ClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
In an absolutely devastating announcement (right before the holidays) Amazon has informed us that they are ending their Kindle Subscription program in Sept. 2023 and trying to get magazines to switch to Kindle Unlimited. Asking for more details, but this is bad. Magazine subscriptions are guaranteed revenue from each subscriber. KU is not like that. It will effectively cancel thousands of subscriptions since there's no migration path.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
It's hard to even say how much we'd get from a single subscriber. This completely removes our ability to control our price if we want to be in the dominant ebook ecosystem.
I've scheduled an appointment to talk with Amazon later this afternoon. Have many questions. Fellow editors of mags on Amazon: feel free to DM/email me. We should be talking.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
Further information: It appears as though other editors I've spoken with received slightly different emails. Those didn't include an invite to the KU program, so it may mean that only a few of us will be asked to stick around.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
Ok, call completed. Happy to report that I did not shoot the messenger. Received a lot of useful information that will take some time to digest. Also expecting their terms and contract details along with a quote late next week.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
I was told it was ok to share, so I will. KU for Magazines is different than KU for books. It will not prevent us from publishing/selling our magazine elsewhere. It is not paid per-paid, but based on an annual projection based on "qualified borrows." On the tech side it functions quite a lot like the KPP program they are discontinuing. Same infrastructure and ingestion process. (Makes me wonder why it is necessary to end the program if this is being maintained.)
Show threadClarkesworld
Back issue management appears to be the same for readers and publishers as it is in the current program. Will lose our .FR subscribers as there is no KU path for them. There will be communication with our subscribers and publishers will have input in that (they hope). The existing program ends on 9/1/2023. In our case, that means the 8/1/2023 issue is the last one that will go out that way. If we participate in the new program it can overlap with the old one.
Dec 16, 2022 at 9:20pmWeb
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
I won't know how this looks for us financially until next week when I receive a preliminary estimate. Payments would be made twice a year (Jan/July) as opposed to monthly. A fixed rate means the sudden drop to 0 wouldn't kill us. It's year 2 that worries me more.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
I was correct in my earlier statement that the new program is not being offered to everyone. There is a chance that some will be reconsidered.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
What does all this mean? It's still a big bomb to drop on the small group of genre magazines that were in the Kindle subscription program. Not the seasons greeting we would have liked to have received. It's yet another reminder of the importance of diversifying revenue streams.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
When you work in a field that lives on razor thin (or thinner) margins, every loss stings. Several of us are stinging tonight. Some more than others. There is still much uncertainty as to how much impact this will have. The support from everyone today is appreciated.
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022

If you are subscribed to a magazine at Amazon, please let them know how you feel. Over the next few months, publishers will have a better handle on how you can continue to support them. Don't lose touch. Each one of you is important to us (all magazines here, not just me).

Thank you. More details coming as I know them.

Show threadAmberJFrostDec 16, 2022
@clarkesworld I just want to say how much I appreciate your being so open about this whole process and what it can mean for the different pubs out there. Anyone who thinks a genre magazine is making piles of cash is wrong. They're labors of love. Anyone who's able, consider subscribing to your favorites to help keep them alive!
Show threadClarkesworldDec 16, 2022
@AmberJFrost Thanks!
Show threadNickyDec 16, 2022
@clarkesworld Makes me tempted to go ahead and subscribe to a few magazines now to be all "look, people do want and use this".
Show threadJules 🍺Dec 17, 2022
@clarkesworld
I'm probably telling you how to sick eggs but have you all thought of trying to pull the power back into your court? Perhaps talk to the the people who run kobo? Have your own app on ios and android? Have your own website where you are all published?
By you all I mean all the independent mags
Show threadUncle JoshDec 17, 2022
@clarkesworld I've been meaning to translate my subscriptions to weightless books anyway. Now I have impetus to actually get around to doing it.
Show threadDan SugalskiDec 18, 2022
@clarkesworld @aliettedb I’m glad you’re making this public. I suspect there is no way that the participants won’t be screwed over by the change within a year or two, unfortunately.