12-10-2011, 09:59 PM | #1 |
Novelist
Posts: 591
Karma: 452032
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Arizona
Device: Nook
|
KDP Select
Amazon has put in place a program called KDP Select. Indie authors are promised a slice of a $500,000 pie in return for them making their book(s) exclusive to Amazon for at least a three month period. Lots of authors have already opted in, abandoning other ebook retailers like B&N, Sony, Kobo, Apple, Smashwords and Diesel.
For a variety of reasons I have chosen not to follow suit but would be interested in both writer and reader reactions to this latest move by the biggest player in the ebook game. Any thoughts? |
12-10-2011, 11:10 PM | #2 |
Books are brain food.
Posts: 2,950
Karma: 4836916
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: U.S.
Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7
|
We've been discussing Amazon's KDP Select program in this thread for several days, starting at page 7: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=153790.
My husband has also decided NOT to participate in KDP Select. He wants both Kindle and ePub readers to be able to enjoy his book. I know that this issue has rattled both authors and readers. It's going to be interesting to see how things shake out! |
12-10-2011, 11:14 PM | #3 |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 73,983
Karma: 128903378
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
If you jump ship to go with just Amazon, then you deserve to fail.
|
12-11-2011, 07:51 AM | #4 |
Guru
Posts: 970
Karma: 4999999
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Rosario, Argentina
Device: SONY PRS-505, PRS-T2
|
There's a whole world outside the USA, where, believe it or not, Amazon and the Kindle don't exist.
If you go exclusive with Amazon, you lose those readers (I hate to use the word "client" when speaking of books). Maybe they are not that important from an economic point of view, but if I were a writer I think I would like my books to be read worldwide. |
12-13-2011, 01:17 AM | #5 |
Guru
Posts: 915
Karma: 3537194
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Kobo, Kindle 3, Paperwhite
|
On the other hand, who else is offering a subscription service, which is basically what Amazon Prime is? Join for $79/year, get 12 books for free, video streaming, and free shipping.
Now, as a writer I have a choice: a second ebook format, or a new type of marketing. If I look at my epub sales and see a reasonably large percentage of my sales there, I'd turn thumbs-down on Amazon's subscription plan. If I see virtually nothing there, trying out a new marketing model for 90 days makes sense. There isn't an automatic answer for every writer. |
12-13-2011, 01:21 AM | #6 |
Evangelist
Posts: 438
Karma: 3409790
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Maui
Device: kindle
|
it seems like there is always a point at which an innovative tech company loses the trust of its audience. Microsoft was probably the first, but after Jobs was fired from Apple, that company experienced the same thing. After awhile, no one believed the ratings on eBay because too many vendors were gaming the system. Does anyone believe that Facebook is a secure system? Google is on its way down, and now Amazon is working hard to join the rest.
|
12-13-2011, 07:44 AM | #7 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 7,171
Karma: 63764653
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Kobo Glo HD
|
Quote:
Thanks. |
|
12-13-2011, 09:09 AM | #8 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,221
Karma: 8381518
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
Device: Paperwhite 4 X 2
|
There seems to be a lot of emotion over this topic. "Jumping ship" and a "whole world where Amazon and Kindle don't exist." Three months isn't exactly jumping ship and both Amazon and Kindle seem to exist world-wide. I know wanting to make some money is a horrible idea for some people but get real.
|
12-13-2011, 10:33 AM | #9 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 7,171
Karma: 63764653
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Kobo Glo HD
|
|
12-13-2011, 10:57 AM | #10 | |
Ebook Reader
Posts: 605
Karma: 3205128
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Texas
Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View
|
Quote:
The books are still available for sale in the Kindle Store. The KDP Select books (for lending purposes) are only available in the Kindle Prime, which for now is US only. |
|
12-13-2011, 11:35 AM | #11 | |
Grand Master of Flowers
Posts: 2,201
Karma: 8389072
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Naptown
Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)
|
Quote:
Of course it's an open question how much this will help the authors who join - but dramatically increasing the number of books available for lending is not a bad thing. If you are an Amazon customer. |
|
12-13-2011, 12:04 PM | #12 | |
Books are brain food.
Posts: 2,950
Karma: 4836916
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: U.S.
Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7
|
John F. was correct if he was talking about Kindle Owners' Lending Library (for Amazon Prime members). Books can only be borrowed by U.S. Amazon Prime members from a Kindle device.
From here: Quote:
|
|
12-13-2011, 12:33 PM | #13 |
Ebook Reader
Posts: 605
Karma: 3205128
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Texas
Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View
|
Deleted
|
12-13-2011, 12:45 PM | #14 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,358
Karma: 5766642
Join Date: Aug 2010
Device: Nook
|
$79/year isn't free. In fact, it's about $7/book, with them choosing the books, if I understand it correctly. Not a bad price, but not so good that I'm going to read stuff I otherwise wouldn't.
|
12-13-2011, 12:56 PM | #15 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 7,171
Karma: 63764653
Join Date: Feb 2009
Device: Kobo Glo HD
|
Quote:
I had prime. I had Kindle for PC. And I don't think I could borrow a book from the lending library. I'm currently without Prime, so I can't verify right now. |
|
Tags |
kdp select |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
KDP Select | mr ploppy | Writers' Corner | 51 | 01-13-2012 10:17 AM |
Royalty rate calculation question in KDP | andrewburt | Amazon Kindle | 0 | 10-07-2011 04:56 PM |
KDP Now Supports Docx. Files | randyflycaster | Writers' Corner | 2 | 09-06-2011 06:14 PM |
select all | alansplace | Calibre | 4 | 08-03-2011 06:46 PM |
How would you select text? | J. Strnad | Kobo Reader | 19 | 08-04-2010 09:02 PM |