A couple of weeks ago I started blogging about different points made in a meme about authors. It was called ‘What Every Reader Needs to Know’. I’m continuing that theme with the second point it made:
‘A book sold for 99 cents on Amazon nets the author only 17 cents. Please consider this when saying $1.99 is too much.’
Nobody likes to ask for more money, especially if you want a sale, and authors are no different. And I know what it’s like as a reader who doesn’t have much money. I have very little to spend on books myself, so I freely admit that I look for the cheapest ones. However, I will still buy a more expensive book if I’m interested in it, because I always remember, just as the meme says, that the amount the author receives for it is not great. Also, if the book is traditionally published, the publisher needs to be paid some of that as well. This is especially important with a small press publisher, like mine. They’ve outlayed their funds to publish my book and if they don’t earn it back (and hopefully a bit more) it makes it difficult to keep publishing. Even with ebooks, there are still costs associated with publishing that book, and 99 cents doesn’t provide much of a return.
Please, be aware if you’re buying books, that an author’s future may depend on the money you spend. If you like the author’s work, please don’t hesitate to pay a reasonable price for it. Consider it an investment in future novels that you will probably enjoy. And I’m not suggesting that you be okay with paying $20 for an ebook of an averaged-sized novel, but be aware that an unknown author is trying to find reasons to continue with this, and lack of funds is a major drawback, whether they are self-published or traditionally published. There are many ways you can support your favourite indie author, and being prepared to pay more than 99 cents for a copy of one of their novels is a good one.
*special note* the winner of last week’s giveaway copy of Glimpses of Light is Lesley Turner. Congratulations Lesley!
Thanks Lynne for another interesting post. I had lunch recently with a friend who is obviously not a writer but an avid reader. She was having a real go about the cost of books including ebooks. I told her about the 17 cents per ebook download that we get and that I had worked out that I received the princely sum of around $16 per week for the six years of research and writing not taking into consideration any of the costs involved over that time for the two I’ve had published. She had .the grace to say that she had no idea but changed the subject very quickly. I hope she remembers that the next time she purchases a book.
Thanks for the copy of Glimpses of Light – certainly looking forward to reading it.
I hope she remembers it too, Lesley.
Thanks Lynne. Fair enough statement of fact. Not much fun writing a well received story but starving at the same time.
That’s right, Ray. And if you have to stop writing because you need a full time job any fans of your writing are going to be unhappy.
Totally agree Lynne.
An E-book still needed the time and creativity of the author, editing, proofing, formatting and the skills of graphic design etc for the book cover. When paid for at reasonable rates (i.e the person can make a living out of doing it full-time) that can come to thousands of dollars. Then there are ongoing costs as well in promoting the book (so that it comes to the reader’s attention). On the other hand, a good book can give enjoyment that last for hours, days or a lifetime.
Paying reasonable prices for books means that the author may be able to keep writing – or write full time (so that sequel can be on the shelves – virtual or real – that much sooner). Some books took the author 10 years or more to write, others maybe three months full time (to the first draft). 17 cents (even multiplied thousands of times) isn’t much return.
No it’s not. People need to be realistic about how much books cost.