orders will open up on Monday.