Announcing new nonfiction — Real Steampunkery Tech!

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 What? Wrong date?  Ah… that’s because I’m stuck in a time-loop “hold” with Amazon Publishing. It’s really Tuesday, September 24. Welcome, everyone.   Some of you know that the e-book of Real Steampunkery Tech: True Contraptions of the Steam and Diesel Eras published a week ago.  Since everything else got frozen, the e-book is still at a minimal introductory price. Amazon’s KDP published the paperback too… for about half a day. Then they put it on “hold.” Everything has been a nightmare since.
Boy nightmare monster Pixabay
Pixabay
You see, “KDP” took great exception to the text font I had used. Although I’ve used it on the past three books. I fixed it and redid the process. Then they neglected to tell me that they rejected it again.  Why? As with my question “What page has the bad font?” their answers are unique to Amazon KDP processing. Their next problem was that there was still one blank line that still had the suddenly-not-allowed, but well-established MS Office-licensed font.  One. BLANK. Line. So here I am, a week later, and endless emails and phone calls, all of which they end with the words “I’ll forward this to tech support.” Wait a minute, you said you were tech support. Teagan's avatar with teacup, distressed The email reply this morning said that there was more than one help ticket on the book so, “I’m closing this case.” What? I don’t have more than one case number. This was the email thread on which I was instructed to communicate. The paperback is still on hold.   I have no idea when or if the absurd situation with the paperback will be resolved.  So, I’m going forward with the “new book announcement” for the e-book. I know that despite the numerous advantages of e-books, many people still prefer paper books, especially for any sort of reference book.  I only make a few cents per paperback, but I try to provide them as a courtesy to you.  I promise to be a snapping turtle on the collective ass of Amazon KDP, and not let go.  Although, that old superstition says that a snapping turtle won’t let go until it thunders or the sun goes down, so I might have to be something else.

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Announcing

Real Steampunkery Tech:

True Contraptions of the Steam and Diesel Eras

It’s the latest volume in my Author Tool Chest collection.  This one is a summary overview of unexpected, odd, and downright freakish inventions of bygone days.  I’ve included a special bonus section about Forgotten Women Inventors. Revised cover "Real Steampunkery Tech: True Contraptions of the Steam and Victorian Eras It debuted as a “Number 1 New Release” in three categories. Naturally, it’s not a new release now. Thanks again Amazon for holding up everything.
No. 1 New Release “Real Steampunkery Tech” 09-18-2024
That feels awfully anticlimactic now.   Friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs!

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You can get the book here. Universal Purchase Link Kindle:  relinks.me/B0DHC6JFVT Paperback: ???????  What’s going on, Amazon? Speak Flapper Kindle:  relinks.me/B083HNK3BB Paperback:  relinks.me/1656168553

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Copyright © 2024 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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71 thoughts on “Announcing new nonfiction — Real Steampunkery Tech!”

  1. Pingback: #New Release from Teagan Riordain Geneviene … | Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

  2. I know Amazon has been a PINTS (that’s my way to write Pain IN The Uh-huh) but I know your talent will reach out to people and I’m wishing you a lot of success, happiness, good health and everything you dream of. Apologies for coming here late 😦 hugs to you from Sarah and me. 🙂

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  5. Pingback: Robbie’s Inspiration – W3 prompt, Esther Chilton’s writing challenge & spring paintings for Teagan #poetry #springflowers #paintings – Robbie's inspiration

  8. HI Teagan, congratulations on the new book. My great sympathies with regards to the paperback. I had so much trouble with the cover for And the Grave Awaits. It was rejected 10 times even though I started with the exact same style I’ve used for all my other books. Now I have to do it in a way Amazon always rejected previously although it was actually my preference. Eeek! It is very frustrating.

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  12. Congrats on new release, but sorry about the blank line issue. They aren’t easy to deal with if you get into their sights. Sending hugs and will pick up a copy! Xo

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  14. If you’re registered with Amazon’s Author Central, you might try going through them. They always say they’re not really connected with Amazon’s tech and can’t do anything about publishing problems, but my problems have always been magically resolved after I’ve been told that. Just a thought. Thank you for your kindness in providing paper copies for those of us who prefer paper reference books, especially ones as delightful as yours!

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  19. oof — I’m sorry about the problems that Amazon KDP is putting you through! If I remember correctly, KDP also hassled you about images in your “Delta Pearl” books? Ugh. But I like your snapping turtle analogy. May your paperback get out of the holding pattern, so you can let go of the snapping turtle hold! Also: congratulations on the ebook version becoming #1 in three categories. That’s awesome!

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    1. Hi, Dave. Thanks for your kind support. I learned about their policy change for images earlier. So. I removed all the chapter images before I tried to publish The Delta Pearl. Although they basically did hassle me, if not first hand.
      They’re still yanking my chain with absurd stuff on this one. Like a single instance, of ONE BLANK SPACE — (not even a line) between two words… I don’t know whether to scream or cry. It’s crazy.
      Thanks and hugs.

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  21. Fun post. Congratulations on your release. It’s a fun book. Flipping through the digital pages and reading snippets so far, I see you put a lot work into your Steampunkery research.

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  22. I too have many a KDP horror story. I helped several friends compile and process their manuscripts and no amount of attention to detail regarding KDP publishing instructions would get past the book mangler algorithm written by Kindergarten student programmers. Finally, we figured out it was following the instructions that caused the problems. Keep that snapping turtle firmly clamped on their publisher’s posterior and throw in a pit bull pup or three.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, Daniel. I’ve been publishing for 12 years. Only a few times have I needed to deal with KDP tech support, but they were beyond good — they were fantastic. Until now. I’m reeling from the change in them.
      Haha. Years ago, I was a team lead and management tried to back me into a corner during a supervisors meeting. I stood my ground. After the meeting, a coworker (who saw herself as an old tough-girl) said, “I thought you would be a prudish little southern woman. Boy was I wrong! Haven’t these people ever heard of a Steel Magnolia?”
      The next week/meeting the same thing happened again. In the parking lot she said, “Forget what I said about steel magnolias. You’re a Georgia Rottweiler.”
      The “prude” comment took me aback, but I admit I preferred the flower reference to the dog. LOL.
      Hugs.

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      1. Clearly, KDP has no idea who they are messin’ with. I’ve heard a lot of horror stories after recent changes to KDP. It’s a lot like WordPress. We adapt and overcome and when things finally go right, we know we have truly accomplished something. I wish you the best of luck. I am absolutely positive you will overcome although it may require several glasses of pear wine and maybe some yoga to get through it all. 😅🥂

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  27. First, congratulations, Teagan! I have a copy of the book, and I hope to get to it pretty soon!

    But, I’m so sorry to hear about your problems, Teagan, and the lack of any real help from KDP. (No surprises there). It might be that there is hidden formatting that is detected by the KDP system, even if it is not visible (Word is notable for that, so I hear) but how that would affect anything… only they know (perhaps).

    Fingers crossed it all gets sorted soon. Big hugs, dear Teagan, and I hope you can get some rest. ♥

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