Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Transition from BookSurge to CreateSpace

• What's new at BookSurge?
• How do BookSurge authors benefit from this transition?
• How do BookSurge publishers benefit from this transition?
• Can you explain the relationship between BookSurge and CreateSpace?
• Do BookSurge and CreateSpace use the same printing facilities? Will I see any change in my books?
• Can I stay with BookSurge?
• What if my book lists BookSurge as the publisher?
• Will I see any changes with my BookSurge titles, sales, or royalties?
• How would I know if my BookSurge royalty terms or the CreateSpace Pro Plan royalty terms are more beneficial?
• What exactly is CreateSpace Pro Plan?
• Will I still receive volume discounts when I order copies of my own book?
• What is a CreateSpace eStore?
• How do I enable my book for eStore sales?
• Will my customer service and other support representatives change?
• Will CreateSpace offer phone support?
• I’ve reviewed all of this information and still have questions. Where should I go to get help?

What's new at BookSurge?

BookSurge and CreateSpace are uniting under the CreateSpace brand and platform to offer an expanded catalog of services, from free online tools to paid professional publishing services. In the coming months, we'll transition your account to CreateSpace, where you will have access to more flexible royalty and list price options, lower wholesale print prices on most book orders through Pro Plan, more streamlined and user-friendly services, access to a community of fellow authors and industry professionals, and free online tools, such as Cover Creator and Preview.

You'll still have access to the same full array of services, top-notch printing facilities, and personal customer care you're accustomed to with BookSurge. If you have a title in process with BookSurge, it will remain on BookSurge until it's complete and will be fulfilled by the same publishing consultant and account manager.

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How do BookSurge authors benefit from this transition?

In addition to the same personal care, professional publishing services, and top-notch print quality you receive today from the BookSurge team, you will also receive these new benefits and options through CreateSpace:

• Get more flexibility in setting royalties and list prices
• Publish new books without setup fees, using the do-it-yourself option for print-ready PDF files or continue to take advantage of the same wide array of professional fee-based publishing services you’re accustomed to through BookSurge
• Receive better wholesale book prices  for most book orders
• Gather feedback on works with our free Preview tool
• Create eye-catching book covers online using the free Cover Creator
• Network with thousands of other authors and industry professionals in our free online CreateSpace Community
• Publish video and audio in multiple formats: DVDs, CDs, video downloads, and MP3s

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How do BookSurge publishers benefit from this transition?

Through the CreateSpace platform, publishers are enjoying enhanced features, services and functionality:

• Stay up to speed on titles’ performance with enhanced reporting functionality that allows publishers to schedule daily, weekly or monthly royalty reports
• Order copies of  titles and easily track the progress of orders
• Manage entire content portfolios  through one easy-to-use web interface
• Access our Preview Gallery where you can share content and gather feedback directly from other CreateSpace members
• Receive real-time alerts and updates on orders and account-related information through a personal Message Center
• Create eye-catching book covers online using the  free Cover Creator

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Can you explain the relationship between BookSurge and CreateSpace?

BookSurge and CreateSpace are part of one company, On-Demand Publishing LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. Historically, the companies have operated as two distinct brands, often collaborating to offer independent authors, musicians, and filmmakers the best range of self-publishing services and tools available, and now we are uniting under the CreateSpace brand.

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Do BookSurge and CreateSpace use the same printing facilities? Will I see any change in my books?

BookSurge and CreateSpace are both part of On-Demand Publishing LLC, which is a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc.  Prior to the transition, both BookSurge and CreateSpace shared manufacturing operations. You will still enjoy the same high production quality to which you are accustomed with BookSurge.

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Can I stay with BookSurge?

We are transitioning all accounts to the CreateSpace platform over the next several months, after which the BookSurge brand will be retired. Please be assured that on the CreateSpace platform, you will still be working with the same team and receive the same high level of service you’re accustomed to with BookSurge.

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What if my book lists BookSurge as the publisher?

All self-published BookSurge titles will maintain their listings with the BookSurge imprint. New self-published books using a free CreateSpace ISBN will be listed with the CreateSpace imprint. As always, you are welcome to provide your own ISBN and use your own imprint.

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Will I see any changes with my BookSurge titles, sales, or royalties?

Your BookSurge titles won't experience any changes in availability on Amazon.com, plus, you'll have the ability to sell your books through a customizable CreateSpace eStore. You will receive the most beneficial royalty terms available— either through your previous BookSurge terms or CreateSpace Pro Plan terms—whichever is best for you. In some cases, you may receive a better royalty through CreateSpace, since we're offering complimentary Pro Plan enrollment for titles transitioned from BookSurge.

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How would I know if my BookSurge royalty terms or the CreateSpace Pro Plan royalty terms are more beneficial?

To determine whether your book’s royalty will fall under your previous BookSurge terms or the CreateSpace Pro Plan terms, check out the Pricing & Royalties information on the CreateSpace website.  There, you'll find specific information on how the royalties are calculated through Pro Plan, including a royalty calculator.

If the royalty amount you calculate through Pro Plan based on your book’s specifications and list price is higher than the amount you currently earn on each online retail sale through BookSurge, your royalty for your transitioning title will be based on Pro Plan terms. If the royalty you see listed under CreateSpace Pro Plan is lower than the royalty amount you receive for online retail sales through BookSurge, your book will continue to receive the BookSurge royalty terms.

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What exactly is CreateSpace Pro Plan?

Pro Plan is a publishing plan that provides reduced book manufacturing fees for CreateSpace members.  While CreateSpace members typically pay an upgrade fee of $39 per title to enroll in Pro Plan, we are enrolling all titles transitioned from BookSurge in Pro Plan on a complimentary basis.   Plus, you can enroll any future titles you publish through CreateSpace into Pro Plan for $39 per title.

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Will I still receive volume discounts when I order copies of my own book?

Through CreateSpace’s Pro Plan, you’ll pay the lowest per book manufacturing fees possible at every quantity, starting at just one!  Rather than price breaks specific to larger quantities of books, CreateSpace offers you the same, low price per book, independent of order size.   Find out more about Pro Plan book pricing.

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What is a CreateSpace eStore?

A CreateSpace eStore is a customizable sales page for your book that is hosted on the CreateSpace website.  You can either link prospective book buyers directly to your CreateSpace.com eStore link or customize it to look like part of your own website.  eStores are title-specific, so you can enable an individual eStore for each of your titles.  Learn more.

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How do I enable my book for eStore sales?

Once your account has been transitioned to CreateSpace, you can enable your book for eStore sales easily through your new CreateSpace account.  From your Member Dashboard, just click on the name of the book title you wish to enable, use the Edit option next to Sales Channel Management, and click the “Enable” button by eStore sales.  For more information, check out the Title Information Video Tour.

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Will my customer service and other support representatives change?

You'll receive the same high level of personal customer care that you are accustomed to. The same BookSurge team members will continue to work with you at CreateSpace.

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Will CreateSpace offer phone support?

CreateSpace now offers Click-to-Call phone support for members within the U.S. Once your account has been transitioned to CreateSpace, you will simply request a call from the Contact Us page within your member account and we will call you back.

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I’ve reviewed all of this information and still have questions. Where should I go to get help?

Visit the Transition Guide for information on the new options and benefits available to you through CreateSpace, more details about when and how the transition will take place, helpful video tutorials, and more.  If you've reviewed the Transition Guide and still have questions, visit this link to submit your questions - www.createspace.com/info/contactsupport - and a support representative will be in touch with you.

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