Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets! Showing 9,751-9,800 of 26,036

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Australian stores are always more expensive.

[Sharon]

actually I think it is the difference with the currency exchange...as it listed originally on the USA site.

[Sally906]

Sharon wrote: "actually I think it is the difference with the currency exchange...as it listed originally on the USA site."

I think that is what the difference is - I just checked the exchange rate and US$3.90 converts to AU$4.19

It costs us $1.07 to buy US$1.00 - have to remember that because the exchange rate has been in our favour for so long.

What is the address for Amazon Australia? I don't think I have seen it.

[Sharon]

amazon.com.au

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Just found the article about it in the Australian today.Apparently the new store will make more fuss of Australian authors but will still provide a big range of ebooks from the American store. They are not going to geoblock Australian purchasers from the American store (thank goodness). But each kindle account will only operate from one store so we will have to choose America or Australia and be consistent. Just what I read - not claiming to be an expert :)

[Faye]

Brenda wrote: "Faye wrote: "Oh gosh, my daughter just finished year 12! Off into the big wide world now."

Congratulations to your daughter Faye! Fabulous...is she going to Uni next year?

My daughter has submitt..."

I think she will take a gap, because the course she wants to do is not covered by HEX or Feehelp - GULP - very expensive and the down time is high she would have to move - so plan is she will work for a year then apply for a working scholarship - so she will do some short courses to help her along the way. Best wishes to your daughter is she going to uni and what will she study?

[Dale]

A gap year working or such is a great idea. Gives them a better picture of the world.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My daughter did a gap "few years" and is so much better for it!

[Sharon]

Amazon.au again...for anyone that has a kindle, which I don't, it won't cost you more to buy from the Australian store...that gst will be incurred by the publisher...not amazon...well amazon will pay gst but the list price is just a conversion price and doesn't make any difference to how much you pay whether Australia, UK, Canada, or USA

Therefore, because books brought from the Australian store earn royalities of 70% - where they only earn royalties of 35% if brought from the US store...

Books that are brought from the Australian store will earn Australian publishers and authors 70%.

Although I see the whole kindle dominance thing a bit much, for those who own a kindle where books are limted to Amazon, it is benifical to both publisher and authors if they are brought from the Australian store.

[Neko]

@Sharon - Thanks for sharing this info about Kindle news. I do own my Kindle but rarely use it (still addicted to actual books...ehehe).

I just wonder how many books on the Aussie one will be blocked though?

[★ Jess]

Dale wrote: "A gap year working or such is a great idea. Gives them a better picture of the world."

I dunno man, I find it hard enough going back to school after the two week Easter holidays. Im going straight into uni; theres a four month break anyway. A full year I'd probably never start uni.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

There is discussion about the Amazon/AU kindle site here too https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Patricia]

Sharon wrote: "Amazon.au again...for anyone that has a kindle, which I don't, it won't cost you more to buy from the Australian store...that gst will be incurred by the publisher...not amazon...well amazon will p..."

I bought a paperback a few months ago - I looked at all the usual Aussie sellers, and even WITH the postage from Amazon USA - it was still cheaper for me to order it from them, than to buy it here.
In fact I ended up buying two copies (one for a friend) and it cost me roughly $5 more to get the second book as well as compared to the price of the single book here.

So I actually don't believe that with time, ebooks will stay the same price here. I think they will end up priced significantly higher here than the same version in the USA.
What you say and the theory makes sense, but it's not what experience shows us will happen to Aussie prices over time.
Look at iTunes, we pay significantly more than the USA prices...more than the exchange rate and/or GST accounts for.
They will start off the same and gradually creep up.

[Ian]

Patricia wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Amazon.au again...for anyone that has a kindle, which I don't, it won't cost you more to buy from the Australian store...that gst will be incurred by the publisher...not amazon...wel..."

As I pointed out in another thread, the prices for eBooks are set by the author and the exchange rate decides the price in different countries, unless the author specifies a price. There is no way for Kindle to price differently in Australia without changing the existing arrangements with authors, and causing a great deal of aggravation in forcing them to adjust their present set-ups.

Also re ..."Therefore, because books brought from the Australian store earn royalities of 70% - where they only earn royalties of 35% if brought from the US store..." is not correct. The author can choose 35 per cent or 70 per cent for all countries - the higher rate optional if the book price is between $2.99 and $9.99 (US).

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Patricia wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Amazon.au again...for anyone that has a kindle, which I don't, it won't cost you more to buy from the Australian store...that gst will be incurred by the publisher...not amazon...wel..."

The difference is that things are more expensive in Australia because of a lot of reasons, but mainly because we're much more spread out compared to other countries, and there's a lot less of us. So they "have to pay more" to transport stuff around to everyone.

Online video game services like Steam are slowly equalising prices between Australia and the rest of the world for that reason, with a digital online copy of something, you have no excuse. If anything, eBooks and other online things will over time match price.

[Sharon]

Ian wrote: Also re ..."Therefore, because books brought from the Australian store earn royalities of 70% - where they only earn royalties of 35% if brought from the US store..." is not correct. The author can choose 35 per cent or 70 per cent for all countries - the higher rate optional if the book price is between $2.99 and $9.99 (US).

Ian, up until yesterday, if a publisher chose %70 for sales within the US - if a book was brought by an Australian or NZ they publisher from the US site the publisher was only paid 35% - there were two different rates for amazon.com

An Australian and NZ were out of the territory. The terms and conditions were updated yesterday to include Australia in the 70% bracket.

[Dale]

Ian wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Amazon.au again...for anyone that has a kindle, which I don't, it won't cost you more to buy from the Australian store...that gst will be incurred by the publisher....."

From an Aussie authors point of view it will be good, as my sales have all been by Aussies but from the US store which meant previously I only got 35% instead of 70%. So as authors do we need to do anything to put it in the Australian store or will that happen automatically? If so where do we go to do it? I struggle with finding my way round all these things. I remember doing it before for certain markets but now can't remember how I did.

[Sharon]

Dale - It looks like Australian books are in the Australian store as well as everywhere else and it looks like even if the books are brought from the US you will get the 70% now. If you have a kdp account you need to log in and supply them your banking details unless you want to continue to recieve cheques. They now pay Australian publishers and authors directly into their bank accounts...

[Dale]

Thanks for that Sharon. I will fix it up today as that sounds a better idea.

[Angela]

Hello all! I just found out I have 8 weeks off over the school holidays (I work in a college) and am wondering: what does one do for that amount of time on a limited budget without going mad? Any tips? P.S. and of COURSE I will have an extensive reading list :) Hope you are all having a lush day! Melbourne weather is rubbish.

[Leonie]

Angela wrote: "Hello all! I just found out I have 8 weeks off over the school holidays (I work in a college) and am wondering: what does one do for that amount of time on a limited budget without going mad? Any t..."

Picnics, pool visits, climbing that hill you've always wanted to climb, camping (in a tent), going to the beach (with a picnic), sleeping in, writing a book, getting fit, doing lots of Christmas cooking, going to the movies on the cheap days (here it's Tuesdays), checking out free concerts, going wine tasting (just have to resist the purchasing part), board games, cards...

[Dale]

art galleries, museums( if that interests you) as well as all the suggestions above.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Sit on my computer playing video games :P

[Angela]

Thanks everyone keep the suggestions coming - this is great :-) boredom be gone!!

[Leonie]

Liam wrote: "Sit on my computer playing video games :P"

Youngest has just finished his HSC. He and his friends have just been doing their version of "schoolies." This has involved spending 24 hours at each boy's house, eating all of the food, and drinking all of the drink, setting up a LAN connection, bringing desktop computers and laptop computers, and then gaming solidly.

We had them last night - Day 6 - (shepherd's pie and chocolate self saucing pudding for dinner, pancakes and apple cinnamon pull apart for brekkie) and two stayed up all night. We left for coffee at 10.30 with only one currently awake, and another five bodies strewn around the house snoring.

They left again for the last day about two thirty. Good luck to Sam's family. They look tired, and have computer eyes...

[Sharon]

Leonie wrote: "Liam wrote: "Sit on my computer playing video games :P"

Youngest has just finished his HSC. He and his friends have just been doing their version of "schoolies." This has involved spending 24 ho..."

It looks like Sam's family might have it a bit easy...after the previous few days

[Ian]

Sharon wrote: "Ian wrote: Also re ..."Therefore, because books brought from the Australian store earn royalities of 70% - where they only earn royalties of 35% if brought from the US store..." is not correct. The..."

Thanks, Sharon. It's all very confusing. I hadn't realized this because KDP does not make any reference to it that I can see (and the email I received from KDP announcing the new Australian Kindle Store confuses me more!).

I have just been fiddling with the Rights, Royalty and Pricing Section for my books and find the 70 per cent royalty information conflicting. When I switch from 35 to 70 per cent the US remains at 35 per cent with a message saying: “The 70 percent royalty option is only applicable for books sold to customers in certain countries. See the Pricing Page for more information.”

But the Pricing Page includes the US among “available sales territories” where the 70 per cent royalty applies.

And under FAQs, my Rights and Pricing Page says : “You can choose between two royalty options: a 70% royalty option and a 35% royalty option. For example, for sales in the US, if your book's list price is between $2.99 and $9.99, you can choose the 70% option.”

Huh?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Leonie wrote: "Liam wrote: "Sit on my computer playing video games :P"

Youngest has just finished his HSC. He and his friends have just been doing their version of "schoolies." This has involved spending 24 ho..."

What a great idea for schoolies! Safer than the usual sort!

[Sharon]

Ian wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Ian wrote: Also re ..."Therefore, because books brought from the Australian store earn royalities of 70% - where they only earn royalties of 35% if brought from the US store..." is n..."

Ian, if your book is listed between $2.99 and $9.99 just the royalty option as 70% and Amazon will pay you 70% for all books sold in the territories that gain that 70% royaltity.

It will come up and tell you that you can't get paid 70% in certain territories...just egnore that and recklick that you accept the terms and you should be okay.

This is the page that has now been updated to include Australia in the terrirtors that get 70% --just go down to the following and you will see Australia has now been added...first bit of


1-1. How are royalties calculated?
If you select the 35% royalty option, your royalty will be 35% of your list price for each unit sold. If you select the 70% royalty option, your royalty will be 70% of the list price, net delivery costs, for each eligible book sold to U.S. customers (if we match a lower price you will receive 70% of our sale price), and 35% of the list price for each unit sold to customers residing outside the 70% territories listed below. For additional details, see the Pricin

https://kdp.amazon.com/self-publishin...

[Sharon]

I meant just click the 70% option...all books that fall outside the following territories only get 35% - you unchecke the 35% for us...just check the 70% and both will be highliged

here are the areas you will be only paid 70% for - everythig else is only 35%

The 70% royalty option is only applicable for books sold to customers in the following countries:

• Andorra
• Australia (including territories Christmas Island (CX), Cocos Keeling Islands (CC), Heard & McDonald Islands (HM), and Northfolk Island (NF))
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil*
• Canada
• France
• Great Britain
• Guernsey
• Germany
• India*
• Italy
• Isle of Man
• Japan*
• Jersey
• Lichtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Monaco
• Mexico*
• New Zealand (including territories Cook Islands (CK), Niue (NU), and Tokelau),
• San Marino
• Switzerland
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vatican City

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Here's another interesting link regarding Amazon and Australia!

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/b...

[Neko]

I just finished reading a really terrible book...Man I haven't read something that bad in ages! I need to go wash my eyes out with soap.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "I just finished reading a really terrible book...Man I haven't read something that bad in ages! I need to go wash my eyes out with soap."

Hahahah!! That will hurt Laura...don't do that;) What was the book?

[Ian]

Brenda wrote: "Here's another interesting link regarding Amazon and Australia!

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/b..."

It's war! Competition is good but there's a lot of self-serving puffery on all sides.

[Vicki]

I love Calvin and Hobbs. Thanks, Michael. Off to check them out. :)

[Ian]

Gorgeous evening! Just went out on the balcony. An aircraft with blinking wing light on approach to Sydney airport with a backdrop of dark skyline and a crimson-streaked sky. Love this time of the year in good old Sydney!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ian wrote: "Gorgeous evening! Just went out on the balcony. An aircraft with blinking wing light on approach to Sydney airport with a backdrop of dark skyline and a crimson-streaked sky. Love this time of the ..."

That sounds gorgeous Ian! My trouble would be running to get the camera all the time!

[Ian]

Brenda wrote: "Ian wrote: "Gorgeous evening! Just went out on the balcony. An aircraft with blinking wing light on approach to Sydney airport with a backdrop of dark skyline and a crimson-streaked sky. Love this ..."

Just acquired a new mobile and haven't learned to use the camera yet!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ian wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Ian wrote: "Gorgeous evening! Just went out on the balcony. An aircraft with blinking wing light on approach to Sydney airport with a backdrop of dark skyline and a crimson-streaked ..."

Look out when you do!!

[B the BookAddict]

Ashleigh wrote: "I'm still here guys. Busy writing, reading and making Christmas decorations for my tree that will be in my room. Working on a reindeer made from Pom poms at the moment, it was a kit, and is lots of..."

Wondered where you were!

[B the BookAddict]

Is anyone voting on the Goodreads Choice Awards?

The link is here: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette wrote: "Is anyone voting on the Goodreads Choice Awards?

The link is here: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward..."

There's a thread set up for it Bette, this is the second round...we've been voting:)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

How totally, absolutely, horribly GROSS!!!!

http://www.viralnova.com/spider-fields/

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "How totally, absolutely, horribly GROSS!!!!

http://www.viralnova.com/spider-fields/"

OMG that sure is GROSS Brenda. It's making my skin crawl :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "How totally, absolutely, horribly GROSS!!!!

http://www.viralnova.com/spider-fields/"

OMG that sure is GROSS Brenda. It's making my skin crawl :)"

I absolutely hate the thought of it Sharon!

[Geoff]

Spider fields - prove it! how many of the spiders are dangerous?
Let's create news instead of reporting news . . . or is it just me being slightly cynical?

Where are the floods in the report? Is it me being cynical that the report is on the 'web' . . .

[★ Jess]

Yes, you are being very cynical. This also happened after the 2010 Pakistan floods, but in trees:



Here is your link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com.au...
Proved.

Also it doesn't matter how many are poisonous, they're all scary.

[[deleted user]]

★ Jess wrote: Also it doesn't matter how many are poisonous, they're all scary."

A good point there aahahah

[Dion]

Hey - what does anyone know about Alice Springs and/or Uluru?

Going tomorrow and trying to make sure I've packed everything *blush*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I so agree with you Jess! Ugh!!