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How much money can be made from publishing?
How much can be earned from my novel?
Watch this space for a day by day financial update!
This is the link to Due Diligence on Amazon.
Wait! Hold on there! Stop that, come back and read a bit more. OK if I'm too late to stop you buying it, never mind. That's OK, but not what I had in mind just yet.
It's been uploaded in order that we can all share in the experience of publishing. This is the first step, but only the first step.
Let's take it slowly, not get too excited and take one thing at a time.
Uploading to Amazon is fairly easy but it's essential to have all the information they require to hand before you try. Otherwise, like me, you'll make a series of false starts. Or, worse, be tempted to chuck it up there and hope for the best, again as I was.
Having a beautifully polished shiny sparkling script is a good beginning. Then a good cover is essential. If you recall, last time I showed you an earlier version of the Due Diligence cover and mentioned that we decided it needed a human figure against the urban background. Emma has done a brilliant job and I'm very happy with the result. Now that we can see it on Amazon there are bound to be some changes she wishes to make. So this cover won't be the final version.
The next thing needed is a good 'Product Description.' Amazon ask you for this, it's what people who look at the book will read before they decide whether or not to buy it. This needs careful thought. The blurb (to use the technical term) for Due Diligence was drafted by Dea, our editor, and then subjected to a lot of discussion and suggestions before the final version was decided. It's short, describes the essential elements of the novel and doesn't give too much of the plot away. That's my influence, I hate it when I'm told too much in advance. Film trailers are the worst, the best films I've seen are the ones I've not had spoiled by the trailer.
Anyway, I reckon that browsers aren't going to take the time to read lots of information. Have a look, let me know what you think. DD Blurb
Once the book and cover have been uploaded, the commercial bit starts. You have to decide how much to charge for the book. This is the interesting bit and one that needs a lot of thought. There are two levels of royalty to choose from. If you set the price at $2.99 or above, you get 70%, below $2.99 you only get 35% but can charge the minimum price of $0.99.
It might seem obvious to go for the higher royalty but, if you are a new author looking to maximise your readership the lowest price may well be the best option. Fear not, though. The price can be changed at any time, so all is not lost if the price you set doesn't seem to be pulling in the crowds.
As you will see, I've set the price for Due Diligence at $2.99 and its equivalent in all territories to begin with. It won't stay at this initial price, though. This will be changed as required by marketing and promotion.
The point I want to make today is that uploading a book to Amazon is only the start. The real work begins now. Having Due Diligence available isn't enough, people have to be told about it.
That's where you all can join in. Come on, it's going to be fun!
Next time I'll tell you how we'll be promoting Due Diligence and how you can help.
I'll also be explaining why one book isn't enough.
It's been uploaded in order that we can all share in the experience of publishing. This is the first step, but only the first step.
Let's take it slowly, not get too excited and take one thing at a time.
Uploading to Amazon is fairly easy but it's essential to have all the information they require to hand before you try. Otherwise, like me, you'll make a series of false starts. Or, worse, be tempted to chuck it up there and hope for the best, again as I was.
Having a beautifully polished shiny sparkling script is a good beginning. Then a good cover is essential. If you recall, last time I showed you an earlier version of the Due Diligence cover and mentioned that we decided it needed a human figure against the urban background. Emma has done a brilliant job and I'm very happy with the result. Now that we can see it on Amazon there are bound to be some changes she wishes to make. So this cover won't be the final version.
The next thing needed is a good 'Product Description.' Amazon ask you for this, it's what people who look at the book will read before they decide whether or not to buy it. This needs careful thought. The blurb (to use the technical term) for Due Diligence was drafted by Dea, our editor, and then subjected to a lot of discussion and suggestions before the final version was decided. It's short, describes the essential elements of the novel and doesn't give too much of the plot away. That's my influence, I hate it when I'm told too much in advance. Film trailers are the worst, the best films I've seen are the ones I've not had spoiled by the trailer.
Anyway, I reckon that browsers aren't going to take the time to read lots of information. Have a look, let me know what you think. DD Blurb
Once the book and cover have been uploaded, the commercial bit starts. You have to decide how much to charge for the book. This is the interesting bit and one that needs a lot of thought. There are two levels of royalty to choose from. If you set the price at $2.99 or above, you get 70%, below $2.99 you only get 35% but can charge the minimum price of $0.99.
It might seem obvious to go for the higher royalty but, if you are a new author looking to maximise your readership the lowest price may well be the best option. Fear not, though. The price can be changed at any time, so all is not lost if the price you set doesn't seem to be pulling in the crowds.
As you will see, I've set the price for Due Diligence at $2.99 and its equivalent in all territories to begin with. It won't stay at this initial price, though. This will be changed as required by marketing and promotion.
The point I want to make today is that uploading a book to Amazon is only the start. The real work begins now. Having Due Diligence available isn't enough, people have to be told about it.
That's where you all can join in. Come on, it's going to be fun!
Next time I'll tell you how we'll be promoting Due Diligence and how you can help.
I'll also be explaining why one book isn't enough.
