Writing and selling a book.

[Shamus]

I have a month between now and having to start preparing for university, and my parents are saying I should go get a job. I agree, as I do need to save money.

I am writing a book at present, i have only just started. I hope to get about 100 pages, or around 20,000 words. I am thinking of self-publishing it, and trying to sell as many as possible.

I have worked out the cost of production will be $1.40. I live in a town with population 5000. Do you think it would be possible to sell 500 copies at $4.00 each?

Hypothetically, would you buy a book, self-published and from an author you have never heard about, for $4.00?

Thanks for all the feedback

 

[shecky]

how are you producing the book? if you go print on demand (lulu.com for example) then you can reach a global audience (theoretically). i mention this as i think selling to 10% of your community is EXTREMELY optimistic. however selling 500 copies to the entire planet is a lot more realistic.

and yes, i would buy a $4 self published book if it was on a topic i was interested in AND/OR was well designed - especially if it was handmade.

 

[Shamus]

Thankyou very much for that website! I didnt even know it existed!

I agree 500 is optimistic, but I was also thinking of travelling to Melbourne and trying to sell copies on the streets in the city.

I planned to print the book onto a4, bind it somehow.

 

[shecky]

you should also look at any local, independent and used bookstores (eg not owned by Amazon, Barnes + Noble, etc.) as they have been known to let people sell self-published books on consignment, etc.

you can also think about setting up a website and offering the book as a PDF for a paid download. then your production costs are almost zero, other than hosting and paypal fees.