Exclusivity and Kindle Unlimited: Don't mess it up!
Kindle Unlimited (AKA KDP Select).
It’s that nifty feature used by Indie Authors and Traditional Publishers alike to make their books exclusive to Amazon.
In return, subscribers to Kindle Unlimited can read your book for free!
However, not everyone understands exactly what it means to be “exclusive” with Kindle Unlimited.
Fortunately, Kindle Direct Publishing’s Terms of Service spell it out in plain language:
Exclusivity. When you include a Digital Book in KDP Select, you give us the exclusive right to sell and distribute your Digital Book in digital format while your book is in KDP Select. During this period of exclusivity, you cannot sell or distribute, or give anyone else the right to sell or distribute, your Digital Book (or a book that is substantially similar), in digital format in any territory where you have rights.
I’ve highlighted the keywords. You cannot sell or distribute your book through any other method other than Kindle Unlimited.
In addition to reading your book for free, enrollment in KDP Select also gives you access to 5 free days every three months OR Kindle Countdown Deals. You can only use one price promotion per quarter.
So the big question everyone asks…
Can I give away free copies of my book in exchange for reviews if distributing through Kindle Unlimited?
The answer: only if you’re giving away Amazon copies of the book to potential reviewers.
Elsewhere on Amazon’s website, they make their “exclusivity” requirement very clear, saying:
All content enrolled in KDP Select must remain for sale through the Kindle Store only. If the digital version of your book appears to be available for pre-order, for sale, or for free elsewhere (such as on your website or blog, or a third party’s website), it is not eligible for KDP Select. Adding new content (such as bonus content, author's commentary section, etc.) to a book that's available elsewhere will not satisfy the exclusivity requirements.
But what about book reviews? They mention that, too.
You may also provide professional reviewers with a copy of your book via email for the purpose of editing, proofreading and helping with other quality improvements.
Notice: THEY DO NOT MENTION giving your book to reviewers for the purpose of acquiring book reviews.
So DO NOT give away free MOBI and EPUB copies of your books to reviewers if you’re enrolled in Kindle Select/Unlimited.
However! There’s an easy way to still give your book to reviewers at a tiny cost.
If you buy “pre-paid” e-books directly from Amazon’s website, you can give those copies to readers. If they read that copy and leave a review, Amazon will view the review as a verified purchase (and you will not have violated KDP’s Terms of Service).
If your book costs $2,99, and you’re receiving a 70% royalty, the cost to you is ~$0.90 per review copy.
Alternatively!
You can send out all of your free review copies BEFORE you enroll your book in KDP Select. The exclusivity requirement only matters during the months when your book is enrolled, not before or after.
So remember…
When you sign up for KDP Select (and thus Kindle Unlimited), you’re committing to exclusivity with Amazon.
There aren’t really any exceptions to this rule, unless you’re sending the book to your editor.
If the digital version of your book appears to be available for pre-order, for sale, or for free elsewhere (such as on your website or blog, or a third party’s website), it is not eligible for KDP Select.
So if you’ve been releasing chapters of your book for free on your website, you must remove them before you enroll the book in KDP Select!
Don’t set yourself up to be on Amazon’s bad side. Unfortunately, they’re the largest market for e-books right now, and the worst thing that could happen is having your books kicked from the platform.
And if you want to read Kindle Direct Publishing’s Terms of Service yourself, you can find them here.
And if you found this advice useful, feel free to reach out about how we can work together. As a freelance editor, when I work with my clients, I also help them succeed, providing advice on the publishing process from start to finish.