No, thanks. Local only, Dude.

So I tried to put my ebook and print book on amazon and was, not rejected, but got lots of pushback because the files are not in the correct format. The problem is, if my illustrator did not save the files in the correct format then I can not put it on that international site unless I get another illustrator to draw the pictures again. That will mean paying a different person for double work. 

The other option is to write the second book and hope it gets picked up by a big company who can pay to get the first book redrawn with the proper files. So basically, right now my book is only available through me in one country. I have about four hundred more books that I need to sell in order to make all my money back. No profit, just to get back all the money I spent on this book project.

My brother was right. Self publishing can seem like a thankless job some days. You have total control but...I'm trying not to be discouraged right now. This is a great book and can make such a difference in this country but ...just how to get it out there is the issue right now. The international route through amazon is shut down at the moment. Sigh.
I will keep pushin' on.