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What to set your Creativespace paperback book price to???
So, here's my thought. My 6x9 (1.5 spaced) 265 page novel costs $6.50 to produce. I had considered moving the spacing down to single, but I really wanted to make it easy for the reader.I have mine priced at $10.99, so that I make $2.50 per paperback.
I know, it's expensive.
However, my feelings on this are that more often that not, the only time anyone will consider purchasing the paperback is if they ABSOLUTELY LOVED the ebook they already purchased. In which case they'll pay any amount to have it as part of their collection.
I could be WAY off base, but that was my logic.
Thanks Amy,I'm beginning to agree with your thoughts.
Amy wrote: "So, here's my thought. My 6x9 (1.5 spaced) 265 page novel costs $6.50 to produce. I had considered moving the spacing down to single, but I really wanted to make it easy for the reader.
I have mine..."
I ended up with 6.99 but I don't make much, not that I sell many, most of my sales are e-books. I did go through Lulu but to get on Amazon there is a mark up so I was having to charge £2 more per book. It is hard to see paperbacks for indies:)
You mean CreateSpace right? The thread says Creative so I just want to be sure. But either way, I myself have been curious about this is I will soon have a novella coming out on CS and I am unsure what to set the price to.I'll say this..if you want double digit price set I'd go with $10-12, its not saying hey I'm desperate or trying to get peoples change but seems reasonable. Any lower I'd say between $6.99-9.99, I will note 9.99 seems very good. Whatever you make the paperback you should make the e-book/Kindle half of that. Just my opinion though.
I put my book up on CreateSpace as well as on Kindle. The choice for that being a lot of people I know aren't really tech-savvy and don't have ebook readers. As well, I'm a little old fashioned and wanted at least one physical copy for my own collection. I originally priced the physical copy at 8.99 Which seemed about average for books it's size. (I went through and priced other books to be sure.) After I received my proof in the mail though and saw how small it seemed, I dropped the price to 8.49 which is about as low as I can go without actually owing them for selling some copies. I went with the expanded distribution though, which raised the price a bit.
(For general information, on the expanded distribution channels, I'm currently set to make 0.02 per copy.)
Jill wrote: "I have two contemporary romance books (a four part series) available for sale currently.As an Indie author, I too have two books on amazon(Solitary Desire and Sun, Sea & Savoir-Faire): my ebooks are around 4.99 and on CS as paperbacks for 7.99 to compensate for the costs of printing and expanded distribution. It's difficult to judge pricing, especially when there are many books out there for free and 0.99 - good luck to you, Shaun.
My debut novel, Reality Challenged, is available as an eBook for $5.99 and in paperback from CreateSpace for $9.99. On the paperback, I make approximately $1.23 per copy. The paperback version is 6x9, 326 pages single spaced. I used an Ariel 12 font and I think the book is very legible in that format.
Hope that helps.
Jill,The big question you have to answer for yourself is where you wish to be a year from now with regards to your book. As an indie author, or any author for that matter, the key to building book sales is exposure. If you're going to stick with eBooks, you'll severely limit that exposure.
When I self-published my first thriller, I did so as an eBook, thinking that was the wave of the future and the way to go. It only took me 4 months to realize I was neglecting a significant chunk of the market by ignoring hardcopy, so I went with CreateSpace for the paperback edition. Since then I've seen my paperback sales keep pace with my eBook sales in terms of profit/royalties. With my second book, I didn't hesitate to publish a paperback edition with CS.
So, how do you set your price? If you go to any bookstore you'll find paperbacks in the $7.95 range on up. Many new paperbacks from established authors are $12.95-$14.95. Don't be afraid to compete. Don't shortchange yourself. Sometimes, setting the price too low, thinking it will entice buyers, will actually be counterproductive.
Look at the price-setting tools on CS and see what price is needed to give you a small profit/royalty when you sell through the expanded distribution channels, and then set your price accordingly and sign up for those channels. Remember, exposure is key. Sure, you're not going to sell a ton of books through those channels, but that gives you the ability to tell anyone they can order your book through ANY bookstore. And then, with books you order directly from CS, work your local area bookstores and find those stores willing to take you on consignment. Work those stores to set up book-signing events. Exposure! Market your paperback on your website, along with your eBook, and set up the means to sell and ship directly. Exposure! Always keep copies in your car. I've sold copies at my auto mechanic's shop, my dentist's office, church. You'd be surprised where a sale might pop up. If you have a quality book/good writing, sales will slowly pick up.
Good luck!
Hi Braxton,Thanks for this great info. I know for me paperback has been 2nd place to me pushing my ebooks. I think at this time only family or friends have purchased physical copies. I would love to get out in book stores etc. but, am unable to push these sales as much as I want at this time. Maybe after my 4 part series is complete.
Thanks again!
Braxton wrote: "Jill,
The big question you have to answer for yourself is where you wish to be a year from now with regards to your book. As an indie author, or any author for that matter, the key to building boo..."
Braxton wrote: "Jill,The big question you have to answer for yourself is where you wish to be a year from now with regards to your book. As an indie author, or any author for that matter, the key to building boo..."
Excellent suggestions Braxton. Thank you for taking the time to elaborate on the subject. I found it very helpful.
I priced my novel
at $8.49 for the physical book through CreateSpace. At that rate it makes $1.72 per copy through amazon, but only $0.02 each through the expanded distribution. I don't worry about that too much though, because like Braxton said, a lot of it is about exposure. The ebook version I priced comparatively cheaper, at $2.99 because that's what most other ebooks I've seen outside of Big 6 sponsored books are at.
Jill wrote: "Hi Braxton,Thanks for this great info. I know for me paperback has been 2nd place to me pushing my ebooks. I think at this time only family or friends have purchased physical copies. I would love..."
Jill, if you have a 4 book series in the works, waiting until they are all done is probably the worst possible move you can make, short of nothing at all. You're losing valuable time to gain readership. All the pros in PR and book promotion tell you to start promoting your book BEFORE it's released.If you have book #1 available, and it sounds like you have, get it out there. Start getting people interested NOW, so that your reader base grows with each new release in the series.
The hardest part of being a writer isn't usually the writing, as tough as that can be sometimes. Whether self-published or traditionally published, you have to realize it's a business, and you're the one best marketer of your book. That means spending some time marketing each book as they come out, and there's a lot more marketing potential with paperbacks (book signings, signed copies as gifts, a physical book that people can see). Don't underestimate the potential for paperbacks.
Hi everyone. Shaun, please don't under-price your book to gain exposure. Price it at a price that you believe is right. This after all a business and people will buy your book because they believe its right for them, not because it costs $8.50 instead of $10 or $11 or $12. That said, don't price it at $18.50 when the reader can get something by someone better known for that same $10 or $11 or $12. My two cents worth. Darrin :))My Conversation with The Universe
Shaun, A couple points missed here.If you list it on Amazon, they discount it by 20-30 percent from your listed price. It is much easier to markdown/put on sale from a SRP then raising the price if it takes off.
Do you write for a living? People appear to put little or no value on the time you spend researching/writing the book. Don't be ashamed to make money from your hard work!
Just a few thoughts to consider...
I have used CreateSpace and found it an easy process. Regarding the price, I admit that to set a reasonable level and make a profit is quite difficult. But I am not using the paperback copies in an effort to make money as selling a paperback copy is quite difficult as an indie. However, I feel that to not have a paperback available has the potential to alienate readers who do not have an eBook device. My aim is to write more and more, and anything I can do to complete the options for my readers has to be a good idea. It hasn't cost me much to set up the paperback, so why not?
So if I set my book at 9.95 can anyone tell me what id make off a single book? This has got me curious now.
Justin wrote: "So if I set my book at 9.95 can anyone tell me what id make off a single book? This has got me curious now."Depends on how many pages... Mine is 265 and costs over $6 just for create space to print.
Thats around what mine will be, 223 if I go 6by8 or 272 if i got 6.5by8.5
S. wrote: "Shaun, A couple points missed here.If you list it on Amazon, they discount it by 20-30 percent from your listed price. It is much easier to markdown/put on sale from a SRP then raising the price i..."
Currently, I'm not writing for a living and I certainly don't expect to be making a house payment or anything off of my debut novel, particularly as short as it is. But, this is only the beginning, I'm working on two more novels at the moment.
Hi Braxton,Thanks for this advise. It's hard when I live in smallsville Texas to follow up as I wish. I've heard horror stories of Indie Authors doing a book signing in big towns at say B&N and only sold 2 books for the four hours of sitting in a store looking like a dork behind a table... I'm not at this personal level where I feel like I want to take that leap yet.
I would love to work with my local library, (not much of one but it's there). We don't even have a book store around (almost 1 hour drive away).
Until I get some funds behind me, it's just not profitable for me to take a day and push the paperback sales.
Any suggestions on how else to do this would be VERY helpful...
Has anyone had a good experience as an Indie Author doing book signings??
I'd love to hear them.
As for pushing my books, I would like to think I push my eBooks as hard as I can. I do blog interviews, host my own indie interviews, promos, etc. I'm even doing a 2 book giveaway right now for my birthday this weekend. Plus book reviews, etc. to get my blog & site out there.
If you're curious, check out what else I've done at http://www.prideseries.com
Thanks everyone for the great feedback, I hope this helps others as well.
Braxton wrote: "Jill wrote: "Hi Braxton,
Thanks for this great info. I know for me paperback has been 2nd place to me pushing my ebooks. I think at this time only family or friends have purchased physical copies...."
Braxton wrote: "Jill,The big question you have to answer for yourself is where you wish to be a year from now with regards to your book. As an indie author, or any author for that matter, the key to building..."
Thanks, Braxton, for your excellent advice. The whole theme of pricing seems to be so experimental. It can sure be frustrating!
Jill wrote: "Hi Braxton,Thanks for this advise. It's hard when I live in smallsville Texas to follow up as I wish. I've heard horror stories of Indie Authors doing a book signing in big towns at say B&N and o..."
I can understand the limits of small towns. Coffee shops, etc, might be places to consider if there aren't any indie book stores nearby. BTW, B&N won't usually touch a self-pub author, so don't expect to do signings at one.
Sounds like you're doing things right in terms of promoting your eBook and yourself. No magic bullet available there. Like pricing, marketing is hit and miss and go with your gut so much of the time. The only key there is persistence.
Good luck (to us all). ;-)
Thanks Braxton for all the info.Braxton wrote: "Jill wrote: "Hi Braxton,
Thanks for this advise. It's hard when I live in smallsville Texas to follow up as I wish. I've heard horror stories of Indie Authors doing a book signing in big towns at ..."
24/7 in France: I will soon be doing a book signing at a small independent bookstore and am nervous that it won't be successful - agree that persistence is key!
One reason to do a print book and set the price high (mine is $14.99) is for your ebook to contrast favorably. That print book adds credibility, and I now sell just as many $2.99 ebooks as I used to sell at 99c, partly for that reason.Also, as at least one person here said, Amazon will discount your book eventually, usually because resellers set a putatively lower price and make money on shipping and handling - but this benefits you. Right now my book is discounted to below $10, and I still get the full royalty, over $4. It's win-win-win IMO to set your price relatively high.
Another thing I have just started doing is offering a free ebook with every new print copy purchase. I know another author that does this and she says no one has actually ever taken her up on the offer (to e-mail her a copy of their receipt to get the free ebook) but the very fact of the offer makes the book seem like a good value.
Also, make sure you offer a large-print edition as soon as you can. I will be getting mine up soon. One author friend of mine sells more of those than the regular print edition. We have to remember there is a segment that wants to hold a physical book in the hand, and also may appreciate the larger print.
I am probably going to set up a large print copy. I hadn't really thought about it until a partially sighted friend mentioned it. My father is partially sighted and reads large print books so I have no excuse really not to have done it before. As I will have to redo the formatting it may take me a while but hopefully should be soon.
What is the standard font size for a large print? I just made it font size 14 and that doubles the page count. I suspect that sets the price up a lot. That doesn't seem fair really:(
I would love to do a book the standard romance size of 4.25" X 6.875" (around 300 pages) without it costing (Before I get anything) $10.25 from Lulu. CreativeSpace doesn't even do this size. The smallest they have is 5x8. Anyone have any ideas where else I can go for cheaper?
I don't think you will get it cheaper. That isn't bad for a 300 page book, or consider changing the size? The only other place I have heard of is Blurb.com but they are expensive.
Jill wrote: "I would love to do a book the standard romance size of 4.25" X 6.875" (around 300 pages) without it costing (Before I get anything) $10.25 from Lulu. CreativeSpace doesn't even do this size. The sm..."From the research I did, CreateSpace is the cheapest. What font size are you using? Obviously, reducing that can shorten your page count, but you might have already done that.
Times new roman 12. I've heard this is the best font. Not too small, not too big. ???Braxton wrote: "Jill wrote: "I would love to do a book the standard romance size of 4.25" X 6.875" (around 300 pages) without it costing (Before I get anything) $10.25 from Lulu. CreativeSpace doesn't even do this..."
Jill wrote: "Times new roman 12. I've heard this is the best font. Not too small, not too big. ???Try size 11 and see how that affects your page count. It will no noticeable difference on readability. You can also consider a different font. Some book designers use Calibri, Cambria or Garamond. My books use Cambria 11. Print out some sample pages and see what you and some friends are comfortable with.
Thanks Braxton, I will give it a try.Braxton wrote: "Jill wrote: "Times new roman 12. I've heard this is the best font. Not too small, not too big. ???
Try size 11 and see how that affects your page count. It will no noticeable difference on readabi..."
David wrote: "One reason to do a print book and set the price high (mine is $14.99) is for your ebook to contrast favorably. That print book adds credibility, and I now sell just as many $2.99 ebooks as I used t..."Interesting strategy, David.
Most of my books are prices around $10, with $15 being the highest (it's a pretty thick book, though), and I write mainly YA and NA. Because of that, I try and keep my books lower priced, as far as paperbacks, because most paperbacks at the store for YA are around $10 for the length of stories that I write. I price my ebook copies at half of the price of the paperback, or a dollar over half, and a lot of the time readers pick up the ebook, like it, and then go ahead and buy the paperback, too.
I think if you're writing adult fiction, then you can or should price the paperbacks a bit higher, since most adult paperbacks at the store are at least $15, if not more. And if you have non-fiction, then you can raise the price a bit too, because those are always more expensive, as well.
I think if you're writing adult fiction, then you can or should price the paperbacks a bit higher, since most adult paperbacks at the store are at least $15, if not more. And if you have non-fiction, then you can raise the price a bit too, because those are always more expensive, as well.
Im setting mine at 9.99 and half of that for ebook. But its asking for pounds and euros..should I just set it for the same price?
Braxton wrote: "Jill,The big question you have to answer for yourself is where you wish to be a year from now with regards to your book. As an indie author, or any author for that matter, the key to building boo..."
Some good tips there! I especially liked the idea of always carrying copies with you, and your positive message at the end: the hope of sales if the quality's there.
Best of luck!
I set mine at 9.99 and I get good royalties back. Also its best to hit the conversion button so that your book is the same price in different countries just converted to equal the U.S price.
I may have my paperback too low (7.99) after reading the above. Thanks. However, I'd like to know how folks have gotten their books in Indie bookstores. I've approached 2 and have been told no way--they are basically boycotting CreateSpace and Amazon.
I haven't tried to get them in bookstores yet, but I'd be interested to hear this. Oh, and if anyone had gotten them into Libraries.Kathy wrote: "I may have my paperback too low (7.99) after reading the above. Thanks. However, I'd like to know how folks have gotten their books in Indie bookstores. I've approached 2 and have been told no way-..."
Libraries seem like a great source of promotion however I dont know about anyone else but when I tried last yr my library told me they dont promote local authors cause the book has to be nonprofit or something like that..lame right? thats what i thought.
Most libraries won't take indie authors, but those that do want to get the book(s) thru their main distributor, Baker & Taylor. If your book isn't listed there, you probably won't get it into any libraries.I have my books in 5 indie bookstores in the metro area where I live. It required direct, personal contact, not a phone call, and I left review copies with each. It will be your writing that has to convince them. Don't know how to counter the anti-Amazon/CS bias other than to emphasize that indie authors and indie bookstores should try to support each other. Also, my placement with each store in on consignment, so they're out nothing except shelf space. If nothing sells within 6 months despite my promoting the stores that carry them, I'll be pulling them from those shelves.
Hey Braxton, my issue has nothing to do with being an indie author its just my library has a dumb nonprofit policy, the last headmaster did anyway I dont know if they still do, probably. I heard B&N treats us indie folk like the plague if we try to talk to them bout signings and getting our books in their stores, have you tried them and had a similar issue?
FYI - for those reading and don't know. You can get your books into Baker & Taylor through Smashwords Premium (no extra cost to you).Braxton wrote: "Most libraries won't take indie authors, but those that do want to get the book(s) thru their main distributor, Baker & Taylor. If your book isn't listed there, you probably won't get it into any l..."
Justin - indie authors can forget B&N. They have no interest in the indie crowd, largely I'm told because there are no quality controls and there's lot a junk being sold through the indie market.As for a library having a non-profit policy, must not be a large book collection. LOL How many books are "sold" without intent to make some profit? Would they accept a donation? We have a small local, municipal library and I just gave them copies of my books with a problem. It's our large county library system that won't touch indie books.
Jill wrote: "FYI - for those reading and don't know. You can get your books into Baker & Taylor through Smashwords Premium (no extra cost to you)..."I had this discussion with a B&T rep once Doha 12 hit the Ingram catalog. In theory you can get you book into B&T either through Smashwords Premium, CS or LSI. In practice, B&T picks and chooses which books it carries, apparently based on reviews in "legitimate" outlets, such as Kirkus, Literary Journal, Midwest Book Review and the like.
Braxton wrote: "Justin - indie authors can forget B&N. They have no interest in the indie crowd, largely I'm told because there are no quality controls and there's lot a junk being sold through the indie market...."
Alright, So I guess that closes the B&N chapter. Kind of a shame considering they are the main book store distributor, I miss Borders..they were gentle and kind folk lol.
As for my library, No its a fairly big library but the former headmaster has a strict non-profit policy however theres a new one now and I'm not sure if their rules have changed. I can always check, I mean i can tell them it aint about profit, just spread the good word. Well see
(re message 48) Our local library takes donations of self-published books. Any book published in paper should have an ISBN. It's possible that some libraries won't take a book with an ISBN that shows it comes from CreateSpace.Denise wrote: "Jill wrote: "I haven't tried to get them in bookstores yet, but I'd be interested to hear this. Oh, and if anyone had gotten them into Libraries."
I was under the impression that only traditionall..."
Why won't they? How does that help them? it still adds to the stock and people still go in to read.
Goodreads Authors/Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Doha 12 (other topics)My Conversation with The Universe (other topics)
The Unknown Neighbor (other topics)
Reality Challenged (other topics)
Book sizes are 5x8. Both are around 300 pages. The cost to print these books for amazon.com is $7.34.
I currently have them for sale at $7.99 leaving me to make only .39 per book.
I don't get a lot of paperback sales since I'm an indie author. Most of my sales are digital.
I've had four sales in the last day and I've made a whopping $1.70.
I've spend a lot of time & effort into making my covers, writing my books. etc... But, these books will be out there floating around forever.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.