When I initially heard stirrings that Amazon would be allowing independent authors another way to introduce their books, via the Kindle's Owner Lending Library, thus far only containing a limited choice of ebooks, I thought, "What a great opportunity!" Besides getting more exposure, the authors would also get paid.
According to the press release , based on a monthly $500,000 fund, it works like this -- "The monthly royalty payment for each KDP Select book is based on that book's share of the total number of borrows of all participating KDP books in the Kindle Owners' Lending Library. For example, if total borrows of all participating KDP Select books are 100,000 in December and an author's book was borrowed 1,500 times, they will earn $7,500 in additional royalties from KDP Select in December."
So what's the catch? The catch is in order to opt in, the author must give Amazon sole rights to their ebook for at least 90 days. Since Fractured Facade is in the Smashword Premium Catalogue, it's distributed to many other eRetailers. I've actually had more sales on Smashwords than Amazon, so I'm not keen on killing that audience. Maybe if I had a couple of novellas out there I'd give it a spin, but I don't. Besides, I'm still launching. Maybe in six months, I'll feel differently.
I'd register in a heartbeat, if I didn't have to hand over all my rights to Amazon. If Apple, Barnes & Noble, or any eRetailer, would offer something similar, without the same demands, I'd probably opt in.
Thoughts?
***Update***
Some thoughts from Smashword's Mark Coker - Amazon Shows Predatory Spots With KDP Select
I was just researching this issue when I came across your blog on the front page of the results an hour old. As an indie self-publisher I'm not going there without trying all options first and I am just underway.
ReplyDeleteI can see the case for established names to opt-in this format but as an unknown it seems more of a hail mary than a guarantee. In other words if the pitch is - it works for big-timers so it will work for you - then I'm not automatically buying... just yet.
The truth is that it could turn out brilliant for some indie authors. It is simply too early in this process to tell. Exclusivity is an excellent marketing tool when it works.
Anon, actual, and not projected, numbers could help sway me, either way. However, upon further investigation, I absolutely do not like this part of the clause...(or content that is reasonably likely to compete commercially with your Digital Book, diminish its value, or be confused with it)
ReplyDeleteToo broad...and could be too limiting
Here's the full clause -- "When you include a Digital Book in KDP Select, you give us the exclusive right to sell and distribute your Digital Book in digital format while your book is in KDP Select. During this period of exclusivity, you cannot sell or distribute, or give anyone else the right to sell or distribute, your Digital Book (or content that is reasonably likely to compete commercially with your Digital Book, diminish its value, or be confused with it), in digital format in any territory where you have rights.