14 DAY TRIAL // Amazon has been trying for the past few years to motivate people to start writing, even if they think getting a publishing deal is next to impossible by implementing various self-publishing tools.
Now, the company announced the Kindle Scout, which is a new reader-powered publishing program. Basically, readers can visit the program’s sites, preview excerpts from unreleased books and help decide which will get published. For taking the time to do this, they’ll even get free books.
Readers will be able to nominate up to three favorites at a time, and at the end of the 30-day nomination campaign, the Kindle Scout Team will review popular books and select the ones that will move forward with getting published.
As a thank you from Kindle Scout and the author, readers who nominated the published book will receive a free, full-length Kindle edition one week before the official release date, which should please all book lovers that can’t wait to get their hands on the most recent titles.
“Amazon customers are passionate readers who have long influenced which books become breakout best sellers. With the launch of Kindle Scout, readers now have an even more direct say in what gets published and can get free books and discover new favorite authors in the process,” said Russ Grandinetti, senior vice president of Kindle.
Easier for Amazon and for authors
This isn’t just for the benefit of readers and authors, but also for Amazon’s sake, since Kindle Scout will help shorten the time it takes to be selected for publication. Now, the entire process from submission to selection will take 45 days or less. As always, publishing contracts are offered through Kindle Press and include a 5-year renewable term, $1,500 (€1.182) in advance, a 50% e-book royalty rate, as well as easy rights reversions and featured Amazon marketing.
Authors can submit new books at KindleScout.com all year round, which makes for a rather efficient publishing program for writers from all over the world.
“We’re always looking for new ways to add meaningful connections between readers and authors. We’ve been delighted by the submissions so far and are excited to give readers a say in which books they want to read. We also hope they’ll have a lot of fun getting know authors and their work,” said Dina Hilal, general manager of Kindle Scout.
This is a great opportunity for authors who have been struggling with self-publishing for years and who are looking for their big break.