eBooks: Do longer or shorter books sell better?

Recently, Smashwords’ blog revealed a survey showing what could help you as an eBook publisher, sell more of your books. I was particularly drawn to the section on longer books versus shorter books. Here is a snippet of what the survey found and then I will explain:

The top 100 bestselling Smashwords books averaged 115,000 words.  When we examined the word counts of books in other sales rank bands, we found the lower the word count, the lower the sales.

Now consider how authors can use this finding, combined with the knowledge of the power curve, to make smarter publishing decisions, and to avoid poor decisions.  Often, we’ll see an authors with a single full-length novel break the novel into chunks to create a series of novellas, or worse – they’ll try to serialize it as dozens of short pieces.  When you consider that readers overwhelmingly prefer longer works, and you consider that bestselling titles sell exponentially more copies, reach more readers and earn more money than the non-bestsellers, you can understand how some authors might be undermining their book’s true potential.

Young adult literature has gotten heftier.

Okay, so it seems the chunkier the book the better the sell. I see evidence of this with current YA titles in Walmart or the library. Back in the day young adult books were roughly 150-300 pages long(maybe more, maybe less). But as I pick up a popular teen book now…whoa! I mean, it is like holding the Holy Scriptures- almost 700 pages of hefty goodness is disseminated to readers and of course the teens who we think hate to read are gobbling up these monsters.

I did my own digging…

So, with this survey it is saying that the longer the works, the more it will sell. Serials are a no-no.  I took the liberty of finding this out on my own, so on Smashwords I searched the bestselling category. It did not matter about genre or subject matter.

The search spit out hundreds of eBooks that sell really well and with four or five star rating…and guess what? Many of them had words of 80,000 or more- so Mark Coker is right on that particular aspect.

Don’t be discouraged however, because I have published a really short(but free) story on Smashwords and have received both five star reviews and over 350 downloads and a couple of one star reviews. The one star reviewers said, “This book was too short”. Which is all well and good because at least it was free and not a waste in dollars for them.

Why don’t readers like short books?

I can only venture a guess, but as a reader myself, if a book is in a genre I enjoy, I really don’t mind the book being lengthy. Other factors include:

• The author’s writing style
• Falling in love with the story/character/plot
• Needing to be entertained a little longer
• Enjoyable subject matter

Can you think of more reasons why big books are so exceptional?

What can writers do about this and can short books sell well?

After the “bestselling” search, I went on and selected “bestselling” and “fewer than 20,000 words” and found something interesting: There were books less than 9,000 words selling for anywhere from $1.00 and up and with good ratings and good sales! I don’t think I paid attention to genre although the categories ran anywhere from African American to Nonfiction to Fantasy.

Here are some things I have done and witnessed concerning selling short fiction:

• My short fiction “Mark of Fortune” began as a short story and I placed it on Smashwords as such. It got a lot of readers, but I am now labeling it as “Prelude to Mark of Fortune series” this should let readers know that “Hey, this isn’t a full length book but will lead to one slightly longer or much longer than it.”
• Research on what a novella versus a novel is. For now, I know that a short story or flash fiction is 1,000 to 20,000 words. A novella is about 17,000 to 40,000 words. There are different opinions on this from both scholars and readers alike and if you’d like more clarity please visit this hub: “The Difference Between a Short Story, Novellete, Novella, and Novel“
• Try writing a novel. As a poet and short fiction writer I choose to write in small verses and chunks, but I delight in reading a novel and I have full length books brewing in my mind to write. It could be that the stories come up short when you have not planned well for them.  Two simple exercises can remedy that: 1) Try the Star Point System for Writing a Novel or 2) Grab up your favorite novel in the genre you like to write and pour through every page- take notes on the writer’s voice and style, characters and plot.(Will blog on this really soon).
• Try writing short fiction pieces for magazines and small presses. Head over to pw.org to seek out databases of folks who’d love to read what you’ve written.

I’m not saying this will cure all your ills but at least you don’t have to be something you are not. If you are an expert at writing only short fiction then stick to it, because if it’s good-

It’s good

If you found this post helpful to you, please reblog it, or share it on your social networks. I also welcome comments as the feedback helps me know what I am doing right and wrong.

Thanks!

Review: ‘The Book Publisher’s Toolkit’ a helpful resource for independent publishers

The Book Publisher’s Toolkit: 10 Practical Pointers for Independent and Self Publishers by Independent Book Publishers Association

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What every self publisher want to know, and no longer have to hunt for: an eBook on practical book promotion tips straight from the IBPA(Independent Book Publishers Association).

If you’re like me, then you may have found helpful websites here and there to help you along your self publishing journey. But to have a gem in your hand that you can refer to for helpful tips is already here. Sure, it has tips we have all heard before like, “Get a Twitter account!”, “Be social” “Get involved in online conversations”
The real tokens were the advice of how other readers will perceive us and how to tap into the real magic of Twitter.

For example, “we have to watch what others tweet about”(11). Just posting tweets will no longer do. We have to watch what others are saying so we can jump in with our valuable advice. This goes for blogs, Facebook, and other social networking sites.

Librarians. Now these are a picky folk. Why? Libraries are run on budgeted dollars, so they will choose only what they would want to read and what patrons wouldn’t pick up as well. Some things librarians look for before they decide on your book:

•Blogs: What do bloggers have to say about your book?
•Patron Requests: Are people reaching out to have your book in the catalog?
•Cover Art: Is the cover art dynamic, unique, and pertains to the story?

Other advice in the book explained the importance of knowing your rights as an independent publisher and how to build your platform to enhance your brand or begin your brand.

Overall, it’s a neat little 57 page book filled with some items and advice we may have never thought of. Some tips we can even expand on.

*Book received for free for my unbiased review from Netgalley

View all my reviews

3 Great ways to get your self pubbed books noticed

We wish there were more self published authors that are striking gold and platinum in the news but there remains the very few who have made.

We wish even more that we make it ourselves. All of our time spent publishing on CreateSpace, Amazon, Smashwords, Lulu.com and other sites seem to be bringing in very little if any money at all. After working on self publishing my own books and reading some online articles, I find there are a few things that will keep you from popularity and/or earnings and these same few things can be your saving grace.

Having a Classic, but Unique Storyline.

Romance, romance, and more romance.. Guys won’t admit it but action flicks with love interests are cool too. According to Guardian’s report on books that earn well:

Romance authors earned 170% more than their peers, while authors in other genres fared much worse: science-fiction writers earned 38% of the $10,000 average, fantasy writers 32%, and literary fiction authors just 20% of the $10,000 average.

Networking…On the Networks.

Another blockage could be that you are not really talking about your book. If not you, then who? Personally, I don’t like having too many social media places to visit, yet its fun and addicting at the same time. One thing I do is frequently let people know that I have free items. I love free. You love free. We all enjoy free stuff. Why not offer free copies of your book? Make one of your shorter works free to download? Let people know on Facebook, G+, Pinterest, wherever. Hiring someone to do it for you is an option to although I prefer networking on my own. Yes, it can be time-consuming which is why you have to plan.

For instance, most days  I am writing or editing anyway. Blogging, social networking, etc. may be done only twice a week or once a week. Or maybe just take a half hour. Either way, I’m trying to network.

Editing, Copyediting, and Professional Looking Covers.

This is spoken from someone who doesn’t always have the professional money for “professionals” but if you would like to see more sells and downloads of your work, having a nice cover for your book and having your manuscript at least copyedited is a must. This will put you right up there with those high sellers of self pubbed books.

Confession: Before,  I found editing books from the public library very helpful until I could actually afford an editor for my books. You can practically Bing or Google freelance editors or try C.S. Lakin at livewritethrive.com-   I hope to work with her soon Lord willin’.

I hope this has encouraged you as a writer to write more. It is a tough world out there and publishing even tougher. Becoming a published author means facing keen competition and just know I am right here for you. I too am writing my heart out and have actually seen some of the benefits, but to have readers matters more than money.

Even though money is quite nice.

*Other article to consider: “Another Self pubbed Author Strikes Gold” http://thewriteweb.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/another-self-pubbed-author-strikes-the-gold/

Here are some web content sites that pay and others who smell like scam…you’re welcome

Good Day/Evening everyone!

I have been scouting around and looking for neat little writing jobs to offer to you. I will let you know which ones allow you to earn “easy” money and those that are just so competitive, you can smell SCAM all over it- it doesn’t mean its a scam though-just smells like it.  So below is a brief list of sites that pay and what they’re all about and a few of them I’ve already tried. Some of the payouts may have changed since last year so please check these sites out for yourself.

Helium.com: When I worked for them, it was okay. You earn a dollar per article in their “Empty Titles Section”, the downside is that in order to stay in good ranking and get paid adequately, you must read and rank other writers. I am no longer with them for various small reasons.

*Payout threshold: $25

Rating: 4 stars

Suite101.com: Here, you can write on about any topic you want, and once I even spotted a suite101 writer mentioned in a book! However, they are so slow with page views, may be blacklisted now, and after writing so many articles I’ve earned about  50 cents —not good. They are going through many problems right now and hopefully these can be fixed. However its easy money —if you have patience.

Payout threshold: $25

Rating: 1 Star

Examiner.com: So far this is my favorite site! You pick a title you are comfrotable with such as Graphic Design Examiner, Fashion Examiner, Pop Star Examiner, etc., the staff are friendly and supportive and your article only has to be between 200-400 words. The even better news: You gain more exposure locally and earn $1 per article plus any additional traffic monies and money based on rank(find out how via their website). I currently work for them at my own leisure and the pay so far has been VERY good and can be better once I put in more time. The highest payout I got was $62 so far and thats including referral pay. Sign up now and earn that holiday money!

Payout threshold: $10

Rating: 5 stars

Rating: 5 Stars

Pickydomains.com: I only worked with them for two days and quit. You may have better luck than me. Basically on this site you help individuals and companies select a web domain name and you are paid between $20-$40 for each domain name chosen. Sounds easy? No way. There are over 30,000 people who may come up with your names or better and get this…the business/person will select if they like the domain name and then you must wait for them to ACTUALLY select it. It may take weeks for them to do this or never..ugh!! Never again.

However if you enjoy a hard challenge, be my guest. The other downfall? The business/person may actually like the name you’ve chosen and take it anyway while saying they ‘dislike’ it…SCAM is smelled all over this.

Payout threshold: $20-$30-paid to your paypal every two days according to their website.

Rating: 0 stars

These are all the sites I’ve scouted so far and right now I am loving Examiner.com because I can post articles dealing with blogging and inspirational fiction and earn easy money. With Examiner you are paid every 20th of the month and sometimes a couple days before that or around that time.

*What is payout threshold? This is the amount you must earn before you are paid.

Any comments or suggestions? Post them here!

PLZ Google+ this if it was informative, tweet, and share. Thank you and have a wonderful Turkey Day/Thanksgiving!

Prose Poetry For Pros

 Recently, I stopped by Writer’s Digest to see hows it going. I do this often. Anyhow, I came across a contest going on right now. Robert Lee Brewer is asking for prose poetry to place on his web content and the winner will be chosen. This contest ends October 7, 2011.

So, do you know what I did?

I went ahead and formed my own prose poem. Please visit the link above for his article on writing prose so you’ll know how to write it and glean inspiration. Soon, I will post up information on prose poetry as well. Anyway, off topic: What I have done was wrote my own prose poem and it does not adhere to rules like: Begin with a capital letter, end with a punctuation, etc. etc. it is free flowing like a shower.

Here goes:

THE INFOMERCIAL

the weights were, oh say, 8 pounds a piece these hand weights I got the other day, they look small, they are shiny and smell of cool rubber over asphalt. I sniff them more than pull on them, but I pull on them with my chubby, feminine hands. Soon very soon the commercial will go off and motivation will wave good bye to me.

pulling ever harder on these 8 pound weights I lift as muscles scream as an old house door which never been in use, I reach higher higher    higher! Like the slender toned brunette says in the commercial. Her coltish legs tease me and mock me as she wiggles in appreciated freedom while the weights slowly succumb to gravity and she shouts: “If I can do it! You can too!” The scene cuts to her false before picture slamming down BBQ ribs and my refrigerator asks me if I want that second bite.

I slow down the reps and the screen flips to her sweating in some alien suit which suddenly fits her. It is is not fair and so I drop and give myself twenty just like she does. I want to be an alien too! Day 30 and the only results is that jealousy has grown better, leaner muscles than me and the doctor just told me to slow down I am at my normal weight.

Copyright©2011 by E.J. Smith

Blogging is About More Than Writing Online, Here Are Some Tips

© Vladyslav Starozhylov | Dreamstime.com

Part of the reason many of us have a blog is to be known. This is a part of who we are as social creatures. The beauty of blogging then is getting paid for being known for what you do. Norfolk, Va bloggers: if you are a mother who blogs try visiting My Tidewater Moms for featured stories. There are bloggers out there (especially blogging moms) who are seriously capitalizing on their blogs making six figures doing what they love: Reviewing. After scouting around, it seems there is a recipe for success.

1.  Receive free products for review. Audrey McClelland receives free clothing and other products for her reviews on her website. Reviewing products for free may seem like something nice to do in your spare time, but letting others know about a product frequently with authentic comments may show others you really care about what they buy. (Continue reading on Examiner.com Some moms make six figures blogging, here’s the recipe to their success – Norfolk Blogging Industry | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/blogging-industry-in-norfolk/some-oms-make-six-figures-blogging-here-s-the-recipe-to-their-success#ixzz1Y2zcEBNj)

*Share your thoughts: Do you think perhaps it is all luck? Hardwork? The right connections?

Tracking An Author: What Audience Do I Write For? Infusing the Fiction, and Free eBooks

Writer's Digest Free eBook for a limited time

Keeping you up to date with my writing and how you can embark on your own journey, I have learned a few things this past week and thought I’d share it with you.

First, I discovered that writing shouldn’t be tedious and about cramped fingers. It is an exploration of what you know and wish to know. Writing is a powerful tool for me because I feel I can say more and see how the words flow onto the page/screen and play with them a little. I can do this verbally, but thats what www.audibles.com is for. And it is a great venture to get into.

These days its more about conveying a message than just shouting, “I’m a writer!” What am I writing? Who am I writing this for? As a writer, or should I say storyteller, you must convey your thoughts in al mediums to reach the crowd. eBook, Print, Audible, and maybe even animation/video. I certainly only have 2 out of 4 for my own book but will be working more on conveying my idea and will discuss more about multiple formats in a later post. For now consider why you are writing and whom you are writing for to generate a pre-marketing scheme. For example: I write to share a thought or “many” speculative thoughts. I wish to share these thoughts with the young adult group of readers. Not because of the upstart in teen reading, but my style seems to flow in that direction, plus I feel I never left my teens.

Next subject: Infusing a memoir with fiction seems to be what makes a story more uncanny yet ineresting. Think of Robert R. McCammon‘s Boy’s Life story. It reads like a memoir but infused with some supernatural elements we (may) have never experienced. What conversations, episodes, or feelings springs up from time to time? Have you thought about either planting some pieces of it in a memoir or using it to fuel your fiction? I certainly think it can help.

To get you on the right track to writing, Writer’s Digest is offering FREE ebooks for Back -to School and it is running from August 15-22, so get in on it now by going here!

Tracking an Author…Extending a Review

Hey to all my fellow writers/readers/bloggers:

Recently I have embarked on something totally new. That is, to help those who are self publishing their books to get their name out there. I certainly know how hard it is to be known without having had your book published by Penguin, or Little Brown. However, that doesn’t mean we should remain nameless-right?

I am tired of trying to find forums interested in my line of writing: Inspirational poetry and Inspirational/Speculative fiction. It is a very specific niche and may only generate a small following, but that is to be expected in today’s world. A year ago when I took Mass Communications, we learned a very important thing: “All news and media are specialized”; this means that for you as a writer, you must seek out and market to those who have expressed interest in your genre. James Patterson can market his books on television because he has a loyal following to his commercial mystery novels. You as a self published author will have to use more of your will power, research, and resources to get a devoted few.

This all boils down to why I am writing this post: June 29th has passed so the free review offer is over, but you can still get a review of your book from me and I will be happy to spread the word on websites listed on my business website .

I know how hard it is to get the word out because I am going through the same process, however this is the world of self publishing and it makes you a stronger person than those who rely on airtime and commercialism to sell copies. Its tempting and it is a tantalizing prospect as we all want to sell those millions(let’s be honest!) But lets try with those who want to read our stuff.

Erica

Tracking an Author…The Internet Prevents Me From Writing? That Explains it…

After perusing the site…okay, okay I was on Twitter, geesh! I came across a link to Publisher’s Weekly. It talks about the Games We Play and how surfing the net came be detrimental to the writer. I discovered this article a tad bit too late because I was surfing and should be writing an article. I decided to blog this because I am sure you want to know how the internet could be stopping you from your most productive form of work.

I just finshed a really long, overly done outline of my sci/fi fantasy novel for the 12,000th time and I think I can move along now. if I can get doen with this by the time I am 89 years old, I would be so proud…

Click here for the full article. Let me know what you think!

Tracking an Author Saga…Have you ever been bombarded?

Image by CreateSpace/E.J. Smith

For those who have been following my writing project progress or digress, thanks a bunch. Love yall! For those of you just tuning in, I am working on a title that I’ll be self publishing. Last year I published The Prayer Monologues with CreateSpace, yet this year I will try a new place. Nothing wrong with CreateSpace but I just like to spread my wings and CreateSpace has helped me so far.

Onward to being bombarded. With what you may ask? Messages, themes, characters. Even while working on a fiction novel, reading a nonfiction book doesn’t help because now I want my character to be placed in the exact same predicament as the author in his biography. Sounds weird but that is when all the mediums/genres mesh together and forms what my creative writing instructor calls “experiential writing”(found in “Forking Paths”)

Then, while watching Ghost Whisperer I am bombarded and overloaded with special themes and character behaviors to modify in my own writing. I’ll never get done at this rate, but I still press onward with this outline. Yes, I have thrown away most of what I typed out so far and have found the gem in outlining. Everyone don’t have to outline but having an excellent idea of where to begin is key to strong storytelling.

Alright, Ciao!

If you’d like to use snippets of The Write Web’s blog posts, feel free to do so. Just use this byline: Quote, post, or phrase used by permission of Erica J. Smith.