Ebook Bundles Anyone? - Page 3

Ransom · 07-03-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

but admit I prefer bundles (ie, separate downloadable files for each title), even when the books in the bundle are all from the same author and series. The advantage is management and organization.

That's a very good point.

cfrizz · 07-03-2011, 11:38 AM

I like the idea of bundles so long as the download contains three books that are separate books. If it is just one big file with no clear separate books, I wouldn't be interested even if it did save me money.

danwdoo · 07-03-2011, 12:47 PM

I like the Baen bundles especially because they give me exposure to books/authors I would never have found, nor probably bought on my own. Sometimes you get a dud or two, but for the unexpected gems you get it more than makes up for it for me. When looking for a book on their site, I'll almost always look for any bundles it's a part of and buy it that way.

PaulineDesigns · 07-03-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfrizz

I like the idea of bundles so long as the download contains three books that are separate books. If it is just one big file with no clear separate books, I wouldn't be interested even if it did save me money.

This exactly. I've been buying Baen's webscriptions for years and love them. I recently purchased a trilogy as a single file and won't be doing that again.

CRussel · 07-03-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danwdoo

I like the Baen bundles especially because they give me exposure to books/authors I would never have found, nor probably bought on my own. Sometimes you get a dud or two, but for the unexpected gems you get it more than makes up for it for me. When looking for a book on their site, I'll almost always look for any bundles it's a part of and buy it that way.

Agreed. I've found entire new series this way, and certainly spent far more than I would have. And, even more to the point, I haven't bought a Tor or DAW book since I got my Kindle. They can keep their agency pricing and lousy conversions.

vxf · 07-04-2011, 01:10 AM

I just bought a bundle of the four 'Song of Ice and Fire' books by George Martin on SONY's store.

I love bundles!!!

I have even bought bundles in the past of freely available books, just for the convenience of have them all easily available. For example, I bought the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes stories and all the works of Shakespeare - despite the fact that all the individual books were available for free.

neilmarr · 07-04-2011, 04:25 AM

Thanks, folks, for -- as always -- your invaluable input. We've studied it carefully and hope to please everyone.

We will start bundling this month. Just to put folks minds at rest when they feel they must sample an entire book before going for a bundle, all titles will remain available individually and book descriptions and first chapters are freely available on all titles.

We've decided on single-download omnibus editions for the simple reason that we can produce manageable files by cutting superfluous material (like opening pages on sequels to describe back story of earlier books in the actual collection and our policy with individual titles of series books of carrying the first chapter of the next title in line as a free taster.

Because these ebook collections of individual titles are meant to be read in order, this material is unnecessary for continuity. Although page-count isn't a costing consideration in ebooks, as it is in print, this removal of superfluous material is intended entirely to keep the files relatively small for the convenience of the reader and for a more fluid reading flow. Extra editorial and technical work this end, but that's what we're here for.

Thanks again, People. Once again, you've pointed the way. Now let's take the plunge and see how she blows.

Very best wishes. Neil

EowynCarter · 07-04-2011, 04:32 AM

I bought a bundle, and the fist thing i did was to grab sigil, and split the one ePub into 4.

neilmarr · 07-04-2011, 04:38 AM

This point's been raised a couple of times now Eowen. When my tech partner's clock catches up with mine, I'll ask about the possibility of offering a choice of how a bundle is downloaded; as individual title files or in a single collection file. We don't want to put folks to the trouble of splitting a file themselves to get the presentation form they prefer. We'll offer all bundles in PDF, ePub and Mobi, by the way. And, of course, DRM-free everywhere. Cheers. Neil

amward · 07-04-2011, 04:52 AM

For some reason I've only just noticed this thread. I'm not sure whether I'd buy them or not. I'd probably be more likely to buy a bundle of different authors than just one author if they were new to me. I'd buy a series of an author that I know and like. Also it depends on the cost to some extent.

EowynCarter · 07-04-2011, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

This point's been raised a couple of times now Eowen. When my tech partner's clock catches up with mine, I'll ask about the possibility of offering a choice of how a bundle is downloaded; as individual title files or in a single collection file. We don't want to put folks to the trouble of splitting a file themselves to get the presentation form they prefer. We'll offer all bundles in PDF, ePub and Mobi, by the way. And, of course, DRM-free everywhere. Cheers. Neil

That a good idea

rhadin · 07-04-2011, 06:36 AM

I'm a few hours late to this thread, but I'll give my perspective anyway.

Bundling is great and I like receiving the discount that comes with bundling, BUT a 40% bundle discount would not entice me IF I had never read the author's work before. IOW, bundling is great for books 2 to 5 of a series, but not 1 to 5. I need to have read book 1 and determined that the author is someone I want to invest money and time in.

Consequently, I think it better to offer book 1 at a very large discount or a set price that is available all the time and then bundle the subsequent books.

The way I approach ebooks, largely because the quality of writing and production is so varied, even when it comes from a well-established traditional publisher, is to refuse to pay more than a very nominal sum for the first book I read by an author. If I find I enjoy book 1 to the extent that I am looking for book 2, then I am willing to pay significantly more for books 2, 3, etc. The key is book 1.

So, Neil, although I think bundling is a good idea, it would not entice me to purchase the bundle absent having read another book by the bundled author or the first book in the bundled series.

Pinecone · 07-04-2011, 09:03 AM

I like bundles and do buy them. But only if there is a discount over the individual books.

And I prefer that the books be delivered as individual files, rather than a single file with multiple books.

Gunnerp245 · 07-04-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

I was wondering if any of you had come across e-book 'bundling'. Happy weekend and very best wishes. Neil

I like 'bundling' especially for 'series'; it is discouraging to start a series and then not be able to find the next book. However, I like a few others look at cost; meaning the bundle price needs to be at a discount over purchasing the titles separately.

Uluhara · 07-04-2011, 11:59 AM

even though you made your decision ... here my 2 cent:

I would buy a bundle - meaning separate files for separate books - I would not by an omnibus - meaning one file with all those books - just to much hassle to get them into a library .... I do not like omnibus editions in pbooks, I do not like them in ebooks ...

and one question @ neilmarr:

do you ever update your books - for example because of mistakes pointed out after the first release?

because if you do, do not forget that now you have to update the omnibus, too ...

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07-03-2011, 11:38 AM	#32
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,576 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	I like the idea of bundles so long as the download contains three books that are separate books. If it is just one big file with no clear separate books, I wouldn't be interested even if it did save me money.

07-03-2011, 12:47 PM	#33
danwdoo Groupie Posts: 168 Karma: 2584958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Device: Kindle PW2	I like the Baen bundles especially because they give me exposure to books/authors I would never have found, nor probably bought on my own. Sometimes you get a dud or two, but for the unexpected gems you get it more than makes up for it for me. When looking for a book on their site, I'll almost always look for any bundles it's a part of and buy it that way.

07-04-2011, 01:10 AM	#36
vxf Guru Posts: 944 Karma: 1490348 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Norman, OK Device: Sony PRS 350, 900, 950; Kindles (ALL of them!); Kobo Aura One	I just bought a bundle of the four 'Song of Ice and Fire' books by George Martin on SONY's store. I love bundles!!! I have even bought bundles in the past of freely available books, just for the convenience of have them all easily available. For example, I bought the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes stories and all the works of Shakespeare - despite the fact that all the individual books were available for free.

07-04-2011, 04:25 AM	#37
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Thanks, folks, for -- as always -- your invaluable input. We've studied it carefully and hope to please everyone. We will start bundling this month. Just to put folks minds at rest when they feel they must sample an entire book before going for a bundle, all titles will remain available individually and book descriptions and first chapters are freely available on all titles. We've decided on single-download omnibus editions for the simple reason that we can produce manageable files by cutting superfluous material (like opening pages on sequels to describe back story of earlier books in the actual collection and our policy with individual titles of series books of carrying the first chapter of the next title in line as a free taster. Because these ebook collections of individual titles are meant to be read in order, this material is unnecessary for continuity. Although page-count isn't a costing consideration in ebooks, as it is in print, this removal of superfluous material is intended entirely to keep the files relatively small for the convenience of the reader and for a more fluid reading flow. Extra editorial and technical work this end, but that's what we're here for. Thanks again, People. Once again, you've pointed the way. Now let's take the plunge and see how she blows. Very best wishes. Neil

07-04-2011, 04:32 AM	#38
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,338 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	I bought a bundle, and the fist thing i did was to grab sigil, and split the one ePub into 4.

07-04-2011, 04:38 AM	#39
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	This point's been raised a couple of times now Eowen. When my tech partner's clock catches up with mine, I'll ask about the possibility of offering a choice of how a bundle is downloaded; as individual title files or in a single collection file. We don't want to put folks to the trouble of splitting a file themselves to get the presentation form they prefer. We'll offer all bundles in PDF, ePub and Mobi, by the way. And, of course, DRM-free everywhere. Cheers. Neil

07-04-2011, 04:52 AM	#40
amward Wizard Posts: 1,299 Karma: 2081110 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SW Australia Device: Eco Eclipse, Sony PRS 350 (pink), Ipod Touch, Kindle Touch	For some reason I've only just noticed this thread. I'm not sure whether I'd buy them or not. I'd probably be more likely to buy a bundle of different authors than just one author if they were new to me. I'd buy a series of an author that I know and like. Also it depends on the cost to some extent.

07-04-2011, 06:36 AM	#42
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	I'm a few hours late to this thread, but I'll give my perspective anyway. Bundling is great and I like receiving the discount that comes with bundling, BUT a 40% bundle discount would not entice me IF I had never read the author's work before. IOW, bundling is great for books 2 to 5 of a series, but not 1 to 5. I need to have read book 1 and determined that the author is someone I want to invest money and time in. Consequently, I think it better to offer book 1 at a very large discount or a set price that is available all the time and then bundle the subsequent books. The way I approach ebooks, largely because the quality of writing and production is so varied, even when it comes from a well-established traditional publisher, is to refuse to pay more than a very nominal sum for the first book I read by an author. If I find I enjoy book 1 to the extent that I am looking for book 2, then I am willing to pay significantly more for books 2, 3, etc. The key is book 1. So, Neil, although I think bundling is a good idea, it would not entice me to purchase the bundle absent having read another book by the bundled author or the first book in the bundled series.

07-04-2011, 09:03 AM	#43
Pinecone Guru Posts: 902 Karma: 1660722 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-650, PRS-600, PRS-350	I like bundles and do buy them. But only if there is a discount over the individual books. And I prefer that the books be delivered as individual files, rather than a single file with multiple books.

07-04-2011, 11:59 AM	#45
Uluhara Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 874 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: sony prs-505	even though you made your decision ... here my 2 cent: I would buy a bundle - meaning separate files for separate books - I would not by an omnibus - meaning one file with all those books - just to much hassle to get them into a library .... I do not like omnibus editions in pbooks, I do not like them in ebooks ... and one question @ neilmarr: do you ever update your books - for example because of mistakes pointed out after the first release? because if you do, do not forget that now you have to update the omnibus, too ...