Losing My Amazon Store: A Journey of Heartbreak and Hope

Dear Friends,

On the eve of the 4th of July, I was jolted awake by an email that felt like a sucker punch to the gut. My Amazon Store, Cassi B. Books, had been terminated. Just like that, without any warning, my lifeline to the world of journaling was cut off. No more outstanding royalties, no chance of opening a new account. What?!!! First came the shock, then disbelief, and finally, heartbreak. And let me tell you, that heartbreak has lingered ever since.

The reason for my termination? The system flagged some of my journals for being in the wrong categories, leading to what they called an "misleading consumer experience." Now, I swear I never intentionally misplaced my journals. I genuinely thought they were correctly categorized, especially since my account had been suspended twice before. I mean, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice… you get it.

Something that brought me immense joy and a sense of purpose was taken away in an instant. I can hear you now: "Girl, it’s just journals." And yes, you’re right; they are just journals. But for me, journaling has been my anchor, my therapy, my growth chart, and my solace since middle school. At 47, journaling remains just as essential to my well-being.

Despite the disappointment, I am not wallowing in despair. I am hustling to find solutions and ways to bounce back. A dear author friend from Costa Rica reached out to me, reminding me that this setback is just that—a setback, not the end. She promised to help me find another publishing company for my beloved journals.

The biggest takeaway from this whole ordeal? I never want any entity to hold my joy hostage. My ultimate goal is to have complete control over the distribution of my journals, ensuring that no one can ever pull the rug out from under me again.

Thank you for reading, and for being part of my journey. Onward and upward, always.

With love and determination,

Cassi B.