What Is Wide Publishing? Should You Leave KDP Select?

“Don’t build your career on rented land. Amazon is powerful—but ownership and diversification build longevity.” — Jane Friedman, The Hot Sheet

One of the first big decisions indie authors face is whether to publish exclusively with Amazon KDP Select or go wide publishing across multiple platforms.

The choice can affect everything from your royalties and reader reach to your long-term growth as an author.

If you’ve wondered whether it’s time to step away from KDP exclusivity and move to wide publishing, this writer’s guide breaks down what each option means, the pros and cons of both, and how to make a smart, sustainable decision for your books in 2025 and beyond.

Step 1: Understand the Difference

Let’s start with the basics. KDP Select is Amazon’s exclusive program for eBooks. When you enroll, you agree to sell your digital book only through Amazon for 90 days at a time. In return, you gain access to:

• Kindle Unlimited (KU) readers
• Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Promotions
• Higher visibility in Amazon’s algorithms

Wide publishing, on the other hand, means that your book is available not just on Amazon, but also on multiple platforms and retailers, including Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Press, and Google Play Books.

Think of it this way:

• KDP Select = Exclusive + Amazon-focused exposure
• Wide = Non-exclusive + Global reach

Pro Tip: You can publish wide for print editions even while keeping your eBook in KDP Select. Exclusivity only applies to the eBook format.

Step 2: The Advantages of Staying in KDP Select

If you’re starting, KDP Select can be an appealing option. Here’s why many new authors choose it:

1. Access to Kindle Unlimited Readers – KU subscribers love binge-reading, making this program ideal for series authors.
2. Promotional Tools – Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions help new authors gain traction fast.
3. Simplified Management – You only have to track one platform (Amazon).
4. Higher Visibility – Amazon rewards exclusivity by promoting KDP Select books more often in search and recommendation feeds.

Pro Tip: For new fiction authors, KDP Select often provides faster visibility and momentum during your first few book launches.

Step 3: The Advantages of Going Wide

Publishing wide builds a long-term, stable author business.

1. Diversified Income – You’re not dependent on one platform. If Amazon changes its algorithms or payout rates, you’re still earning elsewhere.
2. Global Reach – Readers in Canada, Australia, Europe, and Asia use platforms other than Amazon.
3. Greater Control – You decide your prices, distribution, and promotions.
4. More Marketing Opportunities – Non-Amazon retailers often have promotional newsletters or in-store features you can apply for.
5. Better for Non-fiction or Niche Genres – KU audiences lean toward fiction; non-fiction authors often earn more going wide.

Wide authors tend to play the “long game.” It may take longer to grow, but your reach becomes broader and your business more stable, instilling a sense of patience and strategic thinking.

Step 4: The Downsides of Each Approach

Neither path is perfect.

KDP Select:

• You’re locked into 90-day exclusivity for eBooks.
• You can’t sell digital copies anywhere else, including your own website.
• KU payout rates fluctuate monthly and are based on page reads, not sales.

Wide Publishing:

• You lose access to KU readers and KDP promotions.
• It can take longer to build traction outside Amazon.
• You’ll need to manage multiple dashboards (unless you use an aggregator).

Pro Tip: Think of Select as a short-term boost strategy, and wide publishing as a long-term brand strategy.

Step 5: How to Go Wide (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you decide to leave KDP Select, here’s how to make the transition smoothly:

1. Wait until your 90-day enrollment ends. Don’t unpublish early. It violates Amazon’s terms.
2. Uncheck “Renew Automatically” for your eBook in your KDP dashboard.
3. Distribute to other retailers directly or through an aggregator like:
   1. Draft2Digital – Great for Apple Books, Kobo, B&N, and library systems
   1. PublishDrive – Offers global reach and subscription options
   1. Smashwords (via D2D) – Legacy platform still serving many authors
4. Set consistent pricing across all platforms.
5. Update your back matter with universal links instead of Amazon-only links. Universal links are a single link that directs readers to the book’s page on their preferred platform, making it easier for them to purchase your book.

Pro Tip: Use Books2Read (by Draft2Digital) to create a free, universal link that automatically directs readers to every retailer.

Step 6: Hybrid Publishing—The Best of Both Worlds

Some authors find success with a hybrid approach. They keep early titles in KDP Select for exposure and KU income. Then they publish later titles wide once they’ve built a loyal reader base. For example, you can use KDP Select for the first book in a series to gain visibility, and then expand to wider distribution with the subsequent books to reach a broader audience.

For example:

• Book 1 (exclusive): Use KU for discoverability.
• Book 2+ (wide): Expand your reach beyond Amazon.

Pro Tip: You can even publish certain series wide while keeping standalone titles exclusive. Flexibility is your friend.

Step 7: When to Leave KDP Select

Leaving KDP Select makes sense for several reasons. You’ve built a steady readership and email list. You want to expand internationally. You’re diversifying income streams (audiobooks, translations, etc.), or your genre isn’t performing well in Kindle Unlimited.

However, if you’re launching your first book and don’t yet have a fan base, starting in KDP Select often gives you a significant advantage.

The right time to go wide is when you’re ready to grow beyond Amazon’s ecosystem, not because you’re frustrated with early results. It’s essential to have a solid fan base and a clear strategy for reaching readers on other platforms before making the transition.

Step 8: Marketing Tips for Wide Authors

Going wide requires a slightly different marketing mindset.

• Promote universal links, not just Amazon.
• Use BookBub or Kobo promotions to reach non-Amazon readers.
• Collaborate with other wide authors for newsletter swaps and joint giveaways.
• Build your own mailing list to connect directly with readers.

Pro Tip: Focus on one or two new platforms first. Master those before expanding everywhere.

Should You Leave KDP Select?
It depends on your goals. If you’re seeking quick traction, KU visibility, and ease of management, KDP Select can help you build momentum early. But if you’re thinking long-term (about control, stability, and global growth), wide publishing offers freedom and resilience.

Ultimately, the best publishing path is the one that supports your creative vision and your business strategy.

Checklist: Should You Go Wide or Stay in KDP Select?

• Review your 90-day exclusivity agreement in KDP Select
• Evaluate your genre’s performance on KU vs. other retailers
• Calculate how much of your income comes from Amazon
• Set clear goals (visibility, income diversification, control)
• Test hybrid publishing (some titles exclusive, others wide)
• Create universal links for marketing
• Build your reader email list
• Apply for wide retailer promotions (BookBub, Kobo, Apple)
• Track sales across platforms monthly

We hope you’ve found the writer’s guide strategies helpful and motivating. We hope they’ll equip you with the insights and tools needed to help you succeed as a new author.

For more guidance, see other writer’s guides in the series, such as Amazon KDP Made Easy—7 Steps for Self-Publishing.

Writing is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go it alone. We’re excited to continue the journey with you, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way. Our goal is to provide essential insights and practical advice to help you navigate the writing world with increased confidence.

If you have a draft you want to publish and are wondering how AI can help, read it. Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.

Don’t wait. Start today!

How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our Contact form. Happy writing!