Well folks, I’m taking the plunge and adding the rest of my books to the KDP Select program. I experimented last month by putting Half Way Home and the Molly books into this program, and it’s working out better than I could have anticipated. The Kindle Select program allows books to be given away for free and allows them to be “borrowed.” This is great for the reader, and it turns out to make incredible financial sense to me.
It works like this: Amazon Prime Members (everyone should be a part of this program, for the free shipping alone) get to “borrow” one book a month, every month. The author still gets a small commission, with the caveat that the book cannot be available anywhere else. They are purchasing exclusivity, a practice common in other retail markets (particular lines of clothing, furniture) and media (some TV studios on Hulu, some on Netflix, same with movie studios).
By choosing to do this, I’ll be making all of my books Kindle exclusives. My sincerest apologies to those of you who have been reading these books on your Nooks or through the iStore. Contact me directly if you want to find out how to finish reading the series. (iPad owners can simply use the Kindle app. I have something I’ll do for Nook owners if they want to work with me directly).
This decision was not taken lightly, but the reality is that I sell .0005 Nook versions for every Kindle version. B&N just doesn’t have the tools or website to help readers discover new writers. They are pushing the same titles they display in their stores, and I can’t fault them for that. But as an indie writer (someone they wouldn’t want in their store) I need to do what’s best for me and the majority of my readers.
If I’m ever able to write full-time, which would result in more works at even higher quality for my readers, it will be because I maximized my ability to earn on my art.
I’m 100% behind the Kindle. It’s what I own, it’s what I recommend, it’s what I gifted to friends and family for Christmas. Amazon is never going out of business, not in my lifetime. They are the present and future of retail. That means my purchased library is never going to disappear. And with the Kindle software, I can read each purchased book on my PC, laptop, smartphone, or Kindle, all without losing my place between devices.
Right now, the Kindle is where I’m making all my sales, winning over all my fans, and gaining all my exposure. This is the only sane decision for me. Again, if you are impacted by this and disgruntled, please email me. We’ll discuss it.
Thanks,
Hugh
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