Feeling Sorry for Authors
@just4him (317249)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
January 7, 2017 6:59pm CST
I just read a comment about how easy it is to get books on Kindle and then be able to listen to them for a small fee for the audible app. It all makes me feel sorry for every author who hopes for a nice royalty for the books they write. Yes, I'm one of those authors.
Every time I hear about how a person was able to get their eBook either free or for a very small price, I cringe. Authors go through a lot of work to write the words you read. It takes a lot of research to make certain all the facts are right, even for fiction, the facts need to be correct. Then there is the time it took to write the book, edit it, revise it, and then publish it, whether with a traditional publisher or self publish. Only to have their precious work bought for pennies so it can be read on Kindle or Nuk or other eReader device.
Royalties on eBooks is a pittance compared to a standard paper and ink book you hold in your hands. Anyone who thinks authors make a lot of money on the books they write, are sadly mistaken. My royalties for the books I've written is still in double digits for the combined four years since my first book came out. I know most of my royalties was in eBooks.
Sometimes I wonder why I write when I know my royalties are going to be next to nothing if I do get a royalty for them. It's been a couple months since I saw a royalty check and before that a couple years.
I won't tell you to buy a paper and ink book, but have some consideration for all the work authors put in for the books you are reading on your Kindle.
Thanks for reading. Not meant to be a rant, just something to think about.
14 people like this
12 responses
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jan 17
Unfortunately there is nothing an author can do about it.
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
8 Jan 17
I would have to sign with a good publisher then that pays well upfront I think.
2 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jan 17
If I could find a publisher that would sign me that would be great. I just kept hearing the same thing. They are looking for authors with a following. In other words authors need to self publish first to get noticed. I know there are many authors who have signed book deals, but those numbers are dwindling, especially among new authors.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168126)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jan 17
@just4him ......Sounds sad. I remember when televisions producers excepted manuscripts for their shows on a episode basis. Sure don't anymore.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jan 17
@celticeagle It's a long hard process to get noticed today.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
8 Jan 17
I think the change of technology and the concept of "content creation and publication should be easy and free" for everyone, unfortunately really ruined it for authors. My best friend is a professional author and journalist with 3 books under her belt still feels it's extremely difficult to make a decent living out of writing and publishing books.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
10 Jan 17
@just4him indeed, I guess the only way is to still find a publisher that will pay big checks
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 Jan 17
@Drosophila It's hard to find those.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jan 17
Aren't there any you would like to hold on to and read again?
@Brittnyrose (1444)
• Aberdeen, North Carolina
8 Jan 17
Your right about this, I also have been doing some research bout the royalties of books. I write myself, so I know it takes alot of time and research.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
8 Jan 17
So sad to hear the plight of authors. They deserve better treatment and pay.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
8 Jan 17
i really understand. at least you have some fame and know people are enjoying your thoughts and efforts. that is what i would be very happy about.
1 person likes this
@Wordly1 (470)
• Kingston, New Hampshire
8 Jan 17
The problem with selling books is that 'everybody and his brother' is selling a book. Readers are a minority in this 'smart phone' infested world. So,serious writers who want to sell have to come up with 'rich content' worth the read, but, they also need a title that invites curiosity and that's the hardest part. I think that it's best to not underprice your work; it will either sell or it won't.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jan 17
When the first edition came out the price was so high not many people bought it. I started selling my copies at half what they sold for online. Now with the second edition it is more in line with what other books are selling for, for that size book and I'm happy with the price.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
8 Jan 17
yeah, I wondered about that. Not fair that your share isnt the same either way
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
10 Jan 17
@just4him I just assumed the author got the same amount, like a flat rate, with the difference in publishing costs.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 Jan 17
@Jessicalynnt No. The rates are much different between the eBook version and the paper and ink.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
8 Jan 17
I think, from the authors that I know, they often offer their books on Kindle for free or very cheap in order to hope to get some positive feedback for their books. If they get enough, the popularity COULD catapult their books into the mainstream. And wouldn't that be great? It could possibly work in their favor. I know they work a LOT to get those books written and published, but making it available could help them. { I have yet to write that book that i hope to someday! }
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
9 Jan 17
I used to feel the same way about people who self publish. I know anyone can self publish and many of those aren't very good writers. I self publish and I've gotten some very good reviews. Even the people who bought from me personally instead of going online, love my books, so that's a boost for me.
1 person likes this
