KU or Wide? Choosing Between Kindle Unlimited and Everywhere Else

If you sign up with Kindle Unlimited, you can't publish your e-book anywhere else. Here's why this works for some, doesn't for others, and how to decide.

Is Kindle Unlimited or going wide one of your big decisions as a self-published author? Let’s break it down! First, we’ll explain what each option means, and then we’ll dive into the pros and cons so you can make the best decision for your books.

What is Kindle Unlimited (KU)?
KU is Amazon’s e-book subscription service where readers can check out up to 10 books at a time. As an author, you can enroll your books in KU by signing up for KDP Select, which is a 90-day commitment that you can renew manually or automatically.

What does it mean to “go wide”?
Going wide means making your books available on multiple platforms—beyond Amazon. Think Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more.

Now, let’s break this down further. Should you choose Kindle Unlimited or go wide? Let’s look at both sides.