I've noticed more authors are publishing serialized stories so they're gaining in popularity.
Readers seem to be embracing the format too so here are a dozen things Readers and Authors should know.
1. Kindle Vella, at this time, is open only to U.S. based, English language authors.
That means that Vella serials are in English. (That's probably going to change when Amazon decides the program is successful.)
2. A Kindle Vella story must be new and not previously published. Readers don't want books re-packaged for Vella.
3. A Kindle Vella's first 3 episodes are always free. Readers can get a taste of the story absolutely free.
5. Tokens are sold in bundles: 200 tokens cost $1.00 which is about a penny a token. Usually you can read about 20,000 words for that. The largest bundle is 1700 tokens for $14.99. That's about $.0088 per token which is your best bargain. That's enough tokens to read about 170,000 words.
6. Amazon sets the number of tokens each episode costs, not the author.
7. Authors get royalties based on a complicated formula which assigns a value to the price paid for tokens. The larger bundles of tokens a Reader buys, the more value assigned to that by the algorithm which results in a larger royalty for the Author. (I think I have that correct.)
8. Kindle Vella is read on iPhones, Android devices, tablets, and computers of any type. To begin reading, download the Kindle app for your phone or go to Amazon / Kindle Vella—see #3 above—or go directly to Kindle Vella section of Amazon.
TechRadar has some in-depth articles about Kindle Vella. I encourage you to check out their website which offers excellent tech news.
9. Episodes should be at least 600 words and no longer than 5,000 words. The length is perfect for over-scheduled people who love to read. It's a bite-sized chunk that can be read during a lunch hour, commuting time, waiting to pick up kids, or just before bedtime.
10. Each Vella has a URL just as an ebook does, but each episode also has a URL so readers can find a specific episode they love. Authors need to be sure they give the URL for the Vella, not an episode URL.
12. Authors, I've used images for my Vella that I made using BookBrush.
You'll find a template for making a Vella "cover" which you'll find under Cover Creator / Ebook / scroll down the samples until you see the one for Kindle Vella.
Serialized fiction has been popular for many years on Wattpad and similar websites. Kindle is the latest startup for this format, and I believe you'll see more programs like this on other websites—especially if Vella succeeds in a big way which I think it will.
Takeaway Truth
Readers, if you haven't tried reading a Kindle Vella yet, you're missing some great stories. Download the Kindle app to your phone and get started with free episodes plus 500 tokens to spend.
No comments:
Post a Comment