A Transparent Chat about Pricing for OF DEEDS MOST VALIANT
When I set out to create OF DEEDS MOST VALIANT I had a few goals in mind:
First of all, to create a high quality book that anyone would be proud to read, recommend and display. (That's always a goal for me, but I like to think I'm getting better and better at it.)
And second, to offer a stand-alone fantasy novel where in the past I usually wrote in series.
I chose to do this for two reasons -- readers have been telling me through reviews and messages that they do not have the attention spans they once did and find it hard to follow along with a series. They are frustrated with cliffhangers and larger stories because they have lower tolerance and patience for delayed gratification, or less ability to remember and retain facts. In summary, they are tired and they would like to only engage in finished series or stand alone where the entire story is available to process at once.
I listen to my readers as much as I can, so upon hearing this not once but many times, I decided I would do my best to accommodate the needs of my readers.
If you're familiar with my book series, you'll know that in the past I've offered novella series -- long series of 10-20 novellas, each about 20,000 words long (100 pages in a typical ebook) I've also offered full novels which usually were about 50,000 words (though my Bluebeard ones were longer).
This novel is three times the length of those novels and it is a full, complete story with a full, complete romance subplot and a full, complete mystery. I did not skimp on story or characters. Clocking in at over 160,000 words, it's about as long at the entire Seven Swords Series.
It takes just as long to write a book that size, but rather than then having three different books to sell, I only have one book to sell. This is great for you -- you get the full story without waiting! And I am proud of the result and my current plans are to continue to write stand alone novels in this world.
Bearing that in mind, I'm sure you'll see that while I have priced the ebook for this novel on the higher end, it is still at savings to you. However, I know from the past that I will still get complaints sent to me, so I have decided to take a moment to explain my pricing for this ebook as well as to lay out what other options will be available to you and how they will be priced, because not all of you are ebook readers. I have tried in all things to maintain a balance between providing you the best in art and story while also offering it at affordable prices.
Let's start with ebook pricing:
I've priced the ebook at $9.99. If you were buying the individual novels of the Seven Swords series, the three novels would cost you $15 originally (as I sold them at $4.99 each). Those books combines made a full story and were similar in length to this single volume, so by that way of comparison, you're seeing a 50% savings with this price.
I frequently purchase traditionally published ebooks and find the ones I like to be priced at $10-$15 per book, so this pricing is in keeping with standard pricing for the industry.
That being said, I want to remind you that the ebook will be in Kindle Unlimited, so if you are on a tight budget, this is an option for you! At no additional charge, you'll be able to read this book along with whatever others you read that month.
(Also, a side reminder is that the ARC team is still taking applications until April 30th.)
For hardcopies, I have worked hard to get you the best possible pricing on these books:
The paperback edition of this book is a nice chonker -- 530 pages -- it contains the figures and diagrams I showed you before, the lovely chapter heading, and the custom character art piece.
The paperback is priced at $29.99 and will have a matte cover. I think you'll like it.
The hardcover edition is nice enough to be a special edition in its own right. I have not yet revealed the cover which will be the wrap on this book and the cover for the paperback and ebook, but below you will see a picture of the undercover for the hardcover book above this text. It is lovely and features our female main character with her horse and dog. The hardcover will be glossy and priced at $39.99.
I do not yet have pricing on The Signed Book Shop special edition, but I can assure you that it will be extra special as we are working together on getting you sprayed edges for this edition.
Although these hardcopy editions are my regular editions, they are just as fancy and contain as much additional art as most special editions or kickstarter editions you can find and I have employed the very best of artists. You're going to love them!
As to audiobooks, Podium Audio has picked up this title and will have more information on that for us very soon.
I hope you have found this talk of pricing to be frank and transparent to help you understand what you options are for purchasing or reading the book. I always find it easier to make choices when I have all the information, so I wanted to offer that to you as well! Don't forget to pre-order if you'll be buying an ebook or to add it to your wishlist if you'll be reading in Kindle Unlimited or purchasing another edition so that you don't forget the release date of June 6th!
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Sarah
(PRE-ORDER OR SAVE TO FAVORITES HERE)
