How to Self-Publish a Book Through POD Platforms and Utilize Amazon's Parent-Child Variation Options?

[kayagreene]

Hello, everyone!

I'm a first-time author looking to self-publish my book, and I'm eager to explore my options for getting my work out into the world. I've been researching various Print-on-Demand (POD) services as an affordable and accessible route, specifically with the intent to sell on Amazon.

While exploring, I've come across Amazon's "Parent-Child" listing variations, which allow sellers to display multiple related items on a single product page. For example, if my book has a paperback, hardcover, and special edition, or different colors or sizes, instead of having several different separate listings, they can all be grouped together under one primary (Parent) listing. This seems like a fantastic feature to streamline the customer experience and cross-promote different versions of my book.

My question is multi-fold:

1. Is it possible to utilize Amazon's Parent-Child variation options when self-publishing via POD platforms?
2. If yes, how does one go about creating these Parent-Child listings while using POD services? Is it something that I would set up directly on Amazon, or is it set through the POD platform?
3. Which POD platforms support this feature for authors? Are there some that are better suited for this than others?
4. Are there any limitations or drawbacks to using Parent-Child variations for books?

I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience with this, as I'm trying to navigate the best way to approach self-publishing while maximizing my exposure and customer convenience. Any tips, tutorials, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your time and expertise!

Best regards,

 

[Jo Zebedee]

So… I think Amazon does this automatically when you list the title but I’m not 100 percent sure about special editions. Certainly for
Inish Carraig all 3 editions are listed and I haven’t done anything specific to bring this about

 

[Brian G Turner]

If this is a first time, just do everything through Amazon - they give you everything you need, and it will keep the whole process simplified.

 

[tinkerdan]

I second the motion to just do this through Amazon.
I initially set my stuff up through Xlibris and they did a fair job--but there is less control over pricing and other things than if you just do a bit more work and Self Publish through Amazon and you don't have to share so much profit with the POD publisher and Amazon and all the others.
Of course if you are anti-Amazon....