tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post4795768826393182732..comments2024-03-25T21:30:28.970-07:00Comments on <b>Smashwords</b>: Smashwords Puts Authors and Publishers in Control of PricingDovetail Public Relationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-48122672773235061172012-04-10T08:05:14.138-07:002012-04-10T08:05:14.138-07:00Mr. Coker,
I'm a young editor trying to wrap m...Mr. Coker,<br />I'm a young editor trying to wrap my mind around the this whole agency model / wholesaling issue. This article was so helpful. Thank you!Azeliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02468134109724813160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-17439211212355890612011-08-07T13:50:01.519-07:002011-08-07T13:50:01.519-07:00Cimarron, of all the retailers, Amazon is probably...Cimarron, of all the retailers, Amazon is probably the most lenient in allowing ebook customers to return a book for any reason. Despite their leniency, the rate of return is negligible, inconsequential. Plan on between one in one hundred to one in five hundred. Nothing to worry about, and certainly no reason to limit your distribution to any retailer. To limit returns, make sure you have solid formatting, multiple formats (at least PDF, EPUB, MOBI), an honest book description that doesn't misrepresent the book, and of course a high quality book that is well-edited. At Smashwords.com, our own small retail operation, we don't allow returns except for very special situations, such as poor formatting, unavailability of most important formats, or obvious honest customer errors. Although we're more stringent than Amazon, I think I prefer Amazon's model. It's more customer-friendly. Since I think most customers are trustworthy it means that customer-friendly leads to more book sales which is what we want.Dovetail Public Relationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-85831087900519447892011-08-07T12:02:36.275-07:002011-08-07T12:02:36.275-07:00I'm a newbie latecomer to this discussion, so ...I'm a newbie latecomer to this discussion, so I don't know if it's still alive, but I do have one relevant question RE: listing a book with Smashwords:<br /><br />Question pertains to E-book returns by E-book customers, i.e., Nook & other E-reader channels propagated by Smashwords when one lists their book with Smashwords. From what I can gather by reading various blogs & even Nook & Kindle website discussions, E-book buyers may ask for & receive refunds for E-books D/L to their readers. I'm looking for the reality of this problem, the number or percentage of refunds experienced by authors who are listed on Smashwords, & the consequent effects these refunds have had on sales, pricing, royalties, reporting, etc. I am currently published with CreateSpace and am also listed on Amazon. I am considering the wisdom of also listing with Kindle and/or Smashwords. If anyone feels qualified to comment based upon their experience with this putative problem, I would appreciate hearing from you on this blogsite.<br />TIA, Cimarroncimarronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11454374910328536860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-35865700835563935522011-04-12T15:55:28.241-07:002011-04-12T15:55:28.241-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Lee Goldberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13442268370192897461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-91392378018199180942011-01-07T22:19:37.017-08:002011-01-07T22:19:37.017-08:00Mark,
I now know how much work goes into the grea...Mark,<br /><br />I now know how much work goes into the great stuff that you are doing. Reading the blogs, updates and the Smashwords Marketing Guide really puts it all in perspective. <br /><br />Keep up the great (and challenging) work ahead in 2011!Jule Rizzardohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08385406975415826825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-1927053712404779492010-12-11T19:05:50.002-08:002010-12-11T19:05:50.002-08:00Mark, I'm a new indie author, and I am thankfu...Mark, I'm a new indie author, and I am thankful to have found Smashwords. It provides the same distribution as traditional publisher, but it also puts the author in closer conact with the audience they reach. I was recently told that this was a scary time in publishing because of the rise of ebooks; I think that is small-minded, fearful thinking. This is an exciting time in publishing and I'm thrilled to be part of it.<br /><br />Jennifer<br />http://www.jennniferbecton.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802462399298945211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-37379574113367229222010-12-08T17:55:55.285-08:002010-12-08T17:55:55.285-08:00Hi Xavier, you're correct, publishers have a d...Hi Xavier, you're correct, publishers have a difficult time justifying such a high price on an ebook when it's the same as the print price. This is a big criticism of the traditional publishers, who tend to overprice some of their books, though the issue is really separate from the agency pricing model. For some of the big publishers, the agency model, which allows them to earn 70% list rather than 50% or less, has enabled them to lower their suggested list prices and lower prices to custoemrs. In some cases, the prices to customers have increased. As the customer, if you feel a publisher is pricing to high, vote with your wallet and don't buy the book.<br /><br />At Smashwords, our authors and publishers price the average book at under $5.00, so over-pricing is definitely not a problem here.Dovetail Public Relationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-58314913269920818292010-12-08T05:34:57.428-08:002010-12-08T05:34:57.428-08:00Mark:
As a customer, here's a contrarian ques...Mark:<br /><br />As a customer, here's a contrarian question why is selling an ebook at 9,99$ is devaluing them and the authours?<br /><br />One of the difficulties I have with agency pricing is how would authours and publishers would justify an ebook at say 20$? I have an example in mind even though the book in question isn't under agency pricing but the concern is still valid :<br />In Spain, there's a book I'd like to buy the electronic version. The price of the printed book is 21,50 euros. The ebook is the same price. I'm asking myself how can the publisher justify this price when there's no ink, paper nor logistics? And it's just the electronic version of the printed book?<br /><br />Electronic books have only 3 issues: a) ensure the integrity of the electronic text (b) ensure the integrity of the DRM (c) ensure that the servers don't crash or corrupt the files.<br /><br />So as a customer, I think the publishers are being a bit remiss in not explaining to their customers why ebooks will have say 20$ or more price tag)I have no objections per se if the authours and the small publishers benefit but everyone will still need to patiently explain why agency pricing benefits the customers.xavierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15924047562026242210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-45990262814229518572010-12-07T06:54:58.764-08:002010-12-07T06:54:58.764-08:00Jeff as always, great news and great job. I'm ...Jeff as always, great news and great job. I'm running and pumping a promo for a free coupon download and my novel has been the # 1 or # 2 best seller since last week and holding strong. Once the promo ends I'm dropping the price from 2.99 to 1.99. I hope this has helped drive readers to SW siteSean Patrick Reardonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14051252366031997054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-84078476314680854422010-12-07T05:29:33.824-08:002010-12-07T05:29:33.824-08:00Until yesterday I had a collection of 'reject&...Until yesterday I had a collection of 'reject' slips. Today I can tell whom I meet to go to Smashwords and download and read my books.<br />If I am asked,'really, are you a published author?'I can push my chest out,"of course, and 'sold' author too!."<br /><br />This is all thanks to Mark. One day I am sure, appreciations like Booker Prize,etc. will extend and embrace e-Books.It is but inevitable, and a big thanks will go to Mark from all us authors.<br /><br />Jeff TikariJeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462316133640631523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-72736088904094337932010-12-06T17:23:15.907-08:002010-12-06T17:23:15.907-08:00Mark, my belated thanks for all you've done fo...Mark, my belated thanks for all you've done for the indie authors of this world. My own novels might be phenomenally successful; they might be ignored. In either event, they'll be mine, and not the end product of a committee. And maybe they'll be read a hundred years from now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-87402304353655801972010-12-06T16:09:49.924-08:002010-12-06T16:09:49.924-08:00Mark: That's great that it's happening fo...Mark: That's great that it's happening for some of your authors. I'm curious what this person did to get that word of mouth going like that. I would assume, he or she did not simply rest on the laurels of his or her story. I also would welcome talking to you about this in a less public forum. If you wish, you can send me a private e-mail through my web site: www.billwalkernovels.com and we can take it from there. Thanks.Bill Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17170630396765038753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-46730907085047996852010-12-05T07:28:49.701-08:002010-12-05T07:28:49.701-08:00Bill, it depends on your definition of "major...Bill, it depends on your definition of "major level." <br /><br />Several Smashwords authors are already headed toward major level, and they're doing it without big budget marketing or Snooki-level celebrity. I'm looking at one author now who earned under $10 in his first pay period at Smashwords in early 2009. I can point to plenty of *former* Smashwords authors who when they saw their first payment at this level, or even higher, got mad and unpublished everything. Not this author. Quarter by quarter, his sales inched up, first to the 100s of dollars, then thousands. Then he broke out at one retailer, and now he's starting to break out at another. He'll earn over $20,000 in the next pay period. Several others are on similar upward trajectories. They're writing books that resonate. That's more important than marketing spend. Successful authors of the future will build their platforms on the strength of books readers enjoy reading. This speaks to the promise of potential for every indie author. You'll be judged by readers on the quality of your book. Sure, a guest spot on Oprah or Good Morning America can help make an author an overnight success, but the good news is that there are now other ways to get there if you're patient and persevere. :)<br /><br />PJ, thanks for that international perspective.<br /><br />Jessica, coupons represent a private transaction between you and your reader, and as such, they don't impact your list price or your price at retailers.Dovetail Public Relationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-23527085561689469432010-12-04T13:59:54.191-08:002010-12-04T13:59:54.191-08:00Mark-
Just a question to end a debate. If a coupon...Mark-<br />Just a question to end a debate. If a coupon is used on smashwords for a particular book, will that effect the price on amazon? I don't think it will, but your input is appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks for having a phenomenal site, and any decision that helps indie authors I believe is the right one. Thanks!Jessica G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09600847136154234908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-44340194185526123872010-12-03T10:27:59.724-08:002010-12-03T10:27:59.724-08:00I never write with the idea of pandering to anythi...I never write with the idea of pandering to anything. But publishing's "Blockbuster" mentality is a major reason they're in the toilet. Instead of building a steady stable of authors with a dependable backlist, they're constantly chasing the brass ring. My book, "A Note from an Old Acquaintance" was written with passion and dedication to the idea of telling the best story I could. Do I wish my agent could have sold it for big money? Sure do. But the economy was tanking and those brass rings were being chased with even more fervor. Too bad for me, and others of my ilk.Bill Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17170630396765038753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-50449067842851722010-12-03T07:57:59.084-08:002010-12-03T07:57:59.084-08:00This is such an informative post, Mark - thanks so...This is such an informative post, Mark - thanks so much for explaining all of this so thoroughly!<br /><br />As an aside, I wanted to add that internationally, I think charging more than list price is common. I lived in Mexico for several years before e-books were on the scene and we paid up to twice list price for books in English in Mexico. There were precious few stores that had any selection in English and of course the stores realized that the only alternative was to purchase online from the U.S. and have it shipped, which was outrageously expensive. So, every time we were back in the states, we brought our big suitcases and brought them back to Mexico filled with books ;-) If only I could've had an e-reader back then ...!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07521953491880916840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-81360141120565511882010-12-02T22:50:08.600-08:002010-12-02T22:50:08.600-08:00You can get a big advance as a new author, too - i...You can get a big advance as a new author, too - it's called having a book that's "high concept" and they think is going to be the next Twilight, etc. I know an author that sold her book for 6 figures, the first she's ever getting published, and world rights have been selling like hotcakes. It'll probably be out before 2011 is over, that's how badly they want her book out and think it's going to be a smash.<br /><br />You can't write to try to target a big advance - it's too intangible - but they do happen for people besides celebs. There's big pressure with a big advance, though...everyone wants it to pay out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-62956185323709138942010-12-02T18:16:02.918-08:002010-12-02T18:16:02.918-08:00Mark: More choices, yes, but what if one's dr...Mark: More choices, yes, but what if one's dream is to have a career on a major level. Has anyone figured out how much an indie author would have to spend to promote himself or herself to that degree? I'll bet it would be a staggering amount and is unfortunately why the Snooki's of the world are getting the big book deals. No one wants to spend that kind of money on an unproven talent, even if they're great. And the average indie author won't have the wherewithal to do it.Bill Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17170630396765038753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-73857876611090321662010-12-02T15:14:03.988-08:002010-12-02T15:14:03.988-08:00Bill, yes, for the vast majority of authors, it...Bill, yes, for the vast majority of authors, it'll be tougher to get a traditional contract, and advances will decline. I've heard of well-respected large publishers offering $1,000 advances for print and digital rights. As ebooks rise as a percentage of overall book sales, such small advances will be scoffed at by indie authors who now have the ability to publish direct to their readers. I don't think big advances are gone forever, but i do think they're more likely to go to celebrity authors and authors with large established platforms. I see Christine O'Donnell and Snooki have book deals. That's got to be depressing to professional authors who've spent a lifetime honing their craft, though it also provides a hint of the direction of traditional publishing. Authors have choices now they didn't have before. :)Dovetail Public Relationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-1135534925200658092010-12-02T14:38:13.052-08:002010-12-02T14:38:13.052-08:00Mark: you have a point. But one thing you can'...Mark: you have a point. But one thing you can't dispute is that with the advent of the "New World Order of Publishing" big advances will be gone forever.Bill Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17170630396765038753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-30283898908655914972010-12-02T11:41:50.668-08:002010-12-02T11:41:50.668-08:00I dont worry about royalties and the like for now ...I dont worry about royalties and the like for now because even if I did get some change for each of the six hundred some odd books I've moved of The Shadowbelt it still wouldn't add up to REAL money. I just give mine away for now that way I reach a broader market which is important for a new author. Fortunately, my downloads are still doing well as some of my friends have national rock bands and they help promote my free ebooks in their music videos. Sweet!<br />It does anger me to see distributors being greedy but it's nice to see Mark is working on that for all of us so when we get to the point where royalty rates really SERIOUSLY matter, we are ready. = my two centsUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978267462910058767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-42673278801887841662010-12-02T11:10:36.686-08:002010-12-02T11:10:36.686-08:00Hi Mark -
Thanks for your brilliant work on our be...Hi Mark -<br />Thanks for your brilliant work on our behalf, and for the clear explanation. Cheers, Bruce Batchelor<br />Agio Publishing House, Victoria, BC, CanadaBrucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11163670565564163014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-16213742912434807932010-12-02T11:06:38.016-08:002010-12-02T11:06:38.016-08:00Great news. Mark. Thanks for all your hard work to...Great news. Mark. Thanks for all your hard work to make this happen.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-9020398539459743592010-12-02T10:22:22.104-08:002010-12-02T10:22:22.104-08:00@Michael, yes, good point. We're running a bu...@Michael, yes, good point. We're running a business here. As such, I believe the best way for us to build a large and profitable long term business is to make publishing as profitable as possible for our authors and publishers. Although this is a business, and we want to make it large and profitable, there's a higher social purpose that drives us, just has there was a higher social purpose that drove my last startup, BestCalls.com. I learned a lot of lessons there that I've taken to Smashwords. :)<br /><br />@Michelle - It's not a dumb question at all. Not all publishers are on the agency bandwagon, and because agency is so difficult for retailers to implement, retailers offer it to very few suppliers. Although the vast majority of Smashwords authors and publishers are thrilled with the news, not all are happy. As I mentioned in the post, some authors and publishers do derive benefit from discounting. I heard from one Smashwords author who had his book priced at $.99, and Kobo previously discounted it to $.89. This caused Amazon to discount the book to $.89, which caused his book to sell really well at Amazon. He said the moment Kobo stopped discounting (about two weeks ago), Amazon moved him back to $.99 and his sales dropped precipitously. Agency pricing is a double-edged sword. Net net, I think it cuts to the benefit of the indie author or small publisher who's already offering their books at a lower price. Time will tell.Dovetail Public Relationshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05039664167177159146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436915084701775452.post-88546485887147678112010-12-02T10:07:17.124-08:002010-12-02T10:07:17.124-08:00@ Michelle:
My personal feeling (YMMV) is that yo...@ Michelle:<br /><br />My personal feeling (YMMV) is that you should post your price at what you think is fair, regardless of what other people do. Yes, those readers who consider price alone will gravitate to cheaper books. It's also a trait of human nature that people don't always respect what they get too cheaply. Have some self-respect for your own work.<br /><br />On Mystery Science Theater 3000,one of the creators worried that there were so many jokes that some people wouldn't get them all. To which someone else replied, "The <i>right</i> people will get them!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com