tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post788816632415648679..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Race to the Bottom Part 2JA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-14037863205643433602011-10-21T22:16:37.943-05:002011-10-21T22:16:37.943-05:00I have also experimented with price. I had my firs...I have also experimented with price. I had my first book at $2.99 at first, then went the 99 cent route about a year ago. Sales were slowing though, but at the end of May, my book went free. When it went back to paid, I had a ton of sales on that one and the sequel at $2.99. After a few months of 99 cents, sales slowed again. My theory is that most of the readers who buy at 99 cents or get free books had already either bought, downloaded, or taken a pass on my book. So, I moved back to $2.99. Sales have slowed, but not as much as I expected, and I know it'll take awhile for my book to get back into the also boughts of other $2.99 and higher priced books, so I'm willing to be patient. Meanwhile, I'm working on the third book. It will be priced at $3.99.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267066733031149882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54573425549895010382011-10-14T13:08:04.835-05:002011-10-14T13:08:04.835-05:00People don't seem to realize how little the pa...People don't seem to realize how little the paper-and-ink publishers pay. My wife and I published a YA novel with Philomel, part of the enormous conglomerate Pearson Penguin Putnam. They promised to pay 10% royalty for hardcovers and 6% for paperbacks. But we didn't read the fine print. Philomel sold over 100,000 copies of this book in an imprint called PaperStar, and gave us a little more than a nickel per book! These were not remainders. This was regular publishing practice. Now assume we put that book on line as an ebook ourselves, pricing it at 99 cents. We'd get, from smashwords anyway, a 70% royalty, meaning each copy would make us 14 times what each PaperStar copy made us. So don't worry about pricing too low.twhooblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05780610815398695312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-49053842720672629662011-10-07T10:18:55.476-05:002011-10-07T10:18:55.476-05:00I agree that if you want to read a book, you find ...I agree that if you want to read a book, you find or make the time. But I do think that there are degrees of wanting to read some books, depending on title, author, subject, interest-level. Sometimes it's enough for me to, say, read an informed review. I do think that the ease of kindle-buying and the generally lower prices increase the amount of reading, thus the amount of books sold.<br /><br />Jon Olson<br />THE PETOSKEY STONE<br />THE RIDE HOMEJon Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11798152229818636016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-36427520727662869362011-10-06T20:51:37.419-05:002011-10-06T20:51:37.419-05:00We pay $7-$10 for a 1.5 hour movie that most of th...We pay $7-$10 for a 1.5 hour movie that most of the time sucks. Isn't a book worth more than 99 cents (unless of course it sucks in which case it might not be worth that). I'm glad to see people experimenting with pricing. I've paid 99 cents for some books that were so bad I deleted them. I've paid $2.99 for some e-books that I would have gladly paid double or more for. But I agree that I won't pay $10 or more for an e-book, no matter how much I'd like to read it. I'll get it from the library. But if it's under $5 and I can get it delivered immediately to my Kindle, then yes, I'll buy it if I want it badly enough.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00563981360503232129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-17676868579852353812011-10-06T11:53:46.699-05:002011-10-06T11:53:46.699-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.David L. Shutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357694121376734716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-15759547383261034212011-10-06T09:52:14.858-05:002011-10-06T09:52:14.858-05:00I'm beyond the age of impulse buying so there ...I'm beyond the age of impulse buying so there is no price besides free that gets me to pull the trigger. I have to think I will want to read the book to actually buy it, and that I will read it soon rather than some day in the distant future. There isn't time enough to read all the books so why buy one that I don't plan on reading in the next week or so? I can download the sample or add it to my wishlist. <br /><br />I am probably in the minority on this though. It's why the advertising industry focuses on the 18-34 demographic and not my slightly older one. <br /><br />I will say that as long as Amazon and others allow books to be priced at $0.99 there will be a lot of books at that price, and there will be a lot of readers who enjoy finding bargains at that price. It's not going away.Mark Asherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13758940020912520294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56506488129405881692011-10-06T09:23:05.158-05:002011-10-06T09:23:05.158-05:00Just a general comment for the posters who have eq...Just a general comment for the posters who have equated being legacy-published and having bestseller status with writing better books. This is utterly simple-minded, since most bestsellers got there via massive promotion by publishers and not because they write particularly well. Occasionally, the reverse is even true.<br /><br />This situation is precisely why many legacy-published authors who have not enjoyed the star treatment have become disaffected and are choosing to self-publish. Legacy publishing has done nothing for them while taking a huge share of the profits.<br />Thank God we have options these days!I.J.Parkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-27515682926857492572011-10-06T09:22:01.955-05:002011-10-06T09:22:01.955-05:00The time to read thing is something to consider wh...The time to read thing is something to consider when thinking of the fact tha books are not competing with each other. Yes, I have probably 20 years worth of reading downloaded on my Kindle right now.<br /><br />But because e-books (well many) are priced much more affordably than paper, I can buy a book and take all the time in the world I need to read it. But it's already a sale for the writer.<br /><br />Yes of course, people can do that with paper too, but I'm far less inclined to pile up a stack of paper books than I am to stack book after book into my e-reader for future use.<br /><br />BK JacksonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1751274108065282482011-10-06T07:43:42.197-05:002011-10-06T07:43:42.197-05:00Joe,
My French dictionary has just topped as #1 b...Joe,<br /><br />My French dictionary has just topped as #1 best-selling kindle dictionary in the U.K. (and about #728 paid ebook in the UK).<br /><br />It's all your fault, Mr. Konrath. Thank you very much.<br /><br />I'm just too excited in antecipation of what will happen when I upload my first piece of fiction in november.Lucas Nicolatohttp://www.amazon.co.uk/s?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Lucas+Nicolatonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32008876772289390072011-10-06T03:44:29.909-05:002011-10-06T03:44:29.909-05:00A suggestion for indie authors and readers who fin...A suggestion for indie authors and readers who find Amazon charging that extra $2 surcharge for foreign readers is hurting you or your readers.<br />Check out other sales venues which do not charge Amazon's mysterious mean surcharge. Smashwords.com, or www.xinxii.com as examples. If your fave author has no books for sale there, directly ASK the author to consider listing their book there as well as on Amazon. <br />These sites are good for adding to your sales - indie authors, and pay better royalties than Amazon too. <br />Don't take my word for it, check them out.Christine Leov Lealandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14602178094709108299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-24097264147414059682011-10-06T02:50:21.300-05:002011-10-06T02:50:21.300-05:00I appear to be unusual, but I have absolutely no p...I appear to be unusual, but I have absolutely no problem paying $15 for the Baen ARCs of my favorite authors. It's less than I would pay for an English book in the bookstore in my country, and they don't even carry those authors.<br /><br />I find it weird that Americans, who normally make a lot more money than we do, are so price sensitive. Then again, maybe that's why they have more money than we do :PMarcelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13951354231483245521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43250387969670918682011-10-05T23:34:29.339-05:002011-10-05T23:34:29.339-05:00The 21st century man really is limited in the time...The 21st century man really is limited in the time he may spend on reading for entertainment. After the work, family, and other responsibilities he attends to, the limited time that remains for his leisure activities must be allocated wisely. So if he chooses reading as a hobby, he will be forced to cast aside many books of interest because he can only read so quickly. And when his reading is done during his refractory periods between youporn sessions, he cannot be faulted for taking months to read a novella.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33411251908350090512011-10-05T23:32:14.812-05:002011-10-05T23:32:14.812-05:00Man o man. I finished writing Chapter Two and you...Man o man. I finished writing Chapter Two and you guys are still at it. I think it's time to brush aside the BS and look at the issue. Will you make more money at one price over another. Yes. What we don't know just yet is what price. This is basic price x unit analysis and will yield to experimentation.<br /><br />But there is another issue, perceived value.<br /><br />Back in the late 1940s a man named Edwin Land perfected a camera that developed its own prints, right before your eyes. It was magic. He took it to Eastman Kodak who told him that no one would buy a camera like that. Dejected, but not detoured, went to Florida and proceeded to make it himself.<br /><br />Remember this is 1948 when a great dinner was under $1. He priced the camera at $35 dollars and it didn't sell. He asked the people looking at the cameras, why. They said that something that looked this nice must have something wrong with it, especially since it made magic pictures.<br /><br />He raised the price to $159 (the price of a modest used car) and it sold like hot cakes. Americans especially know value when they see it. Value is not the same as cheap. It is the perception at a buyer is getting his money's worth.<br /><br />Write good books, price them as high as the customer will allow.<br /><br />Oh well, Chapter 3 is calling. Some bastard I dreamed up is about to kill a little girl and I have to stop him by the end of the chapter.<br /><br />Ta Ta!Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16620367133264855090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-84704108997449143912011-10-05T20:56:37.336-05:002011-10-05T20:56:37.336-05:00true, there are bad writers in both camps. the dif...true, there are bad writers in both camps. the difference is that bad writers in legacy publishing aren't making money, because they have to compete with good writers. in the current ebook pond, many crappy writers are making good money, because there aren't many big fish yet. Once the big fish arrive and start charging the same low prices for their ebooks, there will be trouble in paradise. <br /><br />phrased another way, if you're writing crappy ebooks and making good money from them (as many currently are), don't assume that will last forever. it will not. invest your money wisely and enjoy it while it lasts.<br /><br />======<br /><br />so, the legacy publishing collapse will be great for readers, and not so great for the hacks and bad writers who are currently capitalizing on this current transition period.<br /><br />But it won't be good for hacks and bad writers in legacy publishing either.<br /><br />The solution, as Joe keeps saying, is not to write crap.Reachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23794688841588789232011-10-05T19:53:50.640-05:002011-10-05T19:53:50.640-05:00@Adrian -- I have at least five thousand books in...@Adrian -- I have at least five thousand books in my house. And I keep buying more. I've had my Kindle only a few months and already have several hundred books on it.<br /><br />I know I'll never be able to read all of these books. I barely have time to write my own. But I like having choices when I do get a break.<br /><br />I don't think I'm unusual in that regard.Robert Brownehttp://www.robertbrownethrillers.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32102507951962026472011-10-05T19:07:53.175-05:002011-10-05T19:07:53.175-05:00so, the legacy publishing collapse will be great f...<i>so, the legacy publishing collapse will be great for readers, and not so great for the hacks and bad writers who are currently capitalizing on this current transition period.</i><br /><br />I'm still not so sure of a major collapse and am still privy to my humble "Big 4" prediction. The more experienced authors here with Legacy experience all seem to have long lists of publishing gripes but at the same time we hear about a lot of decent, intelligent hard working poeple within the legacy system.<br /><br />I don't think you need to be an "insider" to see that the future is gloomy for traditional's, all you have to do is watch business news and see how changing markets have affected countless other business's. <br /><br />I don't care what legacy types say in their press releases, blogs and interviews, even if they only have two misfiring brain cells in their heads, let alone Economics MBA's, they can see hard times coming.<br /><br />Netflix and Redbox put dual, double-tap, stakes through the heart and brain of immortal giant, Blockbuster, who themselves executed a half dozen smaller rental operations. Redbox keeps trucking but Netflix gets greedy and raises prices, loses customers like crazy (including me) and now a re-vamped blockbuster, with an online Netflix model is looking to scoop them up.<br /><br />Am I the only one that sees an ironic corollary here? <br /><br />I think we'll start to see gradual transitions: changes in pricing models, one or two big name authors going indie with name editors and agents taken under retainers and then, when heads are rolling in NYC streets and the big signs are being torn down, we'll see dramatic changes.David L. Shutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357694121376734716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48752627151990467172011-10-05T17:52:47.965-05:002011-10-05T17:52:47.965-05:00I like it as well. Maybe this is where you and I a...I like it as well. Maybe this is where you and I are talking past each other.<br /><br /><i>The idea that people will spend less money on books because there are too many choices, or because they only have a limited amount of time, doesn't jibe with consumer habits.</i><br /><br />The argument isn't that they'll spend less. If you think that's the point I was making, then that's probably what's causing the disagreement. <br /><br />The argument is that they will probably spend MORE, but only up to a point. Lower prices and easier access don't allow readers to go from reading two books a month to two thousand or more. Books still cost money. They still take time to read. And there are still a lot of other things readers like to do besides read. This is why I have a two year reading queue in my office. <br /><br />But it seems that you're saying not only will they spend more, but none of the things mentioned above matter now that we have a new format. Is that what you're saying? <br /><br />As for forever being a long time, you're right, no reader or author lives forever. I really don't care if my books find a huge following 500 years from now. What's meaningful to most of us is the next few years. And market sizes, while they may grow, are defineable during those periods. The size of the market 30 or 50 years from now is beside the point when I want to make a living off my books now.John Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16644593323523613105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-52255523430029048372011-10-05T16:58:21.612-05:002011-10-05T16:58:21.612-05:00so, the legacy publishing collapse will be great f...<em>so, the legacy publishing collapse will be great for readers, and not so great for the hacks and bad writers who are currently capitalizing on this current transition period.</em><br /><br />But it won't be good for hacks and bad writers in legacy publishing either.<br /><br />The solution, as Joe keeps saying, is not to write crap.Edward M. Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08149744619931445003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-29339414755171135362011-10-05T16:38:31.348-05:002011-10-05T16:38:31.348-05:00i think there are two types of pies we're talk...i think there are two types of pies we're talking about here: the pie of total ebooks, which is infinite, and the pie consisting of ebooks that are actually selling well. this latter pie consists of the top bestsellers down to a lower point of "good sales." this second pie is really what matters and where authors want to be. this second pie is what is not infinite, as obviously not everyone who publishes an ebook will enjoy good sales.<br /><br />the authors in this second pie are going to change as time goes on. it's currently filled with many mediocre writers because most of the best authors are still tangled up with legacy publishing. once legacy publishing collapses, those authors will encroach on the second pie and many of the mediocre writers who are currently enjoying good ebook sales will be pushed out. <br /><br />so, the legacy publishing collapse will be great for readers, and not so great for the hacks and bad writers who are currently capitalizing on this current transition period.Reachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54870680428953482392011-10-05T15:07:22.340-05:002011-10-05T15:07:22.340-05:00I always love the time comment. If I find two book...I always love the time comment. If I find two books I really want I will find time to read them, really.Jill Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754506629717417267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42833792907032804982011-10-05T14:38:11.830-05:002011-10-05T14:38:11.830-05:00Excellently said. Hello Joe - new here and what a ...Excellently said. Hello Joe - new here and what a fab place to be ;D I totally agree regarding the publishers inferred importance and the $9.99 achingly obvious bad-management. <br /><br />I'll be back. ;D Shah. XShah Whartonhttp://wordsinsync.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56797684589038156082011-10-05T14:08:56.440-05:002011-10-05T14:08:56.440-05:00I agree/disagree with the infite time argument. I ...I agree/disagree with the infite time argument. I always want to read more but honestly can't prioritize it over life's many other responsibilities, just like I can't prioritize a night of drinking, a week of scuba diving or a two hour nap every afternoon. I would give a lot to be able to read a book in one sitting as, seemingly, every thiller/action/mystery book reviewer in the Universe does.<br /><br />Traditonally, when I bought from bookstores (which has been a looong time due to budget and Amazon) I was always very particular but my limitations were usually due to said budget. Yes I've always had a TBR pile of varying height. <br /><br />Conversely, for every conservative or budgeted person like myself in line back at the old Borders/B&N with a single paperback and a trade magazine there was another person with a STACK of hardbacks.<br /><br />$145.76? No problem. See you next week.<br /><br />Now put me or someone like me in a Library, then I'm the one checking out with a stack of books. I usually don't get to read them all and will re-check them out or see a little fine, but time is definitely not a concern there.<br /><br />In the $.99 to $2.99 arena I see readers leaning more towards the library model. Affordable, no apprehension over wasting $20 on a steaming sh!t pile hardback, one click and added to the stack.David L. Shutterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357694121376734716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89939965995242701042011-10-05T12:58:17.765-05:002011-10-05T12:58:17.765-05:00John, it's great to engage in civilized debate...John, it's great to engage in civilized debate with someone logically attacking my argument. :)<br /><br /><i>You're setting up a strawman. </i><br /><br />No, I'm not.<br /><br />We all have a limited amount of time to live, and consequently to pursue leisure and entertainment.<br /><br />My position is that if a person has an equal interest in two different books, they will not read one or the other. They will find time to read both.<br /><br />Avid readers hunger for more books by their favorite authors. They devour everything they can, and still seek more. <br /><br />Even an average reader can get "hooked" on a series.<br /><br />The idea that people will spend less money on books because there are too many choices, or because they only have a limited amount of time, doesn't jibe with consumer habits. <br /><br />Those who enjoy reading make it a priority. It is never a question of reading this OR that. They read both. And ereaders have made it cheaper and easier than ever to attain books.<br /><br />This isn't a strawman. It's refuting the original argument. <br /><br /><i>At some point the desire for to earn some money, make dinner, play with the kids, whatever, outweighs the desire to read the latest Konrath, as many delights as it may promise.</i><br /><br />I'm not debating that. I'm simply stating that if a reader wants to read two books, she eventually will. She'll have to read one before the other. She'll have to fit it into her schedule. But ultimately she WILL read both. <br /><br /><i>Also, even though the pie for ebooks is growing, the pie is not infinite. </i><br /><br />Actually, it is. Writers won't benefit from infinity, because infinity is a long time. But digital books will sell as long as there is a human race, because there is no cost in copying and shipping, and they can never go out of print. <br /><br />As for how we can benefit during our own lifetimes, ebooks are becoming a global market, and even selling to a tiny percentage of 6 billion people can make you really rich. <br /><br /><i>you seem to suggest that growth and opportunity means ebooks and ebook markets are going to behave like no other product know to man does.</i><br /><br />They're behaving a lot like mp3s, which continue to increase in sales, year after year.<br /><br />Movies also continue to sell. Over the past 20 years I've bough no less than 8 versions of The Evil Dead. It keeps being re-released, and keeps selling, even though the format keeps changing.<br /><br />The home computer, the cell phone, the automobile, the mp3 player--these are technologies that became globally adopted, and more and more keep selling. I'm betting ebooks and ereaders will be the same.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-90520135766953860412011-10-05T12:25:41.733-05:002011-10-05T12:25:41.733-05:00(I ask because I liked the sound of it)(I ask because I liked the sound of it)David Gaughranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236692339928690142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-68811094319333675412011-10-05T12:25:16.492-05:002011-10-05T12:25:16.492-05:00@amsterdamassasin
Hey Martyn - long time no see. ...@amsterdamassasin<br /><br />Hey Martyn - long time no see. Did you ever self-publish that book?David Gaughranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236692339928690142noreply@blogger.com