tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post7268939235977404437..comments2024-03-28T18:40:05.789-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: The Effect of Amazon’s Subscription ServiceJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-17737605641654305552015-01-05T10:30:14.619-05:002015-01-05T10:30:14.619-05:00But Jim, as you said, at additional cost. The ques...But Jim, as you said, at additional cost. The question is if I want to "buy" $10 worth of books on the KU list or whether I want to spend those dollars on my own selections, which may not be KU books. I'll have to experiment and report my findings!E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-89245812848152649172015-01-05T09:54:21.424-05:002015-01-05T09:54:21.424-05:00A thoughtful and informative blog! Thanks for clar...A thoughtful and informative blog! Thanks for clarifying it!KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-1497644743103638172015-01-05T07:53:56.658-05:002015-01-05T07:53:56.658-05:00The question for you Elaine as a reader regarding ...The question for you Elaine as a reader regarding the Kindle Unlimited program is whether you consistently download more than $10 of their books a month.<br /><br />It's doesn't restrict you from downloading other things as well.<br /><br />~ JImJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-76779375966271259352015-01-05T06:51:25.719-05:002015-01-05T06:51:25.719-05:00I, too, didn't know that Amazon pays bonuses t...I, too, didn't know that Amazon pays bonuses to KU top-selling authors. <br /><br />What Polly said about series authors it so true. I started a series, fell in love with it, but by the third book, realized that the first, second, and third books should have been one book. Lots of repeated dialogue, lots of backstory to catch up new readers. In short, the series got old fast. I paid $2.99 per book, so I actually paid about $9 for what should have been one book. Of course, I dropped out of reading the rest of the "series."<br /><br />One of the things I like about Kindle is having that list of everything I've downloaded. When I borrow, I find that I forget to write down the titles I read. If I liked the book, then I've lost the name of the author. For author interviews or reviews, it is essential to have the book for reference in writing the interview. I read probably 10+ books per month. The KU program should be for me, but I'd feel limited to the books on the program if I subscribed, and I like the freedom to choose. E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-61664290684592405912015-01-04T19:10:13.382-05:002015-01-04T19:10:13.382-05:00Thank you for the analysis, Jim. I didn't real...Thank you for the analysis, Jim. I didn't realize that Amazon paid top-selling KU authors a bonus. The authors, especially those who write more slowly, may feel pressure to increase output. Hopefully, the quality won't suffer. Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-73908871043684668092015-01-04T17:53:28.646-05:002015-01-04T17:53:28.646-05:00Interesting blog, Jim. I didn't sign up for an...Interesting blog, Jim. I didn't sign up for any special Kindle programs until my latest book and then I signed up for KS. I'll see how I fare compared to what I've been getting for my e-books to date when I get my next check.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-13060762936272586652015-01-04T12:57:15.699-05:002015-01-04T12:57:15.699-05:00Polly -- the whole ebook revolution was clearly a ...Polly -- the whole ebook revolution was clearly a case of the early bird getting the worm.<br /><br />I also think it will be interesting if the push of many authors for quantity over quality will continue to pay. My guess is that it will.<br /><br />Since that's not my style, I have to look for ways to find readers interested in my style of quality.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-29675308802183920722015-01-04T12:50:21.940-05:002015-01-04T12:50:21.940-05:00Thanks Jim and Polly for your insight about KU. I...Thanks Jim and Polly for your insight about KU. I've been watching the advertisements and wondering about the economics. The information you've provided is very helpful.Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-50797951472639605452015-01-04T11:07:05.739-05:002015-01-04T11:07:05.739-05:00Interesting post, Jim. As an author exclusive to A...Interesting post, Jim. As an author exclusive to Amazon, I have until February to make up my mind whether to stay in the program or opt out. Having tried other platforms for almost a year with my books, I made much less on all the platforms combined monthly than I would have on the borrows had I stayed with Amazon only. That was before KU. I'm still making money on the borrows even though the amount per book is less. The assumption that if a reader can't borrow a book he will buy it is unproven. I'm looking to the 15th of the month when I'll see how much each borrow is netting and whether it's worth putting my books on the other platforms or keeping them with Amazon. <br /><br />The big writers leaving the program might claim it's because of KU, which I'm sure in part it is. BUT, those writers got in early and earned tons of money before others joined. The assumption that they would continue to earn so much was unrealistic from the start. Also, some readers stopped reading one writer once they caught on to the fact that her short books of a continuing story went on and on until they realized they were paying $45 for the book. <br /><br />It will be interesting to see how some of these writers do on all the other platforms and how the program will shake out over time. My guess is Amazon might lose money too, and that will spur them on to revise the program to get their big indie authors back.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.com