SciFi and Fantasy eBook Club discussion
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Amazon's dirty(?) tactics.....
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All too true that converting between file formats often screws up the formatting something fierce. That is why, software manufactures what to keep their own. It forces users (businesses) to stay with their product, or risk losing access to older files. Publishing companies love the .doc and .docx formats, becuase they are so prevelent in the market place. What I'm in favor of, is a common (open) format. Microsoft had said Office 07 would have that as the default, but then decided on the docx format. Because there is a lack of a common (standard, ISO) format, whenever we convert documents between software systems, there is a high likelihood that the internal formatting will go crazy. I get this even saving from some systems to PDF. Usually, if I want it to look identical, I have to print to PDF, which defeats the purpose of a common format, because it's more of an image than textual.
If you want to think of a common format that is in use, try HTML 4.0 or 4.1. All browsers read these the same. Yet, various tools for web design dump in propritary codes that only work in their browsers.
A common (preferably open) electronic publication format that is truely platform independent is the ideal. It should include the option for DRM, if only to keep publishers happy.
Think about it. As a device manufacturer, if there was a common format, you would be more concerned with hardware capabilities and looks. You wouldn't have to focus on whether your software would be compatible with a variety of file formats.
Isabella wrote: "Dear, JonMy friends are the beginning writers. They have written a couple of books like "Softman" and others.Their genres are fantasy, adventures, detectives. I find their books interesting, excit..."
Isabella, I don't know about the fiction market, but I'd recommend advertising with Facebook and Google. You can set a daily limit (and be careful about that--it adds up quick!). Possibly might get better results by contacting the admin of a web site related to the subject to advertise directly. Try the small web site, like bloggers, who will put up an ad for less. Try podcasters who will usually mention a book for a few bucks on their show. Sending free copies of the e-book to potential reviewers is probably the single best way to improve sales, though.
The problem is that Paper, Ink and a bit of distribution is all they are saving.The writers cut is actually higher (most authors get 50% of an ebook rather than between 5% and 10% of a paperback), the cost of proof reading, type setting, editing, lay-out, and cover are all exactly the same.
So an ebook should probably be at least 50% of the price of the paperback.
A lot of ebooks are actually being subsidised by the paperback. As more people move across to ebooks and the paperback dies (if this is what happens) then in reality ebooks will become relatively more expensive.
paperback isn't going to die. not a chance. e-books are finding a niche market.Hachette is playing an anachronistic, out of touch card. Their hand is a losing one. They can't continue to insist upon DRM and be profitable.
For me its more of a question of how its hurting the authors and the consumers. I can see and I am all in favor of Amazon wanting a better deal and especially if they pass the deal on to the consumers....but I am not a fan of them delaying the release of a book or disallowing the pre-orders of books. It seems as if the publishers, authors and the consumers are the ones who are/will suffer from this model of price adjustment!
I would like to think that there is someone out there that is looking out for us consumers and is trying to keep prices as low as possible while maintaining as high a level of quality as possible but I would rather see that worked out between the publisher and the authors....and in the end the consumers. The free market will work if we let it!
I would like to think that there is someone out there that is looking out for us consumers and is trying to keep prices as low as possible while maintaining as high a level of quality as possible but I would rather see that worked out between the publisher and the authors....and in the end the consumers. The free market will work if we let it!
Sadly Danny, I don't think that's the case. Because the market is manipulated by those in power. The best we can hope for (short of economic/social revolution) is resistance to strong-arm political moves like Hachette's.
Jim wrote: "The problem is that Paper, Ink and a bit of distribution is all they are saving.The writers cut is actually higher (most authors get 50% of an ebook rather than between 5% and 10% of a paperback), the cost of proof reading, type setting, editing, lay-out, and cover are all exactly the same.
So an ebook should probably be at least 50% of the price of the paperback.
A lot of ebooks are actually being subsidised by the paperback. As more people move across to ebooks and the paperback dies (if this is what happens) then in reality ebooks will become relatively more expensive. "
I disagree. "...all they are saving", you brush that off like it doesn't matter but print costs can cost upwards of 30% of the retail price of a book. Authors are paid on net, not gross, which you're ignoring.
Production costs include the author's advance, plus costs for editing, layout, etc. I take it you meant once these costs are paid for the print book, they are no longer a factor for the e-book, but that is also incorrect. The e-book is just another form of distribution, like foreign sales, like the print editions, not a different product. While I agree that charging full print price for an e-book seems like a scam at first glance, what you have to understand is that publishers are being forced to transition to e-book and cannot survive by selling a book for $1.99 or what have you--whatever price someone thinks the e-book should be.
Why? Because it costs nothing to print, warehouse, distribute the physical book? Yes, that's true, but scores of publishing houses have gone under during this transition already and many are recovering from chapter 11. We shouldn't expect unrealistic prices for an e-book since books in print will soon be a luxury item. I predict paperbacks will disappear entirely within 5 years. The top authors will have hardback releases at a premium and everyone else will go the e-book route (with perhaps a paperback print-on-demand, also for a premium).
You said, "A lot of ebooks are actually being subsidised by the paperback."
This doesn't make any sense either. It's the other way around. The e-books have zero costs after formatted into e-book format, so net will be 100%, less distribution fees (i.e. Amazon's 30% cut).
You said, "As more people move across to ebooks and the paperback dies (if this is what happens) then in reality ebooks will become relatively more expensive."
Yes, I agree with you here. If paperbacks are gone, as I am sure they will be, then we'll see a new market for very high quality hardcovers, appealing to the collector market, with exotic covers, paper, artwork, etc. They'll start doing collector editions with perks for pre-orders, the way the video game industry has gone (which is wayyyyy ahead of print and should be emulated).
But that brings up a good point about e-book pricing. Do we compare an e-book with the paperback or the hardcover price? In fairness, isn't a new release from a famous author worth $25? Okay, sure it is. But what needs to happen is INCENTIVE. Put extras in the "Hardcover E-Book" (so to speak) that differentiates it from the cheaper "Paperback E-Book" edition. THAT will make a difference. If you just want to grab a book, read it on your Kindle or Nook, and don't care about the cover art, author photos, maps, diagrams, extras, then you'll grab the PB-EBook. If you want all those bonuses, you'll pay extra for the HC-Ebook. And perhaps get it a week early as an added incentive.
I don't know what the numbers are today. But, in 2010 when I first looked at writing to supplement my income, publishers were paying new authors 4-cents a word (non-negotiable). That's $4000 for a 100,000 word novel. Established authors can negotiate more.We often think of writers as the professional authors (such as the one portrayed in the show Castle). Established authors with back lists and multiple runs of older titles can earn a nice income. One author I chat with has an assistant (I don't know if that is full time or part time).
However, the vast majority of authors don't fall into that category, and most don't want to.
That said, for a new author, who gets published by a big publisher, they can expect nothing from each sale of a copy of their book. The sale price is split between the book store and the publisher. The publisher takes a risk, that the book will flop or be eclipsed by a blockbuster. However, their model ensures that don't usually lose money on any book they publish. That's the printed book model.
Throw in ebook sales. If the book is also printed, there is only minimal cost in producing the ebook. Again, the publisher and book store split the sale price.
Now there is a new model, the small press, indie or self publisher. The author takes on all the risk and work. The author has to format and publish the work (paper, ebook, or both). The author has to market the book, and many are not adept at doing so. With this model the author gets a percentage of each sale. The risk here, is that, poor marketing or reception could kill sales, and the author may never earn what they would have through a big publisher. HOWEVER, by receiving a percentage of each sale, they can actually earn more on an initial book then they would have through a publisher. This works if they can market effectively and promote their book properly. (i.e. While it would be cool to have a blog about urban romances advertise your space opera book, would it really bring in sales?)
Just my 2-cents ;)
Jon wrote: "In fairness, isn't a new release from a famous author worth $25?"NO! Absolutely not.
The last time I paid over $10 for a book, it was a college textbook. Decades ago.
$25? Pffft.
But I am of Dutch ancestry. So there.
Hi JonRemember that the 7% or 50% is out of the sale price, or it is on the contracts I've seen
One reason for authors being so keen to sign books is that you get your full cut of that book even if the shop discounts it. (That's the UK situation, other jurisdictions might differ)
But actually we're not really disagreeing.
Firstly a lot of publishers are moving to print on demand, cuts out a lot of cost.
As for the subsidising of ebooks by paperbacks, circumstances vary. An ebook of The Dragon Masters is virtually all profit. All the costs were carried by the paperback
An ebook of a book published today has to carry its fair share of the costs, and at this point you've got to look at the numbers of sales expected.
http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.co.uk... is interesting
I'd guess that damned few authors manage the 20,000 threshold.
Actually, $25.00 for a new release hardcover is not unreasonable. Call $17 to $18 at a discount. Or $12 to $14 for an ebook. Those are fair prices, I think. You might get one at special discount now and then - otherwise wait a year for the paperback and the prices to drop to $6 to $10.
I regularly pay more than $25 for books without flinching. If the quality of the printing is good enough, the cover art good enough, and the story good enough, most importantly.But not for e-books.
I guess it's a matter of budget. There is a independent book store I'm in love with. When I know I'm ok with spending some money, I would go there. Most of the time, I buy non-fiction though.
Last time I went, I was interested in The Ocean at the End of the Lane but the book is super thin and it was $28 before tax. Same thing with Medicine Walk which was above $30. This is simply out of my budget. I ended up putting a hold on these two books in the library and I'll just be patient.
$10 less I would have bought them.
I think the question is more about if the price are realistic in regard of how much people can/want to pay to read a book. If it's not possible to produce/market/distribute a book and keep it under a reasonable price, then things have to evolve. And they do: ePubs cost $10 less than hardcover books on release date, each time I checked.
Randy wrote: "Jon wrote: "In fairness, isn't a new release from a famous author worth $25?"
NO! Absolutely not.
The last time I paid over $10 for a book, it was a college textbook. Decades ago.
$25? Pffft.
B..."
Hahaha...I have no Dutch ancestry that I'm aware of but I like you am not going to automatically place a $25 value on a famous/established author....there are about 2 million books published yearly...I can find more than I can read in the next 20 years for under 12 bucks!!
NO! Absolutely not.
The last time I paid over $10 for a book, it was a college textbook. Decades ago.
$25? Pffft.
B..."
Hahaha...I have no Dutch ancestry that I'm aware of but I like you am not going to automatically place a $25 value on a famous/established author....there are about 2 million books published yearly...I can find more than I can read in the next 20 years for under 12 bucks!!
Kenneth wrote: "Sadly Danny, I don't think that's the case. Because the market is manipulated by those in power. The best we can hope for (short of economic/social revolution) is resistance to strong-arm political..."
I can but hope Kenneth that the free market will prevail but I really can not say I would be surprised if the Amazons win out!!! Sadly!
I can but hope Kenneth that the free market will prevail but I really can not say I would be surprised if the Amazons win out!!! Sadly!
Jon wrote: "Jim wrote: "The problem is that Paper, Ink and a bit of distribution is all they are saving.
The writers cut is actually higher (most authors get 50% of an ebook rather than between 5% and 10% of a..."
Jon, you said a mouthful here...and I agree with most of what you say here. Good points!
I would have to say that in part..the pricing of the e-book edition should be less if for no other reason than you can not give it away, loan it to anyone, anytime nor take it to the used book store and trade/sell if for a new read.
The writers cut is actually higher (most authors get 50% of an ebook rather than between 5% and 10% of a..."
Jon, you said a mouthful here...and I agree with most of what you say here. Good points!
I would have to say that in part..the pricing of the e-book edition should be less if for no other reason than you can not give it away, loan it to anyone, anytime nor take it to the used book store and trade/sell if for a new read.
Less than the print, certainly, but you also have to take into consideration what you are getting and what the author is getting. Most of the free and 99cent stuff is short. A 150,000 word novel should sell for more, even in ebook format. More went into creating it.
I went for 1/3 paperback cover price on my own novel. This means that an ebook nets about the same royalties for the author as the print book. Which is fair.
An author has to do more than just make back the cost of producing the book (not an inconsiderable amount) such as multiple editing passes, layout, cover design, etc. Put this against the small numbers of books that an author can reasonably expect to sell.
An author would have to sell at least 5000 copies just to recoup costs, and they do deserve something more than that.
People pay $12-$20 apiece to watch a movie in the theater, for 2 hours of entertainment that they cannot loan or give away. DVD or Bluray movies cost $20-$30 or more.
A book is giving you many more hours of enjoyment. When you think in terms of cost per hour of enjoyment, books are dirt cheap, even at $20 bucks. Being an ebook doesn't change the enjoyment you get from it, or the time it takes to read it.
Paul wrote: "People pay $12-$20 apiece to watch a movie in the theater, for 2 hours of entertainment that they cannot loan or give away. DVD or Bluray movies cost $20-$30 or more. "I'm sorry but I really don't think this type of comparison is relevant. The typical Hollywood movie nowadays cost around $100millions to produce, then you have to add distribution and marketing again.
How much does it cost to write a book in comparison?
Actually, a movie ticket would be a much better deal: it cost $100m to produce and you pay $12 for 2.5h of entertainment. What about a book? It's cost a few thousands to produce and you paid $30 for 4-6h of entertainment.
Anyway. Just wanted to say that you can't compare that way.
On top of that, movies ARE cheaper if you get them online too, just like eBook. Just check Google Play, and you will see that a movie online cost less than buying a DVD/Blue Ray.
The trends are changing. Paul, I consider that example for movies personally. I've thought about it. Thought about "Is it worth it?" For me, it's not. I don't go to the cinema but once or twice a year as a result. But I will buy DVDs of films I liked on Netflix. You're right about books having a strong enjoyment value. I still think that 1/3 paperback is an upper bound on reasonable e-book pricing. It is fair, and I'd agree with you at that price. But not higher.
At the same time, Angelique has a fair point as well
Paul wrote: "More went into creating it."Not entirely relevant. I could spend years writing a book. I'm not sure it would be worth anything to anyone.
OTOH, I'm a decent computer programmer. If I can program something in an hour that would take someone else 10 hours, should I be paid for an hour of work, or 10 hours of work?
Randy wrote: Not entirely relevant."If 99cents is okay for a short story of 10,000 words, how much should I ask for a tightly plotted novel of 150,000 words? You're paying for 15 times the value (words) of the short story. Asking only a third that for it seems reasonable.
It is the only thing that is relevant.
I'm an archaeologist. I basically dig holes. Should I be paid the same as a minimum wage ditch-digger (I've done that too) no. It is a different skill set, even the end product, the hole in the ground, is the same; but I have to be able to identify what I'm digging, known the natural layers of soil deposition, interpret so that I don't ruin anything. You can only dig a site once.
Writing a novel, a good novel, requires a complete set of skills. It isn't easy. It takes time.
I guess you just have to ask yourself how much your time is worth.
Writers are losing 70% of their income to distributors and publishers (even on Amazon). Very little gets to them. Do they not have a right to make a decent wage from their profession? If they don't make enough to eat, they don't write any more books, and everyone suffers.
Paul wrote: "Writing a novel, a good novel, requires a complete set of skills. It isn't easy. It takes time."Exactly. But a 150K word novel may take one author a year, and another author three years. If both novels give me the same amount of enjoyment, it doesn't matter to me that one author took three times longer to "craft" it.
Paul wrote: "If 99 cents is okay for a short story of 10,000 words..."
10K is what, about 25 pages? Only once have I thought a short story was worth 99 cents. I usually figure 1 or 2 cents per page is fair, for a well-written story. The majority of Kindle short stories aren't all that well written. They're passable. Usually easily forgettable.
One of my favorite zombie authors published an omnibus two months ago, for $15.99. 3159 pages. A combination of 14 books. The first three were under 100 pages each. The 14th is 638 pages long. Shelling out $16 for the omnibus is a lot cheaper than the 14 individual books. And, BTW, I got his first 6 books free from Amazon promotions. According to eReaderIQ, this omnibus was originally offered for $1.99. If I had know that, I would have picked it without a second thought.
Paul wrote: "Writers are losing 70% of their income to distributors and publishers (even on Amazon). Very little gets to them."
Doesn't 70% of the cost of the $2.99 to $9.99 books in the KDP program go to authors?
Hmmm. At $15.99 for the omnibus, that author would make less on a sale than if he had it listed at $9.99, because he only gets 35% of the $15.99 on KDP.
Jim wrote: "So is a book worth less than a coffee?"Heck, no. You'd need to pay me to drink coffee.
How about comparing it to something similar -- streaming movies and TV shows. I spend more time watching movies and TV shows than I do reading.
I pay $7.99 per month for my streaming plan on NetFlix. So a monthly on-demand plan for Kindle books should cost less than that, for a wide variety of books that I would be interested in.
And if I REALLY want to see a current streaming release (i.e. a bestseller), which NetFlix streaming is often missing, I can usually run over to Amazon and get a 1-time rental for $2.99 or $3.99.
That might be a Kindle plan I could get into. Say, $5 per month for the main library, plus $3 or $4 for each mainstream book I'm interested in.
I suppose I could take product placement and adverts, cut in stock footage and stuff that ended up on the floor from previous works, just to keep my costs down. Then I can re-sell the book later as 'the director's cut' because I've put back in the bits the editor told me to cut out. :-)
Jon wrote: "Isabella wrote: "Dear, JonMy friends are the beginning writers. They have written a couple of books like "Softman" and others.Their genres are fantasy, adventures, detectives. I find their books i..."
Thanks so much for useful advices.
The bigger problem is competition. I'm just a reader. I don't write. There are more books I want to read than I can finish in a lifetime and they are all clamoring for me to buy them and not the other one. If two books look equally good to me and one is $6 and one is $25....guess which one gets bought. Especially when a not inconsiderate percentage of books I buy turn out to be a waste of money.I only spend a certain amount on books per month. If I pay $25 for a book, then I am buying fewer books this month. Sometimes when authors talk on forums I get the feeling they think there can be a world where every book is $30 and everyone buys every book.
I'm a beginner in reading fantasy. I have always prefered classic litterature. So my first book in this genre was "Softman" by Mara Brewer and Roman S!delnik. I have already mentionned about them, they are the beginning writers and my friends. They asked me to read their book. I was very sceptical about this as I never read this genre. But I didn't want to offend them, so I agreed. As a result I have comletely changed my opinion about this genre! The story grabs hold and doesn't let go until the very end. Could you advice me to read something else in this genre because now I like fantasy very much, that's why I'm here. Thanks in advance
Jim wrote: "So is a book worth less than a coffee?"As long as we will produce more books than coffee, probably.
I am a game developer. I'm finishing a mobile game that is going to be sold for "less than a coffee", even though it might entertain "longer", even though it costed more to produce and required several people's skills to make.
There is simply too much entertainment out there. You think your time and effort are worth this or that... but if everyone is doing the same, your product will sell for less. That's the law of supply and demand.
Angélique (MapleBooks) wrote: "Jim wrote: "So is a book worth less than a coffee?"As long as we will produce more books than coffee, probably.
..."
And thereby hangs the tale, we're selling into a flooded market.
I confess that I've come to a decision with regard pricing. I feel that I produce something that is better than the normal book. (I am wise enough to realise I could be massively deluded in this, but I'm fond of my delusions and cling to them with unseemly enthusiasm)
So I pitched the price at what I thought they were worth. There will doubtless be better books that can be bought cheaper, there's an awful lot of dross that can be bought cheaper. There's probably dross that costs more.
But I realised that people do need a chance to try my books, to see if they're worth the price or not. So I produced a shorter book, only 40,000 words, as a prequel, and that is for sale for a mere £0.99.
So my thinking is that people can get a nice book really cheap. If they do and if they read it, they can then make up their own minds over whether they buy the others. If they do decide to buy, I'm delighted. But I see no point in writing a book to then give it away. The labourer is worthy of his hire, and if you're only willing to pay peanuts, I'll see if I can find you some monkeys ;-)
Jim wrote: "if you're only willing to pay peanuts, I'll see if I can find you some monkeys"As I said, I'm in the same boat, only in another type of entertainment. I would be glad to be paid $25 a license for my game.
But I realize my work is mostly worth what people want to pay. It doesn't matter what I feel it's worth.
I agree Angelique, it doesn't, but I still don't have to work for peanuts :-) I've laid out my stall for the reader. I think I'm good enough.
Think of it as turning up at a restaurant. You look at the menu, looks interesting but a bit expensive. There's millions of other restaurants out there, many of them cheaper. After all it's only fat, protein and carbohydrates, how much can anybody charge?
But with my restaurant I'm perfectly happy to let anyone sit down, pay $1.33 (what do you get for that at MacDonalds? :-)
For that money they get something rather nice. They can taste it,and if they like it that's good. If they think it's too dear, then fair enough, they can go out and try one of the million other restaurants out there. If they like it and decide that the full meal sounds too good to miss even at the price, then they can stay at the table and enjoy the remaining courses.
But as I said, if it's too dear to eat here, there's always somebody cheaper.
I was not reacting on your strategy, which I think is perfect. Indeed, people will pay more for your book if they already read something they like from you.We do the same with demo: we put them for free. If the player likes it, he can pay for the full game.
I was more reacting to the $25 price. I still think it's too expensive.You can sell books for more when you get some recognition, but still >$25 fiction books are too expensive in my opinion. I think I would be more comfortable with $15-18 for a new book.
There are a very few authors I would pay $14 for a new book for, but they are my favorite, must buy authors who always make it worth it.
I've bought many new authors in hardcover at $25 or ebooks at $12. Really, it's only way to read new books unless you want to hassle and wait for the library or mass market paperback. If the book is no good, it isn't a big deal.
I don't always buy when the book is new, so the cost usually isn't top of the range, but sometimes I do.
Insisting on books being CHEAP is mostly unrealistic - barring the odd sale or special deal. This is where Amazon gets it wrong. Sure, it's nice when books cost less, but it is more important to have the books you want available.
I don't always buy when the book is new, so the cost usually isn't top of the range, but sometimes I do.
Insisting on books being CHEAP is mostly unrealistic - barring the odd sale or special deal. This is where Amazon gets it wrong. Sure, it's nice when books cost less, but it is more important to have the books you want available.
If Gene Wolfe wanted to charge $50 for a hardcover release I'd probably pay it without a second thought. If China Mieville did the same, the results would be similar. If the quality is there, and the publisher consistently puts out good product and nice artwork, it's a done deal for me. I have to have it. Price is not a factor.
In e-books, price IS a factor for me, because I don't think they have intrinsic value to begin with. I am paying for the author to get their due for their work, since there is no physical object to receive.
Kenneth wrote: "If Gene Wolfe wanted to charge $50 for a hardcover release I'd probably pay it without a second thought."That's the thing! You do pay more... when you're sure.
For instance, I like books from small publisher. Recently I read Postapoc, a stunning book. It's a first novel, there's not much marketing around it, and the book cover is so-so. It is $20. Would I have bought it on a whim? No.
I borrowed it from the library and only after I decided to buy it because it's just a masterpiece.
I don't want books to be cheap. I just think that a lower price is the only way to sell as long as you don't have a fan-base (or a publisher to market your book).
Angélique (MapleBooks) wrote: "I was more reacting to the $25 price. I still think it's too expensive.You can sell books for more when you get some recognition, but still >$25 fiction books are too expensive in my opinion. I think I would be more comfortable with $15-18 for a new book. ..."I've paid £40 for a book, but it was a hardback, non-fiction and one I'd been hunting down for thirty years.
Academic history books are not cheap
But I agree, I'm very unlikely to pay $25 for fiction. However I did buy this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0575...
Angélique (MapleBooks) wrote: "I was more reacting to the $25 price. I still think it's too expensive.You can sell books for more when you get some recognition, but still >$25 fiction books are too expensive in my opinion. I think I would be more comfortable with $15-18 for a new book. "
As a game developer, are you familiar with collector editions in the retail market? That's what I was suggesting with the $25 price tag, as the price for a collectible or "hardcover"-like e-book with extras and exclusivity, e.g. it will only be available for 30 days, after which only the "paperback"-like e-book edition will be available. This doesn't seem to have been touched yet by the publishing industry which seems to me to be COMPLETELY out of touch with the free market and still behaving like it's the XXth century. Publishing needs to get on the ball and make a REASON for customers to pay $25 for an e-book. Follow the lead set by the game industry and make it so compelling that it sells out on the first day. (I suggested 30 days instead of a copy limit because, if the limit doesn't sell out, that looks bad.)
Would you buy an exclusive edition of an e-book with extras that will expire? Consumers respond to exclusivity, find it impossible to resist in many cases. Say you're a Stephen King fan, and that only 1,000 copies of his latest novel will be available with bonus content. Perhaps there is a physical component to the e-book as well, such as a USB flash drive or something cool like that. I'm not in marketing but sometimes feel that I should be.
Jon wrote: "Publishing needs to get on the ball and make a REASON for customers to pay $25 for an e-book."Yes, I 1000% agree with you on the "collector" idea. Especially since nowadays series sprout like mushrooms, there are so many occasions to make nice collector-pack and/or limited editions with bonus!
I would definitely buy a really nice collector-bundle of Harry Potter and other series I liked, even (or even more so) AFTER a read and loved them.
Jon wrote: "Would you buy an exclusive edition of an e-book with extras that will expire?"
I wouldn't buy anything that will expire (except food, ahah... ahem). I buy eBooks on Smashwords. I buy games on GoG and Humble Bundle. These don't have DRM. I understand the system of licenses, but I find it unfair to the customer. If the technology disappear, you're left with nothing. At least DRM-free ebooks can be converted and stored.
Nonetheless I see what you mean and agree it should be explored. Already, the mere fact of being signed make a book more valuable to a lot of people!
Another thing. I wonder if people would buy more books if they were cheaper. It would be interesting to know the stats about it.
Do you know HumbleBundle? They sell bundle(s) of games. Recently started making bundles of eBooks. People pay what they want. The current eBook bundle sold up to $210K and it's not over.
So it's way cheaper, but the huge number of purchases make up for it.
For general hardcovers, I think the limited edition is a horrible idea. It might work as a supplemental edition for authors with a large "fan" base, but I don't see it as a feasible plan for a new biography, history, or literary novel. And those special editions that exist now cost more like $50 than $25.
I also HATE the idea of time constraints for book availability.
I also HATE the idea of time constraints for book availability.
Sorry, I did not mean to imply that a digital e-book might EXPIRE, but that the availability of an exclusive special edition would expire after a certain date--after which, the regular e-book edition would be available.
In case anybody's interesting I blogged about the costs of Indie publishinghttp://jandbvwebster.wordpress.com/20...
What's your budget?Assuming you're talking about not having one I'd suggest the following.
1) Have a big presence on a score of different social media sites. Be known as 'the nice guy'
2) Have a reader-base built up over the previous half dozen or more books.
3) Get to know everyone who blogs about books in your genre. Organise your blog tour well in advance.
4) It probably helps if the price is, initially at least, below £1
5) Have a paperback available. That way you'll get more credibility and with this credibility you'll probably get interviewed on local radio and in the local papers.These can produce a lot of sales.
6) Be seen in 'real world' situations. Give talks in schools or clubs or whatever.
When you've got all those six lined up, then release a really good book :-)
I wrote a blog on this topic. Of course, who hasn't? It's over here on my web site: http://brianjlang.wordpress.com/2014/...Short version: readers will set the price, not Amazon and not Hachette. If readers are willing to cough up $15 for a new ebook, then that's what the price will be. If no one is buying ebooks at $15, then the prices will come down. Supply & demand. Economics 101.
Brian - I've also blogged about this. Like you, I've gone back to an economics 101, although I came to a different conclusion...http://willonce.wordpress.com/2014/08...
Short version: the free market doesn't just force manufacturers to sell better products and/or at cheaper prices. It also forces them into finding other ways of getting a competitive advantage, including trying to engineer a monopoly.
Will wrote: "Brian - I've also blogged about this. Like you, I've gone back to an economics 101, although I came to a different conclusion...http://willonce.wordpress.com/2014/08...
..."
Careful, Will...there may be Libertarians about. Don't want to give them brain-farts, now, do we? :}
SciFi and Fantasy eBook Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Postapoc (other topics)The Ocean at the End of the Lane (other topics)
Medicine Walk (other topics)
The Dragon Masters (other topics)
Yep. I think my purchase was for a free book. So no puchase necessary. There are some interesting reviews on Amazon.
Surprisingly, we don't see too much of the bogus reviews here at GR. It is an Amazon subsidiary. Maybe, GR is better policed. I know the groups are.
;)