In my last blog post, I shared a little bit about the changing face of publishing since I got my start in 1984. I’m even more aware of the changes as I move more deeply into the indie publishing world.
Wide or Kindle Unlimited?
One of the decisions an indie author has to make is whether to go wide (meaning ebooks are available across numerous devices and retailers) or whether to be exclusive to Amazon and enter the Kindle Unlimited program. Authors toss these terms around a lot and discuss the benefits and downsides amongst themselves.
But are readers aware of the reasons some ebooks are exclusive to the Kindle or Kindle app? I thought it might be worth talking about.
First, the decision to go wide is pretty much automatic for publishing houses for a number of reasons. Mainly, putting all of your eggs in one basket is rarely a great business plan. Amazon sells a lot more things than just books. Books aren’t Amazon’s main concern, but books are the main concern for publishers. Books are their only concern.
However, Amazon does make being exclusive with them worthwhile for indie authors. Many authors make 70% or more of their income each month via the Kindle Unlimited program (they are paid by pages read). And since Amazon is where the majority of ebook sales happen, Kindle Unlimited is often the best way, financially, for an author to go.
Of course, being exclusive for the Kindle means that Nook readers and Kobo readers, et al, can’t get an author’s books. I don’t include iPads or other tablets in that statement because people can use the Kindle app on those devices.
Now it’s my turn to decide!
When I began releasing my backlist books in the indie market, it made sense to go with Kindle Unlimited. These weren’t new books. They were books that in the “old days” would have disappeared after eight weeks or so on bookshelves. I was just giving them new life, and I wanted them to be where the majority of readers are. Not just the majority of ebook buyers. Kindle Unlimited subscribers are voracious readers. Like binging on Netflix. They read, read, read.
As I approached the release of my new indie, All She Ever Dreamed (not a backlist book from one of my Christian publishers), I began assessing what I wanted to do long-term in regard to wide or KU. How can I best serve my readers, including the ones who don’t own a Kindle, while still making the wisest decision for myself? For a number of reasons, All She Ever Dreamed will be an Amazon exclusive for ebooks, but look for me to try brief wide releases when my new series debuts in 2023. The exclusivity is only for ebooks. Readers will be able to find or order the paperback and/or audio from other retailers in addition to Amazon.
Note: I pulled one of my books from Kindle Unlimited last spring for a promotion. So, as a test to see how it will do, Speak to Me of Love is now available on Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble as well as in the Kindle Store and on Scribd.
I hope this post has been informative and helped readers understand why indie authors make the decision to go wide or go with Kindle Unlimited. Some authors even alternate between the two.
For those of you who read ebooks, what device do you use? Kindle, iPad, Nook, Kobo, something else?
~robin
PS It’s just 11 days until the release of Like the Wind. This will be my last contemporary/dual-time story for a while as I’ve got several historical romances scheduled to release in 2023 and 2024. Publishers Weekly thought this story is charming, and advance readers seem to agree. I hope you will too.
Robin Lee Hatcher
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As I am considering dipping my toes into the indie publishing side of things for an upcoming novella, I find your information sharing very informative and enlightening, Robin. Thank you for sharing your journey of decisions with us. And be sure to let us know how the wide distribution experiment goes. 🙂
Glad you’re finding the info helpful. I’m discovering all kinds of things (copyright registration and obtaining a Library of Congress Location Number and using IngramSpark for paperbacks so libraries and bookstores can order, etc.). Good thing I love to learn!!
As an Ingram Content Group associate, thanks for the shout-out, Robin! 🙂
Hi, Amy! You’re most welcome. I was delighted when I learned about IngramSpark. I immediately uploaded my latest indie, EVEN FOREVER, and I am now awaiting the release of the sequel, ALL SHE EVER DREAMED (already up on IngramSpark).
Thank you for this helpful explanation about Kindle Unlimited vs going wide. I read a lot of books through Kindle Unlimited because it helps me sample new authors without risk. When I find someone or a book I really enjoy, I purchase the hard copy if one is available. I used to read with a Kindle, but now I use my iPhone and occasionally my iPad. I prefer hard copy books for serious reading. Thank you for sharing your current publishing journey, too. It’s encouraging.
Although I do a lot with Kindle and with audiobooks, I agree that some books just need to be in print.
Thank you for this information, Robin. When ebooks first came out, I wanted to by a device for my daughter, who is an avid reader and read much more than me (I was still teaching and had limited time for personal reading). Her husband researched the Kindle and Nook and said she would have more opportunity to purchase books using a Nook, because Kindle was limited to Amazon. So I got her a Nook, and several years later bought one for myself. All of that may have changed by now.
In the meantime, my daughter now has both devices and aps that allow her to read on her phone and tablets. She is very technology savvy, and I am not. Two years ago, Amazon was having a Christmas special on Kindles, and I bought one. I have accessed ‘first reads’ and other books on sale for Kindle, but I can’t get used to reading on a Kindle. I prefer the Nook. I REALLY prefer print books, but in my older age, my space is limited, and I am reluctant to purchase print books (although I still do). I’m trying to read more ebooks. Just purchased Speak to Me of Love for my Nook library.
Very interesting post. I read primarily on Kindle but do not subscribe to KU. I have a Nook, but it is just more convenient to stick to the Kindle.