When I first started publishing, I was pretty adamant that I would always and forever offer all of my books on every available platform. Because I wanted readers to have a choice about where to find me. And because, philosophically, I don’t love putting all my eggs in one basket (with the notable exception of Jesus and my salvation.)
So I did.
For five years, I was what authors refer to as “wide.” And my sales were not stellar. And as much as I wish I could write solely as a ministry and with the hope to simply bless readers, I do need my books to help me contribute to our family’s income.
After a lot of prayer and back and forth, I ended up taking my books off other platforms like Barnes & Noble and enrolling everything into Kindle Unlimited. And that’s where I am today. And income-wise, it has been a huge blessing.
But there are still parts of me that don’t love being completely reliant on Amazon. And so every now and then, I sit down and spend time praying and reevaluating where and how to make my books available to readers.
In my latest iteration of this thought experiment, I’ve been mulling over the trend that is just starting to gain traction of selling directly to consumers from my author website. I would still leave books on Amazon, and since I’d be going wide again, I’d put them up on other retailers as well. But it’s been niggling in the back of my mind to see what readers think. Because setting up an online store isn’t devoid of work and challenge, and I’m certainly willing to DO the work and undertake the challenge if it’s worthwhile. But also, if it’s not? I’d just as soon spend time doing something else. Like writing the next book.
And so I have created a poll that I’d love you to take!
And I’m also really open to comments about this – if you love KU, tell me that! If you hate Amazon, tell me that! If you are a die-hard Kobo reader, I want to know! Or if there’s anything that I haven’t thought about that sticks out to you, I’d love to hear that, as well!
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
I buy most of my books from Amazon, and the odd one in Playbooks.
I don’t subscribe to KU.
I get my books on amazon mainly cos I have a kindle and I use gift card balances. I can buy Amazon Gift Cards thanks to my health insurance in Australia (amazon AU) with a 4% discount and at times it will be up to 10% off. So I will buy them and then I know I have the funds at amazon au to buy some books and other items. The cost of most books are dearer here than the states so the discount really helps. (I can still get things at amazon but need to delete preorders to go back there but I do still have a balance of about $5 there too). The main reason for not buying direct is for American websites I have to pay in USA dollars and the exchange rate is so bad.
I haven’t tried KU as I have so many books and some months read lots others none. so the monthly fee isn’t worth it.
Thanks! Playbooks must be a localish store? It’s not one I’ve heard of.
See – I didn’t even think about exchange rates and you’re right that they’re usually not a delight.
Thanks – this is good food for thought!
Hi Elizabeth! Since I mainly read on my Kindle app, I purchase my books thru Amazon. I usually purchase an Amazon gift card and budget $25 a month for books. The world being what it is – with hacking and doing transactions electronically – I am very selective when submitting my credit card information. I understand publishing and marketing are ever changing, but as I age I have simplified my expenditures. I purchase my Kindle books so hopefully the author gets the most return for their time and creativity. Some authors have shared about how little return they received through Kindle Unlimited. When I retired 11 years ago and starting to build my Kindle library, I looked for deals (free books or 99 cent boxed sets). Now years later and with inflation, I am amazed how many authors still only charge 99 cents for a book. While I prefer ebooks to be cheaper than a paperback, I am willing to buy $3.99 for a book. Enjoy your weekend. Praying for rain. Our Michigan farmers need it. Blueberries need it.
For some reason, the poll doesn’t like me. It said there was already a vote from my computer, and since I’m the only one that uses my computer, I’m not sure how it decided that, but now it won’t let me answer! So, my answers are: yes, I’d buy from an author. No, I’m not in KU and I don’t plan on joining any time in the future, and I’d buy single books or sets, and they’d all be paperbacks, which means I wouldn’t be buying them frequently or much, as I have no room for all of the paperbacks!! The “main” reason I buy books from Amazon is because if I then delete a book from my Kindle, it’s still in my “cloud” account with Amazon, so it’s not really deleted! Whereas if I have a book from Bookfunnel, once it’s gone, it’s gone. (As far as I know, anyway, if it’s not, I have no idea where it is and how to get it back!)
Thanks for this, Renate! I agree that it’s wise to be careful about where you put your banking information.
Thanks! Sorry the poll was stupid.
Hi, I also buy a lot through Amazon. I don’t like Amazon itself, but I find reading on kindle and the Kindle app so easy – and I do online surveys where you can get paid in Amazon vouchers so I don’t feel guilty spending on books! I have kindle unlimited off and on – I usually get it when there’s a lower price offer on, then stop when it goes full price as I can’t afford it all the time.
I’ve never bought direct from an author but I would be open to it – how would it work for ebooks? Could you still read via a kindle for example?
There is such a lot of complicated stuff involved in being an author that I never knew about before reading this blog, you guys all do such a good job, thank you!
You’d still be able to read on Kindle. Delivery would be through BookFunnel (I feel like most people have gotten a ln ARC or free book from them at some point these days. If not, they’re pretty user friendly.)
I love how you earn your book money! :)
I buy almost all books through Kindle Unlimited.
I wonder if the poll is cos it only allows so many answers per month unless you pay for it? I used it on a blog not realizing it was limited to 25 replies a month. (Where as a different one I used gave me more before I had to pay but I forgot what that one was)
The poll wouldn’t work for me either. I have bought directly from an author (Roseanna White and Hallee Bridgeman) because they offer lower prices than Amazon. I subscribe to Kindle Unlimited when I can get a special price for a month or two, but don’t do it all the time because I’m like others having so many books to read otherwise. (I do like Kindle Unlimited for books I know I’ll only read once, or are too expensive to buy my own copy).
On Bookfunnel books, I save them to my computer and then use Send to Kindle and check the box to archive on my cloud at Amazon.
I’m like Renate that I try to only buy Kindle books that are under $5 (and I do appreciate authors who give a lower pre-order price). I’ve been shocked recently at the Kindle books going for almost $20!!! Those are the ones I try to get an ARC copy on NetGalley :-)
Oh that could be. And I hadn’t realized Valerie B was going to do one this week as well.
This is great to know!
Oh gosh, I have closed my eyes and bought a couple for $14.99 that I just desperately wanted, but I don’t think I could pay more than that. (Of course, I used to say I’d never pay the $15 either, so what do I know?)
I think Jenny hit the nail on the head with the poll. I hadn’t realized Valerie B was doing one this week – we usually don’t have a lot of polls so it didn’t even register that we might have a problem.
If you struggled with the poll, I swapped it over to a Google Form. I really would appreciate your input!
Margaret and Elizabeth! I only use Bookfunnel for ARC reads and then use Sent to Kindle. Since Amazon changed formatting, I now use Bookfunnel and send to Apple Books. Kindle kept the page across devices iPhone and iPad, but not sure that Apple Books is as user friendly. I agree with RuthieH that Independent Published Authors wear many hats. I also have learned much in the decade I have been following Inspy Romance. Best wishes.
I purchase most of my books from Amazon, although I have purchased some from author websites. I am like Renate, I put money on my Amazon account and spend from that every month, as I purchase ebooks for my kindle. I still buy some paperback books, there are certain authors and series that I know I will read over and over, so I want a book to hold. I try to find the best price before I buy, but sometimes I just want a certain book.
I was given a KU membership and I have enjoyed that. I am not sure what I will do when I have to pay the subscription costs, myself. But I have used it more than I ever imaged.
I went back and did the poll! I do want to say, because of someone else’s response, “most” of the traditionally published authors I read have their Kindle books (I know, not them but the publisher) priced almost as much as their paperbacks. In that case, I’ll buy the paperback before I’ll buy the ebook. If I’m paying that much, I want a “real” book in my hands! Indy authors price their ebooks much more reasonably, in my opinion. I bought a book the other day for my church library (which I’m reading first, as a cool perk!!!), and it was $10.94 for the paperback from Amazon, and ebook was $10.39 from Amazon. I was thrilled to get the paperback for that amount!!
I buy books on Amazon. I don’t do KU.
Thanks for going back in! And I agree, if the prices are close it does make sense if you enjoy paperbacks.
Thanks for this fantastic info!
Excellent. Thanks for chiming in.
All I buy is books in print and I purchase them from Amazon, Walmart and Barnes and Noble. I am not tech savvy and I on’t read ebooks at all. Have a great weekend.
I usually buy through Amazon for 2 reasons, I have the kindle app and I have Amazon gift certificates. I also do bookfunnel. It is so easy to use. I occasionally do Barnes and Noble. A lot of the books I have were either free with sign-up to authors’ newsletters or .99. I do not use KU and don’t think I ever will. I used to get books from the digital library and still do occasionally. But I have so many books now on my tablet that I don’t need to borrow any. And I have bought from authors websites. In light of how Amazon is treating authors, I would like to try to buy from their websites to support them. I have won quite a few books, also. Some from Inspy Romance authors. Thank you!!!
I’ve rambled on, but don’t think I was really very helpful.
I have always used A m azon.
I love Kindle Unlimited but you can save money by buying yourself a Kindle Unlimited gift subscription. (I know this allowed by US Amazon but check if you live elsewhere. You can not for it using a gift card and it is nonrefundable.
Just google it so you land on the right Amazon page and to see all your gift subscription options. This way you can save money without hurting authors. I bought myself a 24 month KU gift subscription lowering my monthly cost to $7.19. I do recommend to authors to ask their newsletter subscribers to ask their public libraries to buy their books (in any format they wish). Also, I do recommend to avid readers to check out the free Ereaderiq (US and Uk) which alerts when titles on your watch list go on sale.Pam Hillman also had a post on Seekerville on how authors can buy their ebooks when they are on sale (to award as prizes during giveaways saving themselves money too.
You can buy yourself a Kindle Unlimited gift subscription at any point and it will save you money versus the regular monthly price. You can not use an Amazon to pay for it and it’s nonrefundable. Just google kindle unlimited gift subscription to see your options.
I originally had a Nook, so I got my ebooks from B&N. My Nook died, and I got a Nook tablet, but then I got an iPad. I got both the Kindle app and Nook app on the iPad. I bought my books mostly from B&N because that’s where I started, but recently B&N won’t let me automatically by a book that goes to my tablet. So many of my books now are bought from Amazon. I have no interest in KU either as a reader or an author.
Kindle Unlimited is how I discovered your books. 🙂
I primarily only buy and read Kindle books. I don’t have the same enjoyment holding a physical book any longer. But, id LOVE to buy directly from the author. I normally end up buying things on Amazon to read in my Kindle.
I do love being able to get books through BoomFunnel or an ARC offered by an author (when I like a author I’ll read almost all their work). And series always get me. I have to finish them!
I also love when authors give a preorder discount. I’m all about supporting you and reading your work and it’s something to look forward to.
Ooh. Good to know!
This is good info, thanks!
I love that the library offers ebooks now. I like to do that when I can as well.
Honestly me too! :)
Fantastic info, thank you!
Ooh. Bummer about B&N and your tablet.
Yay!
I love preorder discounts too! This is one of my primary reasons for being on newsletters :)
I went and did the new poll.
Thank you!
bookstores
I buy books from the authors websites (but here it is mostly publishing houses websites) and sometimes from local online bookshops, because they offer discounts. But mostly I buy books in the actual book shops, at book fairs or at literary events, directly from the author. I will never do Amazon, neither KU. I use Bookfunnel to read free books and I enjoy them, because I cannot buy from international writers. It is a matter of currency rates and exchange and bank taxes, which makes them prohibitive.
Great article.
I won’t put my thumb on the scale by voting on your poll, but my primary choice for getting books is direct from the author, if they have it available. I was excited to see one of my favourite Christian romance authors has an online bookstore and will definitely go there first for her new releases.
If the book isn’t available direct from the author, my next choice is Kobo. Failing that, then Amazon.
Hi Beth, I will buy ebooks direct from the author at their website, but it’s not always a good customer experience.
The last ebook I bought direct from an author website (it wasn’t CCR) was a frustrating experience. I couldn’t work out how to send the ebook to my Kindle (it wasn’t set up with BookFunnel, or an equivalent, which means it needed side loading) & the only place I could work out where to send the file to was Apple iBooks. I’m not reading on my iPad atm (migraine issues, whereas my Kindle doesn’t have backlighting) so the ebook is sitting there unread. I won’t buy any more books in the series until I read this one, and I won’t read this one until my migraine issues settle down, and I wish I’d bought it from the Kindle store in the first place.
As long as the ebook file can be easily sent to my Kindle, I’m happy to buy direct from authors. If the author isn’t offering a Kindle epub (which may have been the problem) I’d like to know that upfront before pressing ‘buy now.’
👍
Exchange rates is a problem that I’m seeing repeatedly. It’s definitely food for thought!
I’m also seeing more of y’all who enjoy physically shopping at a store – or at fairs like you mentioned.
This is good info! And I appreciate the rankings too. You might be the first “prefer Kobo” person I’ve seen in a while :)
Oh boy. Yeah if the book isn’t easy to get that would turn me off directly purchasing too. Good to remember!