The Cost of a Book
Every once in a while, someone comments that my books are too expensive. Affordability is relative, so fair enough. For that person, $4.99 is too much to pay for a full-length book. (Fortunately, there are libraries.)
So yes, $4.99 is what I charge for the full length books in my Nocturne Falls series. Print books are 9.99. I just released a short story in the series and it’s priced at .99. I have a few more shorts I’ll be putting out for that price as well. (And just as an aside, the first book in the series, The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride is currently free at all retailers. So BIG discount there.)
So why do I price the way I do? Aren’t ebooks cheap to produce? Let’s talk.
Each full length book I put out in the Nocturne Falls series costs me approximately $1500 to produce. That number includes the digital and print cover, editing, proofreading, and digital and print formatting – all things I do to provide the best possible end product I can.
What it doesn’t include is the three to four months of my time that go into writing, revising and approving each book. Nor does it include the advertising and marketing I do for each book so that it might actually get noticed by readers, something that gets harder and harder in this current market.
It doesn’t include the cost of maintaining my website or my newsletter list. It doesn’t include the time I put into social media (not writing) so that my pages stay active and my reach doesn’t dry up completely. It doesn’t include all the books and Kindle Fires and other swag I give away each week on my Facebook page.
And let’s not even start with what I spend on attending conferences to meet more readers and make myself a better writer.
But that’s the cost of doing business. (And then there are audiobooks, which are a whole ‘nother expense.)
I think $5 is a fair price. It’s far less than what most traditionally published ebooks go for. In fact, my traditionally pubbed ebooks currently range from $6.99 to $9.99.
If writing was a hobby for me, maybe I’d spend less producing the book and charge less for it, but writing is my business. It’s what pays our mortgage, puts food on our table and feeds the kittens. And, you know, sometimes gets me a new pair of shoes.
So what can $5 buy you these days?
Well, obviously, a Nocturne Falls book. Which, I might add, you can reread any time you like and on average, seems to provide about five hours of reading enjoyment. Maybe more. And that could be spread out over a couple of days.
A fancy coffee at Starbucks is about $5. But unlike a book you can reread over and over, you can only drink a coffee once. Probably lasts thirty minutes. I’m guessing. I drink homebrew because going out for coffee would cut into my writing time.
A movie ticket is $13 around here. I think a matinee is $11. So more than twice what a Nocturne Falls book costs and again, you only get to see the movie once for that price. Plus it’s over in two hours. And let’s not talk about how much popcorn costs…
25 by Adele is $11.88 on Amazon if you buy the CD. That’ll get you about 70 minutes of listening and you can play it over and over. Not a bad deal at all. In fact, I may have just one-clicked. But still more than $5.
Hmm. Not a lot beside a book you can get for $5 that lasts for any reasonable period of time. At least not anything I can think of. But then I don’t get out of the house much. Mostly I’m at my desk writing.
I hope this sheds some light on what goes into producing a book. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them.
Happy reading!
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What would you do with an extra hour of time? How do you find new authors? The Gargoyle Gets His Girl, Nocturne Falls book 3, is out! I have a cover to share! THE WEREWOLF MEETS HIS MATCH, Nocturne Falls #2Copyright © Kristen Painter - Author [The Cost of a Book], All Right Reserved. 2016.The post The Cost of a Book appeared first on Kristen Painter - Author.
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Good for you Kristen! Tell it like it is! I'lI bet that person who commented that it was too expensive likes to be paid for his/her work when they go a job. Maybe they don't have a job that takes so much creative energy, heart and soul. While we all like freebies and cheap books I've discovered that the quality reads that actually engage, enlighten, humour, entertain and give me something to think about for days, weeks to come actually cost money and are well worth it!
Thanks for the great stories -- always worth the money!!
Seriously? Well, I for one am willing to shell out for your books. I'm completely addicted to them and their completely engaging settings. I've just finished Jayne Frost and again fell completely into the story. Don't listen to one persons ill-advised opinion, your books are worth their weight in gold. (:
First, all of the points you list are correct – no argument here! I buy both paperbacks and ebooks myself and there’s nothing I love more than free or $0.99 ebooks on Amazon. I have also been known to rush out to a book store when a book I must read is first released. I think all readers enjoy a good deal but reading is a bit of an addiction so most of us will pay accordingly!
Second, I would like to offer two additional points in support: 1) writing is an art and 2) ebooks are convenient.
A good book truly is a piece of art that can be treasured through the years and shared with others. As with any art, one doesn’t pay for supplies but content. We don’t price paintings by the cost of paint, brushes, and a frame. I don’t think a good book can but judged by the price of paper. As you mention, cost is relative to each individual but I don’t think $5 for a piece of art is a steep price to pay.
Books aren’t priced just on the cost of supplies – there’s the convenience factor as well. I do always hope that ebooks are cheaper than print books; however, that is relative as well. If I’m in an airport, the cost of paperbacks are much higher than at a super store. If trapped in an airport after I’ve finished the book(s) I packed then the price just may be worth it. Ebooks allow a similar convenience in my mind. I get immediate access without any time/ effort on my part. Another way of looking at it is delivery vs eating in. I can go out, shop, and find pizza or I can stay home in my pjs and have it delivered. There is something to be said for convenience in my opinion.
This is just my perspective but I thought it couldn’t hurt to add my 2 cents to the discussion! Thank you for writing your books and for the info you post in your blogs too. Both are enjoyable reads!
-Rennie