Dear Amazon ...

... here's what one author thinks of Kindle Select:

http://guidohenkel.com/2011/12/dear-amazon%E2%80%A6-heres-what-i-think-of-your-kindle-select-program/

Interesting comments. I am curious to see how Amazon reacts.

If they are wise, they will ignore it.

It has a ring of truth to it, the days of huge killings on books are over for most authors.

I have my book on Smashwords and Amazon I would not make it exclusive to only one electronic format that is looney.
It sounds like a move to make Kindle the No1 format there is more to this than meets the eye.

dmondeo wrote:

I have my book on Smashwords and Amazon I would not make it exclusive to only one electronic format that is looney.
It sounds like a move to make Kindle the No1 format there is more to this than meets the eye.

The only problem is that Kindle pretty much is the #1 format, at least in the US. When I first uploaded my books into Kindle, they were being downloaded at least ten times faster and more often than Shashwords.

Not saying I would go along with it, just that it becomes an important decision to make, especially since I have another book ready to add as soon as it shows up free on B&N.

Ann

The website must be down. Can't get into it.

I'm looking over the e-mail that amazon sent Thursday announcing KDP Select to authors. I don't know whether the exclusive clause applies to e-books only or whether you have to use it for print editions, too.

As I understand it, if you have it on B&N and/or Smashwords, it disqualifies the title from the KDP Select program.

I've read that on some titles that the publishers did not opt into KDP Select, Amazon put it in their lending library anyway.

You are right Ann except with most new mobile devices emerging now they pretty much all have eBook apps. So Kindle has quite a battle ahead with big names all pushing their own versions of the technology. I am reminded of the old Beta max verses VHS war some years back. Now of course it's Blue ray (Sony) forging ahead in the DVD format war.
Kindle is not really ahead of the game yet. Technology is changing so fast the outcome is hard to see. Who knows Interactive books are starting to emerge already edging the industry towards the gaming side. Perhaps the old Holo novel (star trek idea) is becoming the future?

According to my KDP dashboard, the "Select" feature is still an option, and the library has yet to prove its value. The article Shelagh posted helps to explain why.

I am reminded of a similar ploy by Amazon when they tried to force publishers like PA to use their printer.

We will just have to keep a close watch.

Ann

dmondeo wrote:

You are right Ann except with most new mobile devices emerging now they pretty much all have eBook apps. So Kindle has quite a battle ahead with big names all pushing their own versions of the technology.

Many of them have Kindle apps, too, so the Kindle mobi format will probably prevail. That includes iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry, Android, and Windows Phone 7. And Amazon downloads directly to those devices. Even Gutenberg supports the format.

My gut feeling (meaning I have no empiracle evidence to support it) is that the Kindle e-book format will outstrip all the others and will eventually be the only significant survivor.

Prime customers pay a yearly subscription that they earn back by ordering items delivered at reduced rates. The Lending Library is another perk for these Prime customers. Ask yourself, if you had paid a $79 subscription and received the offer of twelve free Kindle downloads, which books would you download? Those priced at $2.99 or those priced at $12.99?

Exactly.