Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 15:04:15 GMT

Current Revision posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 6/10/2019 3:04:15 PM

As an author, you want to make an informed decision when deciding how to publish your work. Traditional, independent, do-it-yourself, and supported self-publishing are all viable publishing models, but what is the best choice for you? A basic understanding of the costs of producing a book will help you decide. BookFinder.com reports the basic costs of a hardcover book as follows:

- 12% book cover design and editing

- 10% printing

- 7% marketing

- 10% wholesaler (distribution)

- 10% -15% royalties for the author

This breakdown applies to a hardcover adult fiction book with a 6” x 9” trim size, selling for $15.99. After totaling up these costs, the publisher is left with about $8 in his pocket. The percentage for author royalties goes down for paperback books to a range from 1% to 9%.

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for a lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

The trim size of the book matters when estimating cost and various genres have standard trim sizes. Here are a few examples:

- Mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″

- Trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range

- Novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″

- Nonfiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more. Look at books comparable in size, format, and subject matter to yours to gauge how to price your book.

The next step to make an informed publishing decision is to understand how books are distributed. Major publishers do not generally distribute their own books, but instead work with a book distributor such as Ingram Content Group and Baker & Taylor. These companies have partnered with major publishing companies to distribute their books to libraries and retailers. Many retailers will not carry books if the retailer can’t get them through these distribution companies. The largest online book distributor is Amazon and anyone can distribute books through Amazon when set up as a vendor or when publishing through Kindle Direct Publishing.

Each retailer has its own process for deciding whether to carry self-published books. For example, Barnes and Noble offers a FAQ page for interested self-published authors. Some authors use supported self-publishing or online do-it-yourself service providers to connect their books with markets. It's important to note that pricing and cost structures will vary by service provider, so do your research and ask questions. Self-published authors can also sell print on demand (POD) books from their websites or in local stores for commission fees. Others find success with book fairs and conferences, where they typically sell their books from vendor tables.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 20:19:05 GMT

Revision 8 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 7/10/2018 8:19:05 PM

- 12% book cover design and editing

- 10% printing

- 7% marketing

- 10% wholesaler (distribution)

- 10% -15% royalties for the author

The trim size of the book matters when estimating cost and various genres have standard trim sizes. Here are a few examples:

- Mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″

- Trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range

- Novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″

- Nonfiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more. Look at books comparable in size, format, and subject matter to yours to gauge how to price your book.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 17:50:35 GMT

Revision 7 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 7/10/2018 5:50:35 PM

As an author you want to make an informed decision when deciding how to publish your work. Traditional, independent, do-it-yourself, and supported self-publishing are all viable publishing models, but what is the best choice for you? A basic understanding of the costs of producing a book will help you decide. BookFinder.com reports the basic costs of a hardcover book as follows:

- 12% book cover design and editing

- 10% printing

- 7% marketing

- 10% wholesaler (distribution)

- 10% -15% royalties for the author

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

The trim size of the book matters when estimating cost and various genres have standard trim sizes. Here are a few examples:

- Mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″

- Trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range

- Novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″

- Non-fiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more. Look at books comparable in size, format, and subject matter to yours to gauge how to price your book.

The next step to make an informed publishing decision is to understand how books are distributed. Major publishers do not generally distribute their own books. Two major distributors of books are Ingram Content Group and Baker & Taylor. These companies have partnered with major publishing companies to distribute their books to libraries and retailers. Many retailers will not carry books if the retailer can’t get them through these distribution companies. The largest online book distributor is Amazon and anyone can distribute books through Amazon.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 15:39:56 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 7/10/2018 3:39:56 PM

As an author you want to make an informed decision when deciding how to publish your work. Traditional, independent or DIY, and supported self-publishing are all viable publishing models, but what is the best choice for you? A basic understanding of the costs of producing a book will help you decide. Bookfinder reports the basic costs of a hard cover book as follows:

- 12% book cover design and editing

- 10% printing

- 7% marketing

- 10% wholesaler (distribution)

- 10% -15% royalties for the author

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

The trim size of the book matters when estimating cost and various genres have standard trim sizes. Here are a few examples:

- Mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″

- Trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range

- Novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″

- Non-fiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more. Look at books comparable in size, format, and subject matter to gauge how to price your own book.

Each retailer has its own process for deciding whether to carry self-published books. For example, Barnes and Noble offers a FAQ page for interested self-published authors. Some authors use supported self-publishing or online DIY service providers to connect their books with markets. It's important to note that pricing and cost structures will vary by service provider, so do your research and ask questions. Self-published authors can also sell print on demand (POD) books from their websites or in local stores for commission fees. Others try book fairs and conferences, where they typically sell their books from vendor tables.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 15:36:01 GMT

Revision 5 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 7/10/2018 3:36:01 PM

- 12% book cover design and editing

- 10% printing

- 7% marketing

- 10% wholesaler (distribution)

- 10% -15% royalties for the author

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

The trim size of the book matters when estimating cost and various genres have standard trim sizes. Here are a few examples:

- Mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″

- Trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range

- Novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″

- Non-fiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more. Look at books comparable in size, format, and subject matter to gauge how to price your own book.

Each retailer has its own process for deciding whether to carry self-published books. For example, Barnes and Noble offers a FAQ page for interested self-published authors. Some authors use supported self-publishing or online DIY service providers to connect their books with markets. It's important to note that pricing structures will vary by service provider, so do your research and ask questions. Self-published authors can sell print on demand books from their websites or in local stores for commission fees. Others try book fairs and conferences, where they typically sell their books from vendor tables.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:18:56 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 6/8/2017 12:18:56 PM

As an author you want to make an informed decision when deciding how to publish your work. Traditional and independent publishing are both viable publishing models, but what is the best choice for you? A basic understanding of the costs of producing a book will help you decide. Bookfinder reports the basic costs of a hard book as follows:

- 12% book cover design and editing

- 10% printing

- 7% marketing

- 10% wholesaler (distribution)

- 10% -15% royalties for the author

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

The trim size of the book matters when estimating cost. Joel Frielander offers free advice on his website “The Book Designer” to help self-publishing authors choose a trim size. He notes various genres have standard trim sizes. Here are a few examples:

- mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″

- trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range

- novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″

- non-fiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more.

The next step to make an informed publishing decision is to understand how books are distributed. Major publishers do not generally distribute their own books. Two major distributors of books are The Ingram Book Company and Baker and Taylor. These companies have partnered with major publishing companies to distribute their books to libraries and retailers. Many retailers will not carry books if the retailer can’t get them through these distribution companies. Another online book distributor is Amazon. Anyone can distribute books through Amazon.

Self-published authors don’t use major distributors. They can approach major retailers on their own. Each retailer has its own process for deciding whether to carry self-published books. For example, Barnes and Noble offers a FAQ page for interested self-published authors. Some authors use fee-based self-publishers (such as AuthorHouse, CreateSpace, and Lulu) to connect their books with markets. There are other ways for authors to distribute books. Self-published authors can sell print-on-demand books from their websites. Some authors sell copies of their books in local stores for commission fees. Others try book fairs and conferences, where they typically sell their books from vendor tables.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:17:56 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 6/8/2017 12:17:56 PM

12% book cover design and editing
10% printing
7% marketing
10% wholesaler (distribution)
10% -15% royalties for the author

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″
trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range
novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
non-fiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more.

The next step to make an informed publishing decision is to understand how books are distributed. Major publishers do not generally distribute their own books. Two major distributors of books are The Ingram Book Company and Baker and Taylor. These companies have partnered with major publishing companies to distribute their books to libraries and retailers. Many retailers will not carry books if the retailer can’t get them through these distribution companies. Another online book distributor is Amazon. Anyone can distribute books through Amazon.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - article

Molly Blaisdell — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 09:57:13 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 3/4/2017 9:57:13 AM

12% book cover design and editing
10% printing
7% marketing
10% wholesaler (distribution)
10% -15% royalties for the author

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

• mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″
• trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range
• novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
• non-fiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more.

The next step to make an informed publishing decision is to understand how books are distributed. Major publishers do not generally distribute their own books. Two major distributors of books are The Ingram Book Company and Baker and Taylor. These companies have partnered with major publishing companies to distribute their books to libraries and retailers. Many retailers will not carry books if the retailer can’t get them through these distribution companies. Another online book distributor is Amazon. Anyone can distribute books through Amazon.

Self-published authors don’t use major distributors. They can approach major retailers on their own. Each retailer has its own process for deciding whether to carry self-published books. For example, Barnes and Noble offers a FAQ page for interested self-published authors. Some authors use fee-based self-publishers, such as AuthorHouse, CreateSpace and lulu to connect their books with markets. There are other ways for authors to distribute books. Self-published authors can sell print-on-demand books from their websites. Some authors sell copies of their books in local stores for commission fees. Others try book fairs and conferences, where they typically sell their books from vendor tables.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction

Book Sales: Pricing Considerations for a Print Book - Article

Molly Blaisdell — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Booksellers by Molly Blaisdell on 12/14/2016 12:00:00 AM

12% book cover design and editing
10% printing
7% marketing
10% wholesaler (distribution)
10% -15% royalties for the author

Few books are purchased at their full price. Most books are discounted. When a book is discounted, publishers get less. Authors get less too. Boilerplate book contracts provide for lower royalty rate for discounted books. In general, the author’s royalty rate drops as the price of the book goes down. For more information check out Ivan Hoffman’s Royalty Rate in Book Contracts article.

• mass market 4-1/4″ x 7″
• trade paperbacks 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ to 6″ x 9″ range
• novels and memoirs 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″
• non-fiction 6”x 9”

Note that books with illustrations and unusual trim sizes cost significantly more.

The next step to make an informed publishing decision is to understand how books are distributed. Major publishers do not generally distribute their own books. Two major distributors of books are The Ingram Book Company and Baker and Taylor. These companies have partnered with major publishing companies to distribute their books to libraries and retailers. Many retailers will not carry books if the retailer can’t get them through these distribution companies. Another online book distributor is Amazon. Anyone can distribute books through Amazon.

Self-published authors don’t use major distributors. They can approach major retailers on their own. Each retailer has its own process for deciding whether to carry self-published books. For example, Barnes and Noble offers a FAQ page for interested self-published authors. Some authors use fee-based self-publishers, such as AuthorHouse, CreateSpace and lulu to connect their books with markets. There are other ways for authors to distribute books. Self-published authors can sell print-on-demand books from their websites. Some authors sell copies of their books in local stores for commission fees. Others try book fairs and conferences, where they typically sell their books from vendor tables.

Informed authors will achieve the greatest success. Do your research and uncover what is your best path to publication.

Tags: article, fiction, Nonfiction