How Write Right Helped Authors Compare KU and Wide Distribution Strategies

Client Challenge

Two Write Right clients were preparing book launches but had very different goals:

• Author A: A fantasy writer launching a 3-book series. Primary goal: build a loyal readership and maximize page reads.

• Author B: A nonfiction author launching a practical guide. Primary goal: maximize per-unit revenue and reach a global audience.

Both authors wanted to understand which distribution strategy would deliver the best ROI while keeping production costs low and schedules intact.

Strategy and Implementation

Write Right applied a data-driven comparison using real launch metrics:

KU Fantasy Series (Author A)

• Setup: 3-book series enrolled in Kindle Unlimited (KU) to encourage binge reading.

• Execution: Books were optimized for KU with proper metadata, category selection, and pricing.

• Monitoring: Pages read, borrow rates, and KU royalty earnings were tracked weekly.

Wide Non-Fiction Guide (Author B)

• Setup: Distributed via Amazon, Flipkart, and a D2C store.

• Execution: Pricing was optimized per market, and marketing leveraged multiple channels.

• Monitoring: Units sold, revenue per platform, and global reach metrics were tracked.

Results

Key Observations:

• KU Strategy: Excellent for series authors in genres like fantasy or romance. Encourages binge reading, builds fan loyalty, and strengthens long-term readership.

• Wide Strategy: Better for nonfiction or standalone books where per-unit revenue matters. Wide distribution also enables global reach, library adoption, and sales outside the KU ecosystem.

Write Right’s Guidance: Both authors could use hybrid strategies: start a series in KU to build readership, then expand wide for sequels or guides to maximize revenue. The comparison provided actionable insight into format selection, pricing, and marketing planning.