POD (print on demand) path to publication, the main question they usually have is whether they should go with Amazon or Ingram for POD services.
Amazon actually uses Ingram itself. You know that "Extended Distribution" service Amazon offers through its CreateSpace POD program? You know, the one on their distribution page that offers to make your book available to bookstores and libraries? You guessed it . . . that extended distribution is with Ingram. So if Amazon has to ultimately resort to using Ingram, why wouldn't you use them in the first place . . . instead of pay Amazon to use them?
I don't care what anyone tells you, book stores are not sitting around waiting to order your book from Amazon . . . their biggest competitor. That's like asking Burger King to start selling the Big Mac.
Amazon is the reason many book stores (both independent and major chains) are closing its doors. So do you really think they are going to help Amazon keep their lights on when all of theirs are being shut off?
The discount offered to retailers through Amazon's Extended Distribution is below industry standard and non-returnable. As a result, stores are not interested in making purchases from Amazon. Not making your book returnable simply makes your book invisible to retailers. If a store can't return a book that doesn't sell, then they don't even want to shelve it.
So, did you go with Amazon instead of Ingram? No worries. It's an easy fix. Per an article that landed in Path To Publishing's inbox, do what another CreateSpace author did: She signed up for IngramSpark AND kept CS for Amazon. She unchecked the Extended Distribution option and contacted CreateSpace and requested that they remove the book from their IngramSpark account. Then she used the transfer form.
If you want to learn all of your options available when it comes to publishing your book, then join the other 200 authors who will be learning it this September in Las Vegas, Nevada at the "Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business" 2018 Conference. Visit https://www.pathtopublishing.com/copy-of-conferences-events to learn more and to register.