tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post8938282392052569857..comments2024-01-21T15:03:35.162-07:00Comments on Lara Schiffbauer's Motivation for Creation: What's a Fair Price for an E-Book?Lara Schiffbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-5039698930710209392012-12-30T19:34:03.062-07:002012-12-30T19:34:03.062-07:00I'm reading this after the fact, yes, but I wa...I'm reading this after the fact, yes, but I want to say that as someone who isn't a fan of ebooks at all (I don't have an e-reader), I would never buy an ebook for more than $2.99 (except I did recently because somebody won it in my contest and chose that particular book), and the main ones I've bought so far have been $0.99, because why on earth would I pay more for a book I could get for the same prize in paperback on the Book Depository?<br /><br />This is a really important topic though, and one I've considered too, since I intend to self-publish as well.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-6851331668535498762012-11-12T20:26:44.793-07:002012-11-12T20:26:44.793-07:00First, thanks! Pricing is a real conundrum, I thi...First, thanks! Pricing is a real conundrum, I think. I like you point about the general debate over the value of things. I know a lot of people who talk about shopping at Walmart like it's a horrible, trashy thing to do. I personally like the fact I can get a whole lot more groceries for $100.00 than I can at King Soopers. I don't think I'm trashy, either! ;) It's an interesting thought about the burden being on legacy pubs to convince readers to spend more money for digital fiction. I know the argument doesn't hold water for me.Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-28447896473011229192012-11-11T16:03:09.468-07:002012-11-11T16:03:09.468-07:00I'm late to the part as usual, but great post,...I'm late to the part as usual, but great post, Lara. I'm soon to publish a few short stories, and have been thinking about pricing as well. My thought is that clients of the Big 5 largely rely on the publisher's name to sell their work. Obviously, that's more true of first-time authors than the Grishams and Steeles of the world.<br /><br />But totally unknown writers (saw one in the mirror yesterday :-P) need leverage to get into the market. Without the presumed stamp of approval that a big label carries, lower (or reasonable, as I like to think) prices may offer that leverage.<br /><br />The acrimony surrounding ebook pricing reflects the country's debate over the "value" of things in general. For years I thought real estate and housing way overpriced. When the market burst, I sympathized with homeowners that lost money, but I felt like the collapse was merely an evolutionary adjustment.<br /><br />I think the same thing is happening in the publishing industry.<br /><br />Lastly, we independent and self-pubbers must be doing something right. The only way to devalue the status quo is to offer a product of equal or greater value for a lesser price. It's not our problem if readers decide to go for the buffet instead of (or more likely, in addition to) the overpriced chain restaurant. The burden is on legacy publishers to convince readers that $10, $15, or $20 is a fair price for digital fiction.Erichttp://eric-blues.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-70490155912784083422012-11-10T19:23:23.472-07:002012-11-10T19:23:23.472-07:00I do the same thing. And I have no idea what that&...I do the same thing. And I have no idea what that's about, either. :)Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-68182233519875487432012-11-10T19:22:28.542-07:002012-11-10T19:22:28.542-07:00Thank you for stopping by and adding to the commen...Thank you for stopping by and adding to the comments with your dual perspective! You are so right there are so many things that cost a lot more than what writers are selling their books for. (sorry for the lousy sentence, I'm sick and can't think.<br /><br />There just isn't an easy answer - at least to me. A lot of the things people talk about (coffee from Starbucks, greeting cards, etc...) I don't buy either. I think 7.99 for a greeting card is outrageous. One of the teachers I work with has just had a baby, and she requested people bring books instead of greeting cards to her baby shower. As far as what people buy, it just depends on what they want and how much they're willing to pay for it. But if you have a quality product, people will be willing to pay more, so I agree, editing is important!Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-6186603198247744502012-11-09T22:02:39.580-07:002012-11-09T22:02:39.580-07:00Really thoughtful post.
My only two cents from t...Really thoughtful post. <br /><br />My only two cents from the perspective of a reader is this: I have some free books I downloaded on special days that Amazon was offering, etc. i have not read one of them-even ones from more established authors. I do not know why. Nina Bhttp://ninabadzin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-9926756986172004932012-11-09T04:02:29.197-07:002012-11-09T04:02:29.197-07:00A very good article and the comments are insightfu...A very good article and the comments are insightful as well, Lara. (I found your blog through The Word Shark (Karen S. Elliot) on Facebook. <br /><br />I was the publisher of work by other writers for 12 years. I am also a writer. So, I have struggled with this issue for both sides. I think 99 cents is insulting to writer and reader. I think $2.99 is fine as a "gift" to readers who don't know your work. $4.95 sounds like a good ebook price for a new author who hopefully has hired an editor (if he/she is self published) and has a good book. For someone more established and experienced, $6.99-$9.99 seems appropriate. <br /><br />I tend to compare an ebook to the temporary nature of a greeting card. Greeting cards in the grocery store, nice cards, seem to cost $2.95-$6.95. I think an ebook should cost at least as much as a greeting card. I don't know why I think this way, but for some reason I compare the two in my mind.<br /><br />Writers who self-publish without having their book edited (not just proofread, but edited) by a professional editor who charges a fee ($800-$1500) are doing themselves and their career (and their readers) an enormous disservice. I have cringed when friends I know have emailed me that their book is now available on Amazon, and (when I've gone there and bought it for 99 cents and downloaded it) I found error after error after error. Proof of a rush to publish, a dismissal of the role of an editor, and an eagerness that will backfire. I'm then in the awkward position of being asked to provide a review on Amazon or Goodreads or to like their FB page and share it with my friends. It makes me want to cry. They seem clueless.<br /><br />Janice Phelps Williamshttp://www.janicephelps.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-80937590832968651422012-11-07T21:37:06.477-07:002012-11-07T21:37:06.477-07:00Thanks for stopping by and commenting Kris! It sou...Thanks for stopping by and commenting Kris! It sounds like I'm not too far off with choosing $2.99 to start and then working my way up (maybe) into a higher price point. It's odd how much emotion is involved in selling books. It is a business. The creating is a wonderful part, but the moment you start submitting or self-publishing, you have to put on a totally different hat and move from the right side of the brain into the left, in my humble opinion! ;)Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-39628952804393377962012-11-07T21:24:11.920-07:002012-11-07T21:24:11.920-07:00Many of the more optimistic posts I read say the g...Many of the more optimistic posts I read say the good writing will rise to the top. I think that's true. Maybe it'll be priced at $.99 or maybe $2.99, or even $9.99. You make a good point about free e-books. The difference between free on Amazon and free in the Library is publishers. The fact that anyone can self-publish anything, and it doesn't have to be good to do so, is the stigma that self-publishers seem to have to live down.Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-39054379520466084422012-11-07T21:17:08.854-07:002012-11-07T21:17:08.854-07:00I agree about the 35% compared to 70%. At 35% of ...I agree about the 35% compared to 70%. At 35% of $1.00 you'd have to sell five books to reach nearly the same amount of profit of selling one book at $2.99.Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-66170558949341652402012-11-07T21:11:49.802-07:002012-11-07T21:11:49.802-07:00Thanks, Stacy! I think writing being a business is...Thanks, Stacy! I think writing being a business is why the statement about the reader risking more hit me so funny. As a reader, I don't think I can be held responsible for what an author chooses to sell their book for. That's like saying the people who shop at expensive boutiques are responsible shoppers and everyone who shops at Walmart is ripping off clothing retailers.Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-9894810970088881002012-11-07T21:06:42.476-07:002012-11-07T21:06:42.476-07:00I've never borrowed e-books from the library, ...I've never borrowed e-books from the library, even though I know we have the ability at my library. I should try it. I've heard there is a wait, though, for many books and then I'm so slow getting through a book... I don't think I've ever bought an e-book over $9.99, either. I figure I may as well go get the paper version.Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-61233837457295046622012-11-07T20:01:08.849-07:002012-11-07T20:01:08.849-07:00I have 16 traditionally published books under a di...I have 16 traditionally published books under a different name, and I'm now self-publishing. I'm pricing my self-published books at 2.99-3.99, and I don't value those books any less than the traditionally published ones that sell for $5.99 paperback or $16 hardcover. (And I value my personal work on a lot more than the flat fee, work for hire work aimed at libraries, which sells for $25.)<br /><br />Publishing is a business, whether you go through a big publisher or do it on your own. (So is art, for that matter, unless you have a patron or get a lot of government grants.)Pricing is a business decision. <br /><br />Kris Bockhttp://www.krisbock.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-14369876408221264132012-11-07T19:11:04.958-07:002012-11-07T19:11:04.958-07:00This blog post struck several chords with me.
Re...This blog post struck several chords with me. <br /><br />Regarding my books (collections, if they ever get published) - I don’t want to give them away, nor do I want to whore them out at 99 cents a copy. I don’t even want to go $1.99 or $2.99 because I know what it takes to write even one poem or one short story. I’m a good writer, and I have a great editor (Shawn MacKenzie). I work hard learning how to tell a story, how to mix the right adjectives, how to write scenes and dialog. I read about writing – blogs, articles, books. I read grammar and style manuals. <br /><br />However, I’m a John when it comes to acquiring new books. Since I got my Kindle last November, I consistently troll the ‘free’ section. Pre-Kindle, I spent a couple hundred dollars every month on books; over the last year, I spent about three or four bucks a month. I’ll buy an e-book if Stephen King publishes something or if someone I know publishes a new book (like Kathryn Magendie or Shawn MacKenzie). <br /><br />Free books sort of suck. Out of 100 free books I get on my Kindle, I delete about 70-80% after the first few pages because, well, they are awful! The e-book explosion has enabled poor writers to publish a lot of garbage. <br /><br />Don’t just decide to write – decide to write well, and then learn how to write well. <br />Karen S. Elliotthttp://www.karenselliott.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-52341118344828305442012-11-07T17:01:07.529-07:002012-11-07T17:01:07.529-07:00The lady who influenced me to get into e-pubbing s...The lady who influenced me to get into e-pubbing sells hers for $9.99 and has a large YA following at that price. My first book is a Christian devotional, and I followed her example, pricing it at $9.99 and $13.99 for paperbacks.<br /><br />My Fancy series of novellas is priced at $2.99 and $7.99 for paperbacks. Would I sell more copies at lower prices? Probably. Would I sell enough more to offset the reduced profit per book? I don't know.<br /><br />One thing I'm not likely to do is sell them at a price that brings 35% instead of 70% - unless it was a limited time promotion. David N. Walkerhttp://davidnwalker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-42655142086511416822012-11-07T16:58:06.222-07:002012-11-07T16:58:06.222-07:00Lara, Not a rant at all. As someone mentioned, a s...Lara, Not a rant at all. As someone mentioned, a self-published author is a business, so I believe you have to charge what you feel comfortable whether it's 99 cents or 2.99. Is there a set amount you would like to make from your book? I hear one self-published author's presenation about calculating the cost of your time. Figure your hours it took to write, edit, etc.? Any fees you paid to get the book published, etc? Then figure out the cost, etc. I did hear a storybook author (childrens) mention that while you get more royalty for the 2.99 book, the market for children's ebooks and apps seems to be around the 99-cent mark. "People don't want to pay more." So, I keep hearing over and over. I don't mind buying books I want whether ebook or real book. I don't get free books for my kindle, just because they are free. I only get the ones I'm interested in. I think 7.99 is the most I've paid for a self-published author. Good luck. I appreciate you sharing these thoughtful posts - food for thought for both readers and writers. Stacy S. Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09646270238659432058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-16502638325692066652012-11-06T20:46:50.872-07:002012-11-06T20:46:50.872-07:00I'm with Denise. I wouldn't buy an e-book ...I'm with Denise. I wouldn't buy an e-book over a certain price. If I want to own it, I want to display it, so I buy the hardcover copy. Mostly, I borrow e-books from the library. I can't bring myself to pay that much for something that I can't lend or display in my home, even if it is convenient.Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-24395445067785497792012-11-06T19:14:11.920-07:002012-11-06T19:14:11.920-07:00Thanks, Denise. I love your point about how much i...Thanks, Denise. I love your point about how much in royalties a traditional author gets on their book. I have no idea what the figure is, but I do know that if an author gets an advance, they have to pay the advance back first. I read somewhere that trad publishers will sometimes get 70% of e-book royalties, which is a good reason for them to charge the heck out of the e-books of their best-sellers. The author then has to share the remaining 30% with the agent, who gets 15% as well. Of course, it all depends on the contract, but it's a good reason to be looking closely at what you're signing.Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-43844375922538510872012-11-06T19:06:26.106-07:002012-11-06T19:06:26.106-07:00I would agree, Cassie. I haven't bought hard ...I would agree, Cassie. I haven't bought hard cover books in forever - at least, not at full price. If they hit the bargain box at Walmart and I can get one for $5.00, then heck, yeah, I'll buy it. The way I've always viewed books are that they're an entertainment service and so I purchase the service for what I'm willing to pay. I don't buy a book thinking "I really want James Rollins to know I admire his work and value it so highly I'll bay $20.00 for the story." I'm thinking "Yay, I can get a whole e-book set for $8.00? Cool!"Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-21354464427209280352012-11-06T18:59:50.523-07:002012-11-06T18:59:50.523-07:00When it is cheaper to buy a hard back at Target or...When it is cheaper to buy a hard back at Target or Walmart than buy the e-book, I think the purpose of an e-book is lost. It's meant to be a cost effective option. Or at least, that's what I've always thought. Maybe I'm wrong. :)Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-85342743398084823982012-11-06T18:57:49.010-07:002012-11-06T18:57:49.010-07:00Yeah, it took a while to get through it all,huh!?
...Yeah, it took a while to get through it all,huh!?<br /><br />There's another plus for starting at $2.99 I forgot to mention. On Kindle, at any price point under $2.99 the author gets 35% of price. At $2.99 and above the author receives 70% of the price.<br /><br />When you spend two years writing and editing a book, I don't know how you can decide how much you need to make back before you break even. :)Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-70873331499581176102012-11-06T18:52:15.889-07:002012-11-06T18:52:15.889-07:00I venture a guess that Big 6 (soon to be Big 5) pu...I venture a guess that Big 6 (soon to be Big 5) publishers charge so much for e-books because of greed. If anyone has any insider info that demonstrates I am wrong, I would love to hear it. As for right now, there is no other reason. You're right - e-books don't have the cost involved with paper printing. Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-23953856103347223892012-11-06T18:45:33.374-07:002012-11-06T18:45:33.374-07:00I think you hit on something. What is the concern?...I think you hit on something. What is the concern? Aren't there enough readers out there to buy the $.99 book and the higher priced one? If I read a blurb of a book I want to read, and it isn't expensive, I'll buy it whether it's at $.99 or $4.99 (that's about my limit.) And if I happen to buy a $.99 book, I'll maybe go shopping for another. I can't get why everyone is so worked up.Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-68473003062122062502012-11-06T18:41:38.798-07:002012-11-06T18:41:38.798-07:00I agree, Diane, and have seen other self-pub. auth...I agree, Diane, and have seen other self-pub. authors do exactly what you're talking about. The first book is priced to sell, and then subsequent books/work is a little higher in price. I would think this would be particularly effective with a series. Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5871196542873255795.post-61338177683256904572012-11-06T18:38:24.652-07:002012-11-06T18:38:24.652-07:00Thanks Joe!Thanks Joe!Lara Schiffbauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546286607078965432noreply@blogger.com