You wonder if Kindle Unlimited is worth the exclusivity. The answer is: maybe. Per book.
The misdiagnosisThe misdiagnosis is that this is one decision.
The real diagnosisIt is many. One per book. One per series. Subscription works for some genres and not others. The math changes year to year. Decide per release, not per career.
Subscription Math
| Service | Exclusivity | Pays | Works For |
|---|---|---|---|
| KU | Yes (90 days) | Per page read | Romance, cozy, thriller, fast readers |
| Audible Plus | Often exclusive | Per listen | Audiobooks in fiction |
| Scribd / Everand | No | Smaller | Wide catalog reach |
| Wide ebook | No | Direct sale | Literary, slower readers, library users |
Three Per-Book Tests
- Is my genre fast-reading? (KU works better)
- Do I have a list that buys direct? (Wide works better)
- Am I willing to track in 90-day cycles? (KU is real labor)
Subscription is not a religion. It is a 90-day decision per book.
You can change the answer next quarter. The lock is short.
The dare (not assignment)Pick your next release. Answer the three tests above. Decide subscription per book. Don't decide for your whole career.
Image promptA small subscription icon on a phone screen, beside a printed book. Painterly. Cream and dark blue. No people.
— The Book Maven
