Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
Ricochet, remember when I was whining that I didn't earn enough money, and saying that I just couldn't figure out how to support myself as a journalist in the new media environment, and that my amour-propre was in the tank and all of that?
You were all exceptionally supportive and kind, and many of you offered some good suggestions. One of our members, for example, proposed that I publish my interviews with Margaret Thatcher's intimates and enemies on Amazon for Kindle, and sell them for 99 cents a pop.
Why not, I thought? These interviews are great stuff. And they're just sitting on my computer. I've got nothing to lose by trying.
I'm still trying to get the system figured out. Obviously, that isn't a good cover--I just put it there as a placeholder until I figure out how to use Photoshop--and I think it probably needs more of an introduction.
But apart from that: Would you pay 99 cents to read the rest?
Do you think I can get rich enough to buy a plane ticket to Daloa by selling these?
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Sep '11
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
Purchased from Amazon.co.uk for £0.86. Don't spend it all at once.
Dec '11
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
I am writing a book for e-release through Amazon, so I have done some checking into the issues. Here are a few points for you to consider:
1) Amazon has a break point on royalties - between 2.99 and 9.99,the author gets 70%. Less, and I think it is only 35%. However, if the book is short, then the 0.99 would be good.
2) You can use CreateSpace, which is also part of the AMZN family, to do a print on demand version. But you have to pay some fees. The price point on that is that CS takes about $10 per book. For a fee, they will help with the cover and editing. Also, CS will translate it into Kindle for about $70.
3) The Encounter or HarperCollins broadsides might work, but I doubt if the royalty cut is very good -- they have to support the business. And I have never seen any advertising for these.
4) One advantage of the high royalty is that you can seed the market with gift copies to people who might spread the word. You can also afford some Internet ads, because you capture the benefits.
May '11
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
I notice it's listed on the US store as $2.99 from my location (Japan). Not that $2.99 isn't a reasonable price, but I do have an in-principle objection to a 200% international markup on a digital product. I'm assuming this is Amazon's fault, of course.
May '10
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
I just bought the interview. What happened to the Kindle version of There is No Alternative? I swear I read a sample chapter or two. I'd buy it now if it were available.
Edited on December 28, 2011 at 3:07amNov '10
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
Go for it! The problem is not the cost ($0.99) of your production but the additional transactional costs in time and hassle.
In the late 1990s we talked about "micro-payments", by which each web page would cost you $0.001 per visit, e.g. It would be cheap enough for the visitors and the most popular webpages would be profitable. Of course, the transaction costs must be almost zero.
Anyhow, good luck! I'll read a cpl unless I have to fill out a bunch of CC forms. Sell them on Amazon.com - that's pretty easy for me.
Nov '10
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
Go for it! The problem is not the cost ($0.99) of your production but the additional transactional costs in time and hassle.
In the late 1990s we talked about "micro-payments", by which each web page would cost you $0.001 per visit, e.g. It would be cheap enough for the visitors and the most popular webpages would be profitable. Of course, the transaction costs must be almost zero.
Anyhow, good luck! I'll read a cpl unless I have to fill out a bunch of CC forms. On Amazon.com - that's pretty easy for me.
Dec '11
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
Claire Berlinski, Ed.:
Do you think I can get rich enough to buy a plane ticket to Daloa by selling these? ·
Sounds as if you've grown quite fond of your nephew!
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
EThompson
Claire Berlinski, Ed.:
Do you think I can get rich enough to buy a plane ticket to Daloa by selling these? ·
Sounds as if you've grown quite fond of your nephew! · Dec 27 at 8:39pm
I fell completely head-over-heels in love with him. It was the talking. I mean, I loved him when he was a newborn, but now that he can talk, he's ... well, I don't want to be disloyal, but he's almost as fun as seven cats.
May '10
Re: Adventures in Self-Publishing: What Do You Think?
You've been threatening (or promising) to re-release your early novels in E-book for for what, 3 or 4 years now?
Always next year.....