Should You Go Wide or Stay in KU?

“Should I stay exclusive to Amazon through Kindle Unlimited, or should I go wide and distribute my books everywhere?”
It’s the question every indie author asks at some point—and the answer is rarely black and white.

Welcome to one of the most important decisions in your self-publishing career. Whether you’re just starting out or reassessing your publishing path, the KU vs. Wide debate isn’t about right or wrong—it’s about what’s right for you.

Let’s explore this crossroads together.

The Basics: What Does It Mean to “Go Wide” or Stay in KU?

Before diving deeper, let’s clarify what we’re actually talking about.

Kindle Unlimited (KU) is Amazon’s subscription service that allows readers to borrow and read as many books as they want from a massive catalog—for a flat monthly fee. For authors, enrolling in KU means agreeing to publish your eBook exclusively on Amazon for 90 days at a time.

“Going wide” means you publish your eBook across multiple platforms—like Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and Google Play—in addition to (or instead of) Amazon. You’re not exclusive. You’re everywhere.

The Promise of Kindle Unlimited: Easy Reach, But At What Cost?

There’s a reason many authors start with KU: It can work fast.

Amazon rewards exclusivity with discoverability. KU books often get boosted in rankings, especially in crowded genres like romance, fantasy, or thrillers. Page reads (through KU) count toward bestseller status, and some authors earn more from reads than outright sales.

For a new author trying to build traction, this can be gold. A few readers borrowing your book through KU can snowball into algorithm-driven visibility—your book shows up in “Customers Also Bought,” is suggested in emails, or lands in the Top 100 of your category.

But here’s the catch:
Exclusivity limits your growth outside of Amazon.

If you’re trying to build a career that isn’t entirely dependent on one platform, KU can become a golden cage. You may earn well there, but stepping out—later on—might mean starting over.

The Wide Author Approach: A Slower Burn, But Greater Control

Going wide isn’t always easy, but for many authors, it’s a long-term game worth playing.

Wide authors build presence across multiple storefronts and aren’t reliant on a single algorithm. They own their audience—especially when combined with a strong email list or direct sales strategy—and they often see more stability over time.

It’s also about reader access. Not all readers use Amazon. Some prefer Apple Books, others have Kobo readers. And KU isn’t available in every country.

Going wide allows your stories to reach readers across platforms, across borders, and beyond Amazon’s ecosystem.

That said, wide authors have to hustle more at the start. Without KU’s visibility boost, you’ll need to lean more heavily on social media, newsletters, and promotional platforms like BookBub or Written Word Media. You’ll also need to manage distribution, which takes time and strategy.

But with time?
You’ll have ownership, reach, and resilience.

Factors to Consider: What’s Best for You?

When choosing between KU and Wide, it’s not about copying what someone else is doing. Your decision should reflect your goals, genre, time availability, and business model.

Let’s reflect on a few questions:

1. What’s your genre?
KU works especially well for bingeable genres: steamy romance, cozy mystery, thrillers, and fantasy. Readers in KU-heavy genres are used to “borrowing” books and reading multiple titles per month.

Other genres, like nonfiction, literary fiction, or poetry, might benefit more from wide strategies, print editions, or niche audiences.

2. Do you want faster results or long-term growth?
KU may bring quick income and visibility. Wide may offer slower—but more stable—returns, especially when combined with backlist and multiple income streams.

3. How comfortable are you relying on one platform?
Amazon can—and does—change algorithms. Some authors have had entire careers disrupted overnight. Wide diversifies risk, even if it requires more work.

4. Are you building a brand or selling one book?
Wide strategies are ideal for authors thinking long-term: email lists, personal websites, direct sales, foreign rights. KU is excellent for testing out a debut or launching a quick-release series.

Can You Do Both?

Yes, but it requires strategy.

Some authors start in KU to build visibility and audience, then transition to wide later. Others publish some books in KU and others wide, depending on the series.

It’s also possible to “rapid re-release”: when your KU term expires, you repackage and re-launch the book for a wide audience.

The most important thing? Be intentional. Have a plan. Know what you’re giving up and what you’re gaining.

What I Chose—and Why It Might Help You Decide

I’ve tried both. As a romance author, KU brought visibility quickly. But when I started publishing my witchcraft and mental health books? I went wide. My nonfiction readers often don’t use KU, and I wanted international reach. That move felt right for the message I wanted to share.

Now, I split my work strategically:

• Steamy romance series in KU
• Wheel of the Year guides wide
• Email list and direct sales platform growing steadily

There’s no universal formula—just the one that fits you, your readers, and your goals.

There’s no shame in changing direction. Many successful authors move from KU to wide or vice versa. What matters is that you choose with awareness—and know that your author business is allowed to evolve.

Whatever you choose today doesn’t have to define your tomorrow. The beauty of indie publishing is that you’re the boss.