tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post8146159954663177658..comments2022-12-02T04:31:44.529-07:00Comments on Author Everett Powers: Is Having a Print Book Important To Ebook Sales?Everett Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13447056422273768436noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-39243008065748808442011-11-23T10:02:33.371-07:002011-11-23T10:02:33.371-07:00Eden,
As a self-published author, hardcover hard...Eden, <br /><br />As a self-published author, hardcover hardly seems worth it; they're so expensive. Maybe if you had a few printed so you could sell them for $40, signed, like Konrath does. Can't imagine you'd have too many takers, though. Paperbacks, though, are important, I think. For the reasons you mentioned. And to give to family, most of whom don't have an ereader.Everett Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447056422273768436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-10720300059525985192011-11-23T09:21:29.445-07:002011-11-23T09:21:29.445-07:00I did it all - hardcover, paperback, and ebook for...I did it all - hardcover, paperback, and ebook for my first - sold all the hardcover because I think some of my friends thought I might become a big writer (little did they know), and they wanted something tangible, plus it was very nicely packaged.<br /><br />I ordered paperbacks for book signings and to give bloggers, reviewers, and to send to newspapers/potential advertisers. To date, I'd say it was worth it getting all formats, though I will cut out the hardcover for my next. It's a 'nice to have', but not worth the cost. <br /><br />I am only beginning to see the sales on my ebook now, so it's a bit too early to tell which format is selling the best. Ultimately, it's wonderful to have something to hold on to . <br /><br />I liken it to looking at photos. Most of us view pictures on a computer and few of us have photo albums anymore, but it's still nice to look through one. The experience is just different, and it's great to have both. <br /><br />edenEden Bayleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08043540142363106345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-82074171450206203502011-08-26T13:16:32.012-06:002011-08-26T13:16:32.012-06:00I'm definitely going to be putting together a ...I'm definitely going to be putting together a print version of my book as soon as I can (held up somewhat by the fact that I want to do a collected edition of the trilogy, rather than 3 individual books which would all be really thin), but my main motivation for this is being in the UK, where Kindle is still taking off and the ebook market is smaller. A lot more of the people I'll be able to market to face-to-face (i.e. friends, family, and people I meet) are unlikely to be interested in an ebook.<br /><br />The other issue is that I think there's a much deeper-set perception of value for tangible objects than for digital products (I talked about this in relation to webcomics in this blog post; http://itsthefuturestupid.blogspot.com/2011/08/its-about-passion-not-money-or-else.html ). I think reader willingness to pay for hardcopies is, long-term, a lot more secure than for ebooks.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16677076598470332030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-4361410559005618392011-08-26T11:36:10.932-06:002011-08-26T11:36:10.932-06:00I agree, Scott. Besides, seeing my name on a tangi...I agree, Scott. Besides, seeing my name on a tangible book has been a goal of mine for years. That I write under a pen name will make it a little strange.Everett Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447056422273768436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-56807332156345847672011-08-25T21:44:29.518-06:002011-08-25T21:44:29.518-06:00As a print journalist, I can tell you -- people do...As a print journalist, I can tell you -- people do still react differently to things printed on paper. There is something primal in us that seems to make paper feel important. A number of studies show that a person with a book and no PhD is viewed in as much regard as someone with a PhD and no book. And the perception that someone is "for real" increases with a print book. Even in this E world, print still carries weight, so I'd say that (ironically) in an intangible way, print does manage to lend a sense of credibility to a writer. That's just what I've found by working for a still-printed newspaper.Scott Morganhttp://www.write-hook.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-21699173703387561252011-08-25T18:07:33.640-06:002011-08-25T18:07:33.640-06:00I would buy a print copy. I am also epublishing b...I would buy a print copy. I am also epublishing but will probably order 1000 copies from Lulu or <br />createspace for book signings and relatives. You take a loss but will reap benefits from book signing publicity and will build your brand. But that is my opinion my friend. Take it with a grain of salt.<br />ReggieRegge Ridgwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13496938203092973538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-66867422073386223042011-08-24T20:59:36.909-06:002011-08-24T20:59:36.909-06:00You will get some print sales, but you'll have...You will get some print sales, but you'll have to PUSH to get them. Likely not worth the effort. Now I'll tell you why it *is* important still.<br /><br />Browse the Kindle store, you'll notice it has *limited* categories. Look at a ranking for Canals<br />Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #351,510 Paid in Kindle Store - not so good, because until it cracks a top 100 for the chosen category, it'll keep looking like this.<br /><br />Now, if you had a print version, it might look like this: <br /><br />#134,985 Paid in Kindle Store<br />#15 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Single Women<br /><br />See the finer grain "book" listing? You only get that with a print version! You're battling other books to reach a top 100 listing, when Amazon will add these extra listings to your ranking.<br /><br />Publish in print, but pick two "*book* categories" that fits the book, but with the least amount of competition.<br /><br />Take a look at the book category:<br /> Books > Literature & Fiction > Women's Fiction > Mothers & Children<br /><br />Sonia is competing against a mere 198 others for a top 100 position. Now the target audience is MUCH smaller, but the future is bright for Sonia & Heart Press to own the Women's Fiction arena... Kindle doesn't *offer* a Women's Fiction category yet - and won't for a long time. <br /><br />Also, when you are planning to do a Print version, it is important when doing the Kindle version to pick only ONE category for it - and then TWO for the Print book. This gives you the maximum exposure possible as a small publisher... "managed publishers" can pick a THIRD one on the print side. Also, when a book goes CRAZY in sales, Amazon will throw a THIRD one in when they feel like it too to continue goosing sales. Amazon 101, that few know about.SL Clarkhttp://heartpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-29727966728433861582011-08-24T14:56:24.796-06:002011-08-24T14:56:24.796-06:00There will be a huge difference between the ebook ...There will be a huge difference between the ebook price of $2.99 and the likely $15ish price for the 6"x9" paperback. There are a lot of readers, millions, who either don't have an ereader or don't like to use theirs. One of my daughters has a Kindle but much prefers print.<br /><br />I'll go with Creatspace, too. You won't make a lot on Amazon sales but the price for the author's copies is great, right around $5 + shipping. That's great for local promotions and sales. Helps get the word out about your book.Everett Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13447056422273768436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1977457460479388421.post-1926174384851745502011-08-24T14:13:07.073-06:002011-08-24T14:13:07.073-06:00I'm struggling with the same thoughts. I epubb...I'm struggling with the same thoughts. I epubbed and wonder if I used Createspace for paper, would I get sales in paper or more in ebook? The problem is the price difference with self-pubbing paper. You have to price the paper version pretty high compared to traditionally published books. <br /><br />But, there are some things I would like to do for promotion, like a giveaway on Goodreads, but you need a paper copy to do that. <br /><br />Here's an interesting post from another author who did paper and is probably not going to with the next because sales achieved weren't worth the hastle. http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/08/22/10000-sales-pentecost/<br /><br />In the end, I think I'll do a paper version from Createspace, low cost, easy distribution, gives the reader the option if they prefer paper and I can use the paper book for giveaways.<br /><br />Don't know if that helps your discussion, or conclusions. I'll be interested to see what you do. <br /><br />Good luck!Douglas Dorowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10626666935442821895noreply@blogger.com