What can you get for six bucks? (Or: Boots and Books)

I did a lot of research when deciding on the price point for my novel. Like anything on the internet, you are going to find a wide variance of opinions. As an unknown author (and that is surely what I am), some have suggested to go low, and go for volume – kind of a Walmart approach. Incidentally, I don't shop at Walmart. The place bugs the hell out of me, both for its business practices and the low level crap it sells. Tangentially, one of the ways of choosing to live simply is to buy something of high quality that will last for years, as opposed to a bargain priced item that will most likely fall apart in a few months. Here I am thinking about items like quality shoes or boots (love my Blundstones to death, and yeah they were expensive. But they have lasted for years).

I digress. As usual.

I am not comparing my novel to good quality boots. For one thing, a book won't fall apart on you (though, I could mention some that have - metaphorically, or, um, literally). And for sure an e-book, well those things are pretty much bulletproof – though, I caution taking your Kindle into a gun fight, or even the bathtub.

So here is the thing. I worked very very damn hard on this book - for years actually. This is not something I whipped together to jump on the ebook revolution. This novel had an agent, and was shopped around New York to the big six (and others). It gathered a lot of very postive feedback, some amazing and complimentary things were said (from Mulholland Books for example). But the problem was, as explained by my wonderful agent, it is a great book, but a hard one to place. Is it a literary book? Yes. Is it a mystery/thriller? Yep. And does it have supernatural or slipstream elements? That would also be a yes.

So where the hell do you put the thing?

That is what I imagined editors saying out loud. And I do understand this. I don't write books that fall easily into a slot – and the truth is, publishing is a business. I know very well from my years as an illustrator, that you need to create a product that is both of a high quality and consistent in that style. Art Directors commissioned jobs from me knowing that they would get artwork that looked like my previous work. And even though my style evolved over the years, they still knew what they were going to get.

So I hold absolutely no bitterness toward the editors who didn't want to take a chance on an unknown writer, whose work was not easily categorized. I decided to release an e-book as a bit of an experiment (I continue to query my other novel), and to dip my toe into the waters of self-publishing.

That is where I come back to pricing.

I have always told my illlustration and design students, "Do not undervalue your work." It is bad for the business of illustration, and it is bad for you. There will always be those who will bid lower than you - but you have to ask yourself, what do you really think the work is worth?

I carry this into my publishing venture. I know it will make it a tougher climb - I mean, what, you want me to pay 6 bucks? (5.99, actually) There are a ton of books I can get for .99.

Yes, you can. But not mine... or not this one anyway.

I understand the reason books are released at this price point, and I have other projects that I will release for .99 (and even some for free - like Bent Highway). But I believe Correction Line is worth a bit more - at least half a movie, anyway. Or a package of hot dogs – the good ones, with a bit of actual meat in them.

Finally, I love what a buyer told me when he first picked up Correction Line. He said that he wouldn't spend 10 or 12 bucks on an unknown author - but he was also leery of spending only .99 – I mean, why so cheap? It made him suspicious. And he said, "I've spent 6 bucks on a lot worse things."

Which for me, deserves to be a blurb on the back of the book. So yeah, you could spend 6 bucks on a lot worse things. Several copies of the National Enquirer, two packs of the cheap hot dogs, or about 5 minutes (or less) at a VLT.

So there you go.

Oh, and go buy some Blundstones. You will thank me.

Comments

[Phil]

Like this post Craig. You know when you pay 99 cents for a box of strawberries that WAS $5.99 you're in for a mostly rotten bunch. Give me the $5.99 ones that I can savour any day - just like the copy of Correction Line that I'm lovin' a lot at this very moment! (really, truly).

Phil

[stephen]

It's worth 5.99 to me - so are your boots, if they fit me.