I wrote a few days ago about the new program Amazon is offering to bloggers: Fill out a form, get approved, and sell your blog content on the Amazon Kindle platform.
(In brief, Amazon pays you 30-percent of the price THEY set for your blog, most starting in the $1.99 a month range.)
Now, two long-time literary bloggers who signed up for the program aren’t convinced of the merits of the program – but they’re taking a “wait and see” stance.
Lit blogger Maud Newton commenting on the GalleyCat blog wrote that “I don’t like the 70-30 revenue split. But I also can’t understand why people would pay for subscriptions when they can get the content for free online.” (Maybe because when you’re stuck in an airport, Maud, and don’t have a computer, you want to read blog posts on your Kindle!)
Levi Asher also had reservations, but he sees the Kindle as a machine that’s here to stay, so added his blog to the program.
I just added this blog to the program, so don’t have enough time on board to have an opinion. However, I do own two Kindles (v1 and v2) and based on Amazon’s commitment to the machine, I don’t see it folding up and disappearing into the night. Plus, as a Kindle reader myself, I’m often places without a computer, but I do have my Kindle in my bag – - so why NOT pay a buck 99 a month to read my favorite blog? I’m all for the program.
If you’ve signed up for the Kindle Blog Program, leave a comment below – - would really like to hear your thoughts about the program.
The only thing really bad I’ve seen is that Amazon doesn’t double check ownership of blogs before giving someone payment. However, sure I’ll add my blog to the program – even if no one buys it, it gives me more exposure and it gives me the credibility of having my name on Amazon.
I put my blog on Kindle two days ago – they priced it at 99 cents – but that’s okay – as I post more I think they’ll increase the price.