Ever E-booked a single story?

Discussion in 'Electronic Publishing' started by Chad Lutzke, Aug 7, 2014.

  1. cynthia_1968

    cynthia_1968 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2014
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    46
    Location:
    Amsterdam, the Netherlands
    Hi Chad, love the trailer! Catchy
     
  2. Chad Lutzke

    Chad Lutzke Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2014
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Battle Creek, MI.
    Thank you, @cynthia_1968 . I appreciate it!
     
  3. Devlin Blake

    Devlin Blake New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2014
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    29
    I've done what you're suggesting. It's a decent start for a marketing strategy, but as far as doing it just to make money, it doesn't work. Here's why.

    If your story is under 10,000 words people will feel ripped off at anything higher than .99 cents. Of that you keep around .30 or .35 cents. (It's been awhile since I've done it that way.) So, you need to sell 3 'books' to make $1. That's 60 books a month to make less than $20. I fell when I sell 60 books, I should get close to $60. (at least.) That's not going to happen with a single short story.

    However Novellas, (30,000-50,000 words) are making comeback. (They usually start at around $2.99, and up to 70% of that can be yours through KDP)

    I did want to mention that I have some friends that do the .99 cent short story thing as part of a marketing strategy and they do with very well with it. But they understand these types of books are a 'loss leader'.
     
    Chad Lutzke likes this.
  4. Edward M. Grant

    Edward M. Grant Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2012
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    348
    Location:
    Canada
    Depends on the genre. Erotica, for example, seems OK with short stories at $2.99.

    Also, if you're willing to be Amazon-exclusive, they currently pay about $2 every time someone borrows a short story and reads 10% of it. But that can't last as I can't see it makes any financial sense for them.
     
    Chad Lutzke likes this.
  5. Chad Lutzke

    Chad Lutzke Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2014
    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Battle Creek, MI.
    Thank you very much @Devlin Blake
     
  6. CraniumInsanium

    CraniumInsanium Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2013
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    6
    Hmm...I've been considering a short story collection for some time myself. The only thing about mine is it would be mixing 3 genres. Sci-fi, horror, and sword and sorcery/fantasy. Just to give readers a wide spectrum to sample from what I can write. Not sure if mixing genres would be wise or not. Still gotta get the stories finished first haha :p
     
    Chad Lutzke likes this.
  7. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    2,818
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    A place with no future
    I have, through an e-book publisher. It's sold for 3,96, which sounds like a lot but it seems to have sold a few copies. I'm currently waiting to hear exactly how many in the next week or so. It's 14 pages. Here they call it an "e-single", somewhat like the kindle version, and where I live you can also read these at the "e-library" for free (but every download pays the author a smaller amount too). I think it's something I could consider doing again.
     
    Chad Lutzke likes this.
  8. Selbbin

    Selbbin The Moderating Cat Staff Contributor Contest Winner 2023

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2012
    Messages:
    5,160
    Likes Received:
    4,243
    Location:
    Australia
    I think single stories are a better way to sell than anthologies using ebooks. I've bought a fair few short works, all single stories, mostly travelogues and adventure tales. I think it's great.
     
    Chad Lutzke likes this.
  9. jonahmann

    jonahmann Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2014
    Messages:
    119
    Likes Received:
    44
    Location:
    Australia
    What do you guys think of selling single flash fiction stories for dirt cheap, like 10c?
     
  10. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    2,818
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    A place with no future
    Flash fiction? Personally I don't think anyone would pay for that. I know I wouldn't. You'd do better posting them on your blog or something as a way of raising interest for your longer stories.
     
  11. Selbbin

    Selbbin The Moderating Cat Staff Contributor Contest Winner 2023

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2012
    Messages:
    5,160
    Likes Received:
    4,243
    Location:
    Australia
    No, that's pushing it a bit far. The process of buying it wouldn't be worth it. I mean, you could fit the whole story in the review!
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice