Thanks for a wonderful analysis. It re-affirms the main reason I ended up going the self-publishing route. Here's my math for comparison:
1. Copyediting/proofreading: $300 per book 2. Cover artwork: $150 per book plus an 8% royalty to the artist for each copy sold 3. Layout, etc: free, I taught myself how to use QuarkXpress 3. First print run, 1000 copies: $4400 (glossy cover, good quality paper); Reprint, 1000 copies: $3300 4. Marketing: web site, http://www.autumnjade.com, $24.95 per month; email: free
Sales to date:
#1 Bullets on the Bund: 1454 #2 The Emperors' Pendant: 1039 #3 Sing Song Girls: 651 #4 Sisters of Shanghai: TBA later this year
I sell the books through my web site for $7.99 or the three set for $21.99. Doing the math that's ~$2.50 profit for a first printing and ~$4.50 profit for subsequent printings (books #1 and #2 are both into their second printings).
I get paid at the time of the purchase. I've never had a returned book. I will have stock as long as my niche market remains active (families like mine who have adopted children from China). I also have complete control over my intellectual property.
I can't imagine going the traditional publishing route, it's just not worth it for 99% of the authors in the world.
Thanks,
Steve Whan Autumn Jade Mystery Series http://www.autumnjade.com/
self-publishing comparison
1. Copyediting/proofreading: $300 per book
2. Cover artwork: $150 per book plus an 8% royalty to the artist for each copy sold
3. Layout, etc: free, I taught myself how to use QuarkXpress
3. First print run, 1000 copies: $4400 (glossy cover, good quality paper); Reprint, 1000 copies: $3300
4. Marketing: web site, http://www.autumnjade.com, $24.95 per month; email: free
Sales to date:
#1 Bullets on the Bund: 1454
#2 The Emperors' Pendant: 1039
#3 Sing Song Girls: 651
#4 Sisters of Shanghai: TBA later this year
I sell the books through my web site for $7.99 or the three set for $21.99. Doing the math that's ~$2.50 profit for a first printing and ~$4.50 profit for subsequent printings (books #1 and #2 are both into their second printings).
I get paid at the time of the purchase. I've never had a returned book. I will have stock as long as my niche market remains active (families like mine who have adopted children from China). I also have complete control over my intellectual property.
I can't imagine going the traditional publishing route, it's just not worth it for 99% of the authors in the world.
Thanks,
Steve Whan
Autumn Jade Mystery Series
http://www.autumnjade.com/