Sometimes I hate living Down Under.
I miss out on stuff because of our time difference (or else it makes it really hard to participate), shipping from other countries is a nightmare (and thanks, Amazon, it cost me over $80 to get two copies of my OWN book sent to me).
And now, I find out that Bookbub is essentially useless to me down here. I signed up, added myself as a reader and author, made a profiles, added some author friends…then noticed a few tumbleweeds blowing about the place. I mean, there was nothing – nothing – to see on my author friends’ profiles except a two paragraph bio. Where were their books? How could I see what they’ve written that I haven’t read yet? Worse, how could I upload reviews?
I contacted Bookbub only to be told: “Unfortunately, the Author Profiles on the BookBub Australia site are quite limited and do not include all features available on the US site. We’re always working to improve the site experience for all book lovers, and encourage you stay tuned!”
Seriously?! So what the bleep is the point of me even being on there? I can’t support anyone. I can’t even FIND anyone.
So annoyed.
I won’t even start on how difficult it is to work with Amazon.com.au… Instead, I think I’ll go have a tinny on the dunny with Jonno, cause we’re obviously thick as two short planks down under, and ain’t worth the big blokes’ time or effort.
Unrelated but fun – while I’m here, lamenting about all things OZ, I wanted to share this meme, just for Marcia Meara. She knows why 😉
Lol Jessica… I know where you are coming from.. but as an international author you can join Bookbub US.. and Ireland does not even have an Amazon site we have to buy everything through the UK site.. 80 dollars for your author copies is crazy… hopefully things will improve and I certainly don’t think of Australia as a third world country… a lot more of us would end up there if we were let in..lol..hugs
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Thanks for commenting, Sally 😊
Sometimes I feel like unless you’re in the US, you don’t exist! Better look into bookbub US I think…
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I changed my bookbubs to be US, and at least I get stuff, but not all the ‘specials’ apply if the publisher doesn’t include all territories.
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Hate being forced into going ‘US’ but I might have to 😕
Thanks for popping by 😊
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Oh God, Amazon! Don’t even get me started. I share your frustration and I don’t even live in Australia. Would like to go there someday.
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It’s actually a wonderful place to live, I just sometimes feel cut off from the rest of the world 😉
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Bummer. Um, so you’re afraid of magpies?
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Hahaha, magpie is a swear word down under. They are our most vicious predator, without a doubt. Just ask any kid walking home from school in mating season ……
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That would annoy the heck out of me, Jess, especially that shipping cost. Honestly? It can’t possibly cost that much to ship two books. And sorry about the US-this and US-that. I don’t understand why, in this tech-savvy world, it isn’t seamless. There are times when I want to gift kindle books to readers around the world and can’t. I don’t get it.
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I’ll just have to grin and bear it…till your illustrious leader manages to blow p your country and China takes control. Gulp.
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It’s a concern. Our illustrious leader will do ANYTHING to stay in control. It’s terrifying.
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Let’s just hope when Obama left office he disconnected the nukes button.
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Hopefully our military leaders would disobey the order, but I’m not sure of that.
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Me either…
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I didn’t know any of that. How can it be so different? I’ve usually thought of it as country rules that limit what companies can do but this sounds different. Infrastructure?
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Probably more so politics. I know that’s why we stopped being able to have stuff shipped from Amazon US. All to do with taxes. I suspect the bottom line is behind the Bookbub thing too…
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At least you guys have Crocodile Dundee and the koala bear. 😁
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You want him? Have him! (Dundee that is, not koalas. We’ll keep those).
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BTW Half of the family on my mother’s side live in Sydney. My grandmother and sibling left Scotland for a new life. One to America, and one to Australia.
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Oh you’re an honorary Aussie then 🤗
Glad to have you, mate 😁
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My great uncle asked me one time if I thought he smelled like shipe. I didn’t understand him so I asked him what he was talking about. He then said he was told Aussies eat a lot of lamb and smelled like shipe. Got it, sheep. No, he did not smell like sheep. Very gulliable that uncle.
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Hahahahahahaha!!!
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😁
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I’ve heard BB sucks for most everyone outside of the U.S.
So sorry, but I’m glad you joined. At least I can post reviews of YOUR books there 🙂
And now please translate. What is: a tinny on the dunny with Jonno?
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Oh Mae, you’re so sweet. Fancy thinking of that angle… you brought a smile to my face!
Hahaha, translation: a beer on the toilet with a mate. Which no, doesn’t actually happen – we’re not THAT backwards!
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Is it weird that I actually understood what you said? 😀
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Not at all. Our neighbours across the pond are well versed in Aussie. There’s so many of us over there!
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I too spent over 80 dollars getting one copy of a journal I was published in shipped to New Zealand through Amazon. I think the editor was slightly mortified 😀
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Amen sister!! God, if there’s anywhere more “third world” that Australia, it’d have to be NZ. Or, as a lot of internationals think, the other Australia 🙂
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Hahahaha. Our souls are connected in suffering 😀
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I have a lot of international friends and hear this all the time. For the life of me, with all the preaching of a global community, global marketplace, and several other buzz words, WHY? The whole thing is absurd, particularly when we’re talking bits of electronic information. Be they ebooks, websites, or social media. Even the shipping seems absurd.
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Exactly! You said it! We keep getting told the world is shrinking (thanks to the internet, cheap flights, etc), then something like this happens and you realise, nope. Still not there yet!
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