“I would read your book, but I don’t support Amazon.”

"If you don’t use Amazon, where do you actually look for books?"

What followed surprised me. The discussion reached 20,000+ readers and generated 100+ thoughtful replies. There was disagreement, nuance, contradiction, and—most importantly—clarity.

First: This Is Not a Culture War

Let me be clear upfront: I’m not interested in “Amazon good vs Amazon evil” debates. I don’t believe readers are morally obligated to buy anywhere, and I don’t believe authors should be shamed for how they make their work available.

What Readers Actually Use (Spoiler: It’s Not One Thing)

One of the strongest takeaways was this:

Most readers don’t use a single platform. They use ecosystems.

From the responses, clear patterns emerged:

🔹 Bookshop.org

The most frequently named alternative for new books. Readers love that it supports independent bookstores while still offering online ordering.

🔹 Libraries (Libby / Hoopla / OverDrive)

Far more dominant than I expected. Many readers rarely buy books at all—they borrow digitally. Libraries aren’t “dying”; they’ve just gone digital.

🔹 Kobo

The leading Amazon alternative for ebooks. Especially popular with sci-fi readers who own Kobo devices or dislike Kindle’s ecosystem.

🔹 Used-Book Platforms

ThriftBooks, World of Books, Better World Books, eBay. A significant group of readers buy only used books.

🔹 Google Play Books & Apple Books

Often overlooked by authors, but clearly in use.

🔹 Niche Indie Platforms

itch.io, DriveThruFiction, StoryBundle—smaller audiences, but highly aligned with indie sci-fi readers.

Not All “Non-Amazon” Readers Are the Same

Another important insight: avoiding Amazon means very different things to different people.

Some readers are:

• Library-first readers (borrow digitally, buy rarely)

• Used-book readers (sustainability + cost)

• Indie-support readers (Bookshop.org, local stores)

• E-reader loyalists (Kobo, Google Play, Apple)

• Pragmatists (avoid Amazon when possible, but won’t punish an author)

Many explicitly said:

“I don’t use Amazon—but if a book is only available there, I’ll still buy it.”

That matters. Avoiding Amazon does not mean avoiding authors.

My Publishing Choice (Transparency Edition)

Since I asked readers to be honest, I owe the same in return.

Here’s my current approach:

📌 Launch Phase

This was an experiment—not a belief system.

📌 What Happens Next

After the KU period ends, I plan to:

• Expand to Kobo

• Explore wide distribution

• Look into library availability

• Consider indie-friendly platforms readers actually mentioned

For many international self-published authors, Amazon isn’t a preference; it's infrastructure.

It offers:

• Global storefronts

• Simple onboarding

• Tax handling

• Worldwide delivery

• Reader familiarity

Using Amazon is often about access, not endorsement. That doesn’t mean it’s the only path—but it explains why so many of us start there.

What I’m Taking Away From This

This conversation changed how I think about distribution. Not because Amazon is “bad” or the  alternatives are “better.”

But because readers are far more diverse than platform debates suggest.

If there’s one lesson here, it’s this:

Choice matters. Availability matters. Listening matters.

Thank You

The $0.99 Deal That... Wasn’t Quite

When I first set up a Kindle Deal for The Order of the Sacred Vow, I was genuinely excited. I’d timed it for June 1–8, eager to give readers a full week to discover Portia’s story at just $0.99. It felt like a generous re-introduction of the novella’s new edition. But here’s what happened—and what I’ve learned.

By the end of the deal, the price had crept back up close to its original. Some readers missed the offer entirely. And that’s on me.

And if you’re an indie author navigating the wild west of Amazon marketing? Learn from me: read the fine print, monitor your deal daily, and keep your readers in the loop.

Thank you for your patience—and for continuing to dream with me in the world of Amorphya.

—Jasmine 💚

The city of Amorphya is many things: sacred, decaying, and built on truths no one dares to question. Until now.

I'm beyond thrilled to announce the official release of the Second Edition of The Order of the Sacred Vow, the first book in my speculative fantasy series, The Lost Dreams of Amorphya.

This edition is not just a reprint—it’s a facelift, a philosophical sharpening, and a tonal recalibration. It's the book I always meant to release. And it's finally here.

📘 Get the Book: Now available on Kindle and Paperback 📘

What's it about?

At its core, The Order of the Sacred Vow is about faith, obedience, and the moment those things begin to fracture.

We follow Portia Cormack, an elite enforcer of a religious regime known as the Order. Trained to uphold righteousness and eradicate heresy, she begins the book with absolute loyalty. But war, memory, and a strange event involving a forbidden Dream begin to peel back the veil.

This is not a rebellion story. This is the story of a crack. A question. A first fracture in the armor of belief.

Amorphya is a world teetering between scripture and science, where dreams are worshipped, but no one truly understands where they come from.

Why a Second Edition?

Because Portia deserved more. Because Amorphya deserved more.

This version includes:

• Deeper character psychology (especially Portia’s indoctrination and first real doubt)
• More layered worldbuilding—history, factions, myths
• Sharper prose and tightened pacing
• Stronger thematic resonance with the series to come

The World Expands

This book is just the beginning.

The Lost Dreams of Amorphya will unfold across seven interwoven volumes, exploring memory, myth, control, and what it means to believe in a world built on manipulation.

If you love slow-burn philosophical fantasy, morally grey institutions, and protagonists who unravel rather than rebel—you’re exactly who I wrote this for.

🔥 CONTEST: #DrawAmorphya

Do you see the city differently? Good.

Artists and dreamers—submit your version of Amorphya for a chance to name a future character and receive the full series in ebook form.

Full contest details in the back of the book.

Thank you for being here at the start of this journey. Portia’s story begins in obedience.

It won’t end that way.

— Jasmine P. Antwoine

Recently, as I dusted off my social media presence in anticipation of releasing my Galatean Saga, I started re-engaging with author groups and communities I used to be a part of. After several years of focusing solely on writing rather than networking, I was eager to reconnect with fellow authors, share experiences, and navigate the ever-evolving world of book marketing. However, what I found left me deeply concerned.

A new breed of so-called "marketing gurus" has flooded the space, preying on hopeful authors with big dreams and little experience in book promotion. These self-appointed "experts" promise to transform your book into an international bestseller overnight. They claim to have the "secrets" of Amazon algorithms, the "strategies" for viral social media campaigns, and the "connections" to turn unknown authors into household names. Yet, when you scratch beneath the surface, their own followings are minuscule (often 50-100 followers), their engagement is almost nonexistent, and their credentials amount to little more than empty buzzwords.

And yet—they're everywhere. In the past week alone, I’ve been messaged by at least ten of them, all promising me the moon and stars for a hefty price. Their aggressive sales tactics target indie authors, self-publishers, and aspiring writers desperate to get their books noticed in an oversaturated market. Sadly, they wouldn’t be thriving if there weren’t victims—authors who, in good faith, invest in their empty promises, only to be left with nothing but a lighter wallet and disappointment.

The Red Flags of a Scammy "Marketing Expert"

If you’re an author navigating book promotion, here are a few red flags to watch out for:

1. Zero Proven Track Record – They claim to know how to make your book a bestseller, but they’ve never successfully done it for themselves or anyone else. Ask for case studies, testimonials from real authors, or concrete evidence of past successes. Most of these "gurus" can’t provide them.

2. Vague or Exaggerated Claims – "I will make you an Amazon #1 Bestseller in 24 hours!" or "I have a network of influencers ready to promote your book!" If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Book marketing is a marathon, not a sprint.

3. No Engagement, No Audience – Look at their own social media presence. If they can’t successfully market themselves, how will they market you?

4. High Fees with No Clear Deliverables – Some charge exorbitant fees for things like "social media management" or "Amazon optimization" but never explain what that actually entails.

5. Pressure Tactics – "You need to act now to get this limited-time deal!" No legitimate marketing professional will rush you into a financial decision.

What Real Book Marketing Looks Like

Book marketing is complex, and while hiring experts can be beneficial, there are real professionals out there who rely on transparent strategies, data, and experience. Instead of throwing money at the first person who promises success, consider:

• Reputable Book Promotion Services – Sites like BookBub, NetGalley, and Kindle Unlimited promotions are legitimate ways to gain visibility.

• Organic Platform Building – Genuine engagement with your audience through social media, blogging, or email newsletters is invaluable.

• Networking with Real Authors – Join communities where successful authors share their strategies and recommendations.

• DIY Marketing Education – There are great resources available for free or at reasonable prices. Books like Let’s Get Digital by David Gaughran offer real, actionable advice.

Final Thoughts

Writing a book is hard. Marketing it is even harder. But the worst thing an author can do is waste time, energy, and money on predatory "gurus" who exploit the challenges of book promotion. If you’re an indie author, remember—no one cares about your book as much as you do. Arm yourself with knowledge, seek out reputable advice, and most importantly, trust your instincts. If someone slides into your DMs promising overnight success, tell them thanks—but no thanks.

Have you encountered these self-proclaimed marketing experts? Share your experience in the comments!