You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave -- removing books

[Anne Frasier]

I've been trying to remove a title from my DTP page, and it seems impossible.  I found clear instructions, but they can't be implemented. (Uncheck a box that can't be unchecked.)    Searches reveal that many people are having the same problem.

[Jack Kilborn]

First you have to take it off "Live" by changing something (like the product description) and saving it. Once it's in "ready" mode, click the garbage can.

[Anne Frasier]

First you have to take it off "Live" by changing something (like the product description) and saving it. Once it's in "ready" mode, click the garbage can.

I did that, but didn't notice the garbage can at that stage, so I pushed republish instead.  So now I have no access to publish area and am waiting for approval of blank document.  Weird thing is that original is still available on Amazon. 

[William Woodall]

I think if anyone has ever bought a copy of a Kindle book, then you're not allowed to completely remove it from the Amazon site, just in case that person should ever need to re-download the title.  You can make it so the book is not for sale anymore, but it will still be there and it will still show up on searches.  It will just say not available, I think.

[Anne Frasier]

I think if anyone has ever bought a copy of a Kindle book, then you're not allowed to completely remove it from the Amazon site, just in case that person should ever need to re-download the title.  You can make it so the book is not for sale anymore, but it will still be there and it will still show up on searches.  It will just say not available, I think.

Ah, that makes sense.  But ugh.  That is bordering on unacceptable from a writer's standpoint.  Information like that should be clearly stated on DTP upload page. If I'd had that information, I  most likely wouldn't have used Amazon.   So far not at all impressed with Kindle.  If I were to rank sales sites for authors, it would be like this:

Smashwords
E-Junkie 
Scribd
Kindle

At this point, Kindle shouldn't even be on list.  I feel it is more for readers than authors.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it doesn't really suit my needs in any user-friendly way.  Every time I turn around it's another obstacle.  I like to have control of my material, and if I can't control it, I don't want it being offered through Kindle.  What's the point? 
Right now I've sold the most copies through E-Junkie, but I'm guessing that over time the Kindle sales will be the highest.  I'm sure that's why everybody puts up with it. *sigh* 

[MariaESchneider]

Actually I think that info is pretty clear if you read the licensing agreement and the way kindle download stores and works.  It's true of smashwords as well--they will pull an active title, but allow people who purchased to continue to have access.  They try to make it more like buying a real book--you can pull a product from the shelves, but not from the readers who already bought the DTB!

[Anne Frasier]

Actually I think that info is pretty clear if you read the licensing agreement and the way kindle download stores and works.  It's true of smashwords as well--they will pull an active title, but allow people who purchased to continue to have access.  They try to make it more like buying a real book--you can pull a product from the shelves, but not from the readers who already bought the DTB!

that makes perfect sense, but I don't even see a way to make a book unavailable for purchase.  I'm guessing I might receive that info once my blank document goes through the approval/rejection process. 

[MariaESchneider]

I think you're right--you'll have to wait for it to come back from the "publish now" part.  I remember the garbage can -- I used it when I was experimenting with putting something up.  Starting over was easier in that case.

Good luck!

[Anne Frasier]

heh:

Dear Publisher,

During our quality review we found that you have uploaded a title labeled

blah by blah blah (AUTHOR)

Can you please re-publish the book with the actual author name. Pending your re-submission, we will not be publishing your book.

Thank you,

Amazon.com

[Anne Frasier]

A trashcan never appears, so it looks like there's no way to make a previously offered book unavailable.

[Chris J]

Gone are the days when there was no problem that high explosives wouldn't take care of.

[Edward C. Patterson]

Try changing your browser to FireFox and then delete your title. Some versions of Explorer have non-functioning buttons in DTP. For example, when I launch a book, I can do everything but upload it. I need to change to Firefox to do that.

Ed atterson

[sierra09]

Gone are the days when there was no problem that high explosives wouldn't take care of.

Not really. I've yet to find something that a couple pounds of C-4 and a detenator wouldn't....oh, you were probably talking hypothetically. Shutting up now. 

However, on topic. Anne, I've found the same problem and never have figured out a way around it. May try Ed's suggestion though while I'm computer savvy in some areas, knowing how to change browsers isn't one of them.

[Anne Frasier]

Gone are the days when there was no problem that high explosives wouldn't take care of.

High explosives and chocolate. 

[Anne Frasier]

Try changing your browser to FireFox and then delete your title. Some versions of Explorer have non-functioning buttons in DTP. For example, when I launch a book, I can do everything but upload it. I need to change to Firefox to do that.

Ed atterson

I tried it in both Safari and Firefox.  (I don't use IE.)  Same results.  The box won't uncheck.   I'm guessing it's something Amazon has implemented to keep people from removing titles that have been purchased.

[Anne Frasier]

Not really. I've yet to find something that a couple pounds of C-4 and a detenator wouldn't....oh, you were probably talking hypothetically. Shutting up now. 

However, on topic. Anne, I've found the same problem and never have figured out a way around it. May try Ed's suggestion though while I'm computer savvy in some areas, knowing how to change browsers isn't one of them.

Received this today:
am working on unpublishing (removing) your kindle book "Zodiacron" from our website, I'll reply back with more information shortly. If you still have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at dtp-feedback@amazon.com.

Now the odd thing is that I've never written a book called Zodiacron.      I hope they don't delete the wrong title.