Today, I want to talk a bit about how the publishing world works behind the curtain, and why I’m making a major shift in how I get my books into your hands. Namely, D2C — Direct to Consumer.
Starting in early 2027, my primary storefront won’t be Amazon. It will be my own online shop.
Here’s why I’m making the move, and what it means for you.
The 30-Million-Book Haystack
When independent publishing first took off some 15 years ago, giant online retailers were a great way for small-press authors to find readers.
But times have changed. Today, there are over 30 million titles listed on Amazon, with roughly 10,000 new books uploaded every single day.
Unless an author spends thousands of dollars on pay-per-click advertising, a book is essentially invisible in that massive digital ocean. To get any organic recommendation push from Amazon’s algorithm, a book has to sell dozens of copies every single day, indefinitely. For an independent author who spends his time writing rather than running full-time ad campaigns, the marketplace has become a black box.
Connecting directly with readers
The biggest issue with big-box platforms is that they keep readers at arm’s length. When you buy a book on Amazon, Amazon considers you their customer, not mine.
I don’t get to say thank you.
I don’t get to offer you special reader discounts.
And I can’t let you know directly when the next book in a series comes out unless you happen to sign up for my newsletter separately.
I want a direct line to the people who actually read and enjoy my work.
Keeping things simple and sustainable
As an independent author-publisher, keeping my catalog organized and straightforward matters.
Managing titles across massive corporate ecosystems with ever-changing rules and administrative hurdles isn’t how I want to spend my time.
Building my own storefront allows me to control my work, keep my legacy intact, and ensure my catalog remains easily accessible on my terms.
Plus, selling direct means more of every dollar goes directly to supporting the work—allowing me to keep writing the mysteries, cosmic horror, and stories you enjoy.
What this means for you
I want to make sure buying directly from me is as easy as—or better than—buying from a corporate giant:
- Seamless Digital Reading: I’ll be using BookFunnel to deliver ebooks. Whether you read on a Kindle, Kobo, Nook, iPad, or phone, BookFunnel delivers the file directly to your device with a couple of clicks—and their support team, which is second to none, helps you if you ever get stuck.
- Paperbacks Direct to Your Door: Physical books will be printed and shipped directly via Lulu using Lulu’s new Direct Buy Button, ensuring high-quality paperbacks delivered straight to your mailbox. The Direct Buy Button essentially turns wherever it is into a store to make buying paperbacks as easy as eating pie.
- Early Access & Exclusive Deals: Direct buyers will get first dibs on new releases, exclusive series bundles, and special discounts that I simply can’t offer on third-party sites.
What’s coming next
I’m rolling this out in stages:
- October 1st: The Color That Fell From Space hits general retail as a convenience drop for non-Kickstarter readers.
- Halloween (October 31st): Tales Macabre and Arabesque drops for Halloween. A collection of bizarre, weird, and strange stories—just right for Halloween.
- November: The Kickstarter for Pavane for a Dead Pianist (Justinia Wright #9) goes live for early access.
- January 2027: The official launch of my direct web store!
Thank you for being part of this journey, for reading the books, and for supporting independent storytelling. I’m excited to build a home for my books where we can connect directly.
So stay tuned. Good things are coming. And as always, happy reading.
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