tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post1268929206070549030..comments2024-03-29T10:59:34.918-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Kindle Press’s (Presumed) Long TailJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-89563231547545505932015-06-21T17:29:28.577-04:002015-06-21T17:29:28.577-04:00Paula, At least in the case of Kindle Press, their...Paula, At least in the case of Kindle Press, their decision is not made solely on the number of nominations a book receives while in the Kindle Scout 30-day window. We know that because some books that have been "hot and trending" for almost their entire 30 days were not selected. Other books that were "hot and trending" less than half the time have been selected.<br /><br />Clearly there is some editorial gatekeeper involved along with the public nomination process.<br /><br />Professional viewers provided visibility (as do traditional best seller lists). These still have a place, but my sense is that user reviews are gaining in value relative to professional ones.<br /><br />As they say at the commercial break, stay tuned... :)<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-83022513397593217652015-06-21T17:19:45.909-04:002015-06-21T17:19:45.909-04:00Jim, I really appreciate hearing how the Kindle Pr...Jim, I really appreciate hearing how the Kindle Press process works. I remember once having a discussion with an established author about who will be the new "gatekeepers" in a world of electronic publishing. Do you think reader opinion will take over where professional reviewers once controlled?Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-11054051107674850122015-06-21T11:42:12.232-04:002015-06-21T11:42:12.232-04:00KM -- part of the book pricing problem can be laid...KM -- part of the book pricing problem can be laid at the doorstep of Amazon, which makes money based more on transactions than on pricing, and therefore wants low prices with many transactions.<br /><br />However, even without Amazon, the ability of writers to inexpensively self-publish has changed the supply/demand curve for books heavily in favor of readers and away from authors.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-37698204714804463062015-06-21T11:37:19.794-04:002015-06-21T11:37:19.794-04:00Grace -- I'm so glad you enjoyed the online pa...Grace -- I'm so glad you enjoyed the online party.<br /><br />You are correct that Ant Farm is available in paperback as well. Unlike the electronic version that can only be purchased on Amazon, the print version can be purchased from any independent bookseller and many online retailers.<br /><br />Kindle Unlimited (and its competitors such as Scribd and Oyster & Apple I think has one as well) operate on the same principal as fitness centers. They rely on people signing up, but not taking full economic advantage for their unlimited free (after the monthly fee) offerings. It is yet unclear whether any of the subscription services are making money. For Amazon (and Apple), it is one more way to lock consumers into their buying sphere and can be used as loss-leaders.<br /><br />Authors are compensated (whether fairly or not is for another blog) by subscription services. Payments differ depending on both the service and the deal they have with the publisher (or self-published individual for those who use Amazon's KDP program).<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-89150485652444856832015-06-21T11:36:56.769-04:002015-06-21T11:36:56.769-04:00Thank you for keeping us up to date on your journe...Thank you for keeping us up to date on your journey with Ant Farm.<br /><br />I'm afraid that we are grooming readers to expect to pay very little for books. Publishing is following in the footsteps of music, where these days only a few elite manage to make a decent living from their original works.<br /><br />FYI, I haven't been to a movie since the last Harry Potter. While I could afford it, I don't see it as getting value for my money. I remember when the first movies were released for home use. They were priced well over $50, and very few copies were sold.<br /><br />I look forward to your continuing commentary on how your series is progressing, both your writing and your business transactions.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-78342884899512846162015-06-21T11:07:51.064-04:002015-06-21T11:07:51.064-04:00Congratulations, Jim, on the publication of "...Congratulations, Jim, on the publication of "Ant Farm." And thank you for a fun online launch party. A good time was had by all. I'm still recovering from the limoncello.<br /><br />Your blog about the Kindle program was very interesting and informative. Unlike E.B. Davis and her conversion to Kindle, I am still living in the dark ages reading paper. When I followed your purchase link, I was surprised to discover that "Ant Farm" is also available in paperback. Many of your followers may not be aware of that. I also saw that it is available for free to members of KindleUnlimited. How can writers make a profit when members can "Enjoy the freedom to explore over 800,000 titles and thousands of audiobooks on any device for just $9.99 a month." I'm beginning to wonder if printed book readers are going to keep publishing afloat.Grace Toppinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10291304815273486038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-70719455084459674162015-06-21T06:10:54.811-04:002015-06-21T06:10:54.811-04:00EB -- I have heard your comment before from reader...EB -- I have heard your comment before from readers who prefer a series to have at least three books, sometimes as many as five, already published before they will try it out. I'm such a slow writer that it will be another two years (at least) before there are five in the series.<br /><br />Amazon has trained you well with their "suggestions." I do wonder at the devaluation of the written word. We willingly pay $7, $8, $10 bucks for a 90-minute movie, (not to mention what we pay for the popcorn and soda) but refuse to pay more than $2.99 for the reading pleasure a novel can provide for five, six, ten hours?<br /><br />Given that I blog here on alternate Sundays, it is quite likely this is not the last of my Kindle Press blogs!<br /><br />As for blabbing to the IRS -- I keep meticulous records and welcome an audit (other from the time it would take). If anything, I probably should be a bit more aggressive on the deductions I take. :)<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-48922605093385869292015-06-21T05:07:24.751-04:002015-06-21T05:07:24.751-04:00You've worked out the numbers, Jim, and since ...You've worked out the numbers, Jim, and since you have three books in the series, I'd say you'll do well. As a reader, I'm more inclined to buy a book with several books in the series. If I like the first one (and I like the price to be painlessly low) I will buy the other books in the series even if at a higher price. These days, I'd rather not buy paper. If I can get books on Kindle, that's my first preference. I can't believe what a convert I am. As a book-reading addict, the higher prices of traditional press books released on Kindle turns me off (and I know the authors can't control pricing). <br /><br />When I hit in an author's name in Kindle Store search, I often hit on Amazon's suggested other books. I've found several series, some by tradition press, but many from published as Kindle books that I love. Ant Farm is a crafty book, having an interesting premise and main character. I think readers like me will read them like potato chips, more like crunch, crunch, crunch than drip, drip, drip! Good luck, and please report back how you are doing. We won't tell the IRS.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.com