As you know, I’m attempting to find agent representation for my novel, but while it’s out I’m not sitting back and just waiting. I’m planning ahead. I know my plan for the future and I’m even planning long term idea’s. If I don’t find agent representation I’m going to get my work professionally edited and pay for a book cover before publishing it digitally myself. The stumbling block I come across in my planning stage is the issue of ereading devices and I need some help and feedback from you, if you will.
Amazon Kindle currently monopolise the ebook market. OK, they pretty much monopolise every market. To keep writers only uploading their work to Kindle, Amazon give incentives. For instance, you can only place your book in the lending library if you sign up for KDP Select, which prohibits you from placing your work on other ereader platforms.
This doesn’t work for me. I know that Kindle isn’t the only ereader out there. I know people read from other devices. I may make more money – OK, that’s slightly optimistic that I’m going to make any money – with the Amazon Kindle KDP Select plan, but if I only went with Kindle I’d be dismissing readers with a Kobo, Nook or other reader. I don’t want to do that, I’m writing because I can’t stop myself and I’d love to have readers, wherever they may be. So, what I’m thinking, is, if I do go the self publishing route, that I will upload my work to all ereaders and make it widely available. This may not be a great business decision because KDP select can provide a better chance of returns, but I’m not in it for the business. Yes, I would obviously like to see lots of downloads and lots of great reviews and make some money, but the first two are what are important to me. So what I’d like to know, is what ereader you use and what your thoughts are on distributing novels across all reader platforms or making the most of what Amazon offer and giving readers the opportunity to borrow the book from their library.
I’d love your input. Thank you!
sarahcradit says
I signed up for KDP Select thinking it would be an excellent avenue, but it was woefully unsuccessful for me. Let’s just say I had more people request my ebook on Nook and other formats than I did KDP borrows! So I recently took it off the Select program (after about a year on it), and have added it to the other channels. Hoping this is more successful 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you Sarah. I’d be interested to hear how you get on with the change.
Very Tessa Tangent says
Good point. It’s your choice. There *are* conversion programs, like Calibre. Even if I buy Kindle e-books, I convert them for my Nook. But I also have a Nook account. 🙂 x
Rebecca Bradley says
I don’t like the idea of only saying a certain set of people can get hold of it if I do release it. Not everyone “gets” technology and wouldn’t be able to handle conversion software, so it’s going to have to be a clear decision.
Very Tessa Tangent says
If I can do Calibre, anyone can. It’s a doddle! Converts instantly. I deliberately *chose* Nook because I’m fed up of being led in certain choices by Amazon. Lots of good advice from experience here, though. Useful for me, too!
Stephanie Rothwell says
I use the kindle and iBooks through the iPad. Not sure if its any use but there is an app called ether reads. Could be just for short stories but its an option.
Rebecca Bradley says
I have a couple of flash fiction pieces on Ether from when I first started writing. Having looked back on them, I think they need editing a bit! But yes, there are so many options for reading out there and only going for Amazon feels a bit “off”.
Jane Isaac says
Good point. I tend to read via the kindle app on my phone. I think my publisher has tested out all the areas, but feels that Kindle is more effective in terms of sales. They seem to have cornered the market somewhat. Hope this helps.
Rebecca Bradley says
They have cornered the market haven’t they and they seem the obvious choice, but I just don’t like the idea of being tied to one company like that if there is the option of going with all.
Glynis Smy says
I have experimented. Ripper is with Amazon, and Smashwords to cover all ereaders. Maggie, is with Amazon select (although I have never used free option). I sell more of both on Amazon. I think people purchase and convert, as I know one person downloaded and has an ipad. I am now debating just to use Amazon for my third. However, I do like the idea of spreading myself across the ereader options.
Good luck with your future plans, Rebecca.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Glynis. I think the Kindle does have the bulk of the sales and authors do get massively better sales and returns on there so it seems like the sensible option for them, but like you, I like the idea of going across all readers. It gives people options and choices.
Annalisa Crawford says
When I self-published my latest book, I went straight to Amazon for ease (because I was completely unsure what I was doing, and by doing it that way I didn’t have to worry about ISBNs etc). Because I was already there, I signed into KDP Select because I had nothing to lose. I didn’t think I’d use the free option, but I am… this weekend, just waiting for it to turn to free now 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
I’ve downloaded your book 🙂
I think that’s why Amazon are getting the bulk, because they do make everything so easy. And for a lot of us, time is really precious. It’s a tough decision, but I think I know what I’m going to do…
fcmalby says
I went straight to self-pub and signed up with Amazon kdp select, having also put my book on createspaces as well because people wanted paperbacks. I wanted to experiment with select before branching out. You’ll find your book reaches more people very quickly but won’t necessarily gain many more reviews. I doesn’t always increase later sales as some readers will only download free books. You are more likely to be noticed by agents if this is your aim and your book reaches at least the top 100 in the kindle charts. Most authors say that around 90% of their income is from Amazon but Smashwords is a good way forward if you want to spread the net. Kobo is moving into markets in developing countries and is reaching areas that Amazon has not yet reached. You never know what will happen in the future and reaching a wide range of readers is important for building a long term career. I am now going to branch out onto other platforms. Most people use special offer days and drop the price to 99c for a day or two on Nook, Apple and Amazon with good results. There is also Diesel and many other sites. Authors also use Wattpad for free extracts and short stories. If you are not confident with formatting and conversion, Bookbaby will do this and distribute your work across platforms. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you. I’d be really interested to hear how it goes. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said “long term career”. It’s not about a quick and easy plan. It’s something I want to stick at and work at, so actually looking at things like Kobo, who, as you say, are reaching a wider audience, feels like the right thing.
fcmalby says
I’ll keep you posted. There is a minefield of information on self publishing and traditional publishing and a million different perspectives. Every writer seems to take a slightly different route and there is no quick path to success. I may consider agents at a later date and have had interest from some during the kdp select free period of my debut novel, but I really enjoy the freedom that self publishing brings at the moment. If you need help with finding editors, cover designers and formatting if you decide to go down that route I would be happy to help.
Bel Anderson says
I read on Kindle – but I know other people who read on other devices. Good point, Rebecca. I hadn’t got as far as thinking about what format to self-publish in, if and when I do, especially as I’m only on chapter 3 of the stop-start novel! Hope you find your answer. Best of luck with the novel – maybe you won’t even be going down the self-publishing route!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you Bel. Maybe I won’t! But, there are only a few who get taken on by agents each year and there are many more writers. I intend to work hard and do this for the long term.
Good luck with yours. I’ll obviously be letting you know how this all goes 🙂
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – This is a great choice for K. I myself have a Kindle, to answer your easiest question. As to your other question, I agree that the more widely available your book is (i.e. for different kinds of e-readers) the more people you can reach. I know what you mean about balancing the natural desire to want to sell a lot of books with the very real desire to reach lots of people. My vote would be to make your book available on different kinds of readers.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Margot. That’s my natural inclination. I don’t like the feel of saying only a certain set of people can access my work (Being optimistic again) so going across the platforms seems to be the sensible choice for a long term career.
Cathrina Constantine says
Very good, interesting post. Advice I never knew. Thanks.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you.
nancyrae4 says
I know we are all thinking about this shift in the evolution of reading. It’s funny because I was just talking to my husband about the similarities when music distribution hit the net. It took about ten years for the dust to settle on that, with iTunes becoming the Amazon of music. A good thing? Not so sure. Anyway, I have a Kindle. Like you, I’m hoping for an agent. While self-publishing isn’t my first choice, I believe readers should have a wide choice in what they read and how they read it. Time will tell how it shakes out. Check out Holly Lisle’s Home page. She probably has a ton of info on her epub adventures with Amazon and others.
Rebecca Bradley says
You are so right about the iTunes thing. I don’t even consider going anywhere else, but then again, that’s because the hardware I use is Apple. If I used something else, I would potentially be using another MP3 provider. It is all about choice, which is why I am likely to go across platforms rather than restrict myself.
I’ll check out Holly’s page. Thank you.
Good luck with your own agent search!
sharonsant says
I feel like I’m facing the same choice at the moment. As you know, I have three books out on Amazon as part of KDP. I don’t get too many borrows, but the free promotions do seem useful. I’ve heard mixed reports about other selling platforms, even so, I feel like I should try them, but don’t want to lose the free promo option. It’s a tough call and I stil haven’t decided yet. The formatting issues worry me too – it’s far easier to prepare a book for kindle than for other platforms, or so I’ve been led to believe.
Rebecca Bradley says
I think that’s why Amazon have the lions share, or part of the reason – they make it all so easy. Everyone else needs to catch up. As I’ve been answering these comments, I’ve realised that I am in this for the long term, so with that in mind, I probably think I’m going to go for the cross platform option. Kobo have a wider reach than Amazon, so even though I may have slower sales in the short term, it may be more helpful long term. I’m just going to have to set a period of days aside to do the formatting stuff!
C.B. Wentworth says
I had Kobo initially and it turned out to be the most irritating device I’ve ever used. I got so frustrated, I ended up sending it back. To replace it I got a Kindle and I love it! Perhaps, I’m succumbing to the market trend, but it really is a nice e-reader. 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
I do love my KIndle, I have to admit. It’s so easy to use, but I have to acknowledge that there are others out there and they do get used. In fact someone in my office reads from another reader, though I’m not sure what it is. I think I need to look!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I own an iPad, so the first place I look for books is the iBookstore. I will download from Amazon, but I wish more authors had their books available someplace besides Amazon.
Rebecca Bradley says
I have an iPad Alex and I ended up downloading the KIndle app onto it and still reading Kindle books! I do agree though that there needs to be choice.
ramblingsfromtheleft says
I don’t mind the monopoly since I’ve used amazon for years. I have no need for a reader but have the download of the Kindle for PC and get my e books that way. Right now, I don’t think it’s an issue. And also, right now, every other corporation is playing catch up with amazon. If Barnes & Noble and the rest were not so busy making fun of amazon for their bold strokes in the industry they would have “caught on” by earlier. How this shakes out in the future will be interesting to see 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
When I used my iPad to read on, instead of using iBooks, I downloaded the KIndle app. Funny how that happens.
The other corporations do need to catch up because Amazon make everything so easy, but it’s not just about the corporations. It’s the readers and they don’t all choose to read from Kindle and it’s the readers I want to reach.
Patricia (@patricialynne07) says
With some of the changes to Amazon’s algorithms, KDP select isn’t as great for self published authors as it used to be so, in my opinion, you’re being wise not limiting yourself to one basket. As for ereaders, in my house there are two kindles, one sony eReader and a Nook. I use the Kindle and Sony the most, but hubby mostly sticks with the Nook.
Rebecca Bradley says
Wow, you have some readers in your house!
I’ve heard about this continually changing algorithm. Not the most secure feeling for writers. I think, after going through all my comments, the opinion I was leaning to in the start, is the right one.
Liz says
I have a Nook. I was probably stupid for getting it since Amazon seems to have the lion’s share of the market. Sigh.
Rebecca Bradley says
They do don’t they. But you’re not alone in having a different reader which is why I’m likely to distribute across all platforms. If the option is there, I think it’s wise to use it.
D.A.Cairns says
I wanted a Kindle but I couldn’t find one so I bought a Kobo. Not being limted to the Amazon/Kindle library is good. I wouldn’t limit yourself to one platform. It’s hard enough without restricting yourself. As for borrowing…obviously we prefer people to buy. If borrowers were strong recommenders and their recommendations led to sales, then lending is worthwhile. Writing a book is hard and takes a long time, as you know. I guess I’m not much of a fan of borrrowing. By the way, how long are planning to try for representation? I sent 66 queries before I got a yes. It was my second novel and I really didn’t want to self publish.
Rebecca Bradley says
I am actually quite looking forward to the idea of self publishing. For me it’s just about writing and having readers. I agree that just going with Amazon feels limiting though. I seem to have made a decision!
Peanut Butter and Whine says
I’m an iBook Store girl I read on my iPad. Good luck!!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you! It seems that there are more than Kindle readers out there 🙂
Joanne Phillips says
I read on my Kindle and in paperback. I published on kindle only to begin with and had good results with KDP select last summer after running a free promo. But it seems the bubble of free might have burst so I’m not sure if it’s worth restricting yourself now. A compromise might be – and I’ve done this with my second novel – is to spend one term in Select (3 months) and extract all it has to offer, then roll your book out across all platforms.
Joanna (Lazuli Portals Trilogy) says
I read ebooks on my laptop using Kindle-for-PC and, on my tablet, via the Kindle app. My co-author has the Kindle app on his Android smartphone. My sister has an iPad and I’m fairly sure she uses the Kindle app, too. My other sister’s thinking of buying a Kindle. 😀 😀 😀
We have our novel on Kindle only, but after 2 periods with KDP Select we’ve put that program behind us. For now, at least….
Our short story anthology, which is not available in paperback, is on Kindle and also distributed (via Smashwords) for Nook, Sony Reader etc. We hope it might lead to a different subset of readers. If that avenue seems to expand our reader base then we’ll look into adding the novels there as well. I found the upload straightforward and it’s great to see the book on the Barnes and Noble and Sony sites as well as on Amazon.
Hope that helps … and good luck x
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Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you
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