Robin Spano's Blog - Posts Tagged "kobo"
Kobo's On Board
Yay. I just heard from my evil publisher that Kobo is joining iBooks for next week's $1.99 ebook promotion. (December 7-13)
Okay, so ECW Press is actually pretty groovy - they're organizing this promotion period so we can see just how big an effect price has on e-book sales.
What we disagree on is the morality of ebook pricing. They like it high; I like it low. And it's ultimately their decision.
TRUE: They don't want the price at $10.99 because they're greedy whores, but because they're book lovers who don't want to devalue literature by slashing prices too low.
But I don't agree - I think $4.99 is the highest an ebook should be. It's so much cheaper to produce, and it's harder to lend out. If I had an e-reader, I don't see myself paying much more than that for a book.
But maybe I'm the one who's wrong.
Next week (December 7-13), I think my publisher and I will both learn something interesting: If tons of Dead Politician Society ebooks sell when they're $1.99 on iBooks & Kobo, that nasty ECW might concede that price is a factor - and lower the ebook price permanently. (They also might not.)
If not too many sell, then I might change my mind - and concede that price is not a huge factor in people's ebook purchases.
If you agree with my publisher, do nothing (ha ha, basically, prove his point). But if you agree with me, and you'd like to send a message to the publishing industry that an ebook should NOT be valued the same way as a print book, do 1 of 2 things:
1. Buy the book for $2 when the sale comes up on the iBooks or Kobo store.
Or - because not all books are for all people, and you may want to help prove the point without actually buying the book -
2. Post a link to this promotion on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere your mystery-loving friends might find it.
Together, we can change this industry, and bring it into the future.
Okay, so ECW Press is actually pretty groovy - they're organizing this promotion period so we can see just how big an effect price has on e-book sales.
What we disagree on is the morality of ebook pricing. They like it high; I like it low. And it's ultimately their decision.
TRUE: They don't want the price at $10.99 because they're greedy whores, but because they're book lovers who don't want to devalue literature by slashing prices too low.
But I don't agree - I think $4.99 is the highest an ebook should be. It's so much cheaper to produce, and it's harder to lend out. If I had an e-reader, I don't see myself paying much more than that for a book.
But maybe I'm the one who's wrong.
Next week (December 7-13), I think my publisher and I will both learn something interesting: If tons of Dead Politician Society ebooks sell when they're $1.99 on iBooks & Kobo, that nasty ECW might concede that price is a factor - and lower the ebook price permanently. (They also might not.)
If not too many sell, then I might change my mind - and concede that price is not a huge factor in people's ebook purchases.
If you agree with my publisher, do nothing (ha ha, basically, prove his point). But if you agree with me, and you'd like to send a message to the publishing industry that an ebook should NOT be valued the same way as a print book, do 1 of 2 things:
1. Buy the book for $2 when the sale comes up on the iBooks or Kobo store.
Or - because not all books are for all people, and you may want to help prove the point without actually buying the book -
2. Post a link to this promotion on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere your mystery-loving friends might find it.
Together, we can change this industry, and bring it into the future.
And Kindle too!
And Amazon is in too...
So this coming week - from Tues. Dec. 7 - Mon. Dec. 13, Dead Politician Society will be $1.99 at Kindle, Kobo, and iBooks.
Why is this exciting? Because I'm trying to show my publisher that price DOES matter.
He thinks: People buy a book because they want to read it, and price won't be a deterrent as long as it's not prohibitively high.
Man, I'd like him to take me shopping.
I think: Sure, people only buy books that look interesting to them - something they'd actually like to read. BUT maybe a low price would make them buy it sooner rather than later. (I'm pushing for the regular price of my ebook to be lower, like under $5.)
Next week will show us both - me and my publisher - if price is a factor in ebook sales.
If you think price IS a factor, please help me by publicizing this challenge - I'm excited to be working with a publisher who's allowing me to try to change his mind. And I'd really like to change it by having tons of books sell when they're cheap.
He'll never price it at $1.99 permanently, but if we can show him that price matters, he might rethink his position and bring it down from $10.99.
So this coming week - from Tues. Dec. 7 - Mon. Dec. 13, Dead Politician Society will be $1.99 at Kindle, Kobo, and iBooks.
Why is this exciting? Because I'm trying to show my publisher that price DOES matter.
He thinks: People buy a book because they want to read it, and price won't be a deterrent as long as it's not prohibitively high.
Man, I'd like him to take me shopping.
I think: Sure, people only buy books that look interesting to them - something they'd actually like to read. BUT maybe a low price would make them buy it sooner rather than later. (I'm pushing for the regular price of my ebook to be lower, like under $5.)
Next week will show us both - me and my publisher - if price is a factor in ebook sales.
If you think price IS a factor, please help me by publicizing this challenge - I'm excited to be working with a publisher who's allowing me to try to change his mind. And I'd really like to change it by having tons of books sell when they're cheap.
He'll never price it at $1.99 permanently, but if we can show him that price matters, he might rethink his position and bring it down from $10.99.
Up & Running on iBooks
One day early - Dead Politician Society is now $1.99 on iBooks.
Tomorrow at midnight, Kindle and Kobo will join them.
For those of you joining the challenge now, here's what's happening:
My publisher, ECW Press, thinks the value of an ebook is $10.99 - and that's where they've priced Dead Politician Society. It's the industry standard for new releases, and they think that to price it lower is to devalue the work of the writer.
I think an ebook should cost less, like $4.99. I disagree with the industry standard, and more than that, I think the industry could use some shaking up. Ebooks are cheaper to produce, they can't be loaned or autographed, and as a writer, I would not feel undervalued if ebooks came with lower price tags.
Since my publisher is cool, they didn't tell me to shut up and go away. Instead, they're running this promotion. Starting now with iBooks, and tomorrow night with Kobo and Kindle, Dead Politician Society will be $1.99 as an ebook. For one week.
At the end of the week, we'll analyse the results together.
Here's my call to action:
If you agree with ECW Press, and you think ebook pricing is good where it is now, don't do a thing. If sales stay relatively static during this week, I'll concede that price is not a major factor in ebook sales, and I'll leave them to set prices as they see fit.
If you agree with me, and you think ebook pricing is too high right now for new releases, you can help me in 2 ways:
1. Buy the ebook this week at one of the places where it's $1.99. This option is good if the book sounds like fun and you have an ereader.
2. Spread the word about this challenge by linking to it or posting it on social networking sites. Maybe you don't want this particular book, or you don't have an ereader, but you'd still like to help me make this point.
This is a funny time in the book industry - ebooks are changing things fast. Together, we can help make that change happen in a good direction. (Which for me would include a less expensive standard for an ebook.)
For updates, or to join the conversation as this challenge progresses, come join me on Facebook.
Tomorrow at midnight, Kindle and Kobo will join them.For those of you joining the challenge now, here's what's happening:
My publisher, ECW Press, thinks the value of an ebook is $10.99 - and that's where they've priced Dead Politician Society. It's the industry standard for new releases, and they think that to price it lower is to devalue the work of the writer.
I think an ebook should cost less, like $4.99. I disagree with the industry standard, and more than that, I think the industry could use some shaking up. Ebooks are cheaper to produce, they can't be loaned or autographed, and as a writer, I would not feel undervalued if ebooks came with lower price tags.
Since my publisher is cool, they didn't tell me to shut up and go away. Instead, they're running this promotion. Starting now with iBooks, and tomorrow night with Kobo and Kindle, Dead Politician Society will be $1.99 as an ebook. For one week.
At the end of the week, we'll analyse the results together.
Here's my call to action:
If you agree with ECW Press, and you think ebook pricing is good where it is now, don't do a thing. If sales stay relatively static during this week, I'll concede that price is not a major factor in ebook sales, and I'll leave them to set prices as they see fit.
If you agree with me, and you think ebook pricing is too high right now for new releases, you can help me in 2 ways:
1. Buy the ebook this week at one of the places where it's $1.99. This option is good if the book sounds like fun and you have an ereader.
2. Spread the word about this challenge by linking to it or posting it on social networking sites. Maybe you don't want this particular book, or you don't have an ereader, but you'd still like to help me make this point.
This is a funny time in the book industry - ebooks are changing things fast. Together, we can help make that change happen in a good direction. (Which for me would include a less expensive standard for an ebook.)
For updates, or to join the conversation as this challenge progresses, come join me on Facebook.
iBooks & Kindle both up now
I guess the e-world is excited, too, because Kindle has their price lowered early just like iBooks.
Yesterday's post describes the challenge - my publisher and I have different ideas about ebooks.
Here are the updated links:
Dead Politician Society on iBooks
Dead Politician Society on Kindle
Kobo will join soon, too. Let's show this industry that price does matter. With the publishing industry changing so rapidly and dramatically, people's voices speak louder than ever. I think we can make a difference. Ha ha, maybe I'm naive.
Yesterday's post describes the challenge - my publisher and I have different ideas about ebooks.
Here are the updated links:
Dead Politician Society on iBooks
Dead Politician Society on Kindle
Kobo will join soon, too. Let's show this industry that price does matter. With the publishing industry changing so rapidly and dramatically, people's voices speak louder than ever. I think we can make a difference. Ha ha, maybe I'm naive.
The Game Is On
The Dispute
ECW Press thinks $10.99 is the right price for an ebook. I think $4.99 is better.
The Reasons
They think to charge less devalues literature. They also think buyers don't shop based on price - if they want a title, ECW thinks they'll buy it.
I disagree with both points. There are so many reasons an ebook should cost less than a print book, value-wise. And of course people shop based on price.
The Cool Thing
ECW is a cutting-edge publisher, and they're willing to listen to what the book-buying community has to say.
The Challenge
For one week (from now until Mon. Dec. 13, 2010), Dead Politician Society will be available for $1.99 from Kindle, iBooks, and Kobo.
ECW has run similar promotions for other books, and there's been no spike in sales. They're expecting the same results this time.
But I think they're wrong - Dead Politician Society has already jumped from being ranked over 150,000 in the Kindle Store to #7749. I think we're starting to make our point heard.
What The Results Will Say
If ebook sales stay strong this week, my publisher will see that price is a factor in people's buying decisions - and theirs might be too high.
If sales stay static - or if they don't continue to be higher than usual - I'll concede that price isn't a huge factor in ebook sales - and they might not be out to lunch.
How You Can Help
The most direct way is to buy the book for $1.99.
But if you don't have an e-reader, or you've already read Dead Politician Society, or it's not really a title that appeals to you but you'd still like to help make this point, you can link to this post - or any of the guest posts below - on Facebook or Twitter. The more people who see this challenge, the louder our voice can be when we show ECW Press that lower priced ebooks are a good thing for us all.
Dead Politician Society on iBooks
Dead Politician Society on Kindle
Dead Politician Society on Kobo
Fun Posts In The Blogosphere
Preliminary Results Report on A Novel Source
"The Great Ebook Debate" on Bella's Bookshelves
Passion & Statistics on Coffee and a Book Chick
How ebooks are revolutionizing the industry
Conversation with Leanna
Dialogue on Deadly Letters
Ebooks & the Industry On Chrisbookarama
ECW Press thinks $10.99 is the right price for an ebook. I think $4.99 is better.The Reasons
They think to charge less devalues literature. They also think buyers don't shop based on price - if they want a title, ECW thinks they'll buy it.
I disagree with both points. There are so many reasons an ebook should cost less than a print book, value-wise. And of course people shop based on price.
The Cool Thing
ECW is a cutting-edge publisher, and they're willing to listen to what the book-buying community has to say.
The Challenge
For one week (from now until Mon. Dec. 13, 2010), Dead Politician Society will be available for $1.99 from Kindle, iBooks, and Kobo.
ECW has run similar promotions for other books, and there's been no spike in sales. They're expecting the same results this time.
But I think they're wrong - Dead Politician Society has already jumped from being ranked over 150,000 in the Kindle Store to #7749. I think we're starting to make our point heard.
What The Results Will Say
If ebook sales stay strong this week, my publisher will see that price is a factor in people's buying decisions - and theirs might be too high.
If sales stay static - or if they don't continue to be higher than usual - I'll concede that price isn't a huge factor in ebook sales - and they might not be out to lunch.
How You Can Help
The most direct way is to buy the book for $1.99.
But if you don't have an e-reader, or you've already read Dead Politician Society, or it's not really a title that appeals to you but you'd still like to help make this point, you can link to this post - or any of the guest posts below - on Facebook or Twitter. The more people who see this challenge, the louder our voice can be when we show ECW Press that lower priced ebooks are a good thing for us all.
Dead Politician Society on iBooks
Dead Politician Society on Kindle
Dead Politician Society on Kobo
Fun Posts In The Blogosphere
Preliminary Results Report on A Novel Source
"The Great Ebook Debate" on Bella's Bookshelves
Passion & Statistics on Coffee and a Book Chick
How ebooks are revolutionizing the industry
Conversation with Leanna
Dialogue on Deadly Letters
Ebooks & the Industry On Chrisbookarama
Preliminary Results
Today is the last day of the ebook challenge. It's been a really fun ride through the blogosphere - lots of amazing discussions in comment sections that have made me rack my brain and conscience, and lots of people voting with their wallets in the Kindle, Kobo, and iBooks stores.
If this is the first you've heard of this challenge: Dead Politician Society
has been $1.99 at Kobo, Kindle, and iBooks for the past week, instead of its usual $10.99.
This post explains why.
I think the results have been telling. I don't have access to sales figures yet - the experiment is still running until midnight tonight - but the Kindle rankings have spoken volumes. Dead Politician Society was hovering in the hundred thousandth section before this week began - and now it's been consistently under 10,000th. It fell to 30,000 over the weekend - not sure why - but bounced back again late Sunday night (it's #8034 as I type this).
I'm ending this week feeling more solid about my original position: ebook prices should be lower than they are. It's time for big publishers to lose their fear of the electronic revolution - which is happening with or without them - and go confidently into the future by pricing ebooks competitively and fairly.
I'm not sure what ECW Press will conclude. I'm sure they'll be happy with the results, but will it be enough to change their mind about pricing going forward? Will I get my wish, and have a $4.99 ebook? Will they try another, longer term experiment - say $4.99 for 6 months, so we can really crunch some numbers?
Over at Listen To The Voices, Clarissa Draper has been hosting a wrap up discussion - head over and weigh in if you're interested.
And if you'd like to cash in on the cheap deal - it's still on for a few more hours (until midnight EST):
Dead Politician Society on iBooks
Dead Politician Society on Kindle
Dead Politician Society on Kobo
Thanks for everyone's support this week. I'll post more results as they come in.
If this is the first you've heard of this challenge: Dead Politician Society
has been $1.99 at Kobo, Kindle, and iBooks for the past week, instead of its usual $10.99.This post explains why.
I think the results have been telling. I don't have access to sales figures yet - the experiment is still running until midnight tonight - but the Kindle rankings have spoken volumes. Dead Politician Society was hovering in the hundred thousandth section before this week began - and now it's been consistently under 10,000th. It fell to 30,000 over the weekend - not sure why - but bounced back again late Sunday night (it's #8034 as I type this).
I'm ending this week feeling more solid about my original position: ebook prices should be lower than they are. It's time for big publishers to lose their fear of the electronic revolution - which is happening with or without them - and go confidently into the future by pricing ebooks competitively and fairly.
I'm not sure what ECW Press will conclude. I'm sure they'll be happy with the results, but will it be enough to change their mind about pricing going forward? Will I get my wish, and have a $4.99 ebook? Will they try another, longer term experiment - say $4.99 for 6 months, so we can really crunch some numbers?
Over at Listen To The Voices, Clarissa Draper has been hosting a wrap up discussion - head over and weigh in if you're interested.
And if you'd like to cash in on the cheap deal - it's still on for a few more hours (until midnight EST):
Dead Politician Society on iBooks
Dead Politician Society on Kindle
Dead Politician Society on Kobo
Thanks for everyone's support this week. I'll post more results as they come in.
New E-book Experiment: $2.99 through October
I think ebook prices are too high. It's not that I think a great read isn't worth $10-$15 -- it's worth way more. But I think lower prices will get books into readers' hands quicker. I think $4.99 is the right price -- the price that sells books and pays the people who work on them.
My publisher, ECW Press, begs to differ - they think the current industry standard is about right. But they've been cool enough to run experiments with me to see if the marketplace says differently.
We ran an experiment in December -- results are here -- that we both interpreted differently. (To me, it was clear that people would buy more ebooks if they were cheaper; ECW felt the success of the experiment lay more in the promotion.)
But ECW is an open-minded press. They publish books with an edge, and they watch the industry with an edge. They want to know what consumers want, and (unlike any other publisher I've ever heard of) they listen to ideas from writers, too.
So they're trying this new experiment -- a slower, less dramatic one. For the month of October, Dead Politician Society will be $2.99 across several platforms.
This doubles as a promotion for Death Plays Poker, the second book in the series that was released a few days ago. (The wicked plan is to get people hooked on the series by giving them a cheap first taste, ha ha.)
But -- like with the first experiment -- my excitement lies in waiting for and interpreting the results. I'm just so curious to find that sweet spot, pricewise.
It's up on Kobo, Nook, Sony Reader Store, iTunes & Kindle.
I'll post the experiment results as soon as they're in.
