|
PJR
|
|
|
|
A request for comment. A number of contributors on the Forum recommend publishing thru Kindle. Now I want my ebook to be suitable for an e-reader, and it is. It's available as a PDF, a format that any e-reader ought to be able to cope with. So the question is about the advantages I might gain by going through the Kindle pub process. Here are what I see as the disads - and why I haven't done it. By publishing on Kindle (as opposed to make my work available for Kindle) I support Amazon; a commercial behemoth that is killing independent bookshops. I lose control of the price. I gain no specific marketing advantage that I can discern. I have to submit to a very restrictive royalties agreement. Their payment schedules are a bad joke. I seem to be expected to fill in lots of US tax forms. I am not a US citizen and see no reason why I should inform the US government of any of my financial details. Any comments?
This post was last edited by PJR, 22 Nov 2011, 12:41
Phil I read, write, bike, kayak, walk and drink Rioja - occasionally in that order. For more information go to my website
|
|
kazmojazz
|
|
|
|
Hi Phil. I'm miles away from thinking about publishing my own story - in any format - but I am interested to know the response to the points you've raised. Hopefully, some of the kindlers can help. Beth
This post was last edited by kazmojazz, 22 Nov 2011, 21:19
|
|
denna
|
|
|
|
I'm perfectly happy to pick up .mobi files at Smashwords for my kindle. It's just that I don't always think to go there first when I'm searching for a novel to read. I'd check with other writers who are only set up at Smashwords and see how it's been working out for them.
|
|
pam123writing
|
|
|
|
Quote: PJR, Tuesday, 22 Nov 2011 12:37A request for comment. A number of contributors on the Forum recommend publishing thru Kindle. Now I want my ebook to be suitable for an e-reader, and it is. It's available as a PDF, a format that any e-reader ought to be able to cope with. So the question is about the advantages I might gain by going through the Kindle pub process. Here are what I see as the disads - and why I haven't done it. By publishing on Kindle (as opposed to make my work available for Kindle) I support Amazon; a commercial behemoth that is killing independent bookshops. I lose control of the price. I gain no specific marketing advantage that I can discern. I have to submit to a very restrictive royalties agreement. Their payment schedules are a bad joke. I seem to be expected to fill in lots of US tax forms. I am not a US citizen and see no reason why I should inform the US government of any of my financial details. Any comments? Okay, Phil, I'll try and answer your questions if I can. My stuff is all on Kindle and selling well, so I guess I'm doing something right somewhere. First off, you can't publish A PDF file to Kindle or Smashwords. The system won't accept it. Fortunately I had word docs as well as the PDF's that were published to paperback. You need to convert your word docs to a specific format and I have an instruction doc I can send you if you'd like to email me. Address is on my page. Yes, you'll support Amazon, but seeing as they are the main publisher for Kindle books, there's not much choice. You have full control over pricing, but be aware that to price highly will gain you zilch in sales as there is a lot of competition from fellow authors, both Mainstream and Indie. Even some mainstream authors have to get off their arse and market. There is plenty of help out there to get your books to the readers if you're willing to put in a few hours a week. Mine have been advertised and promoted all over the place, most of the time without my knowledge. It's a nice surprise when someone tells you they saw your books on such and such a site! And there they are when you go and look. I've had no trouble with the UK royalties, they are fair, you can set how much you would like according to your pricing, and I get paid at the end of every single month without fail. And very nice it is too.  I really wouldn't worry too much about US taxes unless you are pretty confident that you are going to sell thousands of novels per month over there. They stop 30% tax which you can claim back once you start to pay it. I haven't been asked for any financial details from the US at all. I just ticked the box to say I agreed to the tax if I earned enough and I'll worry about it later. I have earned a few hundred dollars now and am due a check this month as my sales have been pretty good. Now all I need to to do is fill in the appropriate form and eventually I will claim back the stoppages. I hope that helps you a bit. Pam. 
Three Steps to Heaven 'Til I Kissed You Always On My Mind A rock'n'roll romance series by Pam Howes all available on Amazon in paperback and e-Books. Visit my website for details. Fast Movin' Train - A stand alone love story. Amazon links on: website"And, in the end, the love you take / Is equal to the love you make." Lennon and McCartney 1969
|
|
PJR
|
|
|
|
Thanks, Pam for your reply. Kindle does accept PDFs. I am selling my e-book as a PDF direct from my website and I know that it has been successfully downloaded to Kindle devices. And the FAQ on the Kindle self pub site says that Adobe PDF is one of the accepted formats. It does not work well for illustrated books, but for straight text it is fine. There is a choice. We do not have to support Amazon. It may be a tough choice, but the Amazon monopoly is causing irreparable damage to the book trade, and to independent bookshops in particular. We should all bear that in mind. Price is a real issue. It seems that to get the e-book 'sales' that allow some authors to claim 'best seller' status, it is necessary to price one's book as a giveaway, less than 50pence in many cases. This means that the writer will be publishing at a loss, even if their e-book sells thousands of copies. In my mind that is vanity publishing by another name. The seventy per cent royalties deal looks attractive, and I am glad that it works for you. But the contract behind it is a masterpiece of obfuscating legalese. Finally - US tax. I am a UK citizen, living in England. Please explain to me why I should pay US tax, or even why I should be forced to fill in US tax forms to reclaim my rightly earned money; money that in many cases will have originated from the UK? I do not dispute the reality of the Amazon hegemony, and maybe we do have to sup with the devil if we want to see our work sell. But we should be well aware of how one sided their deal is. And, in my view, we should do everything we can to break the Amazon monopoly; which is about making money, not about supporting authors or promoting books.
This post was last edited by PJR, 23 Nov 2011, 08:10
Phil I read, write, bike, kayak, walk and drink Rioja - occasionally in that order. For more information go to my website
|
|
PJR
|
|
|
|
People might be interested in reading this thread on the MobileRead site about US tax and publishing. It's about Smashwords, but the content also relates to Amazon.
Phil I read, write, bike, kayak, walk and drink Rioja - occasionally in that order. For more information go to my website
|
|
pam123writing
|
|
|
|
Phil, I can send a PDF file to my Kindle too, but believe me, the Kindle publishing process will NOT take a PDF file. It constantly rejects them when you click the publish button! Try it and see. I'm in touch daily with hundreds of writers who've witnessed this! Also, if by some small miracle yours was accepted by the "gubbins" that publishes Kindle you may find the formatting goes all to pot! You need to remove page numbers and follow a certain format. The instruction doc is there if you want it. And as I explained earlier you can claim back the US tax. But take it up with them if you want any further info in that department. You probably won't be the only one doing that. You've obviously got negative feelings about the whole Kindling process. All I can do is pass on my experience, take it or leave it. I'm happy enough with it and I try and help others who also want to go down that route. And by the way, you cannot price a book at 50 pence. Amazon will reduce the price to around that if they think fit. But you have to start at 99 cents or above when pricing. The UK edition is priced accordingly to 86 pence inc VAT.
This post was last edited by pam123writing, 23 Nov 2011, 08:59
Three Steps to Heaven 'Til I Kissed You Always On My Mind A rock'n'roll romance series by Pam Howes all available on Amazon in paperback and e-Books. Visit my website for details. Fast Movin' Train - A stand alone love story. Amazon links on: website"And, in the end, the love you take / Is equal to the love you make." Lennon and McCartney 1969
|
|
taggie01
|
|
|
|
Here, here, Pam, I agree with every single thing you say. My book A Thousand Glass Flowers, has been in the top 100 of its category on Kindle on and off since it went to e-book. My other titles are also available through Kindle and Smashwords. I love the e-book system, I find the marketing intensive but fascinating. Every title I have read on my own Kindle this year has been a seriously good read... titles that were wrongly by-passed by the so-called gatekeepers in mainstream publishing. It seems that you have a beef against Kindle/e-book publishing so why ask for information? If you are unsure or unhappy about it, its simple... don't do it. By the way, whilst my books are e-books they're also print titles available via bricks and mortar stores, as well as the major online sellers who YWO.com and Feedaread support. The latest, the one mentioned above goes to print this week, so I support both sides.
http://www.pruebatten.com/
|
|
Destinyschild
|
|
|
|
PJR, I read solely on Kindle these days and buy all my ebooks through Amazon. I do not feel I am ‘supping with the devil’. Amazon delivers choice and value. The review system allows me to weigh up whether a book will suit me and I can download a free sample before buying. Amazon’s business model is giving publishers a serious kick up the arse. I work for publishers and believe me they need it! Independent book-sellers are having a hard time not just because of Amazon, and other on-line retailers. Some are failing to meet the challenge of a changing world. Staff are often unable to talk with much knowledge of the books they stock. Publishers do not treat them well. Supermarkets are biting into their market share. Charity shops who pay almost no business rates for premises in prime locations are squeezing them too. Authors who Kindle their books don't have to do so at very low prices, it's up to them. I think many do it to tempt people and build up a reader base for further books. Like Pam I wonder why, given you are so set against Amazon, you've asked this question. It looks rather like simply taking an opportunity to air your opinion, which of course you are entitle to hold, of Amazon. DC
This post was last edited by Destinyschild, 23 Nov 2011, 11:05
|
|
bunnykin
|
|
|
|
Just wanted to add something about royalties. I've had 6 non-fiction books published by mainstream publishers, one of which sold just under 40,000 copies, but not even that one elicited any royalties.
I'm afraid we authors suffer 'The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'.
|
To Kindle or not to Kindle
22 Nov 2011, 12:37
