Home-grown e-books, mulching and harvesting

(Part 2 of self-publishing series: Find part 1 by scrolling to blog, clicking on View All Posts )

The price is right for self-published e-books. They may also be easier for authors to sell than print copies of the same books. There are several reasons why readers seem less “picky” about buying electronic virtual books over actual books: (Of course, it’s a given that the book cover is appealing, title intriguing, and blurbs promising an interesting read.)

1) “If I’m being introduced to an author for the first time I’ll get one for my Kindle. Sites like BookBub offer e-books at a great discount,” says one reader/writer. At cheaper prices, readers are more likely to “take a chance” on an e-book by an unfamiliar writer. Taking a chance means they might not vet an e-book as closely as they would a print one.
2) It seems to be mainly a matter of pricing that keeps self-published e-books on a par with traditionally published ones. One writer said, “Not sure most people can tell (at first glance) if an e-book is independent or traditional.” Indeed, when buying a Kindle book, “Amazon Digital” is not a dead giveaway for “self-published.”
3) “Book buying is subject to trends,” says one author, noting that some readers “live much of their lives online.” Some readers prefer to buy only e-books. That surely cuts down on the need for bookshelf space!
4) Traditionally published e-books range in price from @ $3.99 to $15. Self-published e-books range from Free to @ $5.50. One reader said she “buys” the Free ones often “on the off chance I’ll get around to reading them!”

The possibility of selling e-books at lower prices might entice an author to switch from traditional to self-publishing, especially if the author focuses on creating e-books only.

Marketing and promoting enter the equation for selling (and buying) both e-books and print books. The key to success is getting a title noticed by the reading public. “Word of mouth is the ultimate marketing campaign,” says one author. But that requires lots of lip service, talking, and pitching (in person at book fairs, conferences, book clubs, and writing groups, as well as online with an author website or social networking blog.) Self-published authors do not have the wide range of promotional opportunities traditional publishers offer their authors (although most of those writers also need to self-promote to generate sales.) In today’s morass of online networks that inform and advertise, it is a challenge to attract attention.

Self-published authors need to plan their strategies, and I’ve seen several smart, clever, and practical methods:

1) James Elstad, who writes action-adventures about the Civil War has carefully targeted his audience at military bases and Civil War re-enactments. He notes, “If a self-published book doesn’t fit the theme of a fair or interest of an organization, it won’t sell.” He has traveled to almost 50 events in 13 states and sold almost 3,000 books in five years. “None were sold in a brick and mortar store.” Not every book, especially fiction, can find such a target audience, but it’s a factor worth considering.
2) Author Walt Socha offers his most recent e-book Free on Amazon, Kobo, and Nook. A previous time he introduced his e-book “Eclectic Shorts” online for 99 cents. As an incentive he passed around dollar bills to members of his writing group and asked for the penny in change, urging them to buy his e-book. Some did!
3) Some authors have partnered with a group or association to promote their book. Libby Zangle, who self-published “Rabid,” donates 20% of her e-book proceeds to the Pacific Coast Trail Association. Beckie Elgin, author of “Journey,” a true story about a wild Oregon wolf, donates a portion of her print book sales to Oregon Wild for their efforts to protect wolves.
4) In order to banish the bugaboo of suspicion that a book is “unedited claptrap,” at least one self-published author has listed the names of editors on the introductory page with copyright and publishing information.
5) Reader J.A. Murphy suggests that “self-publishers need a sort of lobbying group. . .to garner a reputation for honest assessment of the quality of books members write, and be very vocal and visual” in pitching and promoting books, perhaps gaining attention in national reviews.

A Pacific Northwest writers’ association tried that very approach, offering its Seal of Quality to members’ books that were judged promotion-worthy. Apparently, the panel of reviewers were too honest or too rigid and “left members feeling crushed and ready to give up writing,” according to the group’s president. Membership in the organization dropped. The Seal of Quality is suspended until the association can revive the Seal with a focus on balancing readership interest with quality of writing, while encouraging writers.

I send a big thank you to my reader-responders: Colleen Hamilton, Charlie Luckett, James M. McCracken, J.A. Murphy, Jaye Stefani, and Mary Ann Zechmann.

I am grateful also to the authors who responded (and I provide their most recent book titles)—now you’ve heard of them:
Sheila Deeth, “Infinite Sum”; James Elstad, “Comes the Southern Revolution”; Sarah Hall (aka Sarah Hawthorne), “Enforcer’s Price” (e-book only); Carolyn Martin, “The Way A Woman Knows”; Walt Socha, “Conflict” (e-book only); Jim Stewart, “Ochoco Reach”; Steve Theme, “Asphalt Asylum, The Dark Roads to Light”; and Louise Young, “Seducing the Spirits.”