The New Robber Baron

So, I was looking for something online and couldn’t find it. I found it in small amounts and not what I wanted specifically. So I created it. Now I’ve got a book of information, accidentally. I’m sure if I’m looking for this, someone else wants it. In fact, I know at least 400 people who are not my friends who want to know. The flip side is, what are they willing to pay for it?

Anyhow, I write so I put a book together. It’s instructions on creating certain crafts, so it has tons of pictures and examples. It was painful putting the book together. I have bought similar books targeted at another audience and adjusted for my needs.

Forgive me. Yes, I’m being intentionally vague. We’re all capitalists, you know. And if this works, it could fund my whole hobby. LOL!! Because I’ve been working just to collect. Lordt. I tell way too much of my business on this blog.

Anyway, the first book I made the binding was in the wrong direction. It was my dream direction if I was going to get these. Which I didn’t find out until I was trying to upload it on Amazon. I was so bummed, I actually took a couple days off.

I decided to order something similar to what I was making because I’d already used up the books I had. Again, they aren’t really for this purpose, but I know other people who use these in place of the thing I’m creating. Guess what, the book was a quarter of the size of the books I buy in person and the only one I could find online. This product inspired and motivated me to get back to creating. It affirmed I was on the right path.

So I formatted a new book. It took several late nights. It wasn’t as hard or time-consuming as the first time because I had already written all the directions. I just had to reconfigure the entire book and organize the pages so they were pleasing to the eye in the new parameters. I mean, I also needed to learn a new program. Then I had to switch between three programs and some online converters.

Then I find out that the paper quality I needed wasn’t available for some of the cut out pages. I research other publishers but there is too much upfront money. I mean, I’d have to buy several of the books, keep inventory and physically mail orders. With my address on them…or get a P.O. Box. I want to just create information and let it sell itself. I don’t want to be checking my inbox for orders and going to the post office. I’m an introvert. A good day when I can stay home. More importantly, I like to take breaks from the internet for extended periods of times. I’d hate to have someone waiting on their order for weeks, while I live.

So Amazon, the new Robber Baron, it is. First off, I was so excited when I could finally upload the book to KDP. I kept getting pushback about pictures and captions being outside the printing margins. I adjusted the bleed and it was still annoying af.

This morning when everything went through and I was able to preview the book, I couldn’t contain myself. I wanted to scream in victory. But it’s 3am. I’m just assuming my family wouldn’t be psyched to join me in celebrating. Soooo, I waited for my preview. It looks ok. It’s better than what’s available. If this goes well, I’ll invest in a different publisher because Amazon’s cut is rape.

Dude, they say that I’m getting 60%. Which is pretty high, when you consider traditional publishers pay you only 15% of the cover price and you have to split that with your agent. Not to mention, all the money you put out for your own editors to get your story up to snuff… Cause all first drafts suck.

The book costs 8.44 to print. Amazon requires me to sell the book for at least 21.00. I charge $25, though I wanted to be around 20. Somehow, 60% is 6.56? HOW THE FUCK? The math isn’t mathing. I’m going back and forth on the price. Because I’d like to make a flat $10 on each book. I was thinking that Amazon would take $2 on top of $8.44. Then I considered they may be offering free shipping. So I included another $2.

Similar books in the art store go for about $30. However, I have to see the quality of this paper and how well the visuals show up before I can charge that kind of money. We’re talking top-of-the-line products versus what I’m doing at home.

At the end of the day, I’m really upset about this Amazon cut. Jeff Bezoz made 7.9 million an hour in 2023. I’m just trying to make $10 a book. Ok. Rant over. If I have the energy and time I’ll come back and update you guys on how it went and I may even put a link to the book.

I have two other book projects going simultaneously. And I’m reading more… actually less if I’m being honest. I had read three books by 12/13 last month. I’ve been reading the same book this whole month. Anyway, I hope you are all well and chasing your dreams. Love and Light

PS: Iain editing.

I love my grandma’s vernacular, so I dip my toes in that sometimes. Peace