The internet has revolutionized the book publishing industry, and Amazon Unlimited is one of its biggest disruptors. Amazon’s subscription-based model offers readers unlimited access to a library of ebooks and audiobooks. And while this has been a great opportunity for readers, it can be a trap for indie authors who aren’t aware of its limitations. In this article, we’ll explore the problem with Amazon Unlimited for indie authors and what you can do to protect yourself from potential pitfalls.
The Exclusivity Clause that Binds Indie Authors to KDP Unlimited
One of the biggest problems with Amazon Unlimited is its exclusivity clause, which requires authors to make their books available exclusively through KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). This means that if an author wants to take advantage of Amazon’s subscription model, they have to commit to making their books available only on KDP. While this may seem like a good deal at first glance, it ties authors into an exclusive agreement that prevents them from publishing their work elsewhere—even if they receive better terms or more favourable rates elsewhere.
Punishing Indie Authors for When Their Work is Stolen
Another issue with Amazon Unlimited is that it doesn’t adequately protect authors when their work is stolen or pirated. If someone steals your book and puts it up on another platform without your permission, not only will you not get paid for it, but you also won’t be able to take legal action against the thief because you are contractually obligated under the KDP exclusivity clause not to do so. This essentially leaves indie authors out in the cold when it comes to protecting their intellectual property rights.
Piracy of Books
Finally, there is the issue of piracy when it comes to books published through Amazon Unlimited. Since there is no DRM protection on these books, anyone can download them and share them with others without paying for them—which means fewer sales for authors who are already struggling to get noticed in an overcrowded marketplace. With no way to stop people from illegally downloading their work, indie authors are left feeling helpless and frustrated as they watch their hard work being shared without any compensation whatsoever.
At the end of the day, while Amazon Unlimited may seem like a great opportunity at first glance, there are several major issues that indie authors should consider before signing up for the program. From exclusive agreements that tie them into unfavorable contracts to inadequate protection against theft and piracy, there are many potential pitfalls associated with this subscription model that could leave indie authors worse off than before they signed up—so proceed with caution!