When I decided to start my own small press and start publishing, I was faced with many decisions. What kind of business structure did I want? What formats would my book be in? What kinds of accounts would I need to establish, and on what websites? One question that had me stumped for quite some time was whether I would offer my books on Kindle Unlimited, thus make them Amazon exclusives, or choose to offer my eBooks wide on an array of different platforms.
It is a difficult decision, as both options have their pros and cons. Perhaps one day I will succumb to the pressures and allure of Kindle Unlimited, but, for now, I want to offer my book widely and not be an Amazon-exclusive author.
Why is this? I feel that so many authors are already on Kindle Unlimited, and there’s fewer options for readers who wish to read on other platforms. I want my book to be available to everyone and, while it is unfortunate that I cannot offer Amazon exclusivity to enroll my book in the Kindle Unlimited program, it is something that means a lot to me. And I want to try to keep my books widely available for as long as I’m able.
I also want to support businesses that aren’t necessarily as well-off. I’m a huge advocate for independent bookstores and shopping local (it really does make a difference!), and I feel that offering my book widely beyond the Internet superstore is a step in the right direction for my own personal goals.
It’s true, I’m not receiving the same kind of exposure as I would if my book were available on Kindle Unlimited due to Amazon’s ranking system, but will it still be worth it? Can I still make it as a wide-selling author? Only time will tell, but I have to try.