Over to you Patsy...
Thanks for inviting me onto your blog, Carol! It means I can mention that I've self published a kindle version of my new short story collection, Through The Garden Gate. It's available at the special price of 99p until19th April.
Oh ... that's not why you invited me? That's right, I remember now.
Carol, being an observant writerly type, noticed that whilst self publishing ebooks is fairly common, far fewer writers also produce paperback copies. She asked me to explain why, and how, I'd done this for Through The Garden Gate. Which is available now for £6.60 (hee hee, got away with that one!)
The Advantages
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| Patsy and her latest collection |
The Advantages
1. It's nice to be able to hold your own book in your hands. Trust me, you'll feel a lot more like a proper writer when you do.
2. There are lots of people who don't use a Kindle and some of these might want to read your book.
3. Paper copies can be sold to libraries and they qualify for PLR and ALCS payments.
4. It's good to have physical copies if you give talks, both to show people and to sell.
5. Physical copies can get passed around. That doesn't help your sales, but might bring more readers (who might buy other books you've written). You never know who'll end up seeing a copy and becoming a fan.
6. Books make nice gifts or competition prizes.
7. You'll have done (or outsourced) all the hard work of writing, editing, formatting, proofreading, selecting a cover image and promoting for the e version, so there will be very little extra work involved.
Disadvantages
1. It will take up a small additional amount of time. That time would probably have been used being annoyed by grammatically incorrect memes on Facebook, watching insurance adverts on TV, or something else equally worthwhile.
Have I talked you into giving it a go?
Hope so as I'll be back Thursday to explain how I created the paperback version of my latest collection.
(Carol here again.)
If you've got any comments on today's post do please use the comments link below, and Patsy will be checking in from her travels...
(Carol here again.)
If you've got any comments on today's post do please use the comments link below, and Patsy will be checking in from her travels...
Great post. Thank you Carol and Patsy. I'm venturing into the self-publishing world later this year and I've been mulling over the print copy option. Still mulling but take on board your useful pros and cons (even though the cons aren't harsh at all). Thank you both.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably guessed I think it's worth it, Nicola.
DeleteThanks for commenting, Nicola. :-)
DeleteHope you'll read this Thursday's part 2 post for useful information and tips on the 'how' stage.
Loved this, Patsy, thank you. I've never gone into publishing print copies - I think it's too much like hard work, but perhaps you'll change my mind. Very pleased to see you have a new book out :-) xx
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Teresa - if it was really hard work, I'd only have the ebook versions.
DeleteHope part 2 tomorrow will help you decide, Teresa.
DeleteLooking forward to reading your next post, Patsy. I used FeedARead to publish my two collections and two tween books (when I got the rights back) so I'm interested in how you did it!
ReplyDeleteI did look at FeedA Read at one time, Rosemary. I can't remember why I decided not to use them - it was quite a while ago.
DeleteI agree so much with your advantage number 1, Patsy. Holding a paperback and showing it off makes you feel like a 'proper' writer and I found that other people took me more seriously too once I had a physical product.
ReplyDeleteIt is harder for people to be dismissive when you can whack them with your book, Sally.
DeleteNot that you would and I only do it when provoked.
Sadly there are people who still feel this way, Sally.
DeleteAnd of course there are those who will only read a hardback or paperback book, so it's a way of reaching them too. :-)
I published both my short story collections in print and am very glad I did. It was bought by many people locally (including members of my choir) and the local book shop stocked a few as well. I'd definitely recommend it.
ReplyDeleteAnother point, Wendy. There's the chance of sales to people who wouldn't usually buy books, but do because they know the author or feel a connection with them.
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