After long consideration, I’ve decided not to re-enrol my books in Kindle Unlimited once my 90-day term is over. This isn’t a post to criticise other authors’ choices or to say KU doesn’t work, because for many, it works brilliantly.
I’m sharing my own experiences, what I’ve noticed, and why I’ve decided to take my books in a different direction.
For those who might not be familiar, KU pays authors based on the number of pages read by subscribers. The payout is generally in the range of about $0.004 to $0.005 per page. While this setup works well for longer works, I’ve found that shorter books – like novellas, short stories, and collections – tend to earn much less under this model, even when they require the same amount of creative energy to produce.
I also recently learned more about the Page Flip feature on Kindle devices. My understanding, based on information shared by other authors and my own observations, is that pages viewed through this function might not always be counted as ‘read’ for payout purposes.
I can’t say for certain how much this affects everyone, but I personally noticed a significant drop in my page reads from June onward, and it made me start paying closer attention to how my books were being consumed through KU.
There’s no denying KU can be an incredible tool for authors who already have an established, active readership. For me, though, it’s been challenging to see a sustainable return, especially when factoring in the time and costs that go into every book.
Indie authors often have to be our own marketing specialists, cover designers, social media managers, and content creators, all while trying to maintain the creative energy to write. When the numbers don’t cover expenses, it can quickly start to feel more like an expensive hobby than a viable business.
This isn’t about discouraging anyone from joining KU; it’s about encouraging authors to make an informed choice and readers to make a mindful one. Understand the payout model, be aware of features like Page Flip, and consider whether your genre, audience, and book length will work in your favour. For some authors, it’s absolutely worth it. For others, like me, it may not be the right fit.
If you want to read my books on KU, you still can. Some of them will be taken off this month, and others will remain available until October. Whether you choose to use KU or purchase my books directly, your support means the world to me either way.
xoxo Ava
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are my personal opinions and experiences as an independent author. They are not intended as factual statements about any individual, company, or service. Other authors may have different experiences. Writers are encouraged to research and form their own conclusions before making publishing decisions.
