Just another update from me and a couple of things that have happened over the last two to three weeks.
I am aware that I have been silent of late–almost from the moment I announced I was starting to write book 5 of Alex Cohen, Cuban Heel. Instead, I have used the opportunity to let you know about various free and cheap book collections which I’ve been involved with. Well, the first thing for me to say is that my intention is to reduce the number of these collections I offer you because I am not going to be including my books in them as much as I used to. If this is the main reason you subscribe then I won’t take any offence if you unsubscribe immediately. You will miss out on all sorts of things, but other writers’ discounted books won’t be one of them.
The second, and more interesting item at least for me, is that I have withdrawn all my books from sale on Google Play. This happened in the same week as Google changed its terms and conditions for writers and I’d like to explain what went down. Until the week just gone, Google had the right to discount the price I set for any of my books, a practise which the other major retailers did not do. They price match but they don’t spontaneously take the price of your book down.
At one point in the summer, Google had discounted the price of Bowery Slugger in Australia and then Amazon did a price match to the Google-invented price. The only way I could get Amazon back on track was to pull Bowery Slugger from Google sales. Then Amazon did another price match and took the price back to where I wanted it set. Because I was sick and tired of this happening, I removed my books from Google earlier this month.
The same week, like I said, the company changed its terms and decided to behave like all the other retailers and only price match. At some point in the future I will revisit my decision but so far the search engine giant has cost me money due to reduced royalties from Amazon Australia sales. As background, I get 35% of a $0.99 sale and 70% of the $1.99 and above book fees.
To put this in perspective, I receive about 97% of the cost of the book when you buy direct from my website because I only have credit card transaction fees to pay. This is why I mention my website so much when I talk about my books–and it is the only place I can easily offer discounts to friendly folk like you who receives my newsletter regularly.
What is the point of this ramble? To say I’ve left Google and to give you the context as to why I’d prefer you to buy direct, if you are comfortable receiving books from me via BookFunnel.
Enjoy.
Leo
