E-book pricing/cost discussions - COMBINED thread

6569 Views 111 Replies 51 Participants Last post by Lursa (aka 9MMare), Jul 6, 2011

Lursa (aka 9MMare)

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2011

How does this work, is there any particular formula?

I find it disappointing that Kindle books are sometimes more expensive than (non-discounted) paperback prices.

Meaning, not old or discounted paperback prices, but current retail price for the paperback. To me, they should at least be the same, I cant see any reason why an e-book should be more...except profit margin naturally.

1 - 20 of 112 Posts

SusanCassidy

· #2 · Jun 27, 2011

Most books are sold by Agency-model publishers, which means that the publisher sets the price, not Amazon. A few smaller publishers are more reasonable, and allow Amazon to discount and/or sell at a more reasonable price point.

The publishers mostly seem determined not to admit that ebooks are going to overtake paper books eventually.

gatehouseauthor

· #3 · Jun 27, 2011

There's no particular formula for this, although there have been a lot of discussions about this topic. The major publishers locked Amazon into a deal in which they set the price for their e-books. Many of them have chosen to set the price for the e-book quite high, although some are coming to the realization that e-books have been an untapped market, and are lowering their prices accordingly. Indie authors and publishers have actually benefited quite a bit from this business model, as their books are often priced well below the price of traditionally published books.

In the eyes of the publisher, the cost of producing a book barely includes the printing cost, which for them is generally only a couple of dollars per copy. The true cost comes from marketing, the advance paid to the author, and thousands of other expenses. As to why there are a few that are actually higher priced than the paperback... some people have theorized that it's to discourage people from buying digital books. I don't really buy into that theory fully, although I also don't have a better one.

See less See more

Sam Rivers

· #4 · Jun 28, 2011

There is a tremendous difference in price between Indie books and Publisher books. You can buy a good Indie book for anywhere from $.99 to $3.99. The ones from publishers start at about $8 and go up to $12 or more.

So that is why so many people buy the Indie books. In many cases the Indie books are just as good or maybe even better and at a considerable savings.

So why are publisher books so expensive? It is a simple matter of greed.

Lursa (aka 9MMare)

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 28, 2011

Franklin Eddy said:
There is a tremendous difference in price between Indie books and Publisher books. You can buy a good Indie book for anywhere from $.99 to $3.99. The ones from publishers start at about $8 and go up to $12 or more.

So that is why so many people buy the Indie books. In many cases the Indie books are just as good or maybe even better and at a considerable savings.

So why are publisher books so expensive? It is a simple matter of greed.

Where do you find good reviews of indie books? I was going to list some genres, but then again, I hate to limit myself!

gatehouseauthor

· #6 · Jun 28, 2011

redadeptreviews.com
oktopusink.blogspot.com
aflashlightreader.blogspot.com
indiebookblogger.blogspot.com
lastdraftediting.com/reviews

Those are a few blogs I know of that review indie books. Hope that helps!

Lursa (aka 9MMare)

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 28, 2011

gatehouseauthor said:
redadeptreviews.com
oktopusink.blogspot.com
aflashlightreader.blogspot.com
indiebookblogger.blogspot.com
lastdraftediting.com/reviews

Those are a few blogs I know of that review indie books. Hope that helps!

Thanks!

MichelleR

· #8 · Jun 28, 2011

Aw, go ahead, list some genres. (And visit the sites, of course!

)

Colin Taber

· #9 · Jun 28, 2011

The great thing about the Kindle is that you can download the samples before being asked to commit to buy.

Just try the samples of a some indies. If you like the style and subject matter, give them a try.

Between sampling and the pricing of most indies, it's not going to cost you much money - only some time!

patrickt

· #10 · Jun 28, 2011

When someone else wants money it's called greed. When we want money it's called fairness and justice.

Stuff it.

Casper Parks

· #11 · Jun 28, 2011

9MMare said:
How does this work, is there any particular formula?

I find it disappointing that Kindle books are sometimes more expensive than (non-discounted) paperback prices.

Meaning, not old or discounted paperback prices, but current retail price for the paperback. To me, they should at least be the same, I cant see any reason why an e-book should be more...except profit margin naturally.

Traditional publisher, depending on the author I've seen e-books priced higher than paperbacks. In those cases, it's doubtful the author has lot of say in the matter. Bob Mayer's blog tells a tale regarding e-books.

Consider looking the 99 cent and below 3 bucks threads at this site. There are lot of great authors offering low prices, hoping to develop a readership.

Jeff Rivera

· #12 · Jun 28, 2011

Colin Taber said:
The great thing about the Kindle is that you can download the samples before being asked to commit to buy.

Just try the samples of a some indies. If you like the style and subject matter, give them a try.

Between sampling and the pricing of most indies, it's not going to cost you much money - only some time!

Downloading samples is one of the best parts of the Kindle. It's great to be able to discover new indie authors and get a taste of what you're in for before committing to buy.

Lursa (aka 9MMare)

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 28, 2011

Casper Parks said:
Consider looking the 99 cent and below 3 bucks threads at this site. There are lot of great authors offering low prices, hoping to develop a readership.

Thanks, I'll do that. I've already ordered several from those in author's sigs here.

As for genres (as someone asked):

--SHTF/end of civilization (but generally not a zombie fan)
--homicide/mystery with alot of forensic detail
--science fiction (but not much fantasy)
--women in the (US) West
--world history
--nature guides and natural history
--evolutionary psychology
--epidemiology

(Probably not much in the indie world on the last 2 or 3)

See less See more

QuantumIguana

· #14 · Jun 28, 2011

It is understandable that people resent being asked to pay more for something that costs less to produce. So much for the idea that cost savings will be passed along to consumers. When I see ab e-book that costs more than the hardcover, I am highly unlikely to buy it. There are plenty of other books out there. And I will exercise my rights to complain about it.

KingAl

· #15 · Jun 28, 2011

QuantumIguana said:
It is understandable that people resent being asked to pay more for something that costs less to produce. So much for the idea that cost savings will be passed along to consumers. When I see ab e-book that costs more than the hardcover, I am highly unlikely to buy it. There are plenty of other books out there. And I will exercise my rights to complain about it.

What is not so understandable is why so many people think that cost savings will automatically get passed along to consumers.

MichelleR

· #16 · Jun 28, 2011

3

9MMare said:
Thanks, I'll do that. I've already ordered several from those in author's sigs here.

As for genres (as someone asked):

--SHTF/end of civilization (but generally not a zombie fan)
--homicide/mystery with alot of forensic detail
--science fiction (but not much fantasy)
--women in the (US) West
--world history
--nature guides and natural history
--evolutionary psychology
--epidemiology

(Probably not much in the indie world on the last 2 or 3)

Have you read J.A. Konrath/Jack Kilborn? Should match the homicide interest and, perhaps, the sci-fi too.

I don't know if this veers too much into fantasy, but you might like:

This is a dystopian future-y thing. (I have it to lend, if you want.)

I own this one, but have not read it. The authors have good reputation though -- can also lend this one:

There are tons of indies around these parts -- though a lot of them hide out on just a couple boards. Still, you should end up finding a lot of great choices.

See less See more

drenee

· #17 · Jun 28, 2011

I was looking at some books on Amazon today. I found one, The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory for 12.99. I bought it in December 2008 for 3.79. Glad I had the foresight to purchase then. It's tripled in price a little over two years.
deb

Mr. Coffee Snob

· #18 · Jun 29, 2011

I believe competition from indie authors will drive the prices down eventually. There are plenty of very professional indie authors with high quality books on the Kindle at low prices. New readers are discovering this fact every day. In order to compete in the e-book market, the bigger publishers will be forced to lower their prices. That's one theory, anyway.

Liz Fervo

· #19 · Jun 29, 2011

Robert E. Keller said:
In order to compete in the e-book market, the bigger publishers will be forced to lower their prices. That's one theory, anyway.

I'm frustrated by some well-known literature being in the $9.99 - $12.99 range when I can buy a used paperback for $0.01.

The ebook price doesn't have to be that low, obviously, but pricing should consider market saturation, I think. Although I suppose publishers are seeing ebooks as a way to make more money off those famous old authors.

Lursa (aka 9MMare)

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 29, 2011

MichelleR said:
Have you read J.A. Konrath/Jack Kilborn? Should match the homicide interest and, perhaps, the sci-fi too.

I don't know if this veers too much into fantasy, but you might like:

This is a dystopian future-y thing. (I have it to lend, if you want.)

I own this one, but have not read it. The authors have good reputation though -- can also lend this one:

There are tons of indies around these parts -- though a lot of them hide out on just a couple boards. Still, you should end up finding a lot of great choices.

Thanks, I'll look into those. I think I have Land of Ash, hard copy.

What is lending in Kindle-speak?

1 - 20 of 112 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.