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Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan
Wow, that's a really good post, and you articulate some great points. Book piracy is a big problem right now, so honest customers who are willing to pay a fair price are more valuable than ever to authors and publishers. Respect goes both ways. Everyone knows it costs less to digitally republish a previously published book than it does to publish one from scratch, either traditionally or electronically. There can be costs involved--scanning and converting older titles, cover art--but with a digital reprint, there's no editing or marketing staff to pay, no manufacturing or physical distribution. I actually worked in the publishing industry when I lived in NYC years ago, and I can tell you the profit margin for traditional books is pretty freakin slim. So charging the same amount of money for a digital reprint as for a newly published book... how can that not feel like a rip-off?
I'm not saying other authors republishing their backlist need to price their work at $2.99, like me. I'm trying to introduce my books to new readers and build my audience. But I do think we need to be realistic.
LOL about Smashwords being the world's biggest slush pile. There are pros and cons to that. It can be like a treasure hunt, but having read a lot of e-originals, well, it's also a crap shoot. That's why I like samples and excerpts.
Pat
patricia-ryan.com |
Just a quick word: Bought one of your mysteries. I love historical mysteries and your's (at least the one I have read so far). Still Life With Murder is a great start to a series with a well thought out plot and great atmosphere. I like the main character. It would have been a real shame if those great novels would have been lost in a back catalogue somewhere. I love this one and look forward to read the others. Thanks for taking this route.
