For the last couple weeks I have been fielding questions about Create Space shutting down and transferring to KDP direct publishing. Basically it's really very simple.
Create Space used to offer some extra services like editing and formatting that you could pay for. I know several authors that used those services and paid big bucks for it. I was able to use my networking and find those services for much less elsewhere.
I have been self-publishing since my first children's book in 2011. 
In order to help my authors I needed to know how the new process with KDP Direct Publishing worked in comparison to Create Space.
​My latest book, Hayden and Fred, was ready to go so I used that as my test to see how the new process worked on KDP. I can tell you it was so easy it was great.
You fill in the questions the same as Create Space and upload the PDF files. This is where it changed for the better. Before you can move on you have to use the previewer. It shows you exactly where you went wrong if you did and I did a bit. You correct the files and upload again until you get it right. Since you have basically already approved your book it is for sale on Amazon almost immediately, in about 24 hours. A lot quicker than if you have to wait three days to look at the digital proof, approve it and wait again for it to go live. I love the new streamlined process. You can order a proof copy if you want. I uploaded my files on Friday and my proof copy was in my hands on Monday and the book was already on Amazon. 
The only drawback I see is for a novel or longer children's book. You must take the time to review your book cover to cover on the previewer before you approve it. But you can make corrections to your files and upload again even if it's already for sale on Amazon. The proof has not for resale written across the cover. I ordered two, one for me and one for my illustrator.
Then the question came about how do I transfer my previous titles to the new KDP site. Again easy. It's a three step process that took me less than five minutes. 
I head from another author that was also very pleased with how smooth the transfer of titles was.
I'm working on book four in the Green Lady Series and will use KDP for that book as well.
If you have any questions or comments let me know.

I can tell you right now that  it is not the authors that are profiting from self-published authors. Every day I get information in my email inbox about how to market, how to reach readers, do this on social media and listen to this podcast or take this course.
They all want your money. Believe me I've tried a few of them and it has not increased my sales one tiny bit.
Today I received a message about the changes that are coming to Create Space and how they are moving everything over to KDP Publishing. But guess what? They want to charge me $12 to listen to the podcast on Friday. It's not my fault they are changing so why should I have to pay to learn how they will handle my books?
This gets a little ridiculous when every time I turn around someone has a new theory on how I can improve my sales and they want to charge me for that information. 
Every self-published author I know is struggling to get their book out there and to have people buy it and READ IT.
In my last post I talked about readers who store up all the free downloads from Kindle and never read the books. That drives me nuts. That's my rant for the day.
Please leave a comment or ask a question. I promise to not charge you for answering your question. All information is free here.
Oh by the way. I will be at the Barnes and Noble in Sarasota on Saturday morning with the Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime signing my books. IN the afternoon we are going to the Selby Library for a tea in honor of Agatha Christie's birthday. Should be loads of fun. Come by the B&N for a signed copy of  my award-winning   Honey Tree Farm - For the Love of the Beekeeper's Daughter or Blood Orange. Both books are set in the Myakka/Arcadia area of Florida and great reads.

Do you store the free Kindle downloads in your reader and forget about them? A great many readers do and that defeats the whole purpose of authors offering their books for free.
As authors we want people to read and enjoy our books and hopefully post a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Authors are basically trying to make a few dollars from a product just like anyone else. They are paid Royalties on books and eBooks that are purchased but they get nothing from giving away eBooks that go unread sitting in your reader. The only way an author can be paid is from the pages that are read.
I hear so many times that people have hundreds of unread books in their devices. Do they ever think about the author that is waiting hear if you enjoyed their book. Even if a review is not posted, the author can see how many pages that have been read.
The same goes for free codes and giveaways. Authors offer these in exchange for reviews. We think our books are wonderful but need to know what others think of our efforts. 
It takes a long time to write a book. It usually takes me a year or more to get a book ready to publish. When you put that much blood sweat and tears into something you want to know you've done a good job.
Collecting free Kindle downloads and not reading the book doesn't help an author one bit. If you are one of those collectors think about the authors out there and start reading your downloads.
One of the best things I've had happen is when I'm out at a book signing and someone who bought one of my books tells me how much they enjoyed it and buys the next one. That makes it all worthwhile. All an author wants to do is have his book enjoyed. Tell the authors about your experience and read those downloads.