DISTRIBUTION

Subscription Services

All-you-can-read platforms and how they work

Available Subscription Platforms

Kobo Plus

Kobo's unlimited ebook and audiobook subscription service.

  • Format: eBook & Audiobook
  • Markets: 20+ markets globally
  • Payment: Per page read
  • Benefit: Additional discoverability in Kobo ecosystem

Storytel

Leading European subscription service for ebooks and audiobooks.

  • Format: eBook & Audiobook
  • Markets: 25+ markets (dominant in Nordic countries)
  • Payment: Per stream
  • Benefit: Strong presence in Scandinavia with rapid global expansion

How Subscription Payments Work

Unlike retail sales, subscription services pay based on engagement:

  • Per-page-read: You earn when readers read your pages
  • Revenue pool: Subscriber fees divided among authors based on pages read
  • Typically lower per-read: But higher volume can compensate

Pros and Cons

Benefits

  • Reach voracious readers who consume many books
  • Additional discovery channel
  • Steady income from catalog titles
  • Readers can try your book risk-free

Drawbacks

  • Lower per-read revenue than retail sales
  • Regional availability limited
  • Payment models can be complex

Enabling Subscription Distribution

Subscription services are typically bundled with their parent retailers:

  • Kobo Plus: Automatically included when you distribute to Kobo
  • Storytel: Select in Distribution tab (if available in your region)

Questions About Subscriptions?

Contact support for guidance.

Contact Support