Amazon is trying to capitalize on the growing market for serialized fiction.
The company today launched Kindle Vella, a mobile-first platform that lets readers buy stories in episodic chunks.
Despite the name, Kindle Vella is not available on Kindle devices, or Android, for that matter.
Users currently have to pull up the platform on Amazon.com or the Kindle iOS app.
Its also initially only available in the US.
Background:Serialized fiction has been on the comeback trail in recent years.
The rise of digital publishing mediums has set the stage for a revival.
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Whats in it for readers?
The pricing model is a little bit complex.
The first three episodes of every story are free.
it’s possible for you to then read more of them by purchasing bundles of tokens.
The service also offers the following features:
What about the authors?
Writers will get50% of the revenue thattheir stories generate.
Royalty earnings per episodedepend on which bundle a reader buys.
For example, a 3,025 word episode purchased in a 200 tokens bundle would give an author $0.1493.
But if that episode was bought in a 1,110 tokens bundle, the writer would net $0.1362.
Their precise earnings could be liable to change, however.
Some authors say theyd rather serialize their story on the Royal Road website and seek payments through Patreon.
Vellas format also gives writers the chance to tweak their stories based on reader feedback.
There are, however,strict termsfor authors on the platform.
Writer Monica Leonelle hasraised concernsabout rights grabbing.
Quick take:Amazons expertise in data analysis suggests theyve spotted signs that serialized fiction taking off.
But the companys reputation for undercutting authors and smaller booksellers makes me wary of their plans.
As a reader, Im curious to see the impact that Vella has on serialized fiction.
If Amazons truly committed to Vella, it could help the US market catch up.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
