tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post5933504055961359770..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Guest Post by Sam TorodeJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76825119562773800372011-02-17T14:08:18.768-06:002011-02-17T14:08:18.768-06:00ok, how about an update...
it is now mid-february...ok, how about an update...<br /><br />it is now mid-february,<br />and in another thread,<br />sam relates the situation:<br />> http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2011/02/guest-post-by-victorine-lieske.html?showComment=1297799452494#c1720996373000152915<br /><br />sure enough, the raise<br />in his price _did_ affect<br />his momentum adversely.<br /><br />after having risen to #50,<br />in a steep climb that might<br />have continued otherwise,<br />the book's ranking instead<br />starting _dropping,_ until<br />-- when it fell to #200 --<br />sam felt the need to step in<br />and price it back at $.99...<br /><br />so, to review, with a book<br />that sold just 300 copies<br />in december (after selling<br />5-20 in months before),<br />january sales were 5,500.<br />momentum was palpable.<br /><br />sam raised the price and<br />boom, lost his momentum.<br /><br />now he has to climb back.<br /><br />but he will never recover<br />momentum he had then.<br /><br />i don't recommend $.99.<br />because the "royalty" that<br />amazon pays for it is unfair.<br /><br />i recommend $2.99 instead.<br />even if you make fewer sales,<br />and make less money, as a<br />protest against amazon's rate.<br /><br />but kids, don't raise a price<br />in the middle of momentum.<br />that babe can be very fickle.<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-12485672079588242372011-02-13T10:47:54.836-06:002011-02-13T10:47:54.836-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Robin Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00613910688999698522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-19333863692238633462011-02-13T10:38:03.837-06:002011-02-13T10:38:03.837-06:00I've been busy editing so missed this blog pos...I've been busy editing so missed this blog post completely. I'l make my few comments late in the game.<br /><br />1 - Thanks Joe for continuing to showcase indie authors - you do us all a great service.<br /><br />2 - Sam - congrats on a great start I'm sure you're going to continue to grow in sales.<br /><br />3 - Thanks to both Suzanne and gniz for telling me you find my blog helpful - it will make me keep doing them and I hope they continue to give valuable information.<br /><br />Robin | <a href="http://www.write2publish.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Write2Publish</a> | <a href="http://www.ridanpublishing.com/michaelsullivan.html" rel="nofollow">Michael J. Sullivan's Writings </a>Robin Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00613910688999698522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6778914643718444032011-02-01T19:49:00.412-06:002011-02-01T19:49:00.412-06:00Speaking as a writer who (by way of disclosure) ha...Speaking as a writer who (by way of disclosure) has a very happy professional relationship with DAW Books, a division of Penguin... I find Sam's story very inspiring! <br /><br />I am electronically self-publishing my backlist, and I have zero interest in ending my relationship with Penguin to self-publish my frontlist. I'm walking both sides of the street, so to speak. <br /><br />And I think Sam's experience shows that the great benefit of the electronic self-publishing era is that there are MORE AVENUES for writers than there used to be. E-pubbing has opened a door to success for him that didn't exist five years go, while the traditional door remained closed to him despite his many perseverant attempts to get into it.<br /><br />Good on him! And this is great news all around for everyone. For writers, at long last, there really IS more than one way to skin a cat now. (So to speak.)<br /><br />Congratulations, Sam!Laura Resnickhttp://www.LauraResnick.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-65200740343118482692011-01-31T13:15:01.692-06:002011-01-31T13:15:01.692-06:00@noothergods, if you're an indie, try this:
h...@noothergods, if you're an indie, try this:<br /><br />http://www.simon-royle.com/indie-reviewers/<br /><br />It has a listing of people who will do reviews, and I'm pretty sure it's not a long, drawn out process.<br /><br />@Michael Wallace - I see you've got 6 excellent reviews on Amazon now...good for you! :-)<br /><br />@Sam - Thanks for your story. I don't have a Kindle as yet, but I did dl (a while ago) the Kindle app, and can read ebooks on my desktop at home. (I currently have only 1 at this moment.) But I'm keenly interested in all things 1930s/1940s, LOVED O Brother, Where Art Thou, and will pick up your ebook sometime soon (already in my Wish List).<br /><br />Good luck and continued success to all you indies! :-)Nancy Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06214579721075450777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59330763888459576332011-01-31T07:48:07.946-06:002011-01-31T07:48:07.946-06:00And I'm happy to have boosted Sam, if even by ...<i>And I'm happy to have boosted Sam, if even by one puny $2.99 sale. ;)</i> <br /><br />As am I with my $10.99 purchase. <br /><br />No worries Neil on the link. I don't doubt the story is true, and I agree many people take advantage of the pay as you go plans. <br /><br />I was only questioning the idea of including cell phones in a person's entertainment budget. For most, I wouldn't even consider the cell phone as a discretionary budget item. I know many people who have eliminated their land line altogether, in favor of using a cell phone because it is more affordable.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-8552072520957127432011-01-31T01:25:53.614-06:002011-01-31T01:25:53.614-06:00Amanda Hocking has sold half a million books. :)
...Amanda Hocking has <a href="http://t.co/Q2dtpdK" rel="nofollow"> sold half a million books.</a> :)<br /><br />Tara Maya<br /><a href="http://amzn.to/gLD4wX" rel="nofollow">The Unfinished Song: Initiate</a>Tara Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09095632631554776002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2561932071801992972011-01-30T23:01:57.200-06:002011-01-30T23:01:57.200-06:00Sam,
Again, thank you for the numbers. respect ...Sam,<br /><br />Again, thank you for the numbers. respect you are a private person. So I'm not going to link or otherwise repost the numbers, even though I find them fascinating.<br /> <br /><br />JT, I'm unable to find the link again. <br /><br />As the daring novelist notes, 'pay as you go' cell phone plans are popular. I know almost as many people who pay less than $20/month (including myself, but I'm a cheapskate) for their cell phone as those who have Iphones/Androids with their $65+/month plans. <br /><br />On sales: I will say I can understand and respect any author who choses not to report sales and instead just reports sales rank. To end the 'small publisher/indie authors have little market share' we need the data, but it is up to the authors to share.<br /><br />I'm floored and excited on how well several indie authors are doing this January. I thought December was amazing! I'm bummed to see Amanda down in the rankings at #5, but if Lisa Garner is willing to sell a book for a buck... <br /><br />And I'm happy to have boosted Sam, if even by one puny $2.99 sale. ;) <br /><br />Neilwannabuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04297458705683991405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-7650992352435206152011-01-30T19:51:56.140-06:002011-01-30T19:51:56.140-06:00OK...I'll play along.
At 9:35 P.M. Tuppshar P...OK...I'll play along.<br /><br />At 9:35 P.M. Tuppshar Press said: <br /><br /><i>"We don't release specific numbers, but it's interesting that October was our best month ever for ebooks..."</i><br /><br />The next day, at 9:30 A.M. jtplayer said: <br /><br /><i>"Why won't anyone release specific numbers?"</i><br /><br />That same day, at 2:58 P.M. bowerbird quoted jtplayer and said: <br /><br /><i>"post your income tax return, and then we can talk. ok?"</i><br /><br />Later that day, at 4:29 P.M. jtplayer said: <br /><br /><i>"bowerbird...I know you fancy yourself a clever dude and all, but c'mon man, releasing specific sales figures for ebooks or the Kindle is in no way equivalent to releasing tax returns"</i><br /><br />The next day, at 2:42 P.M., bowerbird quoted jtplayer and and came back with:<br /><br /><i>"on reflection, i think you're right. it's more like releasing your monthly pay-stub. so let's see you do _that_, and then we can talk, ok?"</i><br /><br />I guess that's enough for now. You guys can read the rest on the link that I provided. There are more posts throughout discussing the subject of $89 Kindles sold at xmas and the issue of individuals and publishers posting specific sales figures.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-13476766506041618412011-01-30T18:38:13.251-06:002011-01-30T18:38:13.251-06:00you linked to the general post
instead of a specif...you linked to the general post<br />instead of a specific comment<br />because you knew that no one<br />would read through _all_ of the<br />comments trying to find _one_<br />that supported your argument.<br /><br />and even if they _did_ try that,<br />tough, they would not succeed.<br /><br />since they _could_not_ succeed.<br /><br />because there _is_ no comment<br />that supports your argument...<br /><br />which is precisely why i told you<br />to link to a _specific_comment,_<br />because i know you cannot do it.<br /><br />and don't bother posting another<br />"reply" where you stonewall and<br />fail to link to anything specific...<br /><br />since it just stinks up the place<br />for the people who want to have<br />_actual_honest_ discussion here.<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-82152222127754875272011-01-30T17:53:50.352-06:002011-01-30T17:53:50.352-06:00Yawn.
I provided a direct link to the 12/10 blog ...Yawn.<br /><br />I provided a direct link to the 12/10 blog posting with the string of comments below. Feel free to peruse at your leisure. <br /><br />And to "twist" it how you wish.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33227327492284909012011-01-30T17:37:47.909-06:002011-01-30T17:37:47.909-06:00jtplayer said:
> I find this talk of Sam post...jtplayer said:<br />> I find this talk of Sam posting <br />> specific sales figures amusing. <br /><br />you do, do you? pray tell...<br /><br /><br />> Back in December <br />> such an idea <br />> was considered <br />> akin to releasing <br />> tax return information.<br /><br />it _is_ akin to that.<br /><br />which is why you shouldn't<br />expect any author to react<br />to such a _demand_ from<br />anyone with anything but<br />"mind your own business".<br /><br />which, if you would have<br />actually, you know, linked<br />to a _specific_comment_,<br />instead of throwing out a<br />vague "back in december",<br />anyone could have seen,<br />and judged for themselves.<br /><br />but sam already _released_<br />that information, so there<br />is no reason not to give it<br />a more specific breakdown.<br /><br />the i.r.s. is interested in<br />the monthly _total_, and<br />not the daily _specifics_.<br /><br />we, on the other hand,<br />would be more interested<br />in those _daily_ specifics<br />than a _monthly_ total...<br /><br />***<br /><br />it's also the case that<br />i _requested_ the info.<br />i didn't _demand_ it...<br /><br />and when sam said that<br />he'd rather not give it,<br />i was confused, and i<br />said so, but i also said<br />that if he didn't want to<br />give the info, it's _fine_.<br /><br />i didn't _demand_ info.<br /><br />***<br /><br />you also fail to point out<br />that the earlier _demand_<br />was from a perspective of<br />"i don't believe the number".<br /><br />it was a demand for _proof_.<br /><br />it was an accusation that<br />somebody was _lying_...<br /><br />that's totally not the case<br />in this thread. i believe sam.<br />i'm not demanding _proof_...<br /><br />don't twist things, player.<br /><br />unless you are simply unable<br />to understand the distinction.<br /><br />in which case, go ahead and<br />be "humored" by all of this...<br /><br />my cat used to love playing<br />with an empty box. it gave<br />him no end of amusement...<br /><br />evidently you can do likewise<br />with an empty thought...<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50310640765148616412011-01-30T15:47:38.254-06:002011-01-30T15:47:38.254-06:00Sam: It appears that most returns actually happen ...Sam: It appears that most returns actually happen within seconds of purchase, and were probably due to somebody meaning to hit "sample" rather than the 1-click. If they didn't have returns, they'd have a lot more people complaining about not being able to opt-out of one-click.<br /><br />JT: re disposable income. A lot of stats are thrown off by the difference between "average" and "median." Most people make well below "average" income. A lot of us don't use cellphone plans. We use pay-as-you-go phones which cost less than $10 a month. Why do you think every grocery store and convenience store has the cards for those?The Daring Novelisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01676188266569869059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89388685195406908272011-01-30T15:20:03.275-06:002011-01-30T15:20:03.275-06:00I find this talk of Sam posting specific sales fig...I find this talk of Sam posting specific sales figures amusing. Back in December such an idea was considered akin to releasing tax return information.<br /><br /><a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/12/ebooks-sales-slowing-yes-and-no.html" rel="nofollow">Ebook sales slowing? Yes and No</a>jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32237926191936842452011-01-30T15:04:26.236-06:002011-01-30T15:04:26.236-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48954906106899530542011-01-30T14:44:51.479-06:002011-01-30T14:44:51.479-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42179920392851073742011-01-30T14:42:49.617-06:002011-01-30T14:42:49.617-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38037908264851843442011-01-30T14:21:34.558-06:002011-01-30T14:21:34.558-06:00sam said:
> Then I calculated that
> it...sam said:<br />> Then I calculated that <br />> it only takes 97 sales at $2.99 <br />> to make the same revenue <br />> as 600 books at $0.99. <br /><br />that's right, percentage-wise.<br /><br />but how many actual buyers<br />do those price-points attract<br />for any specific book? _that_<br />is the important information.<br /><br />if you get _10_times_ as many<br />sales at the lower price-point,<br />you've obtained more readers<br />_and_ more profit as well...<br /><br />and it's also vital to consider<br />"revenue" in a manner that is<br />more long-term in nature...<br /><br />the 600 (or 400, or 800, or<br />_whatever_ the number is)<br />readers who you garnered<br />at the $.99 price-point are<br />that many readers primed<br />to purchase your next book.<br /><br />(provided they liked your<br />first one, an assumption<br />that i am happy to grant.)<br /><br />this is better than having<br />97 people primed at $2.99.<br /><br />it's more word-of-mouth,<br />more reviews, more ratings,<br />more suggestions in the<br />people-who-bought-this<br />recommendation engine,<br />more real-world presence.<br /><br />again, i hasten to repeat<br />-- because it seems that i<br />can't repeat it enough --<br />that _i_recommend_ the<br />$2.99 price-point, since<br />the 35% royalty is unfair.<br /><br />but one needs to consider<br />the entire equation here,<br />and not just part of it...<br /><br /><br />> So, I'm not inclined <br />> to post sales figures.<br /><br />i'm confused.<br /><br />you already posted the figure:<br />5,500 books as of january 28.<br /><br />as a lump sum, it's not useful,<br />because it doesn't tell us trend.<br /><br />a day-by-day specific number<br />would give us information on<br />trend, but the "sales figure" of<br />5,500 would total up the same.<br /><br /><br />> But, I will try to post <br />> what's helpful to others. <br /><br />what you posted is not helpful.<br />and what i asked for would be.<br /><br />but whatever. if you'd rather<br />not give the information, fine.<br /><br />really! :+)<br /><br />your story on the whole remains<br />uplifting. our questions, about<br />what caused the sudden jump,<br />and how the price might have<br />affected your momentum, are<br />also interesting, perhaps even<br />more so, and you have given us<br />little information about them...<br />however -- as i said -- the main<br />story that a slow-moving book<br />_can_ catch on is one that will<br />give hope to the many authors<br />who are stuck with such books.<br /><br />best of luck with your next book.<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-61091137316437885452011-01-30T12:46:10.464-06:002011-01-30T12:46:10.464-06:00"I read this morning that 40% of US household...<i>"I read this morning that 40% of US households only have $100 to spend on 'entertainment' each month. That includes cell phones"</i><br /><br />Includes cell phones?<br /><br />I find that hard to believe. Even an average phone plan wouldn't leave much left to spend on entertainment. Besides that, how can a cell phone be classified as "entertainment"?<br /><br />Can you put up a link to that story?jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-7289691497850840052011-01-30T11:54:42.966-06:002011-01-30T11:54:42.966-06:00Thanks, Neil. I may delete that message later if I...Thanks, Neil. I may delete that message later if I get cold feet about being so public :-) <br /><br />No 2nd novel in the works yet. Right now my main artistic outlet (aside from book design) is portrait painting. I'd actually love to do a graphic novel and children's book (I'm a dad) in the near future, before writing another novel.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775300000004502564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77556491310621285792011-01-30T11:46:13.939-06:002011-01-30T11:46:13.939-06:00Sam,
Thank you for the numbers again.
When is you...Sam,<br />Thank you for the numbers again.<br /><br />When is your 2nd novel due out?<br /><br />@Steve:<i>"They priced their books too high for many to afford"</i><br /><br />I read this morning that 40% of US households only have $100 to spend on 'entertainment' each month. That includes cell phones. <br /><br />For those with $100/month 'disposable' income, ereaders will have to go down to $49. It puts into perspective those surveys that show ereader/ebook demand going up with price.<br /><br />Neilwannabuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04297458705683991405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79629847630824444232011-01-30T11:26:31.520-06:002011-01-30T11:26:31.520-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775300000004502564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60703892540535856142011-01-30T09:46:38.554-06:002011-01-30T09:46:38.554-06:00"I would like to add that the entire story ab..."I would like to add that the entire story about a NYT Best Seller who earned only $24k is a pile of horse manure stacked up as high as your eyeballs.<br /><br />"That author got a $50k+ advance for that book and her only real "expense" was the 15% that she had to give to her agent. Everything else was stuff she stacked up attempting to prove that the $50k+ advance wasn't that much."<br /><br />That sounds like Lynn Veihl's post on The Reality of a New York Times Bestseller-- you can find it here: http://www.genreality.net/the-reality-of-a-times-bestseller<br /><br />She used to write sf with a romantic slant but I think her last book was urban fantasy. <br /><br />She took a lot of heat for that post especially on romance author blogs because very few authors gave any numbers. However, she explicitly said she had not attended any conventions so it might not be the same author, but the numbers are about the same.<br /><br />Kindle authors are incredibly open about what they sell compared to a few years ago. She was also just explaining about her first royalty statement. It's rather an interesting read.<br /><br />She concluded<br /><br /> <b>In Publishing telling the truth about earnings smashes the illusions publishers and writers want you to believe and, like breaking mirrors, it never brings you good luck. Thing is, when I was a rookie I wanted to know exactly what it took to have a top twenty Times bestselling novel, because that was such a big deal to writers. Everyone I asked gave me a different answer, told me a bunch of nonsense, or couldn’t/wouldn’t tell me at all. For that reason I want you to see the hard figures, and know the reality, and the next time someone asks you what it takes, you can tell them the truth.</b>Verileeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903904471192374248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53187965225990238322011-01-30T07:57:05.496-06:002011-01-30T07:57:05.496-06:00Bravo, Sam! [Morning cup of coffee raised in high...Bravo, Sam! [Morning cup of coffee raised in high salute.] You've inspired me to enhance a few descriptions.<br /><br />Why waste time and effort submitting stuff to Amazon's annual contests? Penguin judges those books, employing the same exclusionary standards that have sent Big 6 publishing into its death spiral. <br /><br />Over time Big 6 went from selecting books folks might like to read to being the arbiters of what should be read. They priced their books too high for many to afford while releasing annual surveys showing us we're too dim to read. (The one that lives in memory is that Americans "read only one book a year and that borrowed from a friend." What patronizing twaddle.) <br /><br />And all the while producing less and less that was a good read while constantly increasing prices, as sales strangely were plummeting. That they also treated most of their writers as though Kleenex was but another facet of a self-destructive hubris masquerading as a business model.<br /><br />Well, I feel better now. Another cup to Sam and then to tweaking those descriptions.<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />Steve<br />http://www.stephenamesberry.com/Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12777006339312361462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-68783658984859665892011-01-30T07:26:08.525-06:002011-01-30T07:26:08.525-06:00I'm so happy to see these success stories of s...I'm so happy to see these success stories of self-publishing. I happen to stumble on this self-publishing success story this morning I thought I'd share with all of you.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/25/us-japan-poet-idUSTRE70O0NQ20110125" rel="nofollow">99-year-old Japanese Poet self-publishes her book--sells 1.5 Million copies.</a> Now that's the "Holy Freakin' Crap!" Moment of the year!<br /><br />Russell Brooks<br />Author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pandoras-Succession-ebook/dp/B00486U6O2" rel="nofollow"> Pandora's Succession</a>Russell Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13877653195121083326noreply@blogger.com