For years, the message has been clear—if you write Jane Austen-inspired fiction, Kindle Unlimited is where the readers are. Many JAFF authors have found a strong (and lucrative) audience there. The appeal is obvious: visibility, ranking boosts, and steady page reads from readers who devour stories faster than they are written.
Still, questions about going wide are becoming more common.
Whether it is curiosity, unease with the Amazon ecosystem, having all of one’s eggs in one basket, or being subject to the caprice of algorithms and bots, the reasons authors are reconsidering exclusivity are varied. What is consistent is the concern that leaving KU might mean leaving income on the table—or what if the readers will not follow?
For some, the answer may lie in a more flexible model—hybrid publishing—a strategy in which some titles remain exclusive to a platform like KU or Audible, while others are distributed more broadly.
This does not mean tossing an entire backlist wide overnight. It means thinking strategically. Testing what works for your books and your audience. Carving out a portion of your catalog—perhaps older titles, novellas, or slower movers—and trying them on Kobo, Apple, Google Play, or even your own author store. Platforms like Payhip or Shopify give you control. You connect directly with your customer—no middleman commanding a large share of the royalties. And most importantly, you are building something that is yours.
Hybrid publishing is not about rejecting KU. It is about creating options. New titles can still launch into KU to capture momentum. But maybe that stand-alone novella no longer justifies exclusivity. Maybe a slow-moving title could do better when made broadly available. Maybe reaching readers beyond Amazon is worth a try.
Here is what hybrid offers that KU does not:
- Reader visibility – you know who your readers are when they buy direct
- Longevity – you are not chasing rank; your book can quietly earn in more places for longer
- Peace of mind – you are less dependent on shifting algorithms or unexpected KU changes and have more control over your publishing future
Managing a hybrid catalog comes with its own dynamics. Distribution to various platforms takes effort—though tools like Draft2Digital make it easier than ever. Direct sales require setup and maintenance. And visibility outside of Amazon does not happen overnight. But the reward is real. In a market that changes constantly, diversification is not just a buzzword—it is a safety net.
Yes, the abundance of JAFF readers may be in KU. But not all. Some JAFF readers use Everand, some Kobo Plus (both subscription plans that do not require exclusivity). JAFF readers are on Google Play, Apple, B&N, to say nothing of those who enjoy getting their books via libraries. Some are happy to buy direct if you make it compelling—because who does not love a great deal? They are out there—and just waiting for the chance to read JAFF right where they are.
Whether you’re a JAFF reader or writer, your perspective matters. What do you think about the trade-offs between exclusivity and wider availability? Leave a comment and have your share in the conversation.
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