Writing and Sales

[jeriendhal]

To Do:

Need to get back to work on The Summer Intern.

Revise Prisoners of War to remove Terinu references (mostly name changes and removing refs to the Holy Den Mother) for publication on Smashwords.

Commission cover art for same.

Start to revise Triumvirate before throwing it to the wolves Germans for beta.

Commission cover art for same before posting to Smashwords.

Distant Future: Poke at The Ship and Assassinating the Dead and see if there's life.


Sales Report:

Got a couple of sales on Captive of the Red Vixen but it's not doing as well TDC or UD. I'm guessing it's because the narrow appeal of a furry based story. I'm also becoming convinced that Smashwords makes most of its profits selling ISBN numbers. Of the $40 or so I'm made on this venture so far, $30 has gone to buying ISBN's for The Dragon's Companion, Unexpected Diversions, and Captive. Also, I'm debating whether to put up a lot of individual short stories at cheaper prices or aim more towards long form tales at higher prices. More profit is to be had from the latter, but a variety in former might mean more overall sales as customers have a variety to pick through. Have to think on that.

Comments

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

Captive of the Red Vixen also has the least professional looking cover.

What benefit do you get from getting your own ISBNs/What drawbacks does having Smashwords as your publisher have?

Thoughts on the "many short works or fewer long ones":

• Many short works means your works'll show up more frequently on the latest additions page/at the top of results of relevant searches. Plus, assuming you'd end up with a wider variety of tags, your work would show up in more searches. Both should theoretically help your visibility in the "more people see your stuff" sense.
• Pro longer works: I do prefer enough story to get my teeth into when I pay for it... There are lots of short stories available for free to read online, including in vetted and edited magazines, which short stories for sale have to compete with.

If I could write both kinds of stories on command, I'd probably try for a mix, hoping shorter works would draw in more people, some of which might go on to buy longer works.

Um... Regarding the stuff you already have published, I'd recommend you amend some descriptions, so people who find your Smashwords site through their search don't have to rely on guesswork based on upload dates to figure out the order of installments of "Teal's [whatever]", and the fact that all three are collected in The Dragon's Companion.

Also, I don't think I mentioned so far, I'm tickled pink about your choice of user picture over there. You could have said something. XD

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the cover is crap. I put it together using the original Her New Cabin Boy pic that Cheeko did using MIcrosoft Paint, just because I needed something up there that was reasonably cheap.

Re: ISBNs. Primarily it's an ego thing. When/if someone makes a search through publishing databases, they'll see the works as mine rather than affiliated with Smashwords. Other than that, any ISBN is necessary for my work being distributed through sites like Amazon or Apple

Good suggestion on the Teal stories. I'll correct the descriptions ASAP. As for your picture of Tez, I was more afraid you'd be irritated that I used it without asking permission first.

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

Well, I generally prefer being asked first, but, eh. I'd have said "yes" and be flattered, anyway, so there.

[mbernardi]

On the pricing front, the number one kindle book sells for 99c (+VAT in EU) Saving Rachel by John Locke. Published by Smashwords (don't charge VAT). Which would you rather one book sold at $5.99 or ten at 99c. Since there is no physical book the cost to you in both cases is the same.