My Amazon Kindle Author account for self-publishing books has been terminated. Forever. Even though I did nothing wrong, I can never publish my books via Amazon again. This was a stunning blow. I’m baffled and annoyed and upset. My books published through publishing houses are still available via Amazon, but not the ones I Indie Published. They took them down immediately upon coming to their decision. And all my reviews are lost as well. Sucks, but what are you going to do?
First they claimed that I ‘published content that is freely available on the web’, which I most definitely did not. I pleaded my case (I had to do it via email because they do not offer phone support for this situation), but they ‘investigated’ and determined my account could not be reinstated. But when they sent the final death knell email about terminating my account, they accused me of ‘using images to which I do not have the rights.’ Again, a false accusation. I asked them to be specific on what portions were free on the web and/or what images violated guidelines but they told me they replied with: ‘As per our policy, we reserve the right to disclose any type of information we consider sensitive data and we’re unable to elaborate further on specific details regarding our terms and conditions.’ Translation: We refuse to tell you what you did wrong, but you are done.
This has actually happened to many authors. Some who make their living from their Kindle sales. Once they decide to terminate you, it’s nearly impossible, if not definitely impossible, to get your account reinstated.
So…my question to authors…has this happened to you or anyone you know? Tell me your stories.
My question to readers (and authors because you are readers too :D) Where do you buy your eBooks? I know that Kindle pretty much has the monopoly on eBooks, but I just wondered if there are many of you out there who purchase your books from other vendors.
My books are available on all the other vendors…I’d love for you to check them out here: https://aliciadean.com/alicia-dean-books/
Thanks for your time…if you are an author, I pray this never happens to you. It’s hugely disappointing. (I won’t say devastating, because it’s only books, not life or death 😊)
Author Alicia Dean 
So sorry this has happened to you. The unfairness of it stings. For an author who works so hard to be treated this way can only make us question Amazon’s motives. Again, I’m sorry.
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I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. In my opinion, Amazon is ruining the book industry. They should be more concerned about detecting books written by AI and quality control for books that aren’t good enough quality to be up for sale. Going after legitimate authors with a track record in the traditional industry is just stupidity. Also, the way they treat books put out by small presses is horrid. No print book delivery on release day, lost preorders that disappear into space, separating the ebook from the print book in the system, plus all the issues with their algorithms putting books in inappropriate and misleading categories. I wish more readers and authors would use Kobo Plus instead. Kobo allows you to enter that program and still be up for sale at other vendors. Print books through Barnes & Noble and Indigo are also more reliably obtained on release day.
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Hey Ally,
I just read this. My mentor has a wide collection of thriller books and about a year ago she started publishing journals under a different pen name. Two weeks ago she got notified from Amazon that two of her journals were too similar and they shut her completely down. Not only did they shut her journal account down they shut down her book account that had nothing to do with the journals. I was so hurt when she told me because she is the one who encouraged me to get published. She encouraged me to submit to Wild Rose. She submitted several appeals and finally got in touch with a human. So far she hasn’t been reinstated, but talking to some other authors who’ve been banned, most have been able to appeal their case to where they got reinstated. Some have had to threaten litigation. So, I would suggest fighting the ban. I have a feeling Amazon is having a hard time with AI stuff and they are trying to counteract it, and this is the only way they’ve found to try to counteract the influx. De
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Hi Alicia, I am soooooo sorry this happened to you. This is an author’s nightmare and I worry about it every time I have a new book to upload. I am hearing about authors losing their accounts for spurious reasons more and more. In my opinion, it’s untrained AI bots who attack legitimate accounts. Have you seen the post on Kindlepreneur about some strategies to get your account back? https://kindlepreneur.com/amazon-account-suspension/
And, as a reader, I actually read mostly via public library apps like Libby or Hoopla.
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Ally, I’m so sorry to hear this. How awful and shocking. I hope you are able to get your account reinstated ASAP. It seems they are using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Sending you hugs. Please let me know if I can do anything to help.
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I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope there is something on Dave Chesson’s website that can help you.
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I can’t believe this happened! This is awful. I just don’t understand. You’ve been publishing with them for awhile, why now? I’m so sorry you’ve had to go throw this, and I’m sorry for other authors, as well. I pray that you can figure out how to fix this.
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they hate me too. Hope you get things fixed up and figure out
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Oh my goodness! WHAT is going on with Amazon?!? I hear horror stories all the time. UGH.
Thoughts and prayers with you and all authors who struggle with this.
PamT
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I prefer to buy nook books when I can. I like the way they organize and they automatically book series together and in order. Would it help if we all start searching your name on Amazon daily?
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This is every author’s nightmare and it’s happening to lots. I pray that you get it resolved somehow!
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I’m so sorry this happened. I’ve heard horror stories before, but this takes the cake.
I hope you can appeal and get your account reinstated, but if not, maybe you could add your books to an aggregator like Draft2Digital who could sell your books for you on Amazon. You won’t make as much in royalties since D2D takes 10% of each ebook sold (I think it’s 10%), but at least it would be one way to beat Amazon’s algorithms and get your self-pubbed books back on the site. I found a link that might be helpful: https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/is-an-aggregator-right-for-you/
I wish more readers bought from Kobo, B&N, and elsewhere. Unfortunately, Amazon has a monopoly that won’t be beat until millions of people, readers and non-readers alike, wise up and realize the company hurts more than it helps.
I wish you the best!
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I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’ve moved over as a reader to Kobo. Amazon treats us authors horribly. I also started my own direct sale site for this reason.
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