Going Wide... Cutting Loose

 

Going Wide... Cutting Loose

Exclusivity, while a business decision, feels to many authors like a gamble. Whether talking about eBooks or audiobooks, the trade-offs are no longer just about sales—they are about visibility, control, and the freedom to choose your own publishing rhythm.

Many authors find great success through Kindle Unlimited and Audible exclusivity. There is no denying the power those platforms offer, particularly in niche and romance categories where binge-reading plays a central role. And yet, more and more authors are quietly experimenting—testing a single title wide, moving an older audiobook to libraries, or opening up direct sales channels to see what happens.

The shift is not always loud. It is not a declaration of independence. Sometimes it is simply a question: What if I could reach readers and listeners on my own terms?

"Going wide” is not just about checking more boxes on a distribution dashboard. It is about building resilience. It is about understanding that what works for a launch today might not serve a backlist title tomorrow. That a series may thrive in KU, but a holiday novella might find new life on KoboPlus. That listeners who are Audible loyalists may still borrow from the library—or jump at the chance to buy direct when the experience is smooth and affordable.

None of this means abandoning what works. But it does mean recognizing that the tools and trends are changing.

Here are a few things authors are weighing:

• Algorithm-driven visibility vs slow-burn longevity

• Platform dependence vs direct ownership of reader/listener relationships

• Rigid audiobook pricing vs audiobook pricing freedom

“The question is not ‘Should I go wide?’ It is ‘Where do I want my stories to live—and how much autonomy am I willing to give up to keep them in one place?’”

Tools like Draft2Digital and Findaway Voices (now part of Spotify) make wider distribution easier than ever. But the real shift is not technical—it is philosophical. The question is not “Should I go wide?” It is “Where do I want my stories to live—and how much autonomy am I willing to give up to keep them in one place?”

Readers are in KU. Some listen exclusively on Audible. But others use KoboPlus, Everand, Apple, B&N, Google Play, or their local library’s digital collection. Some will happily buy direct if you make it compelling. The audience is out there—they are just not always standing in the same line.