Hello everyone! Denise and Sonia here! Time for our ...
This month we have the immensely talented Jemi Fraser sharing with us how becoming a 'Wide' Author works. As I understand, with several publishing opportunities today, it is a wise choice to make to go 'wide' instead of being exclusively on Amazon. How we should navigate through the process, what are its benefits and challenges - Jemi brings it all here for our readers.
Over to Jemi!
Being a Wide Author
First off - what does being a wide author mean? A wide author is one who publishes on more than one retailer and doesn’t belong to an exclusive program (for example, Amazon's Kindle Unlimited).
I’ve chosen to be a wide author for several reasons. While I’m still a relatively new author (started publishing in 2020), I’m very happy with my choice to be wide.
For me, being wide makes me happy because:
2. Because my books are available in libraries, I get a
yearly check from PLR (Public Lending Right). Not all countries have a
PLR program, but if you do, check into it. It’s a great program and a nice
boost in the spring!
3. My books are available in countries that don’t have
access to Amazon. My readers and newsletter subscribers come from all over
the world and several have mentioned they are thrilled to be able to access
my books through their favourite retailers.
4. I like not having to rely on one company for my
income. In this economy, the more streams of income coming in, the
better!
5. Several retailers (Kobo, Google Play, Barnes &
Noble) allow indie authors access to special promotions and will promote
indie authors right alongside trad authors in these promotions. This is a far cry from when indie authors were treated as second-rate.
6. Some of those same retailers also allow you to use coupon
codes you can create and share as you wish. I haven’t tried these yet, but
they’re on the to-do list!
7. There are distributors like Draft2Digital (D2D) that help indie authors access any retailers and libraries (for a small % of royalties earned). They also have special promotion arrangements with some retailers. And they're always ready to answer author questions.
I know some authors are a little intimidated by going wide. They feel that there is too much to learn.
Personally, I didn’t find it too challenging or time-consuming. While every retailer’s dashboard is different, they are all pretty clear and easy to use. If any particular retailer is too frustrating (here's looking at you, Apple), then the author can choose to use a distributer like D2D to access those retailers.
Once you have your accounts set up and you’ve published once, it becomes easy. I can upload a new book on all the sites in less than thirty minutes. Do set up your accounts well in advance though as some retailers take time to verify banking data.
A question I’ve been asked by other authors is, “What do you say to readers who want your books in an exclusive program?”
I’ve never been asked that by a reader. Not once.
If I was, I’d point them to their local library. Authors are paid a small fee every time a book is checked out. Not only is it a win for both the authors and the readers, it helps support our libraries!
I’d also point them to Kobo Plus. Kobo has a subscription program for those who like to pay a monthly fee and have access to all the Kobo Plus books. Like Kindle Unlimited, authors can choose to enrol their books in this program or not. The best part about this subscription program is that it is NOT exclusive. The program isn’t available world-wide yet, but it’s growing with the UK, USA, with Australia and NZ being added recently.
So, those are my top reasons for being wide. Any questions? I’ll do my best to answer!
If you'd like to read more about going wide, go HERE to read more from that creative Joanna Penn.
Read all about
#publishing #wide. #wideforthewing.@DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @SoniaDogra16
@jemifraser #amwriting
https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2023/09/wep-how-to-be-wideauthor-article-4-of.html
Congratulations. And thank you for making your books so widely available. Being only available from one distributor effectively works as a form of censorship, because it effectively means that many are unable to access your work. Censorship of books is anathema to me.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I love having my books in libraries and it's such a thrill seeing when my books sell in different countries around the world!
DeleteGoing wide seems like a wise approach for sure! @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
I know it's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me :)
DeleteGreat information, Jemi. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteGoing wide is a win for writers and readers!
ReplyDeleteI think so! And for libraries too :)
DeleteGoing wide seems like a great idea. Just wondering, would it be better to use something like Draft2Digital for all platforms (Eg. Amazon, AppleBooks) or manually publish books on some & use D2D for the tougher platforms?
ReplyDeleteAlso, are authors allowed to join the PLR of countries where they're not citizens (but want to include their books in libraries in that country)?
Bernadette - This is probably different for everyone. :) I think going direct whenever possible is best (more royalties). Definitely go direct with Amazon. I go direct with Kobo (including Overdrive for libraries), BN, and GP. I find them all fairly easy. There’s an issue with Canadian taxes and Apple, so I use D2D for them + other libraries.
DeleteD2D has been great. To ease into the process, using D2D to get to more places to start would be okay - although I’d still do Amazon directly. Just be aware that if you switch from direct to D2D or from D2D to direct, you might lose all the reviews in the process.
The PLR program is only for citizens of the individual countries.
I’m not 100% positive, but I believe D2D & Overdrive will get you access to worldwide libraries (although patrons may still need to request your book)
Thank you! đŸ™‚
DeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteThanks Jemi. There's so much more I want to know, but I do know I'm a big fan of Draft2Digital. I met them at an Aussie conference and they were so helpful and continue to be. I'm just too swamped to go wide yet, but I will. It will have to join the queue of things to do before I die.
ReplyDeleteThere's always such a long To Do list, isn't there!
DeleteI agree about D2D - I find them terrific!
Congrats, Jemi! You make it sound so effortless!
ReplyDeleteLOL - thanks! It's mostly fun so that's probably why :)
DeleteExcellent info! I'd add in a note about Smashwords, as they offer digital distribution to libraries (as least in America, I can't speak for other places).
ReplyDeleteAlso, Kindle Unlimited only applies to digital copies. "While enrolled in KDP Select, you cannot distribute copies of the book in any digital format. "
So, hypothetically, one could still offer print copies elsewhere. It's a little loophole I noticed some authors have.
You're so right! I found the Smashwords upload so clunky, so I didn't upload there. Now D2D and Smashwords have merged so that makes things easier.
DeleteAnd yes! I should have mentioned that I was talking about ebooks. Print books are different and you can distribute where you like.
Thanks!!
It's good that JLenni mentioned that point. Amazon is very jealous of you publishing elsewhere which is probably why newbies (like me) just sigh and stick with Amz until it's time to break free.
Delete