WHY Amazon KDP Terminated My Account – And Why This Can Happen to Any Indie Author

WHY Amazon KDP Terminated My Account – And Why This Can Happen to Any Indie Author

by Amy Fisher, January 2026

Dear readers, dear fellow authors,

On January 30, 2026, Amazon terminated my KDP account without warning. Reason: “lack of publishing rights” for seven multilingual erotica titles. I had correctly selected “Yes” to AI-generated translations on every upload – exactly as the guidelines require. Still: account gone, books removed, royalties frozen, new account forbidden.

This is not an isolated case. It’s a pattern.

What really happened

I published a series in seven languages: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch. The original text is mine, translations created with AI assistance and edited by me. No plagiarism, no third-party rights infringement. Yet the combination “multilingual series + erotic content + AI translations” triggered Amazon’s algorithm or reviewer.

Since late 2025, dozens of indie authors (especially in erotica, romance, dark romance) report the same:

• Account suddenly terminated
• Standard reason: “lack of rights” or “disappointing customer experience”
• Even with correct disclosure
• Often triggered by multilingual uploads, series format, or content interpreted as “taboo” (even when fully fictional and consensual)

Amazon lets books stay live initially, profits from them (sales, KU pages), and strikes months later – without real review, without fair appeal, without paying owed royalties. Many lose five- to six-figure sums. New accounts are almost impossible (IP, payment, device tracking).

Why they do this

This is no longer quality control. It’s a business model: Allow mass uploads → profit → clean up later when it gets “too much” or attracts negative attention. The victims are not just spammers, but often honest indie authors who followed the (written) rules.

What this means for readers

Your favorite books suddenly disappear. The “new quality” Amazon promises is in reality stronger censorship and a growing share of sanitized mass content. The bold, boundary-pushing stories many love are being systematically removed.

My appeal to indie authors

• Go wide. Now. Draft2Digital, Smashwords, direct at Kobo Writing Life, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Thalia/Tolino.
• Avoid large multilingual AI series exclusive to Amazon.
• Save everything (files, screenshots, correspondence).
• Always have a Plan B – Amazon is no longer a reliable partner.

My appeal to readers

If your favorite books vanish: It’s often not the author’s fault. It’s Amazon’s automated “cleanup.” Search for indie authors directly (website, Thalia, Kobo, Apple Books, Draft2Digital) – there you’re closer and support creators directly.

Best advertising ever?

Ironically: Yes.

Because now thousands know Amazon is no longer safe – and where to find us instead. Wide is the new standard. And we indie authors are stronger than Amazon thinks.

If you want to know more or share your story: Feel free to reach out.

Stay strong. Stay wide.

Amy Fisher
kopfkino.vip

Amy Fisher, bestselling German author, crafts sensual, daring stories that awaken the heart.

#KDPTermination #IndieAuthor #AmazonCensorship #WidePublishing #AIErotica #EroticaAuthors