Quote:
Originally Posted by anamardoll
I don't know how one opts out of the program or how it affects the stats of the book, but if it resets your numbers, reviews, or even Amazon-link, then that could be detrimental.
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Ooh... I hadn't thought of that one.
Also, remember that Amazon has the right to terminate your membership in Kindle Select at any time,
and even if they do, you are still obligated to maintain the full 90 days of exclusivity.
(Amazon also has the right to change the entire Terms of Service -- including exclusivity periods -- with no warning. If that happens, authors who do not agree to the new TOS will have to immediately exit KDP Select and will not be able to put their work elsewhere until the exclusivity period expires.)
A lot of people have argued that Amazon wouldn't do anything so ludicrous and non-profitable as to harass its kindle authors in this way. To a certain extent, I agree. As long as you're a new or midlist author, you're probably safe. Amazon doesn't care about little fish.
But what if you're hoping to be a big fish someday? Amazon lost Amanda Hocking because they had no leverage to hold to her Amazon exclusivity. Do you think they're going to let the next Amanda Hocking go that easily? If your books take off, and you want to sign a print distribution deal, is Amazon going to let you? Or are they going to start using their draconian contract to play hardball?
I know several well-sellling authors who've opted into KDP-select. They're smart businesspeople. They've made a strategic decision and a conscious decision to partner with Amazon despite the one-sidedness of the contract. That's not so different than what most authors do when they sign a contract with a traditional publishing company, and it's not necessarily a bad business decision. But it is a decision which should be made very, very carefully.