Amazon launches Kindle Singles in the U.K. followed by success in the U.S.

In United States, Kindle singles was launched by Amazon in January 2011 as a new concept with ideas “expressed at their natural length,” and the format longer than a magazine article and shorter than a book. Sold for couple of dollars apiece, currently 281 titles of kindle singles are available in U.S. stores and Amazon is bringing the concept to UK.

Launched on Friday, the UK Kindle stores includes 250 titles, which have many Kindle Singles from US authors, new ones from popular British authors namely Susan Hill, Sam Leith and Candia McWilliams. Most Kindle Singles are priced at between £0.99 and £1.99 and like in U.S. authors are paid a 70 percent royalty on works exclusive to Amazon. The former managing director of Penguin press in the U.K., Andrew Rosenheim, is the editor of UK store while Byliner who has already offered many of its e-singles through Kindle Singles, will make those titles available in the U.K.

Till September 2012, 3.5 million Kindle Singles had been sold in U.S. making it huge money maker for some authors. Announcing the UK program in a press release, Amazon touted couple more successes:

Lee Child’s “Second Son” was released as a Kindle Single in August 2011 and went on to reach the #1 spot on the Amazon.com best sellers chart, selling in excess of 220,000 copies. Previously unpublished U.S. writer and musician, Mishka Shubaly, has written four Singles, all true stories about drink, drugs, disasters, desire, deception and their aftermath. All have been best sellers and have earned Shubaly in excess of $148,000 in 18 months (over £90,000).