tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post426421575493101218..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: The Agency Model SucksJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-16038936164473207492013-06-04T15:58:33.760-05:002013-06-04T15:58:33.760-05:00"Amazon wants to lower ebook prices. The Big ..."Amazon wants to lower ebook prices. The Big 6 want to raise them."<br /><br />Sooooo.... if the Big 6 raise prices and want to keep doing so, why wouldn't the "net" price eventually be higher than under an agency model? Then, your royalty would be higher than under a wholesale model. Hmmm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-71601081309503321152012-12-09T02:58:26.168-06:002012-12-09T02:58:26.168-06:00This article was extremely interesting, especially...This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last week. Electronics Patent Attorneyhttp://www.integrityip.com/PatentNews/ElectronicsPatentNews.aspxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20697560390052987102012-11-30T05:28:32.741-06:002012-11-30T05:28:32.741-06:00Excellent post, I have read your blog and got good...Excellent post, I have read your blog and got good ideas about modeling agency. Cheers the blog.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.eyeonmodel.com/?lid=it" rel="nofollow">Hostess Roma</a>Eyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05143870396501454600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64422423361395039502012-05-23T18:08:43.289-05:002012-05-23T18:08:43.289-05:00I wonder what will happen now that 3 of the 5 publ...I wonder what will happen now that 3 of the 5 publishers have settled? Will they still hold onto agency pricing and raise the retail prices? Will they go back to wholesale pricing? Maybe Amazon can keep paying them 70% of 12.99 or 14.99 and then discount to 9.99 like before. That would be the best of both worlds for Amazon (who would still be paying less and now also get to discount like before) and consumers, but not so great for legacy authors. More reason to self-publish!Nirmalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14620667876235314509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62539771310877628782012-05-19T11:08:40.587-05:002012-05-19T11:08:40.587-05:00It crossed my mind that the effort by the publishe...It crossed my mind that the effort by the publishers to slow the adoption of ebooks is also hurting self-published authors by reducing enthusiasm across the board for ebooks and ereader devices. A reader who is a late adopter of new technology may look at the high prices of bestsellers as ebooks, and decide not to buy a Kindle or Nook. They may decide it doesn't make economic sense when ebooks cost almost as much as or sometimes even more than a paper book. They are used to reading paper books and so might just stick with that delivery system for now.<br /><br />And based on my experience with self-publishing both ebook and paperback versions of my books, it is a lot easier right now to reach a new reader through sales of my ebooks, in part because I can charge only $2.99 for an ebook versus $11.95 and up for my paperback books. I also have enough ebooks out there to offer some of my ebooks for free, and those free ebooks reach a lot of new readers. But if someone does not buy a dedicated ereader in the first place, I am much less likely to reach that new reader because they do not own a Kindle or Nook.<br /><br />Thanks to the DOJ, maybe ebook reader device sales will increase and bring more ebook sales to all of us.Nirmalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14620667876235314509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26372165306459190882012-05-11T10:44:00.838-05:002012-05-11T10:44:00.838-05:00I've loaded my Kindle with free e-books - and ...I've loaded my Kindle with free e-books - and $0.99 and $1.99 and $2.99 e-books. I scour the top 100 free e-books list regularly, even though I know I will probably never read all the books on my Kindle, much less all the books on my library wishlist (all digital). However, that leaves me a LOT of options for low-priced e-books.<br /><br />There's no way I'm paying $7.99 and up for an e-book. I don't care who the author is. I'll buy used paperback first. Fortunately, the bestselling authors are also available at my digital library. Free. Do I care that there are already 90 readers on the wait list and I have to wait 3 months to read it? Not at all. It beats the heck out of paying $12.99 or more for it.<br /><br />I wrote a post about e-book pricing at my blog, but I'll say it again: publishers and authors get nothing from used book sales and trades. IMO it's not very smart to price e-books so high that people will go to the used/trade paper market instead of buying an e-book. I don't understand why they wouldn't want to price the e-book low enough to not only generate more sales, but capture the market of people who would otherwise buy the book from a source that generates zero revenue to the publisher or author.JulieW8https://www.blogger.com/profile/13930307554577412520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-24208903036918028752012-05-08T06:05:33.924-05:002012-05-08T06:05:33.924-05:00I think Amazon provide a great service but I still...I think Amazon provide a great service but I still find the thought of them being the only bookseller to be a frightening one. I am totally against the agency model but you yourself are making a good living from eBooks and yet not everyone can do this. There are many good books available on eBooks that just don't sell at all. I think publishers will always be needed to some extent, and whilst I agree with much of what you say I would point out that you seem to have nothing but bile for the traditional publishing industry.Gary Dobbs/Jack Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935686140719743351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-80040650252031666932012-05-06T18:51:50.264-05:002012-05-06T18:51:50.264-05:00Here is a thought I had after reading your post......Here is a thought I had after reading your post... would it benefit the author to e-publish the book while shopping the same novel to agents and publishers? That way they have control of the e-book side while possibly getting a deal for the printed books and reaching both audiences. Or would they be passed over because they e-publish?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01938915875996537056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33772822988907756032012-05-05T18:46:01.201-05:002012-05-05T18:46:01.201-05:00I just had to leave a quick reply to what the anon...I just had to leave a quick reply to what the anonymous poster said about indie game publishers.<br /><br />This is one of the best times in history for independent game developers, just like independent authors.<br /><br />Between Steam, Google Play, and iTunes, indie game developers are thriving.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12029164082735182555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-17324985004014121542012-05-04T07:20:33.022-05:002012-05-04T07:20:33.022-05:00Whilst the current system isn't working, I'...Whilst the current system isn't working, I'm not sure about the Wholesale model as an alternative. If distributors start offering authors a flat rate no matter what they charge for the book, then they'll have to move away from low e-book prices. You can't pay every author you have $3.99 and still sell your books at $0.99, otherwise you'll lose money. That means that either new authors or higher selling authors will have to make up the short-fall, or prices will have to level out across the board.<br /><br />In addition to that, whilst paperback sales have dropped by about 30% in the last year, e-book sales haven't yet risen to fill the gap. If e-book retailers drive their prices up, consumers aren't going to see the point and will most likely trundle back to paperback titles - we're creatures of habit, after all.<br /><br />A positive move is called for, especially in light of the rapid changes in publishing technology, but I'm not sure the Wholesale model is the right one. Someone has to sit down and come up with a viable alternative, otherwise things are just going to repeat themselves.Marlowenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52734678575971765792012-05-01T23:09:41.449-05:002012-05-01T23:09:41.449-05:00I publish by KDP. Whenever I raise my ebook price ...I publish by KDP. Whenever I raise my ebook price from 99 cents to 2.99, for most of my titles Amazon runs the 2.99 as the "list price" and still runs 99 cents as the "Kindle price." Either KDP makes changes really slowly or I'm getting big sixed myself....is this happening to anyone else or is it just me?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-7365919308153623382012-04-29T12:27:08.437-05:002012-04-29T12:27:08.437-05:00Joe sez: People are already loading up their Kindl...<i>Joe sez: People are already loading up their Kindles. That hasn't precluded buying more ebooks. Readers have always had To Be Read piles. But now they're cheaper to acquire, and portable.</i><br /><br />I've got almost 100 books on my Kindle and I added two more today. It's human nature.John Paul Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142204881195778801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-74756239359117344402012-04-29T08:26:37.803-05:002012-04-29T08:26:37.803-05:00Joe, you mentioned Gamestop selling used games in ...Joe, you mentioned Gamestop selling used games in an earlier post and compared it to Amazon buying back and reselling books. Thing is, used games are currently really hurting the developers out there, and a lot of good indie developers are closing down.<br /><br />Know why? Because they have to rely on distribution from companies like EA to get their product out there, and folks like me are sick of paying $60 for EVERY game, when Skyrim is worth twice that and many others are worth maybe half that.<br /><br />Sound familiar?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52957420980265686482012-04-29T08:21:13.964-05:002012-04-29T08:21:13.964-05:00Hello Joe, I write from Italy. Forgive my English ...Hello Joe, I write from Italy. Forgive my English ...<br />Many thanks for the information of this post, very enlightening.<br />Hi.<br /><br />Gianluca<br />g.sgreva @ narrativita.itGianlucahttp://www.celestebook.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20454511760266964182012-04-29T03:27:56.925-05:002012-04-29T03:27:56.925-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.thiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01474930440295460013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1561780530339900632012-04-28T06:51:24.426-05:002012-04-28T06:51:24.426-05:00Joe, an off-topic question for you. Do you ever en...Joe, an off-topic question for you. Do you ever endorse other indie books? Not that I have one, but I was curious if you and some of the other more successful folks make positive recommendations for lesser-known writers?Scott Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09744436601853807608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49056727592998653172012-04-28T05:09:39.763-05:002012-04-28T05:09:39.763-05:00dog training canberra
Hi Joe. I don't think ...<a href="http://sitdropstay.blinkweb.com/1/2012/03/dog-training-in-sunshine-coast-the-necessity-for-puppy-training-8f860/" rel="nofollow">dog training canberra</a><br /><br /><br />Hi Joe. I don't think the Agency's model sucks. It is quite good. But, if that's what you think, then I have to respect that. Feel free to say what's on your mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4435427390587055392012-04-27T12:57:11.671-05:002012-04-27T12:57:11.671-05:00I would have never found Konrath, (well, it was Ki...I would have never found Konrath, (well, it was Kilborn I found first) at Barnes. I found them on Amazon where I was looking for something affordable that would help me escape for a while. (I work at a bank, I need to escape a LOT.) King said, "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” Amazon offers me a platform where I can do both in one place. It's friggin' genius. I haven't been this inspired in many moons. Thank you Joe, for letting us know how and why it works and for los cojones to inform outloud.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10804525987741772294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4795069126471588132012-04-27T05:48:51.941-05:002012-04-27T05:48:51.941-05:00Oh, thank heavens. A post that actually explains w...Oh, thank heavens. A post that actually explains what the heck is going on. Thanks Joe.Cody Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16699668105878409930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-69805480793883646302012-04-26T22:22:27.504-05:002012-04-26T22:22:27.504-05:00This was an eye opening read that has encouraged m...This was an eye opening read that has encouraged me to keep writing with the hopes of getting my book(s) epublished. That someone other than forced family members could have words I wrote in front of them. I will not allow myself to think of actually making money at such activities but the very idea of a second option to the big 6 gives me that hope.<br /><br />ThanksMatthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14868272810436155302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-17971960037569919392012-04-25T23:04:22.901-05:002012-04-25T23:04:22.901-05:00This could not be more true. I truly don't bel...This could not be more true. I truly don't believe the Big 6 could change if they wanted to. I was speaking to an agent the other day and God bless her. She defended the Big 6 left and right, but she has to. They keep her employed. As for the Big 6 are bound to their bottom-lines.Dara Beevashttp://www.wiseinkblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-65896390339230252902012-04-25T13:33:26.142-05:002012-04-25T13:33:26.142-05:00As a publishing student, this scares me. Bad enoug...As a publishing student, this scares me. Bad enough people declaring the book is dead, but a monopoly on ebooks isn't going to help anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89363127622342546892012-04-23T18:30:38.311-05:002012-04-23T18:30:38.311-05:00You can put up public domain books on Amazon. It&#...You can put up public domain books on Amazon. It's just after the flood of poorly designed and identical ones they cut it out. Your book has to be materially different such as illustrations or commentary. If you download a book, relabel it yours and upload they will take it down(though it can take time).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11997476799819810472012-04-23T12:21:43.074-05:002012-04-23T12:21:43.074-05:00Re public domain works taking up more of the marke...Re public domain works taking up more of the market: As a working author, I certainly hope not. I don't need any more competition from free or cheap books. I have to earn a living. It's bad enough we practically have to give our work away to find customers. It used to be we gave it away to the Big 6, permanently. Now we still struggle to keep our heads above the rising tide of worthless e-books.I.J.Parkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-9340208272244674962012-04-22T23:24:07.433-05:002012-04-22T23:24:07.433-05:00There is one bit of irony here, on Amazon's pa...There is one bit of irony here, on Amazon's part, despite their being on the side of the angels, for the most part. <br /><br />Where public domain books are concerned, it has acted like the large publishers, trying hard to keep them at bay; short-sheeting consumers by providing very poorly formatted versions in nearly all cases, and not allowing users to upload additional public domain works, or corrected versions. You really have to sideload any public domain work you want from gutenberg.com to get something readable.<br /><br />Amazon absolutely doesn't want its bread and butter works to be in a fair competition with free books. But I can't help but think that public domain works will be more and more competitive with recent work as time goes on, and that competition will eventually force Amazon to mend its ways and provide convenient access to truly attractive editions of public domain books, just to keep up. <br /><br />I think public domain books will slowly come to take up much more of the "market" for books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com