tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post568809781787096657..comments2024-03-18T02:11:40.154-07:00Comments on <b>Smashwords</b>: Smashwords Pricing Manager Tool Enables Custom Library PricingDovetail Public Relationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-59209859281858443672012-08-09T18:08:47.245-07:002012-08-09T18:08:47.245-07:00I certainly agree with your perspective, Ruth. Suc...I certainly agree with your perspective, Ruth. Successful and branded authors will enjoy the benefits of participating in LibraryDirect and the library-pricing tool within Smashwords, but what about the majority of Smashwords' 45,000 authors, who remain virtually unknown?<br /><br />The beauty of Smashwords is that it provides a level playing field for both successful and unknown authors. So, my questions target Smashwords' processes and its relationships with aggregators and libraries: How will Smashwords retain its neutrality with an offering like LibraryDirect? How will free and under-priced ebooks get to libraries and their patrons?<br /><br />Take care,<br />LCLC_Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068023786048731977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-39770382139474235162012-08-09T16:21:30.850-07:002012-08-09T16:21:30.850-07:00I made a blog post for my readers about this. Som...I made a blog post for my readers about this. Some of my readers tell me they can't afford to buy books given the economic environment (which I understand). I see this as a great solution for me as the author and for the reader who is strapped for cash. <br /><br />I have asked my readers who have library accounts where they borrow ebooks to ask their local libraries to look into getting my ebooks. If the customer requests the author's books, I think libraries would be more likely to look into getting them. If the books are free for them to obtain, I think libraries are even more likely to get those books.<br /><br />So I think by making the book free to libraries and having our fans ask for the books, we increase our chances of getting our books into libraries. <br /><br />Just my two cents. :DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-85707476273978469362012-08-09T13:11:30.099-07:002012-08-09T13:11:30.099-07:00Thank you, Mark and Team, for the added pricing fl...Thank you, Mark and Team, for the added pricing flexibility and increased access to libraries.<br /><br />How are "free" titles being distributed via the LibraryDirect program? Similarly, how will lowering our prices, via Pricing Manager, drive titles to libraries?<br /><br />I strongly believe authors should donate to libraries for the common good. I will price my ebooks at "free" also to libraries to grow my base.<br /><br />Having made this commitment, however, doesn't seem to mean that my titles will get to library patrons any differently than what occurs within a library's legacy process.<br /><br />For example, whether via LibraryDirect or aggragators, the distribution model is still a "pull" strategy - where libraries cherry pick titles, catagories, and/or best-seller lists. This is a departure from Smashwords' base model, which "pushes" the entire Smashwords catalog to retailers.<br /><br />As such, what does it matter what I price my ebooks at if my titles aren't selected by libraries and aggregators! What is the process for distributing "free" ebooks to libraries via Smashwords?<br /><br />My concern is for those of us who don't have titles in the Top 100 (or whatever). The sorting and selection criteria, from what I've read, allows libraries & aggregators to cull from pre-defined sorts. Is "free" one of them? What does less-than-retail pricing (the library-pricing field) do for authors/publishers?<br /><br />It's a no-brainer for libraries to accept free books as they don't impact a library's budget. As such, unless there's a prestige factor at play, libraries should gobble up the free titles.<br /><br />You see the problem here - my titles may never reach library patrons unless pushed to libraries.<br /><br />I eagerly await clarification from the Smashwords team.<br /><br />Take care,<br />LC CooperLC_Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03068023786048731977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-64039837667265909722012-08-08T23:04:15.477-07:002012-08-08T23:04:15.477-07:00I'm wondering what percentage a library usuall...I'm wondering what percentage a library usually pays for a print copy of a book, so I can judge how to price my book for them. Do they pay more? Less?Patrick Riothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07848877939056850263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-23940418759498352562012-08-08T20:36:07.286-07:002012-08-08T20:36:07.286-07:00I would love it if Smashwords could put together a...I would love it if Smashwords could put together a document/flyer that I could print and bring to the libraries near me to encourage them to get books published through Smashwords--especially my book. ;)Joanszhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00310350850882768819noreply@blogger.com