Emily’s recent comment about eHarlequin reminded me I had not gone into my archives and reposted this piece I did.
This is just a random sampling of some odd word count information and prices from various ePublishers and sources I have collected over time. I just checked prices to be sure things had not changed that much and wanted to again share this information with you because I do find it interesting.
Fling: less than 20,000 $3.99
Novella: 20,000 – 30,000 $4.99
Novel: over 30,000 $5.99 – $6.99
Novel Plus- ? $7.99
Short Stories: 12,000 to 18,000 $2.50
Novellas: 18,001 to 35,000 $3.50
Category: 35,001 to 60,000 $4.50
Novel: 60,001 to 100,000 $5.50
Plus Novel: 100,000+ $6.50
Amber Brief: 2,500 – 4,999 $2.00
Amber Kiss: 5,000 – 10,000 $3.00
Extended Amber Kiss: 11,000 – 17,000 $4.00
Novella: 18,000 – 29,000 $5.00
Extended Novella: 30,000 – 40,000 $6.00
Novel: 41,000 – 70,000 $7.00
Extended Novel: 71,000+ $8.00
Quick Silvers: 20,000 – 25,000 $4.50 – $4.75
Novella: 25, 000 – 45,000 $5.25 – $5.75
Full Length: 45,000 – 80,000 $5.95
Plus Novel: 80,000+ $6.10
eHarlequin
Spice Briefs 5,000 – 15,000 $2.99
Harlequin Historical Undone 10,000 – 15,000 $2.99
Harlequin Presents 50,000 – 55,000 $4.25
Harlequin Blaze: 55,000 – 60,000 $4.50
Harlequin Historical: 70,000 – 75,000 $5.40
HQN Books – 100,000 $6.30
Signet
6.6 inches Falcon Moon by Cassie Edwards = 72,620 words = $7.99
Signet
6.7 inches A Perfect Gentlemen by Barbara Metzger = 99,435 words = $6.59
Berkley
6.6 inches Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne = 112,605 words = $7.99
Berkley Trade
8.2 inches Nauti Nights by Lora Leigh = 97,751 words = $10.20
Tags: ePublisher, Web Design
kirsten saell wrote,
I still find it frustrating that both Berkley and Harlequin don’t offer any kind of price reduction for their ebooks versus print. Although at least they aren’t asking MORE for them.
I have to say I’m kind of surprised at how much LI and Amber Quill want for their books. I mean, despite the fact that HQN wants the same for e as they do for print, they’re still undercutting some of the e-competition. It’s a shame I don’t usually read any HQN genres–and that I can’t abide DRM…
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
JenB wrote,
Loose Id has the most ridiculous pricing schedule. I’ve bought a few of the $7.99 books, but I almost always ended up feeling ripped off and quit buying them. Web site that (until recently) was impossible to navigate, poor editing, and cookie-cutter books.
I think Samhain still offers the best bang for your buck. Even when I don’t love a Samhain title, I at least feel satisfied with the value of the product.
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Mary - Pink Petal Books wrote,
I hope I can add the information for Pink Petal Books here. I admit that content pricing was something I gave serious consideration to when our pricing structure was set. I know what I, as a reader, am willing to pay for certain lengths. I also know what I’ve heard from readers, both online and off, regarding pricing structures.
Short novella (mostly our special projects, from 10K-20K) $2.75
novella (20-35K) $3.50
short novel (35-50K) $4.25
novel (50-70K) $4.95
long novel (70-100K) $5.70
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Louise van Hine wrote,
yeah, Loose-Id does charge a lot considering the length of the stories. And I can say, having bought a number of titles, the quality is not consistent. I did get a few very good stories, and more that were not worth what I paid.
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Sure thing Mary.
I do think it is interesting that unlike other traditional publishers Harlequin seems to have priced themselves right in line with ePublishers.
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Loose Id is funny. For a while I was buying something every week and lately not much at all and I have noticed a few editing issues cropping up lately. Hope they work on that they have several good authors.
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Mary - Pink Petal Books wrote,
Thanks! I really appreciate it. I wonder if eHarlequin’s model is because their category paperbacks are also offered a better price point than regular mass market books. Though I know the price of those went up too. But maybe they’re more willing to experiment with “epublishing” prices because they have a bit different, and possibly, more flexible model for pricing books.
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
I think whatever it is they were thinking it was smart.
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
AnneD wrote,
“Web site that (until recently) was impossible to navigate”
Really? Other than the lack of bookshelf/proper author pages, I’ve always found it very simple to use, and found the whole switching websites thing at Samhain difficult. I haven’t tried to search out things in the newer cart site they have. EC was a bit of a nightmare, but I haven’t tried the new JJ, nor LI sites at this point. (only bought one ebook so far this year – Jo Barrett’s Highlanders Challenge is it)
(And no, I’m not trying to be ra ra LI because the majority of my books are with them, it was my impression before I was published (and I already had ebooks in the multiples of hundreds by that point) and I’ve always found it odd when it’s been suggested.)
It wasn’t perfect – I haven’t found one that is, yet, but not that much of a drama
As for pricing… not much I can say, it is what it is from this side of the fence. It’s an issue I have no control over.
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Loved Highlander’s Challenge. Good read there, have you picked up the sequel yet?
Link | January 19th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Katharina wrote,
Am I the only one who’s really unhappy with the new L-ID site? The black makes me crazy, honestly (besides some other stuff). I haven’t bought a book from L-ID in ages, because the pricing is ridiculous. And you know what? It’s nearly impossible to find a contemporary book that neither is BDSM nor Ménage themed. I can’t say that every story from Samhain works for me, but for me, but I’ve discovered some wonderful gems there.
Link | January 20th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Katharina wrote,
Erm, it’s late, ignore the mistakes LOL.
Link | January 20th, 2009 at 11:51 am
TeddyPig wrote,
It is a basic rule of web design that you find repeatedly over and over…
Background and foreground colors should always show good contrast.
DO NOT USE dark background and light colored text.
It’s a proven fact that the eyes get more tired when reading large quantities of text on a dark background, than the other way around.
Link | January 20th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Katharina wrote,
L-ID’s old site wasn’t perfect, but it had a certain quirky personality I really liked, besides the white background. The current style is rather one I would associate with an unknown upstart e-publisher, but not with a well-established house. The great covers they have are definitely not shown to their advantage with the current design. Sorry, this is a bit OT, but I needed to rant.
Link | January 20th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Amber wrote,
Katharina, I understand that Loose Id expects to put out more contemporaries with hot heterosexual Alpha heroes in single-partner heterosexual relationships this year.
Link | January 21st, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Katharina wrote,
Really? Well, this is definitely good news, however, there’s still the site problem. Honestly, it really makes me crazy.
Link | January 22nd, 2009 at 5:13 am