e-books

Reading Trends for Writers

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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Understanding book sales is important for authors and publishers.

All of my books have been fictional. Each based on ideas that interest me at the time.

However, gurus are suggesting authors take a scientific approach to choosing our topics and genres.

With another book published—and starting to write yet another—I set out to garner information on trends among American readers. 

Recents surveys show that nearly half of Americans polled haven’t read any books in more than a year!

So then, let’s focus our attention on the other half—the readers.

I was surprised to learn that PRINT BOOKS continue to be the most popular format. E-books rank next; then audiobooks. 

The number of female readers is only slightly higher than for males.

Americans love HISTORY, MYSTERY, AND BIOGRAPHY.

Fiction sales gave gone up by 45% over the last five years. 

Non-fiction, especially political and self-help, are currently seeing a decline in interest. 

You can draw your own conclusions, but from these statistics, we might want to focus on women readers of history, mysteries, and biographies.

And although Romance has always been a popular genre—and probably will continue to be—perhaps now would be a good time for Romance writers to couple with the genres above…Romantic Suspense… Historical Romance, and so on.

Those are my thoughts based on a little research.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

What one person likes, another may not.

That’s why it’s important to offer your book in a variety of formats.

For a long time, hardback and paperback were the only options for readers.

Later, e-books and audiobooks were added.

You can widen the market further still by offering your book in other languages.

My newest book was just published on Audible. Within a couple of weeks I will announce an interview on Facebook with the producer, Brian Callahan. You’ll want to be sure to watch it. He’s an accomplished guy that can make his voice sound both feminine and masculine; likable, angry, menacing. 

He’s likable, easy to work with, and very amenable to changes/suggestions. 

Justice for Jessie in audio format is now available on Amazon.

The Magic Month

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Students, teachers, and parents know what the month of August means.

Back to School dominates television ads because in most states school begins in August.

So, what about authors? Should the month of August be on our radar, too?

The more times that I’ve heard it over the years, the more I am convinced that from mid-August to mid-December is a golden time of year for those who write and publish books.

A large percentage of people begin their Christmas lists in August. Many actually begin their online shopping.

So, I’m putting the advice I’ve received to the test. 

On August 15th, I published my latest book, Justice for Jessie, and advertised it at a reduced price on Amazon for the first week. (Both e-book and paperback editions).

I will follow its sales through the end of the year and compare those sales with those of my other books which I published in the spring. And, while I am waiting on those statistics, I will be writing for another release in August of 2024.

(By the way, a few blog posts ago, I mentioned I’d soon be publishing, Blinded. However, I discovered that there were already A LOT of books by that title. I renamed my book right before publishing to Justice for Jessie, which I actually like better!) 

That’s Entertainment

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

Moving and renovating have taken up months of our time, so we decided to take a break and go to the movies.

That’s where we experienced sticker shock. Two senior tickets cost us $22.50.

Then, there was $10 for a tub of popcorn, which my husband and I shared.

Last of all was a soda for each of us. Size small. $6.25 each. 

“No, thank you,” I said to the young man behind the counter when he asked if we wanted Nachos, ice cream, or red vines.

Grand total for two hours of “escape”?     $45.00

I’m telling you this to prove a point. An e-book will cost you anywhere from FREE to $5.99 and you can buy a big bag of popcorn at the supermarket for about five bucks. Soda? $1.00 each.

So from $7.00- $12.00 you can enjoy on average ten hours of reading fun.

I actually enjoy the more active process of reading to the more passive act of movie-going. And, especially with prices being so high nowadays, a movie will have to promise me a lot to get me out of my favorite reading chair and out the door.

Pricing Your Book

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

A novella collection that I co-authored with three other authors is soon to be published. On top of the many decisions we have had to face together, one of the final ones in that of pricing.

So, I thought I’d let you in on what I have found out when doing a little online research.

When pricing books on AMAZON, you need to:

  • Check out prices of books in your genre by successful authors.
  • Stay in the range of $2.99-5.99 for the most sales.
  • Be sure your book is quality—professional in writing, editing, cover design, etc.  (Be objective about this!)
  • Be sure your book brings value to readers—meaning information, entertainment, humor, encouragement, etc.
  • Offer both books and e-books. Readers come in both types, you know.
  • When possible, offer free e-books or countdown deals on both paperbacks and e-books.
  • Adjust your price points occasionally to find that “sweet spot.”
  • Remember: the more copies you sell (no matter what the price) the more awareness you’ll get from readers!