eBook pricing

I've recently (and belatedly) started using my Twitter account to interact with other writers and publishing industry types, and in the course of these interactions, I've seen that the majority of ebooks at Amazon.com (where my ebooks live) are priced at $2.99.  Many, as indicated in this piece in the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/20/ebooks-cheap-price_n_1160383.html?ref=books), are being offered for only $0.99 as an attempt to inspire more sales through impulse buying.  I've had my ebooks set at a selling price of $10.00 since they first came out.  There have been some sales, but I can't help but wonder if maybe I'm pricing myself out of  business.

It's so difficult to try to operate as an independent author, especially when you're self-publishing.  It's more commonplace these days, so the earlier stigma attached to self publishing is waning (excuse me while I offer a moment of thanks to all good deities).  It's also devilishly hard to drum up any sort of buzz when there is absolutely zero marketing machinery supporting the work.

I'm doing a lot of reading and a lot of research that, quite honestly, I should have done long before now.  At least I'm looking, though, so tardy or not, maybe I can still get points for the effort.  I don't have any answers, and I'm just as lost as I was when I took my first step in this direction.

I will never get rich as an author.  I'm fine with that.  I just would really like to have someone read my words.  As I say in my intro message on my website, a writer is no good without readers.  I'm happy that some people have chosen to take a chance on my books, and I only hope that they've found that the product was worth the investment.

I'm learning.  I'm writing.  I'm still breathing, which means that there's still hope for positive changes and growth.  I'm hoping that as 2012 goes on, I'll gain a little wisdom along the way.

I guess I'm just ruminating.  I really should get to work on that 300-word pitch I need to finish.  (God, but I hate writing pitches.  Anybody out there want to pitch LEW for me?  I'll pay in cookies.)

Google eBooks is still processing my submissions. I am getting impatient and may have to start shaking my spear.

Also, Not Named is now named: The Light at the End of the World. I am trying hard to avoid outright cheesiness while still accepting the basic pulpiness of the story.

Also, in good and awesome and excellent news, I believe my second migraine in six days has finally released my brain from its loveless claws. Let's hear it for pharmaceuticals!

I was listening to NPR on the way to work this morning, as I do every morning. Today they had a story about the difficulties publishers are facing with marketing their books, and they shared some techniques for getting "buzz" started. Naturally, the two things these tips revolved around are the two things I just don't have and cannot generate: word of mouth and a print run with galleys to be shipped to book sellers, reviewers, and book clubs.

I was feeling pretty copacetic about the whole Irish Horse fiasco, even with the sorry state of the bank account, but now? Now I'm feeling like this has all been a huge waste of time and energy.

Every time I speak to someone who might be interested in reading the book, they're all enthusiastic about it until I mention that it's only in electronic form. I could probably sell some copies if I had them in actual physical print. The drawback? Money. This is me, without the thousands it would take to fund a print run. Furthermore, this is me, without the potential to obtain the thousands of dollars it would take - my day job doesn't pay that well (especially while I'm paying off two surgeries and a week in ICU), and the thought of obtaining a loan in this economy is ludicrous.

I'm feeling pretty discourged this morning.

Good news!

All four books are now available on Amazon.com for Kindle download! Nightchild: Book 1 of the Clans Saga, Sacrifice: Book 2 of the Clans Saga, Collected Stories and Collected Poems are all up and ready to roll!

Linkie:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=irish+horse+productions


Please, Crickets, if you know anyone who might be of a charitable mindset and might enjoy reading my scribbles and bibbles, please spread the word.