[isaacsweeney]

I'm sure you're all tired of the same old price questions. But here's another one anyway, if I may tap into the great minds here. 

My collection of nine short stories -- Evolvement -- is about 15,000 words (they're short) and I have it priced at 2.99. I definitely value it at this much or higher. But the truth is, I want some sales and I think I may have to lower the price to 1.49 or 99 cents or something. But first, I should tell you more about this collection.

All but three of the nine stories in Evolvement have been previously released as ebooks or ebook mini-collections. I had Hard Creek Bridge, which is it's own ebook (a free one), Wouldn't Last Forever, which is 2 stories for 99 cents, and Against Her Fading Hour, which is 3 stories for 99 cents. Then there are three new ones in Evolvement. They all work well as a collection, with an underlying theme of growth, maturation, or something like that. Seems weird to put the collection at 99 cents when the shorter ebooks are 99 cents, but maybe people would think they're getting a deal? I could see 1.49 or 1.99.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Andrew Ashling]

I don't have that much experience, and I am just speaking for myself.

As a reader:
For $2.99 I would at the very least expect a novella of 50k words. You would have to do a very, very good job at convincing me though.
For 99¢ I would expect at least 20k words. Yes, that goes for you too Mrs. Rowling and Mr. King.

Readers expect something back for their money, and they're right.

As a writer:
I have one short story collection of around 20k words... at 99¢
I have a novel of almost 80k words at $2.99
The books in my series "The Invisible Chains" are between 125k and 135k words and are also priced at $2.99. A few reviewers have called that a bargain, a steal even, and lately I was thinking of raising the price to $3.99 or 4.99$.

Maybe some more experienced indies could let their light shine on this as well.

 

[isaacsweeney]

Thanks for the feedback. I may disagree that gettting "something back for their money" has to do with length only, but I do appreciate any advise from readers/writers.

 

[Carol (was Dara)]

For a collection of stories that length I'd go with $0.99. So many people are pricing full length novels at $0.99 it's pretty hard to compete with a shorter work at a higher price, if you see what I mean. For what it's worth, my 17,000 word novelette is $0.99 at that pricing seems to be working well for me. If I ever finish up a novella I'll probably go with $2.99.

 

[daringnovelist]

I price novelette length works and collections (7500-17000 words) at 99 cents myself.

Camille

 

[Andrew Ashling]

Thanks for the feedback. I may disagree that gettting "something back for their money" has to do with length only, but I do appreciate any advise from readers/writers.

I agree completely. The question is if most of the readers are going to agree.
But, hey, maybe it will work for you. I'm just learning this stuff myself.

Whatever you decide, success. And keep us posted.

 

[isaacsweeney]

I agree completely. The question is if most of the readers are going to agree.
But, hey, maybe it will work for you. I'm just learning this stuff myself.

Whatever you decide, success. And keep us posted.

Did I really say advise when I meant advice? Sheesh!

 

[MonkeyScribe]

Just be clear what exactly you're offering. I have a short novella at 12,000 words for 99 cents and just released a collection of eight horror stories at 35,000 words for $2.99. I am clear in the description what is on offer. If you're clear, you can charge what you'd like and people are free to either pay it or decide their money would be better spent elsewhere.

 

[Jon Olson]

Just be clear what exactly you're offering. I have a short novella at 12,000 words for 99 cents and just released a collection of eight horror stories at 35,000 words for $2.99. I am clear in the description what is on offer. If you're clear, you can charge what you'd like and people are free to either pay it or decide their money would be better spent elsewhere.

Yeah, for anything of an odd length, I think you should say how long it is.

 

[Decon]

Just be clear what exactly you're offering. I have a short novella at 12,000 words for 99 cents and just released a collection of eight horror stories at 35,000 words for $2.99. I am clear in the description what is on offer. If you're clear, you can charge what you'd like and people are free to either pay it or decide their money would be better spent elsewhere.

There is a market for short stories at 99c for stories over 4,000 words. $2.99 is reasonable for a collection. Just because people choose to sell full length books at 99c, doesn't mean that they are the competition, or that length is some form of benchmark for price. Your market is short story readers who appreciate the craft and will pay for it. But like the quote says, be sure to be clear exactly what is on offer.

 

[JeanneM]

I'm not really experienced yet, but I agree with Declan on the price.

Heck, yeah, I'd pay 2.99 for that many short stories.  We should always take into account that all short story writers aren't competing against each other.  So many different genres and styles.  People that buy a romance short story may not buy yours. And vice versa.

I just read Hard Creek Bridge.  You are a really good writer.  2.99.  *bangs the gavel on the table*  Sold! 

 

[SuzanneTyrpak]

My short story collection, Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction) is just under 15,000 words--nine short stories. It's priced at .99 cents and selling about 1,000 copies a month.

If you can get more, terrific!

 

[Victorine]

I think you can price whatever you feel comfortable with, as long as you are clear in word count (for those of us who know what that means) and in page count (for those who are more familiar with that.)

For me, 99 cents is working for my novelette at 11,000 words. I'm not a short story person, but I did get very interested in Jeanne's short, and went to purchase that one at 99 cents. (She had pulled it, but it's back up now, and I must say it's well worth the buck!!)

Vicki

 

[Decon]

I've just tried a $4.99 price for my collection of 12 shorts at 62500 words and sold 4 yesterday which is equal to 40 sales at 99c.

 

[JeanneM]

I think you can price whatever you feel comfortable with, as long as you are clear in word count (for those of us who know what that means) and in page count (for those who are more familiar with that.)

For me, 99 cents is working for my novelette at 11,000 words. I'm not a short story person, but I did get very interested in Jeanne's short, and went to purchase that one at 99 cents. (She had pulled it, but it's back up now, and I must say it's well worth the buck!!)

Vicki

Thanks Vicki. If it hadn't been for you and your generosity, it wouldn't be nearly the story it is now.

 

[CraigInOregon]

I'm sure you're all tired of the same old price questions. But here's another one anyway, if I may tap into the great minds here.

My collection of nine short stories -- Evolvement -- is about 15,000 words (they're short) and I have it priced at 2.99. I definitely value it at this much or higher. But the truth is, I want some sales and I think I may have to lower the price to 1.49 or 99 cents or something. But first, I should tell you more about this collection.

All but three of the nine stories in Evolvement have been previously released as ebooks or ebook mini-collections. I had Hard Creek Bridge, which is it's own ebook (a free one), Wouldn't Last Forever, which is 2 stories for 99 cents, and Against Her Fading Hour, which is 3 stories for 99 cents. Then there are three new ones in Evolvement. They all work well as a collection, with an underlying theme of growth, maturation, or something like that. Seems weird to put the collection at 99 cents when the shorter ebooks are 99 cents, but maybe people would think they're getting a deal? I could see 1.49 or 1.99.

Thanks for any feedback.

$0.99. Your sales will be (probably) a bit better at that price point, also.

 

[isaacsweeney]

I'm gonna try 1.99 for a while and just experiment. Thanks for all the feedback. It does say "15,000 words" in the description.

 

[Amanda Brice]

I'd personally price a 15,000-word collection at 99 cents, and I think most readers would expect that as well.

Considering as there are full-length novels priced at 99 cents, I think most readers would be shocked to only get 15,000 words for $2.99.

 

[Krista D. Ball]

I'd personally price a 15,000-word collection at 99 cents, and I think most readers would expect that as well.

Considering as there are full-length novels priced at 99 cents, I think most readers would be shocked to only get 15,000 words for $2.99.

I have a 6000 word and a 12000 word story each priced $2.99 (through Amazon, $2.50 at some other places) through my publisher. Combined, there's only ever been one complaint, and that was a person who stated that short stories should be free because "all novels cost 99 cents these days." Many of my reviews have put, especially Harvest Moon, as a bargain at its price.

 

[Decon]

My readers have a choice.

My stories vary from approx 5,000 to 8000 words and there are 12 in all. They can either buy them individually for 99c or the compilation for $4.99  (62500 words). So far they are going for the compilation. I sold 4 the other day which is equal to 40 sales at 99c. I will shortly be splitting this in half to give the readers more choice and a third price point at $2.99. In the shorter stories I have either included a bonus short or plot notes for students of the craft. Each single includes both US and UK versions for the reader to make the choice. I think the stories are worth 99c and don't believe short story lovers will be upset that they can buy full length books at 99c, provided you are up front about what they are buying. Don't forget there are just as many full length eBooks at $9.99 and above.

My next 5,000 word short will include German, US and UK translations and I will market that at around $1.50. At the end of the day the readers will decide if they should buy or not.