When publishing and/or buying a book many authors and/or
readers struggle with the prices. What is too much and what is acceptable?
Recently there has been talk about a famous author (noted
she is with a big time publisher *not a small backdoor inbred press*) having
her e-book over $11. Is it too much?
1)
We do not know the cost of making the book but I
am sure eleven bucks is a bit steep.
2)
Bare minimum—her book is a lengthy story. One
must ask the question—how others are asking readers to buy their work at
outrageous pricing?
As a reader, I would rather pay the overpricing for a book
by a reputable author than a low grade indie author/publishing house that has
never had anything published before. Buying from them is like buying your
favorite soda, you know what you are getting; the quality of the work. I love the indie authors and the world in
which they come from. I read indie before I read traditional. So do not get off
track.
During a search for a
book I been anticipating, I found a grueling discovery.
30 to 50 pages in a
book for $2.99 …..What?
I get the fact that listing them at that price gives one
higher royalties well that is if you sale a book period! A couple of things can
be discussed from here.
1)
Is the author putting it up at that price to get
70% vs. 30%?
2)
Is the publisher marking up the cost so their
money comes in at a higher rate as well?
3)
If you sale no books, do not understand that it
because of multiple reasons and price could be one or more them?
4)
Did the so called owner/owners know that pricing
high would keep them from having to turn money in authorities (take this from
where you want because there is more than just one publisher that is under
this. Not to mention the one on paperwork with another listed as owner.)
What is the price you will pay for a book under 100 pages?
Do not be shy for there are poetry books, anthologies, and short stories that
fall into the under 100 category.
Think about simple math, for this exercise does not take a
degree in algebra to figure out when no sales are coming in, the business
(author and publisher) get NO, I
repeat NO money. If one has to mark
down or start listing prices much lower, if you sale just only ONE book you will make more than
praying someone buys the book at the higher price. Yes, an abundance of “if’s”
play into effect but if you still sale nothing, then reconsider dropping that
work out of the publishing world.
Remember the readers are the ones buying the book. So if you
will not buy books at that cost, then most likely neither will the readers.
Each person has a different threshold or the amount he/she will spend on a
book. Your reputation is on the line when a publisher posts listing of your
book with an outrageous mark-up (along with editing, grammar, blurbs, etc…these
will be discussed at later times.)
Oh! Before I sign off this blog post I would love to remind
everyone that buys a book not to return it because you have a burr up your ass.
Many authors and publishers deem you as a BOOK
THIEF! In the upcoming post I am sure that will be up for talks. This is a
blog about information about helping all those involved with issues book
related. Please feel free to leave a comment, question, and/or opinion.
Have a wonderful day,
Book Inferno
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
If the product is crap then there should always br a way for the customer to get their hard earned money back. if the publisher actually did the job rightthe first time then there should also be no problems with the customer wanting to keep the finished product. What it comes down to is did the publisher do the job right? If so then the author should be making money. To ensure the publisher isnt doing anything shady the NEED to provide proof of where every single dollar is going if they cannot do that you can bet top dollar that publisher just screwed you.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with that! As an author it is important that you trust your publisher weather they are a big corporate affair or small indie. But you have to agree that a lot of those books out there are returned not due to crap product but due to the reader being done and not wanting to have to pay for it. Simply put I mean they can do this to even the best polished, most respected author. I mean if we walk into a candy store place a piece in our mouth then say hay shit taste like crap I have to say well you bought it. Samples of books are offered by almost all authors at least 15% of the book. You can tell by that if the book will be good, if grammar is perfect, and so on. At what point does the buyer need to take responsibility for buying something to use then take back.
ReplyDeleteThis is how I view it and tell my kids what I think about it also It like walking to Walmart or Barns and Nobel. Placing the book in your purse, backpack, etc. Then walking out. That is a stealing we were taught not to do it as kids and we teach our children that same thing. But hey if you feel that it's alright because after finishing it you didn't like it or you thought it could have been better then well that's you and your ill moral ways don't forget that. I mean we the authors don't!
you can't be mad at the consumer for the companies return policy. Think about that first.
ReplyDeleteYour right I'm not mad at the return policy just those that steal from the authors. I do think Amazon needs a different return policy for eBooks. But that is my own feelings.
ReplyDelete