by Noemie Ninn
If you’ve been hanging around the bookish corners of social media lately, you’ve probably seen the buzz. Readers and authors are talking about boycotting Amazon and Kindle Unlimited (KU). Many independent booksellers and readers were frustrated to see Amazon launch a major book sale on Independent Bookshop Day, a move seen by some as undermining the very event meant to celebrate local, independent retailers
It’s a topic that’s stirred up a lot of passionate opinions, and honestly, it’s a bit messy. So let’s break it down. Why are people frustrated? What’s driving this pushback? What kind of ripple effects might it have?
What’s Got People So Frustrated?
Here’s what is fuelling the calls to step away from Amazon and KU:
📖 Authors Aren’t Getting Paid Enough
For indie authors in KU, payments come from a big shared pool of money divided by total pages read. Sounds fair in theory, right? But with the flood of books on the platform, the payout per page has dropped to fractions of a cent. Many authors feel like they’re pouring time and effort into books that hardly make them anything back.
Honestly, I can’t blame them, it’s discouraging to work that hard and see so little in return.
🔒 Exclusive, and Not in a Good Way
To be part of KU, authors have to make their ebooks exclusive to Amazon. That means no selling on other platforms, no reaching readers through other stores. The restrictions are strict. Many writers feel like they’re stuck putting all their eggs in Amazon’s basket.
🌍 Monopoly Problems
Let’s face it: Amazon pretty much runs the ebook world. That raises some big questions. How much control should one company have over which books get seen? Which authors have a shot at success? Do smaller competitors even stand a chance?
⚠️ Scams and Cheaters
KU has been dealing with scams, click farms, pirated books, and shady tactics that game the system. These scams pull money out of the pool that’s supposed to go to honest authors. Many writers feel Amazon hasn’t done nearly enough to crack down on the problem.
🛒 The Bigger Picture
Even beyond books, some readers are uneasy about Amazon’s labour practices, environmental footprint, or tax strategies. For them, it’s not just about ebooks, it’s about aligning their spending with their values.
What’s the Point of a Boycott?
So why are some readers walking away?
✨ Supporting Indie Stores and Other Platforms
Buying from indie bookstores, Bookshop.org, Smashwords, or even straight from authors helps put more money into creators’ hands, not just a corporate giant.
💸 Better Pay for Authors (Sometimes)
On non-Amazon platforms, authors often get to keep more of each sale, especially if they’re selling direct to readers. That can be way more sustainable in the long run.
🌱 Pushing Back Against Big Tech
Even if one person’s decision feels small, some readers believe that where they spend their money matters. It’s a way to send a message about the kind of marketplace they want to see.
Personally, I respect readers who take that kind of stand, even if it’s symbolic, it shows real thoughtfulness about the bigger system we’re all part of.
But It’s Not That Simple
Of course, there are some real downsides here:
😕 Indie Authors Could Take a Hit
A lot of indie authors rely on KU for income and visibility. If readers leave the platform, those authors, the ones who aren’t the problem, could lose out financially.
⚡ You Lose Convenience
Let’s be honest: Amazon’s one-click buying, massive selection, and Kindle syncing are super easy. Buying books elsewhere often feels clunkier.
🏢 Amazon Might Not Even Notice
Books are just a tiny slice of Amazon’s empire. Even a big, organized boycott might barely dent the company’s profits. Still, that doesn’t mean it’s pointless, sometimes shifting the conversation is its own kind of win.
How Does This Affect Indie Authors?
Here’s the tough part.
Many indie authors are in a bind. They’re frustrated with Amazon too. However, KU gives them access to a huge pool of paying readers. Walking away from Amazon can mean losing exposure, page reads, and income, especially if they’re not already well-known outside the platform.
A boycott might push for long-term changes. However, it can create short-term pain for the very authors readers want to support.
To me, that’s the hardest part of this conversation. How do you push back on the system? How can you do this without hurting the small creators caught up in it?
Will Amazon Feel It?
Real talk? Probably not in terms of money.
Amazon makes most of its profits from cloud services, retail, and other sectors. Books are just a sliver of the pie. But that doesn’t mean a boycott is meaningless. Symbolic actions can matter, they can shape conversations, push for better practices, and help strengthen smaller alternatives that do make a difference over time.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, whether or not you join the Amazon and KU boycott is a personal choice. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. But if you want to support authors and build a healthier publishing ecosystem, here are some things you can do:
✔ Buy Direct from Authors When You Can
✔ Support Indie Bookstores or Ebook Platforms like Kobo or Smashwords
✔ Leave Reviews — They Matter Everywhere
✔ Spread the Word About Books You Love
Even small shifts in how we read, purchase, and engage with books can contribute to a more diverse, equitable, and vibrant literary landscape, a goal well worth considering. As author Guy Robin (@guyrobin_author) put it on Threads, “These things tend to happen to successful business models. For me it just destroys my published work. All that effort to gain a foothold in a difficult industry will be ruined by a few anti-Amazon folk, who won’t even register with Amazon.”
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