I've never had much luck with Kindle Unlimited (KU) as an author, but last year, I decided to try it as a reader during Amazon Prime Day last year, when it was available at a reduced price. Soon I'll have to decide if I want to renew it or not.
Although I consider myself a voracious reader, it's hard for me to get my money's worth of reading out of KU each month. Part of this is because if I discover a book during its free period, I'll "buy" it instead of borrowing it. Since my Kindle and Kindle apps display the newest books first, the books I do borrow will get buried quickly if I don't read them immediately. The Kindle and Kindle apps aren't set up for me to manage my KU books there, so I have to log into my Amazon account if I want to find and return any KU books. The exception is when I try to borrow an eleventh book; the Kindle or app will prompt me to return one of my ten books I already have and continue. Of course, having access to all the books in the KU library doesn't stop me from buying plenty of other books outside the library.
All the complaints aside, I will say that my use of KU comes and goes in spurts. While I may go for a while without using it, I've read at least two books (maybe three) in KU recently. There are some authors I follow in KU, so it's convenient for binging on their books. I like to think they will get more money for a $0.99 book if I borrow it instead of buying it.
Are you (or have you been) part of KU or other subscription service for books? If so, what did you think of it? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
8 comments:
I only buy from iTunes, so no idea. I know I wouldn't get my money's worth out of it.
The only thing that I used like that was Comixology Unlimited but their selection didn't make it worth keeping past the trial month.
I don't think the authors make more and certainly KU hurts actual sales. Amazon royalties have gone down since they introduced KU.
That's what I'm feeling, Alex.
That's too bad about the selection, Pat.
I know KU never helped me much as an author, Diane.
They don't make more...and they do. It depends on the author and the month but I can tell you I've made way more on the borrows of books I have in Kindle than on the books I have wide, hands down (case in point I just moved one wide that is now trying to find its "Wide" audience). I don't make a mint and have never been lucky enough (yet) to be in KU all-stars, but it's worked for me (More my romance than my fantasy titles.. That said, I don't subscribe to it as a reader. I read so slowly, sometimes, I feel like the monthly fee would be wasted. It would save on the $4.99 and up books I want but usually I'll break down and buy instead of borrowing. (I hope this makes sense, Sandra!) That said, I've read that it depends on the genre. Scifi/fantasy (and historical fiction) supposedly don't do as well in KU as, say, romance. That's what David Gaughran thinks, anyway--and that has been my experience, so far. *knock on wood*
^books I have in KU, I meant. It's early! :)
Maybe that explains why my books have never done much in KU, Juli. I wonder how urban fantasy or paranormal mystery would do.
I always wondered if I'd get my money's worth as well. Thanks for the info. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
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