There are a couple things to consider with this new venture.
For one, there are no Big-5 Publishers participating. The titles are limited right now and consist entirely of small publisher and independent titles. In fact, according to Tech Crunch, “...most major publishers have been working hard to create and invest in other partners. Oyster Books, for example, is a beneficiary of this anti-Amazon sentiment while houses like Zola Books are funded by publishing insiders.”
Since it’s late to the party, and it has a limited title base, most subscribers of other services probably won’t switch.
It probably won’t drastically change the industry, either. Not everyone wants to rent their books rather than buy them. As Book Business Magazine stated, “Everyone didn't stop buying tracks on iTunes when Spotify took off, so don't look for any seismic shifts here either.”
Will “NetFlix for books” really take off? With eBooks free to download from one’s local library, not to mention all of the titles most people already possess on their devices, this might be just another option for readers.
Are you signing up for Unlimited or thinking of ditching your Oyster account?
Now available -
By C. Lee McKenzie
Sixteen-year-old Hutch McQueen is a smart kid who can barely read. He makes one bad choice after another, trying to find a way to escape his rotten life at home and at school. Each time he gets into more trouble.
Buy it at Evernight Teen
Be sure to check out Double Negative and other new releases at my other site, The Circle of Friends.
42 comments:
Not having a Kindle-yet I wouldn't know what Amazon would be on about,
Have a good week.
Yvonne.
Thanks for letting me know about it. I knew I could count on you. I don't think I'll join unless the big publishers sign up and add their audio books. That's the only reason I'd be interested.
Not really a big e-reader fan, so this isn't for me. I could see it would be good for someone who loves to read, but doesn't want to fill up their reader with books they've already read. And, as you mentioned, there would be limitations on it concerning certain publishers.
Congratulations to Lee on her book release.
Natalie, the fact they don't have Big-5 books is major drawback.
As slow as I read, it wouldn't be worth it.
Congratulations to Lee!
I've got over 500 books on my Kindle right now. Don't think I need any more. As for Netflix, I did my free month, watched a few films, then ran out of movies I wanted to watch.
I also still get library books. Canadian libraries don't have Kindle books yet.
I've never heard of Oyster until now! :) I hadn't realized the big 5 weren't in - definitely a big, big factor. Thanks for the info - can always count on you!!!! :)
I can borrow books from my library on my Kindle and also borrow 'regular' books from them as needed. As of right now I'd rather donate that money to my library than any of those services.
I don't think I'll sign up for unlimited Kindle books. I'd rather have a wider choice, first of all, and I already have trouble keeping up with the books I dearly want to read. I'd be under all kinds of pressure to read if I knew I was paying up front for unlimited numbers of books.
Thanks for hosting me today, Diane. It's so kind of you help me out on this launch!
I have more books on my kindle than I can read in the next year. I don't see myself jumping at this one.
Thanks for the info! I had joined, and then was disappointed when I couldn't find any of the titles I wanted to read. I probably won't continue use of the service.
I have considered buying it but I think I'll wait until amazon can sort out the big-publishing issues.
It's another avenue of distribution for Amazon, but not something I'm interested in as a reader. If I read faster and had more reading time, it could become an option.
Good to see you everywhere today, Lee. Love the post. I for one can't stop buying books. I love seeing them lined up on my shelves. Always will.
Jo, I think you have enough reading material.
Lee, I wouldn't want the pressure either. And you are very welcome.
I'm not signing up, because I don't have a Kindle, but it sounds like a great idea to me.
I won't be signing up because if I did, I wouldn't have time to do anything else but read.
I like the cover of Lee's book. It's a good representation of the story.
I don't think it will work. With no big publishers in there, a lot of casual readers won't see any titles they recognize. Plus you'll have to be a pretty good reader to justify the 9.99 a month.
It's an extra service, but not a game-changer yet.
I find myself wondering what this might mean to the indie author and his/her profits. Would this help them in the long run or lessen their earnings?
As with anything, though, I can't see people completely ditching one option for the new one. Look how many people still don't have ereaders. And how many people (like me) don't have the time to watch enough movies to make Netflix worthwhile (though I wish I could). I'll be watching with curiosity to see how it all plays out.
I'd rather visit the local library.. or buy my books.
I'd be throwing away my money on Kindle Unlimited. Congrats to Lee!
Hi, Diane. Thanks for sharing about this. Hadn't heard of Oyster and don't think I'll sign up for the Amazon Unlimited. I'm just wondering what benefits authors will get from this? Yes, they will get their name out there, but financially how will it benefit them? I'm wondering if they will get paid the same as if the book were bought or will it cut into their profits?
Thanks for explaining the new service, Diane. I wouldn't have time to read so many books, but I do enjoy the Kindle app on my iPad.
Mary Montague Sikes
Joy, that's how I feel.
JE, especially with so many books $2.99 or less.
Susanne, I believe as long as someone reads at least 10% of a book, they get paid about $2.00.
My TBR pile is way to big to sign up for such a service. So I'm not a good fit for this service.
I'd heard of it but wasn't sure what it was so I appreciate the info. There'd have to be enough books I was interested in to make it worth it. I like the idea; it could work for my husband and me sometime in the future since we both read a lot.
Like all new things Amazon does, at first it's treated with suspicion then finally embraced. I prefer buying my own books and deleting my bad choices.
Denise
I have too many books on my Kindle right now. Also, since I'm a Prime member I get to buy an Amazon published book for free once per month, and I also borrow a book a month.
I like e-readers and love my Kindle Fire, but I don't think this is the service for me. Great idea, just not my cup of tea.
The big publishers don't participate in my local public library e-lending program either.
I'm a Nookie, so I won't use the service. And I sell on other sites, so won't opt in. Some people claim it has an effect on sales, but I don't think so. I think July just sort of stinks.
I have so many books to read already, both on my Kindle, through my library, and those I buy as a used bookstore, I don't think I'll be "buying" into this program.
Hi Diane,
I try to avoid using Amazon UK. It's a moral thing that I mentioned before.
It's delightful to note the amazing Lee and her book featured here on your informative site, Diane. All the very best to Lee.
Gary
I do have a Kindle.
Having said that, it makes me think, I won't be ditching my paperbacks anytime soon...
I won't be signing up for KU, but I've already noticed an upswing in borrows of my reprints that are still locked in KDP Select. When a 99-cent title rakes in $2.00 per download instead of $0.35, I call that a win.
Thank you for this! The other day I actually tried using Google for more information on this because I kept seeing on Amazon that you can read books for free with it. Sadly, I can't afford it right now. Darn!
I'm not sure I'd go for the book rental program. You'd have to read a lot to make it worthwhile, and it really doesn't allow you to re-read books without paying, again.
I'm not sure I'd go for the book rental program. You'd have to read a lot to make it worthwhile, and it really doesn't allow you to re-read books without paying, again.
Hi Diane - I wouldn't rent a book or commit myself to a monthly expense - I'd rather have choices.
Interesting how things are developing in the industry though - thanks for the update ...
Cheers Hilary
I'm still a die-hard paper over e-book person so this holds minimal interest for me.
I was wondering what the whole Kindle Unlimited talk was all about. Haven't had time to do any research on it and understand what was going on. Thanks for this concise explanation!
Jai x
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