Third Pen Name Experiment: KU vs Wide (and why I'm choosing wide)

Photo by Laura Kapfer on Unsplash

Let’s talk about the great book divide; KU vs Wide.

For my third pen name, which is a later-in-life romance series, I’ve made the decision to go wide. That means my books won’t be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited (KU), Amazon’s subscription reading program. Instead, they’ll be available everywhere: Apple Books, Kobo, Nook, Google Play, libraries, and—of course—direct from my own shop.

But before I get into why, let’s break it down.

KU vs. Wide—What’s the Difference?

Kindle Unlimited (KU)

• Amazon-exclusive (your ebooks can’t be sold anywhere else, not even your own store)

• Readers pay a subscription to read unlimited KU books

• Authors are paid per page read, not per sale

• Page reads fluctuate based on a monthly fund

• Works well for bingeable series in KU-heavy genres (like certain types of paranormal, dark romance, RH, etc.)

• Great for visibility inside the Amazon ecosystem (algorithms, top charts, KU-specific promos)

Wide Distribution

• Your books are available on all retailers (Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, and direct)

• You control pricing, promos, and how/where you sell

• You’re paid per sale, not per page

• Slower build, but long-term potential (especially with direct sales)

• More flexibility with formats like audio and special-edition paperbacks

• Great for reaching readers outside the Amazon ecosystem

How I Decide

When I’m considering where to distribute a book, I ask myself one simple question: Was this genre born and raised in KU, or is it already living everywhere?

Shanae Johnson (Sweet Romance, Cowboys)

This pen name launched wide from the start.
Why? Because I saw cowboys everywhere. Not just on Amazon—but in grocery store aisles, Walmart, Target, and traditional publisher promo tables at B&N.

My sweet small-town romances thrive across retailers. And they continue to do well in all formats—ebook, audio, and especially paperback.

Ines Johnson (Fantasy / Paranormal Romance)

This one’s a mixed bag.

I have romantasy titles in KU, and those get the majority of my page reads. But the fantasy readers who buy special editions (foiled covers, character art, sprayed edges) aren’t getting these books off Amazon. They’re getting them direct from an author’s store, at a reader conference, or Kickstarter. So I’ve leaned into wide + direct sales there—especially for paperbacks with ebook add-ons.

Third Pen Name (Later-in-Life Romance)

For this new series?

I’m not even tempted to put it in KU.

Here’s why:

• These readers skew older.
  I’m writing for readers in their 40s, 50s, and 60s—many of whom buy their books, prefer paper, and aren’t active KU subscribers. This is an assumption. I don’t have a large data pool to back this.

• I know how to reach them.
  Facebook ads have been golden for me when it comes to targeting women by age, interest, and lifestyle. I can find my audience—and lead them to my direct store.

• I can offer bundles.
  I’m planning to sell ebook bundles, paperback bundles, and audio editions (which I’ll be recording myself—paid subs will get the behind-the-scenes on that soon 😉).

• Retailer relationships matter.
  I’ve built relationships with reps at Apple Books, Kobo, and B&N. With author conference season around the corner, I want to pitch these later-in-life titles for merchandising—and I can’t do that if I’m KU-exclusive.

Wide vs KU is a Strategy... but It’s Also a Vibe

I do not, and never have, vibed with KU.

• I don’t like exclusivity.

• I don’t like constraints.

• I do like ownership, flexibility, and the ability to diversify my revenue.

That’s not a knock on authors in KU—it’s just that my gut always leads me toward freedom. And this third pen name needs room to roam. So I’m going wide, baby!

I’ve now finished two books in the series and I’m outlining the third.
Next up? I need to work on the release and marketing plan. (👀 Coming soon for paid subscribers.)

Thank you for being here, paid friends. You’re walking this path with me in real time. Everyone else? You’ll see these posts a few months later—after launch.