I’m gonna start selling some books here on the site. This may be a short-lived experiment, but let’s chat for a minute about book buying.
I buy a lot of books from Amazon. I like the Kindle app better than the Nook app, I don’t have an iPhone, and I guess I’ve always just assumed Kobo didn’t have an app (though now that I’m writing it, that seems silly).
I should look into the Kobo app idea. I could stand to support Kobo. I don’t sell in double digits over there, but they’re real supportive of self-publishers. Like, they occasionally say “Um, please don’t keyword stuff your book descriptions, thanks very much.” Which I appreciate. Anyway. End digression.
I buy from Amazon, but I don’t trust Amazon.
As a business person–that’s fuckin’ professional to my podcast viewers–I do not like the idea of Amazon owning my ass (professionally speaking). I’d like to spread the love a little bit more on the off chance that the next algorithm change over there at the ‘Zon disappears all X books. (A lot folks like me relied on strong free books to sell the rest of their books, back when the free lists were obvious to all viewers. When Amazon cleverly changed the website to make it a little harder to find free books, a whole lot of people’s incomes plummeted.)
So, that brings us to: selling direct.
This may be a terrible idea. I’m not sure. But seeing as how this site is pretty low-traffic, I’m gonna give it a shot. It would allow me to do on-site preorders, which has some fun potential (like a bonus short story bundled in), and it would allow me to do larger series bundles for astronomical prices (I know, I’m really selling the idea). For folks who already buy at ARE, Smashwords, or publisher sites like Samhain, there wouldn’t be much of a learning curve. And obviously, I’m just putting the possibility out there; I adore everyone who reads my stories, even if they haven’t bought them all, even if they read and return. (Note to read-and-returners: I can watch you buy-read-return every single book from the sales dashboard, yo. Truth. And I’m totally doing that I’m watching you thing with my two fingers and my eyes right now.)
Ah ha ha, I crack myself up. I mean, I’m not actually watching you. Ha.
All righty. So, look forward to that in the next few weeks and we’ll see if it’s a dreadful fucking idea that’s such a clusterfuck we never speak of it again. But even with a very low number of sales, the percentage of earnings is significantly higher, so it’s at least worth a shot.
Ramble, ramble, ramble, ramble…
I would very happily buy books directly through you. I appreciate your books and the way that they suck me into them enough to want to help support you as much as I can so you can keep writing.
(Even if your release schedule is annoyingly close to all the big things that don’t encourage extracurricular reading!)
That’s an amazing idea. I hate Amazon and what they do to self-published authors. I go to extreme lengths not to have to buy books from them.
I’d definitely support you and buy through your site. I found your writing when you gave the First NSM free via ARe and I’ve followed you ever since. I buy books from nook, kobo, iBooks as well as direct from publishers. Whoever I can get the book from as soon as it is released, or quicker. I think with some publishers you can buy a pre release copy a month ahead of general release. I try very hard not to use Amazon because I think if they are selling it cheaper they must be putting the squeeze on a self-publishers profit and in some cases livelihood. I do hope the higher prices at other sites mean authors get a fair return but that maybe me being idealistic.
I’m going to agree with everyone else and say that I’d love to buy directly from you. Amazon is great for buyers – but that must mean they’re not so great for independent sellers.
A couple of thoughts:
1) If we buy directly from you will that significantly affect your amazon sales rankings?
(Or are there too few of us here for that to be a problem?)
2) If books are purchased here then reviews can’t be left at amazon – does that mess things up for you?
Just thinking out loud (or what would you call it since I’m not speaking?)
Basically – tell me where you want me to buy the books and I’m there.
Hey, listen, Amazon is the reason I can buy groceries without going into my savings, folks. They pay me 70% on every book prices between $2.99 and $9.99. I make more in one week on Amazon than I do at all other joints combined for the whole month! Only Kobo is better to self publishers (though all retailers have screwed over porn writers).
The mistake some Indies make is thinking Amazon is bring good to us out of innate sweetness and a desire to do good. The very second it doesn’t make financial sense to court Indies, Amazon will change it up, and I’d rather not go down the drain when that happens.
Having said all that, buy wherever it makes sense to you! I will definitely play with this idea, and I love the idea of an early release here on the site. That could be loads of fun. (And it’s a lovely thought, about damaging sales rank, but my books do not currently sell enough to make it matter!)
You guys are awesome. I’ll plan to sell Surrender the Past here on the site in the next few days!
I can understand you want to diversify – letting all success depend on one seller does seem like something you would do good to avoid. The power Amazon can be dangerous, but on the other hand I would most definitely never have stumbled upon your books if not for Amazon. Actually had The Scientific Method not been free, I would properly never have noticed any of your books.
I most confess reading on my kindle is very much my preferred method of reading these days. I like the screen not being back lit and the size fits me well too.
Also I am a big fan of getting to read free books to see if an author is wort me spending money on. I am on a rather strict budget these days, so if I am to pay for books I need to know it will be worth my buck. Amazons many authors and bestseller list helps me sample different authors and spend my money on those I like.
On the other hand Amazon is so big that I know I can easily miss something that I would like. But lets be honest – it would not lessen this risk if I were to search the net on my own for new books.
I don’t know if I will be willing to give up the convenience of auto deliver to my kindle (but lets be real, if it is cheaper I properly could manage to manually put it on my kindle using Calibre.
Anyway I wish you the best of luck with diversifying your sale channels!