tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post97643978067570652..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Ebooks Sales Slowing? Yes and NoJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34360617040782721162017-04-08T12:20:01.154-05:002017-04-08T12:20:01.154-05:00Comment to the repost in 2017. Since anyone can fi...Comment to the repost in 2017. Since anyone can file DMCAs, it might not have been Lexi or someone in her employ trying to scrub links to her work from the internet but someone trying to do her harm. Another reason why naively accepting all complaints is not a good idea.Gordon Hornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11819966023283534087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56457640926453785252017-04-06T18:10:52.574-05:002017-04-06T18:10:52.574-05:00Hi Joe, I don't need to be added to the list, ...Hi Joe, I don't need to be added to the list, I just wanted to express how grateful I am to you. I started a lowly indie author rejected by every publisher, to becoming a huge success on my own and then picked up by Thomas & Mercer. I think I've sold somewhere over a few million books since 2011 and am averaging a good 10 to 15 thousand a month now if you include Audible. I'm sure you get this a lot, but I'm not certain it would've happened without your advice along this path (I even used Carl a lot for my covers, though he's much harder to get ahold of these days).<br /><br />Amazon is definitely the future, and the Big 5 are a joke that wouldn't know a bestseller if it bit them in the ass. Again, thanks for all you did for me. Victor Methosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-74735623364258194792017-04-06T08:27:29.333-05:002017-04-06T08:27:29.333-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Tahmid Ullahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559907955469720691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3220301881142481412017-04-05T08:40:13.709-05:002017-04-05T08:40:13.709-05:00Screw Dude, let's go bowling!Screw Dude, let's go bowling!BRYAN HIGBYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01126595775432851053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20869997860551252812017-04-04T12:59:42.659-05:002017-04-04T12:59:42.659-05:00The comments section is once again open. :)The comments section is once again open. :)JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70378582689470021952011-02-09T23:08:59.286-06:002011-02-09T23:08:59.286-06:00I am a new author and for the first month of e-sal...I am a new author and for the first month of e-sales had a fair amount of success. I believe in my novel Untethered and am waiting for sales to catch on fire. Any advice for a novice such as myslelf? How do you do it?carol richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10571137416024618421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37409183469501609802010-12-22T18:52:36.962-06:002010-12-22T18:52:36.962-06:00My first novel,How Did I Get Here has been ranked ...My first novel,How Did I Get Here has been ranked in the top 1,000 for the last three months. But, all three of my books are in the top 5,000 and sold over 1,000 copies. I just decided to start my own publishing company from my laptop without ripping my authors off. I give them 85%!Ahmad Aleem Williamshttp://www.mortifiedbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39602366326191375722010-12-15T17:11:35.538-06:002010-12-15T17:11:35.538-06:00Joe,
I have been selling a average of 2000-3000 e...Joe,<br /><br />I have been selling a average of 2000-3000 eBooks each month just on amazon. Last month was good at about 2000. This is just from two titles and this month I am on track to outsell November. I'm even out selling your book (Shot of Tequila) in the Hard-Boiled Mystery/Thriller section. I would love to be added to your list as I have been in the top 200-300 on Amazon for the last year.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Book 1 (Sweet Dreams)<br />Book 2 (Dream On)<br />Book 3 (In Your Dreams) coming in 2011<br />Teen Thriller (Airel) Coming in 2011Aaron Pattersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11147714545040369509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-57362841798399125282010-12-14T22:56:59.801-06:002010-12-14T22:56:59.801-06:00Hi Joe,
November was a great month, but December ...Hi Joe,<br /><br />November was a great month, but December looks to be much, much better! Over 8000 sales of my novel, Her Last Letter, in November.<br /><br />Nancy :)Nancy C. Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13998623420588165548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56733828879766458842010-12-14T19:02:51.657-06:002010-12-14T19:02:51.657-06:00"If you knew me in real life, you'd know ...<i>"If you knew me in real life, you'd know I'm about as far from "stupid" as one can get."</i><br /><br />A shame it is so difficult (or impossible) to tell that from your posts here on Joe's blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-67246907890459169672010-12-14T17:30:35.781-06:002010-12-14T17:30:35.781-06:00Hello. I’m an author who has yet to be published,...Hello. I’m an author who has yet to be published, but who loves to read your posts. I keep going back and forth with myself as to whether I should stick with trade-pubbing or self-pubbing. I actually have a traditional publisher looking at one of my manuscripts – a Christian Spec-fic for YA – but I won’t hear back from him until February. His is an indie company, but he’s done well with the few books he’s published in the past. <br /><br />From what I’ve seen here, it looks like a good amount of people are doing well by self-pubbing or indie-pubbing with kindle and e-books, but there are always a few who struggle with it… even on here. I’ve only recently started to look at ebook publishers. The thing is, I’m one of those paper-lovers. Though I really want one, I don’t have a Kindle or Nook yet, or any other e-reader for that matter, and I’ve barely made it through the first couple of chapters in the few books I do have on my computer in pdf format… unless they’re from an author I follow closely. Knowing this about myself and most of my friends, I start to really question what might happen if I decided to self-pub or publish via e-book. I love writing more than almost anything else in the world, but I’m terrified of what sales for my book might look like if I try self publishing or e-publishing, even after I’ve put my marketing strategy to work. At least if a traditional publisher wants to look at my manuscript, then I feel like I must have done something right.<br /><br />And then there’s always that platform issue. As an unpublished author, I’ve been trying to build up my platform over the web, using blogs and social networks. For not having much of a name before hand, I think I’ve done rather well. But I don’t know if what I’ve done is enough to get me started. I will, of course, continue striving to build up my platform, both online and in real life, but will it be enough? Will it ever be enough? This is the question that keeps bothering me. <br /> <br />What I’ve always wondered though is, what exactly is the difference between indie-ebook companies vs. indie-traditional companies? Would you say one is better than the other, and why? And then how in the world do you guys manage to hold up those awesome-looking sales numbers, and how many of you are actually newly published authors without many previously published books under your belts? For me, a real newbie, that is the sort of stuff I find important. I believe my book is definitely good enough… the question I harbor is how to get it out where people can really see it. <br /><br />And who better to ask than people who have already managed such a feat?Star-Dreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14298850366884374226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-15106989185809241522010-12-14T07:10:39.010-06:002010-12-14T07:10:39.010-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Tyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09192814826756623212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56836144727830759052010-12-13T23:38:54.830-06:002010-12-13T23:38:54.830-06:00I just love the paper fragrance while reading the ...I just love the paper fragrance while reading the books. That's why I hate E-books!!Lowest Unique Bidhttp://www.1uniquecent.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-13926976499094395652010-12-13T18:53:39.135-06:002010-12-13T18:53:39.135-06:00"David Morrell is going indie and that's ..."David Morrell is going indie and that's just the beginning.<br /><br />David got screwed by the industry."<br /><br /><br />You're probably referring to something different but I did hear him speak once. Guess how much he got for the rights to Rambo II (that I believe was one of the first films with a $100M budget)?<br /><br /><br />A. I'm pretty sure he said $50k (1/2 of what he originally had gotten back in the early 70s when his rights were sold).<br /><br /><br />You're likely not to meet m/any nicer people in writing than David. I can't wait til his backlist is fully up and making him a fortune.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77771645869208525072010-12-13T17:07:54.885-06:002010-12-13T17:07:54.885-06:00All I know is I put up two short stories and a nov...All I know is I put up two short stories and a novel on Amazon, BN, and Smashwords, but so far have only one sale of each through Amazon. Nobody knows my stuff is even there. So what's the trick to jump-starting those sales?<br /><br />In any event, those sales can only go up, so I will eventually qualify as another author disproving PW's article. :)<br /><br />Rob<br />http://www.rob-cornell.com/Rob Cornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04388119793952454397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81907097617987206342010-12-13T17:02:08.083-06:002010-12-13T17:02:08.083-06:00Duane, I'm a new self-publisher. I've rele...Duane, I'm a new self-publisher. I've released one short story anthology <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00457XJHU?ie=UTF8&tag=derjcan-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00457XJHU" rel="nofollow">Dead Dwarves, Dirty Deeds</a> that is 15,000 words long for $0.99. I just released a full length novel at 74,000 words, called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DCB3HU?ie=UTF8&tag=derjcan-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004DCB3HU" rel="nofollow">Dead Dwarves Don't Dance</a> at $2.99. The novel is selling better than the anthology. In fact, the release of the novel prompted an increase in sales of the anthology.<br /><br />Derek<br /><a href="http://derekjcanyon.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Adventures in ePublishing blog</a>Derek J. Canyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071753685946640237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76191544987554271992010-12-13T16:24:54.962-06:002010-12-13T16:24:54.962-06:00@ Duanne. The great thing about ebooks is that wor...@ Duanne. The great thing about ebooks is that wordcount is much more flexible that traditional book. Joe's ebook Newbie's Guide to Publishing is really, really long -- although it reads so easily it's easy to not realize it. Banana Hammock is a lot shorter, although it's a mix and match, so it's easy not to realize it. <br /><br />Of my own stuff, I have two novellas available which are only about 14,000 words each: <br /><br /><a href="http://amzn.to/fWUjKr" rel="nofollow">Tomorrow We Dance</a><br /><a href="http://amzn.to/e5MK3S" rel="nofollow">The Painted World Stories</a><br /><br />But my anthology Conmergence includes both of these and much more.<br /><br />You can buy a single "ebook" that includes, say, all the Sherlock Holmes book.<br /><br />Just be clear in your presentation how long the book is, so the reader knows what to expect.<br /><br />Tara Maya<br /><a href="http://amzn.to/hpFJV8" rel="nofollow">Conmergence: An Anthology of Speculative Ficiton</a>Tara Mayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09095632631554776002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53582496582727925452010-12-13T15:45:36.014-06:002010-12-13T15:45:36.014-06:00Just now learning more seriously about indie-ebook...Just now learning more seriously about indie-ebook publishing. What's the typical length/word count for one of your books or those of a comparable author you name in your column? Thanks for all the great info.Duane Spurlockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06102074370101800708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72510715584506524632010-12-13T14:38:33.120-06:002010-12-13T14:38:33.120-06:00"anonymous" said:
> You obviously d..."anonymous" said:<br />> You obviously don't <br />> know Joe at all.<br /><br />no, i can't say that i do...<br /><br />never heard of him until he<br />started making noises here<br />about how he's making money<br />by publishing his e-books...<br /><br />i've been monitoring the world<br />for a long time, awaiting that<br />specific happy development...<br /><br />but yeah, joe could have stayed<br />mum, kept the secret to himself,<br />afraid that if he told anyone else<br />they would come and "compete"<br />with him, and he wouldn't have<br />this nice sandbox all to himself.<br />if he didn't give a damn about<br />other writers, he'da done that.<br /><br />but he didn't keep quiet, did he?<br /><br />no sir. he spoke out. and then<br />he _continued_ to speak out...<br />and he _persisted_, even when<br />lots of other writers questioned<br />what he was saying, because he<br />had the proof in his bank account,<br />and he wanted to tell all writers.<br /><br />and when some people tried to<br />pin an "angry man" label on him,<br />he laughed right in their face...<br /><br />and when people accused him of<br />self-promotion, he said "i've been<br />promoting myself for a decade,<br />but now i find i do not have to,<br />i can just sit home and _write_..."<br /><br />i said it before: joe's no prophet.<br /><br />he didn't see all of this happening<br />in advance. he didn't notice til it<br />slapped him in the bank account.<br /><br />but once he did notice, he spoke.<br />he told fellow writers, and that is<br />an act of caring, and yes, _love_.<br /><br />joe isn't a prophet.<br /><br />but joe _is_ a hero.<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-8913834505901094712010-12-13T14:28:19.200-06:002010-12-13T14:28:19.200-06:00@bowerbird; in e-volumes, you have proved your po...@bowerbird; in e-volumes, you have proved your power, gad zooks... one request to you re wikileaks vatican, and just over the newswire comes just now... seriously... http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/sex-abuse-crisis-vatican-pr-woes-figure-wikileaks-scoops<br /><br />I sense someone already is wanting to pub an ebook of various collections of wikileaks. From what I hear re ny, some distant thunder in editorial from various, ... considering, strategizing how to create same p on p somehow too.<br /><br />Thanksdr.cpenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-55285562148460914252010-12-13T14:20:50.770-06:002010-12-13T14:20:50.770-06:00@Robin "...The people selling 1,000 a month a...@Robin "...The people selling 1,000 a month are easy to find. They have rankings around 600 or less. This particular person had rankings in the 25,000 to 150,000 range and you just can't be selling over 5,000 books a month as they claim with those rankings so I choose not to include them on my list.<br />Does that clarify it for you?"<br /><br />It does and thank you for taking the time. I understand better now<br /><br />@Zoe, on same. Noted. Thanks also.<br /><br />@Marie, "books that included incest, they'd have to stop selling the Bible." Correct on 1984 Orwell, it was a copyright issue, tho sucking it out of many pp kindle's while they slept seemed puro sci fi. Re Bible, prob too, have to include the sodomite, the middanite and the dolomites, ok, ok,not the dolomites.lol. Thanks.<br /><br />drcpe<br /><br /><br /><br />dr.cpedr.cpenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45857959292137906922010-12-13T14:19:57.435-06:002010-12-13T14:19:57.435-06:00And a Happy Holiday to you, Joe.
You gave me the g...And a Happy Holiday to you, Joe.<br />You gave me the gift of a great guffaw.Welcome To The Wish Granters Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15291858083454284349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-69037390193203037382010-12-13T14:06:41.024-06:002010-12-13T14:06:41.024-06:00Love it! Love it! Love it!
Awesome response!
Eit...Love it! Love it! Love it!<br /><br />Awesome response!<br /><br />Either back it up or cry back in your corner.<br /><br />Do it. Write it. Then move on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-16236437642296101402010-12-13T14:02:06.631-06:002010-12-13T14:02:06.631-06:00You obviously don't know Joe at all.
I love a...<i>You obviously don't know Joe at all.</i><br /><br />I love and help all writers.<br /><br />But anonymous jackass cowards who can't back up their bullshit with facts can blow me.<br /><br />Happy holidays!JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-24898972840876051952010-12-13T13:37:09.760-06:002010-12-13T13:37:09.760-06:00Hi Joe, thanks for the invitation! I'd like to...Hi Joe, thanks for the invitation! I'd like to apply for the 1,000 club as I sold 1,600 copies of 'The Abigail Affair' in November, and I'm up to 900 so far in December - all on Amazon, and almost all in the UK. It's very gratifying, as the UK site has only been up for four months.<br />TimTim Frostnoreply@blogger.com