Will Amazon's New Author Payment Policy Only Reward Suspense? (Click Here to Find Out!)
In news that sent shock waves through the writing community, Amazon has decided that it'll change the way certain authors will get paid for their books. Under the new rules, if a book is part of Kindle Unlimited or the Kindle Owner's Lending Library, then a writer will be paid a small amount for every page of their book that's read!
What Was It Before?
Under the previous contract, scribes would get paid for every download, no matter if the downloader read the book or not. It's said that authors of longer books complained, asking why authors of shorter books were being paid as much as the long-winded scribblers. Shouldn't a longer book be worth more money?
So, in what seems like a real spiteful move, Amazon made it super fair, but in doing so, somehow makes it feel super unfair.
Want to Get Paid? Write Like Dan Brown
You know the easiest way to keep people reading?
Ask them a question that isn't answered right away. Or set up a dangerous situation that isn't resolved in the very next chapter. That's right, you get people to read by employing a "Dan Brown style" — dropping cliffhangers and mysteries all over the place.
The fear is that this new payment system rewards people who write like this — and punishes those who don't. Though not a bad style of writing, per se, imagine if every book was like this? It could happen, if authors find them profitable.
It's Not Just Books
Ever notice that summer movies all have things in common? They're action films, with big stars, and lots of explosions. This is because that's what people bought tickets to last summer... and the summer before that... etc. Amazon's new pricing scheme could be the first step down a similar road for ebooks. Every one will be a summer blockbuster.
Now, we're also not slamming the popcorn flick either! Mad Max: Fury Road was the most summer block-bustery film we've ever seen and it was great! But, again, variety is the spice of life.
History Cries Foul... Again!
Of course, every generation has screamed that media is being dumbed down for the masses and that the end of any "highfalutin" content is nigh. "Dumb" things like rock 'n roll, comic books, and the Macarena (just to name a few) were all supposed to be heralds of the end of intelligent and meaningful art as we know it. They weren't. Of course, none of those things were trying to change the way Elvis was paid from a per-album fee to a per-hip-swivel contract.
But even changes to payment and publishing practices haven't killed art. While albums as an art form might be declining from their vinyl heyday, singles are hotter than ever, with more access for both artists and fans. Dickens and Tolstoy published their novels serially, but the 21st century masters of fiction managed to do just fine (and be a bit more brief) publishing novels all at once. Similarly, all-at-once releases of online content is producing some of the most critically-acclaimed shows today.
So this might just be one of those changes that seems bad, but then everything turns out alright in the end... or will it?! (Cliffhanger ending, to keep you coming back!)
Will Amazon's new payment scheme lead to worse quality books, or a fairer payment for quality authors? Tell us your thoughts, in the comments below.
Related DealNews Features:
Every good writer knows; nobody, but nobody actually gets what they deserve
In the algorithm, X will equal the average page-read time, across every ebook you've read. Amazon's thought of everything! (Or, wait... I'VE thought of everything.... Call me, Amazon, we'll get this sorted!)
"a algorithm wherein they only count pages that were paused on for x seconds"
What if you are a speed reader?
There will be a quiz after each chapter, and a book report due at the end.
I like the idea of changing reading habits, out of guilt for author remuneration. Just because I didn't like the book, I don't want the author to be punished for that! They worked hard.
But, if we all scroll to the end of a book, will Amazon be forced to institute a algorithm wherein they only count pages that were paused on for x seconds, to prove they were actually being read?!
PS autocorrect should think ebook is a word, it is 2015!