Is It Worth The Ink?

Sinead MacDughlas

What to do, what to do? I'm having another of my first-time-author inner conflicts. I've e-published my anthology, downloaded the eBook and Kindle versions, and read both. Now I want to hold my creation in my hands, in paper and ink, with that shiny new paperback cover. So I'm checking my print-on-demand options.

I've nearly settled on Createspace. In fact, I'm positive I'll be publishing the print version of my full-length novel with them. As far as my research has shown, they have the best pricing and the easiest system to use. Everything is laid out for the first-timer, including marketing strategies and advice.

Here's where I run into difficulty: the anthology is only 55 pages. Less the Table of contents, copyright page, and acknowledgements, The Unscheduled Stops is 50 pages. Anthologies aren't always in high demand; single author anthologies by debut, Idie authors, even less so. Is it worth putting my anthology into print?

Here are my options:

I can use the standard distribution plan. That puts my book in the e-store and on Amazon. At $6.10 I would make $1.22 for each eStore sale and $0.00 on each Amazon sale.

I can pay a one-time $39 "Pro" plan fee and $5 every year after, (this is the cost Per Title). With the Pro plan I get Expanded distribution. Now I can price the book at $5.40. This would make me $2.17 for each eStore sale, $1.09 for Amazon, and $0.01 for each Expanded Distribution sale.

My dilemma lies, not in the amount of money I would make on this book, but in pricing it high enough that I don't have to pay to make sales. If I price any lower, it would actually cost ME money to sell my book to readers. For example; at $4.99, I would have to pay $0.16 for every copy sold through Expanded Distribution. Now that may be pennies a copy, but it's pennies I don't have.

So, I price at least $5.40, BUT...who is going to pay $5.40 or more for a 50 page anthology of short stories and poetry? Is there enough of a market to make having the paperback edition worthwhile?

As much as I want to hold my "baby" in my hands, (paper and ink, with that glorious, full-colour cover), I can't afford to pay out of pocket to make that dream a reality. What do you think? Would you pay... let's say, six dollars, for a 50 page book?