The Kindle Lending Library

WackAMole · Apr 11, 2012

I haven't had a ton of experience obviously, but I just wanted to mention that I really like this option.

I noticed I am starting to get hits from the 'lending library' now and frankly, this is what appealed to me the most about using the KDP program. Im assuming that the 'pool' they pay authors from comes from those with amazon prime memberships? I really think its a great option both for unknown writers and for readers. As a reader, I am more willing to check out an unknown author if I don't have to pay for it. (though i guess in a roundabout way i am paying for it if im a 'prime' member.

I would be interested to see what some of you others thought about this program? I personally wish there were more like it.

Considering what my personal goals are, is it better for me as an unknown writer publishing a first manuscript to just 'give it away' for the sake of winning an audience? There seem to be lots of mixed opinions.

Also I was wondering, are there any other reputable options out there if your goal is to be read rather than to make a buck?

merrihiatt · Apr 11, 2012

WackAMole said:
I haven't had a ton of experience obviously, but I just wanted to mention that I really like this option.

I noticed I am starting to get hits from the 'lending library' now and frankly, this is what appealed to me the most about using the KDP program. Im assuming that the 'pool' they pay authors from comes from those with amazon prime memberships? I really think its a great option both for unknown writers and for readers. As a reader, I am more willing to check out an unknown author if I don't have to pay for it. (though i guess in a roundabout way i am paying for it if im a 'prime' member.

I would be interested to see what some of you others thought about this program? I personally wish there were more like it.

Considering what my personal goals are, is it better for me as an unknown writer publishing a first manuscript to just 'give it away' for the sake of winning an audience? There seem to be lots of mixed opinions.

Also I was wondering, are there any other reputable options out there if your goal is to be read rather than to make a buck?

Yes, the pool is from Prime memberships (and probably some money Amazon kicked in, as well, as the goal with the program is to sell Kindles and Prime memberships).

There are pros and cons to "giving it away." Some people have not had much success with the freebies; others have.

Smashwords is a reputable option. You can set the price of the e-book at free and it will be distributed to many sales channels (including Barnes and Noble, Apple, Sony, Kobo and Diesel).

In my experience, KOLL (Kindle Owners Lending Library) hasn't made much of a difference for my titles. I did have 80 "borrows" one month, but that has been the most. Usually it's around 10-15.

WackAMole · Apr 11, 2012

merrihiatt said:
Yes, the pool is from Prime memberships (and probably some money Amazon kicked in, as well, as the goal with the program is to sell Kindles and Prime memberships).

There are pros and cons to "giving it away." Some people have not had much success with the freebies; others have.

Smashwords is a reputable option. You can set the price of the e-book at free and it will be distributed to many sales channels (including Barnes and Noble, Apple, Sony, Kobo and Diesel).

In my experience, KOLL (Kindle Owners Lending Library) hasn't made much of a difference for my titles. I did have 80 "borrows" one month, but that has been the most. Usually it's around 10-15.

I know that KDP select requires exclusivity. Of course thats only for 90 days. I've been reading a lot about smashwords, think I'll go take a closer look!

(And hiya Merri

)

I just really like the idea of an online library. I wanted to make use of my local library for that reason here in Sweden but unfortunately Kindle Fire is the ONE ereader they dont support yet. I dont know how library lending for ebooks is going in the states but I find that there are just not a lot of titles that are available here even if i could use my kindle to read them.

Do you have any idea if US libraries lend ebooks and if so how are their lists of titles?

J. Tanner · Apr 11, 2012

Yeah, US libraries have ebook lending. The list of titles was pretty good in my local library system. Not Amazon or anything, but I could look up pretty much any author I liked and find books by them. (Mostly stuff I've read, but still...)

Everything I wanted was checked out and had a multiple people waiting in the cue for it. So I haven't gone through the process of actually checking a book out. It seemed rather convoluted, with no standard formats, books only available for certain readers, and extra steps in actually getting an ebook.

So everything beyond just having a decent selection was not so hot, and seemed like more trouble than it was worth. I'll just buy anything reasonably priced on Amazon if I really want it.

thothguard51 · Apr 11, 2012

I haven't used it yet for several reason, but the biggest so far is because I can't find anything I want to borrow that is not self published, or what "I" want to read...

Deleted member 42 · Apr 11, 2012

WackAMole said:
Do you have any idea if US libraries lend ebooks and if so how are their lists of titles?

Most libraries providing ebooks and audio books subcontract with Overdrive to handle the system part of checking books out.

Ebooks are in Kindle native file format, and/or Adobe's DRM ePUB.

The libraries may select the individual titles from Overdrive's catalog.

Many libraries, including most libraries in Connecticut, are boycotting Random House books, who have raised their prices dramatically.

thothguard51 · Apr 11, 2012

I thought Random House is one of the big 6 that went along with Amazon's pricing model. Does this mean they are making up the difference with other vendors? Shame on them...

Deleted member 42 · Apr 11, 2012

thothguard51 said:
I thought Random House is one of the big 6 that went along with Amazon's pricing model. Does this mean they are making up the difference with other vendors? Shame on them...

No; library purchases of ebooks for lending is an entirely different thing.

Random House joined the other five large publishers in agreeing to the "agency model" last April, with the iPad 2 release.

The Kindle Lending Library

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

merrihiatt

Writing! Writing! Writing!

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

J. Tanner

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...

Deleted member 42

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...

Deleted member 42