Guest: Robin Spano on eBooks

I am pleased to have Robin Spano as a guest blogger. Robin recently published Dead Politician Society, her first book in the Clare Vengel series. Book two will be in stores before you know it! Here's what Robin has to say about ebooks and pricing:


I love my publisher – a Canadian house called ECW Press. They're smart, supportive, and seriously cutting edge. We see eye-to-eye on most things.

But we've been having this little discussion lately:

ECW's List Price for the Dead Politician Society ebook: $10.99

Me: Hey, can we lower the price, to maybe $4.99?

ECW: No. People don't buy books because they're cheap – they buy them because they want that book.

Me: Sure, but you can buy the paperback from Amazon for $10.79. No one's going to say, Oh, I'll buy the ebook for 20 cents more. Are they?

ECW: We think they'll buy the format that works best for their lifestyle – as long as it's affordably priced, which it is in both cases. We worry that slashing the price devalues literature. If the ebook is under $5, it means the work of that writer is worth under $5.

Me: Really? So it's a moral argument?

ECW: Kind of. We love books, and we love writers. We don't want to devalue either. Until the market shows us what the accepted valuation of an ebook is, we'll keep them priced on a par with paperbacks.

Me: So you're interested in what the market says?

ECW: Of course. But what we've found so far is that if someone wants a book – if they think it looks cool or interesting – they're willing to pay $10 or more, just like they would for a movie or a couple of cocktails. If they don't want a book, they won't buy it for $1.99, or any price.

Me: But an ebook isn't a movie or a cocktail – those have exciting, fast payoffs, which people are happy to pay for. I think the price should be relative to a print book – its closest competition. Since ebooks can't be loaned or shared as easily as print books can, and they can't be autographed, I put their valuation at about half what a paperback is worth. And come on – ebooks are way cheaper to produce, right?

ECW: Okay, Hot Shot. We'll try this experiment: For one week – Tues. Dec. 7–Mon. Dec.13 – we'll make Dead Politician Society available from iBooks, Kindle, and Kobo for $1.99. We'll see if sales jump – but we're pretty sure they won't.

Me: I'm pretty sure they will. Hey, how about a challenge – if x number of ebooks sell that week – say 100 or more – you'll concede the point and lower the price permanently. To, say, $4.99.

ECW: Ha ha. We don't make our business plans based on online gambling games with writers. And there's still that moral dilemma – the valuation of the writer's work. But our minds are open. We'll talk when the experiment's done.

Me: Awesome – let's see what the book-buying community has to say.


What this week's results will tell us:

If Dead Politician Society sales jump dramatically: it will show that price does matter. It may or may not convince ECW to lower the e-book price permanently, but their minds are open – they're interested in what the public has to say.

If sales don't increase, I'll concede their point: Price is not a primary factor in e-book sales.


How to make your voice heard:

If you agree with ECW that price is not an issue, do nothing. (Or better yet - buy the book at full price when the promotion is over.)

If price is important – and you think ebooks should cost dramatically less than print books – there are 2 ways you can help get that message to my publisher (and ultimately the publishing industry):

1. Buy the Dead Politician Society ebook from Kobo, Kindle, or iBooks (or anywhere else that it's $1.99 this week)
2. Share a link to this challenge on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or anywhere you think mystery-lovers will see it.

I'll keep results updated at Facebook and Goodreads – come by and say hello!


About the Book

Dead Politician Society is lighthearted crime fiction - think Charlie's Angels meets Janet Evanovich. A young female cop poses as a university student to penetrate a secret student society that's been claiming credit for the deaths of local politicians. Most readers so far find this a good, fun read.


http://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/dead-politician-society/id396682991?mt=11

Self Pub?

Hey Everyone,

Just curious if any of you know of any authors who shifted from "traditional" publishing to self publishing?

It seems like there are several advantages to self publishing, yet, there is a bit of a stigma to it. As well, with self publishing, it can be difficult to have the book reviewed or carried in libraries.

However, if you self publish, you retain control.

Can you mention any authors who moved away from a publisher to go out on their own?

Cheers!

Christmas Mysteries and Gifts

Hey Folks,

With the holidays fast approaching, we're all busy shopping these days. What are your thoughts on mystery fiction as a gift? Are there some favourite authors that you regularly buy as gifts for people on your list?

I often give Inspector Morse novels to people that I know like to read, but aren't necessarily mystery fans. The writing is high quality and the plots are tightly woven together. I've turned on more than one person to Colin Dexter's writing... and they've gone back for more.

Another favourite to give - actually three favourite mystery fiction gift ideas - is Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown (Brown is my fave of the three). I love getting a kid turned onto reading!

Another can't miss gift is anything by Agatha Christie. I have a freind in Toronto who is originally from Chile. She is now fluent in English, but obviously SPanish is her native tongue. I found a Spanish bookstore and got her three Agatha Christie novels for Christmas on year. She was absolutley thrilled! Again, this person was not really a mystery reader, but she loved the stories, and I'll buy her a couple more this year.

Cheers!

E-Readers & Digital Books

The topic of Kindle and Kobo and all sorts of digital book platforms has been all over the news the last while. I understand that there is something of a revolution in the book world and that there are many fears (valid and reactionary and everything in between) about the future of the publishing industry.

What I am wondering about is adoption: How quickly are people picking up Kindle and other similar electronic book gadgets? Of all my friends, family and colleagues, I only know two people who have - and use - an electronic reader. As well, as I travel around the city, taking buses and subways, I often see people reading actual books (you know, the paper things). I am not yet seeing great usuage of e-readers.

I will probably get an e-reader myself, some day,, but for now, I like the look of books n a shelf and the feel of a newly released hardcover in my hands, and I suspect many other also feel that way.

$$$$$$ Budget & Self Publishing

So, if you were going to self publish, what is the maximum you would be willing to spend? Consider the fees with the printer plus promotional materials and events. How many books would you print for the first time around?

When you consider the costs involved is it worth it? I imagine may writers would say so, and I do see the beneifts of self publishing. I just wonder what the limit would be... Surly there must be a maximum or a break even point, or is self publishing a case of "in for a penny, in for a pound"?

Does the new world of digital books change the game for self publishing - in your opinion?

Conventions and Conferences

I would love to hear from mystery writers or fans who have attended conventions/conferences.

I have never been to a mystery convention, but have signed up to attend this year's "Bloody Words" event in Toronto (end of May). I am also thinking about maybe going to Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and Killer Nashville. I likely would not be able to afford to go to all three, but I intend to check out at least one or two others.

What are your thoughts on conventions? Have you made good industry connections? Have you had a chance to meet with fans? Were you able to sell (many) books?

I'm sure the events themselves are fun, and no doubt there is much to be learned about crime fiction. But what I'd like to know is from a businees (rather than social) point of view, do you feel they are worth the price of admission (and flight and hotel and...)

Please leave comments about your experiences - I'd love to hear from you!

Books to TV or Movies

A while ago, I came across an episode of a Nero Wolfe mystery on TV. It was good and I loved seeing the characters 'come to life'. Casting decisions were great - each character was as I had pictured them. The Inspector Morse series was a success. It had a loyal following in both books and in TV. Robert B. Parker's Spenser series had a good televised run with Robert Urich and Avery Brooks.

It doesn't always work this way, though (whether on TV in in movies). Some film or TV versions really disappoint readers, fail to win new fans, and flop miserably or are cancelled early on. "Burglar" (Whoopi Goldberg, based on the Bernie Rhodenbarr series by Lawrence Block) comes to mind, as does "VI Warshawski" (starring Kathleen Turner, based on the books by Sara Paretsky).

And of course, there are the mystery series we're dying to see on screen. The Janet Evanovich website has a readers' poll asking for casting choices of all the main characters. There is no word yet about production or a film release date.

As a reader, what did you think of screen versions of your favourite sleuths? In your opinion, what are the hits and what are the misses? Or what sleuth series would you love to see on TV or the silver screen? And who would you cast?