As I write this, I can hear AC/DC screaming, "I'm back. I'm back in the saddle again!"
I said I was done with Kindle Unlimited.
Publicly.
Confidently.
Maybe even a little stubbornly.
I zigged when everyone else zagged. I went wide. I built my own store. I leaned hard into direct-to-consumer. I told myself I didn’t need Amazon’s ecosystem.
And for a while, that felt right.
But here’s the truth:
Kindle Unlimited makes it easier for readers to jump into a series without hesitation.
And at the end of the day, I care more about getting my books into your hands than winning some philosophical standoff with Amazon.
So yes.
I’m back.
If you’re a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you can now dive into my books at no extra cost.
If you’ve been waiting to try the John Phoenix series, catch up on Ryan Weller, or finally check out the Stuntman Thrillers, now’s your chance to binge them guilt-free.
If you’ve already read the books, thank you.
Seriously.
You’re the reason I get to keep writing these stories.
A Quick Note on What This Actually Means
If you’re not buried in indie publishing jargon, here’s the simple version.
When an author is “wide,” it means their books are available everywhere — Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and usually their own store.
That gives authors flexibility and independence. It avoids relying on a single platform.
When an author enrolls in Kindle Unlimited (KU), it’s different.
KU requires exclusivity with Amazon for the digital edition. In exchange, the books become part of Amazon’s subscription program. KU subscribers can read enrolled books without buying each one individually.
So the tradeoff looks like this:
Wide = broader distribution and full platform control.
KU = exclusivity in exchange for frictionless access for subscribers.
There isn’t a universally “right” answer.
There’s only what makes sense at a given moment.
And for me, right now, lowering the barrier for readers matters more than platform philosophy.
The Part Nobody Talks About: The Indie Author Time Tax
Here’s something readers don’t always see.
When you’re an independent author — especially one trying to go wide and sell direct — you’re not just writing books.
You’re:
Formatting for multiple platforms.
Managing storefronts.
Uploading different file versions.
Updating metadata across half a dozen dashboards.
Tracking ads.
Tweaking landing pages.
Maintaining email funnels.
Fixing broken links.
Running promotions.
Answering customer support emails.
It’s a lot.
And every one of those things steals time from the actual writing.
I love building my own ecosystem. I love owning the relationship with readers. I love the independence of going wide.
But at some point, I had to ask myself a simple question:
Do I want to spend my best energy managing distribution…
Or writing the next story?
Going back to KU simplified everything.
One format.
One dashboard.
One upload.
One decision.
No extra conversions.
No juggling platforms.
No friction between writing and publishing.
It wasn’t about chasing algorithms.
It was about reclaiming creative bandwidth.
Because readers don’t care how many dashboards I manage.
They care about the next chapter.
And the only way this works long-term is if I’m writing more books.
Meeting readers where they already are — and freeing myself to create more — is the move that makes sense right now.
And What About My Store?
Going back to KU doesn’t mean I’m shutting down my direct store.
Paperback bundles are still there.
Signed copies are still there.
Merch is still there.
If you like owning the physical books, collecting sets, or grabbing some tactical-themed gear, that ecosystem isn’t going anywhere.
Digital exclusivity to simplify my workload? Yes.
Abandoning direct relationships with readers? Not a chance.
This isn’t a retreat.
It’s focus.
More writing.
Less friction.
More stories in your hands.
And there are some big ones coming.
Stay sharp,
Evan
P.S. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to start a new thriller series, KU is basically the all-you-can-eat buffet.
Just don’t blame me if you lose sleep.