Kindle Unlimited is a subscription-based service similar to Oyster and a few others that gives customers unlimited ebooks and audiobooks, providing those ebooks/audiobooks have been enrolled in Amazon's KDP Select program.
You may all remember that I was one of KDP Select's success stories in 2012/13 and a strong proponent of the program until it slowed to a crawl.
Let's break down the advantages and disadvantages of Kindle Unlimited for readers and indie authors/indie publishers...
- You can sign up for a free 1-month trial of unlimited, participating ebooks and audiobooks.
- After the trial period, you pay $9.99 US per month to subscribe to this service and read as many ebooks and listen to as many audiobooks as you want.
- You can cancel any time.
- Anyone in the US can read a Kindle ebook in this program, even without a Kindle ereader, by downloading a free app for smartphones, tablets or PC.
- You'll pay $9.99 US each month, even if you don't download any books.
- Not all ebooks on Amazon will qualify for this program.
- It is only available for US readers at this time. There is no word yet on when it will open to Canada, UK or other countries.
- You'll most likely earn more per download than you would per sale without participating.
- Your books will have more exposure and a better chance of being discovered with this program.
- Even if someone only reads 10% of your title, you will receive your royalties for that title.
Disadvantages of Amazon's Kindle Unlimited for Indie Authors & Publishers:
- eBook/Audiobook titles enrolled in Kindle Unlimited will be exclusive to Amazon and won't be sold anywhere else in ebook/audio format (other than Audible, an Amazon company).
- Authors will risk alienating customers who read ebooks on other ereading devices.
US readers, sign up here: Kindle Unlimited
Indie Authors/Publishers, learn more here: KDP Select - Kindle Unlimited
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