Self-Publishing: The Wide Distribution Versus Kindle Unlimited Debate

Mark McNease

I’ve been a self-published (independent) author and publisher for over 12 years now, and I still vacillate between making my books available widely or keeping them exclusive to Kindle Unlimited. I’m in the go-wide-phase now, with my books available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and through various audiobook retailers via Findaway Voices. I’ve even begun publishing AI-narrated audiobooks through Kobo, with one up and more to follow.

The biggest advantage for authors to being Kindle-exclusive are the Kindle Unlimited reads: subscribers pay Amazon a monthly charge to read unlimited eBooks, and the authors get (literally) pennies per page read. That was fine for a long time, since it can make up a significant percentage of the author’s monthly royalty payment. But it can also feel like a cage, and for someone like me who wants to roam freely and explore any and all options, the time came to put-up-or-shut-up. I have enough of a catalogue, and enough projects in the works, to take the plunge once again and stay there. Here are some pros and cons of the wide-versus-exclusive debate that never seems to fade.

Self-publishing Widely vs. Being Exclusive to Kindle Unlimited – A Comprehensive Comparison

With the proliferation of electronic publishing and self-publishing platforms, authors now have the option to choose between publishing their work exclusively on Amazon Kindle or going wide by publishing on multiple platforms. Here are some pros and cons of both options.

Kindle Unlimited

Kindle Unlimited (KU) is a subscription-based service offered by Amazon that allows readers to read an unlimited number of books for a monthly fee. Books enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited program are exclusive to Amazon, providing authors with a higher revenue share of the subscription fees.

Advantages:

1. Higher Revenue Share: For books enrolled in KU, authors receive a higher revenue share from the subscription fees than books sold on the store.

2. Wide Exposure: Books enrolled in KU are promoted on various platforms, including Amazon-owned platforms like Goodreads, which can increase the visibility of the book and attract more readers.

Disadvantages:

1. Exclusivity: Books enrolled in KU are exclusive to Amazon, which means authors miss out on potential readers on other platforms like Kobo, iBooks, and Barnes & Noble.

2. Lower Book Sales: Since books enrolled in KU are available for free to subscribers, sales numbers may decrease, and authors may not make as much money as they would selling their books on other platforms.

Going Wide

Going wide refers to the practice of publishing books on multiple platforms, including Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble, among others. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of going wide:

Advantages:

1. Greater Reach: A book published on multiple platforms is accessible to readers on various devices, increasing the number of readers and potential sales.

2. Higher Sales Revenue: Publishing a book on multiple platforms can lead to higher sales revenue as there are more channels for readers to purchase the book.

Disadvantages:

1. More Work: To publish a book on multiple platforms, authors must manage and track sales across multiple channels, which can be time-consuming and challenging.

2. Lower Revenue Share: Revenue share from book sales on non-Amazon platforms is generally lower than that of Amazon, which may impact the author’s earnings.

In Conclusion

Choosing whether to publish exclusively on Amazon or go wide is a decision that depends on an author’s preferences, goals, and business strategy. Authors who opt for a higher revenue share, greater exposure, and promotion from Amazon can benefit from the KU program, while those seeking wider readership and sales revenue can opt for going wide. Ultimately, authors should consider their target audience, their preferred channels of reading, and the revenue potential of both options before deciding which approach to take.

As for me, I’ll see you in as many retailers as possible! Like a bird whose finally left the nest, I’ll fly for fall on my own initiative and determination. You decide what’s best for you, and happy writing!