Amazon will begin paying royalties to authors based on the number of pages read by Kindle users Photo: AFP
Amazon has created a new system that changes the way it pays the authors they self-publish, so if you're an author whose book fails to hook readers from its opening chapter, it could prove costly.
Amazon will start paying royalties to authors based on the number of pages read by Kindle users, rather than the number of books downloaded. If a reader doesn't continue the book a quarter of the way in, the author will only get a quarter of the profits they would have earned if the reader stuck it out to the end.
The new system, which beings on July 1, applies to authors who self-publish their book view Kindle Direct Publishing Selecte programme, which makes books available to "rent" from the Kindle library and to Amazon Prime customers.
Amazon claims its new system is a fair way of rewarding writers who write lengthy books but have previously gained the same royalties as someone who brings only 100 pages.
The method has dismayed many authors, who believe it sets a dangerous precedent and could negatively affect the industry.
"We're making this switch in response to great feedback we received from authors who asked us to better align payout with the length of books and how much customers read," the company said.
"Under the new payment method, you'll be paid for each page individual customers read of your book, the first time they read it."
Kerry Wilkinson, whose Jessica Daniel crime series put him to the top of the Amazon best-seller list before he was picked up by a publisher, believes the system is fair.
"If readers give up on a title after half a dozen pages, why should the writer be paid in full?" he said.
"If authors don't like it, they don't have to use KDP Select. It's opt in, not opt out."
Wilkinson said the "eerie" aspect of the news was Amazon keeping track on exactly what – and how – we are reading. "This is monitoring on another level," he said.
"Every time a reader is online, Amazon can see what they're up to. Even if it's anonymous, that's a lot of data mining."
Peter Maass, the writer and editor, said, "Amazon to pay writers based on pages read on Kindle. I'd like same in restaurants – pay for how much of a burger I eat."
Hari Kunzru, award-winning author of The Impressionist, said the system "feels like the thin end of a wedge".
He tweeted: "Now Amazon want to pay writers only for pages read. Feel like I'd be best off retraining now, before the rush."
So do you think the system is fair for authors or do you think it's wrong? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and make sure to check out our Readers page on Facebook by clicking here.
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