tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post3490023062103135150..comments2024-03-28T10:16:38.716-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: KDP Paperback DecisionsLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-16300263037370988392019-09-30T14:53:54.530-04:002019-09-30T14:53:54.530-04:00Thanks for all this valuable information. I work w...Thanks for all this valuable information. I work with traditional publishers but they are mostly not the large ones where writers get generous advances. I think it's never easy for writers whether we self-publish or go the traditional route.Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-9876775499286642342019-09-29T21:14:19.154-04:002019-09-29T21:14:19.154-04:00Thanks for an info-packed article, R.T.! They don’...Thanks for an info-packed article, R.T.! They don’t teach you this stuff in school.Lawrence Maddoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057386966178865691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-80766234526488943462019-09-29T21:09:45.616-04:002019-09-29T21:09:45.616-04:00Thanks everyone for your input. It is helpful.
Le...Thanks everyone for your input. It is helpful.<br /><br />Leigh, it's too early in the game to tell if adding a preview (TEASER) to the back of the book has any positive result. Actually, I have no way to track the success of these previews of other books, however, since some of the traditional publishing houses do it for big name authors, I then assume there may be some success to the practice. I do know that I have bought some books after reading an excerpt from that book at the back of another book.R.T. Lawtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15523486296396710227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-43044429131556954312019-09-29T15:21:38.160-04:002019-09-29T15:21:38.160-04:00Amazon chose 999 author copies because of RT's...Amazon chose 999 author copies because of RT's 9 brand.<br /><br />RT, can you tell if the previews in the back of the book draw in customers?Leigh Lundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-65781193172927054212019-09-29T12:56:23.884-04:002019-09-29T12:56:23.884-04:00My first five books were published by Zebra Books ...My first five books were published by Zebra Books (Kensington). I made 8% royalty. Payment was sporadic. I had no control over anything. Arbitrary editing. Changed whatever they felt like, including the titles. Cut large portions out of my non-fiction book because it was too long. The covers were bad (the promo on the backs of the books were horrendous). On the back of one of my books, they called it "Bay City Blues." There are no bays around New Orleans. They controlled the price and the books went out of print quickly, although two of them sold well enough to go into second printings. As for promotion, they printed the books, opened their back door and tossed them out.<br /><br />I control my art now. I write the books, create the covers, edit (with editor friends) – yes we miss a few typos. We control the prices and change them when we feel like it. We do the layout (5.5x8.5 and some 6x9). We can change the cover if it doesn't work once printed. We control what's on the back of the covers. I use Times New Roman 12 or 13 points for the interior. The royalties are always higher than the 8% and we get paid and the end of every month. We chage $14.95 for the trade paperbacks and receive between $5 and $6 royalty (depending on the page count of the Book). ANDTHE BOOKS NEVER GO OUT OF PRINT.<br /><br />Here's a tip. CreateSpace proofs had the word 'proof' on the back page. As you know, with Amazon KDP, they put a bar across the cover with "Not for Resale" stamped multiple times. What I do is view the proof online, approve it and order two copies. When they come, it's the final product. If the book needs a change, I change it and republish. I don't want a book with a marred cover and the process moves faster.<br /><br />Big problem, of course, are bookstores. They are married to the big publishers and will not carry Amazon KDP books because they cannot return the books. They will order a book for a customer. This is why I no longer shop at bookstores and send everyone to amazon.com to purchase books.<br /><br /><br />O'Neil De Nouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03142721824657611738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-53333969225405948732019-09-29T11:41:42.104-04:002019-09-29T11:41:42.104-04:00Thank you for sharing your experience and details ...Thank you for sharing your experience and details of that experience. I've bookmarked this one for future reference!<br />Eve Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015761600962360110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-53440225174460817622019-09-29T09:01:13.642-04:002019-09-29T09:01:13.642-04:00I'm right there with you, R. T. After a horren...I'm right there with you, R. T. After a horrendous experience with a small publisher in 2010, I have self-pubbed 14 novels with Create Space and KDP. I actually find the process slightly smoother with KDP and the costs haven't changed. Even though I still order a physical proof copy to check before publishing, the online viewer gives me a preview of possible issues to double-check.<br /><br />Like you, I publish my novels (and one story collection) in 5.5 by 8.5. I use Georgia 11 point font. I price all my books at $15 and my author cost runs from about $4.70 to $5.15, depending on page count. <br /><br />I have an excellent cover designer (my largest expense, actually, and worth every penny), but my upcoming book will be my last in paper because my sales don't support his cost. <br /><br />I DO find the KDP financial reports easier to navigate, but maybe I'm finally learning how to do it. <br /><br />Promotion is vital, and I haven't found anything that works effectively in the long term. But as I move more toward short stories, which I may simply publish online, that might become less important. I'm still getting a few writing workshops, although fewer than before.Steve Liskowhttp://www.steveliskow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-7907633153755615352019-09-29T07:40:46.508-04:002019-09-29T07:40:46.508-04:00Lots of good info, R.T. It just gets more complica...Lots of good info, R.T. It just gets more complicated all the time.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-25437150774827932862019-09-29T07:22:48.664-04:002019-09-29T07:22:48.664-04:00A piece full of interesting and useful info. Thank...A piece full of interesting and useful info. Thanks.janice lawnoreply@blogger.com