I have just noticed that writers are complaining online about KDP Unlimited now paying per page read or something like that. It doesn't apply to me as my books don't qualify for the program (because I give them away for free on my site), so I wasn't paying much attention to this talk, but right now EVERYONE EVERYWHERE is talking about it, so I thought I'd add my piece of mind to the conversation.
I invite you to stand on your own.
DISTRIBUTE YOUR BOOKS YOURSELF AND RELY ON PEOPLE, NOT ON BUSINESSES.
Think about the time you're spending getting upset about the KDP Unlimited payment changes, then on venting about it online. This time could be spent writing. Think about your dependency on a big behemoth like Amazon and the changes it can do to your book sales any time it wanted and without asking for your opinion. Think about the worries that will consume you over any possible future changes you might suffer or over whether or not you're a good enough writer. I mean, if your pages aren't read, you will conclude that you suck, right? It might even deter you from writing more. It might even make you want to quit writing all together.
FUCK THIS SHIT.
I say, stand on your own. Be your own boss. There is only you and your readers. Remove the middle man. You only need sites like Amazon and iBooks and B&N and others to have your book available for others who shop there, but make your site your primary shop. Have people come to you first. Then you won't be dependent on any changes, only on the quality of your writing.
You are in control.
Then be in control. And disengage from anything that distracts you. It will take away from you. It's not worth it. Your writing is worth it. Your writing is your life. Then live it. The rest can eat warm cow dung.
Onward.