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BOSTONFICTIONWRITER

BOSTONFICTIONWRITER

The Wizard Of Literotica
Joined
Jan 1, 2007
Posts
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I was wondering if anyone had experience with E-Books.

A publisher contacted me wanting me to do two E-Books, one on my story, Never Too Old For Love So Young and a second book as a 10 story collection.

He told me that he would pay me $2.25 for every book sold. That seems fair. He told me that I maintain all the rights to my stories.

This is all so very new to me as I have never published ficton before. I'm looking for advice and suggestions of help.

Also, what about using a pen name as opposed to my real name. I'm kind of thinking about using my real name. Maybe, it's ego, maybe, it's because I've labor so long and so hard, but I feel like I am not crediting myself by not using my real name. Moreover, I'm not embarrassed by what I write. I'm proud of it.

"Hey, do you want to buy my book on erotica?"

"Get away from me. Police!"

Thanks to all who write their comments to this thread.

Freddie
 
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I was wondering if anyone had experience with E-Books.

A publisher contacted me wanting me to do two E-Books, one on my story, Never Too Old For Love So Young and a second book as a 10 story collection.

He told me that he would pay me $2.25 for every book sold. That seems fair. He told me that I maintain all the rights to my stories.

This is all so very new to me as I have never published ficton before. I'm looking for advice and suggestions of help.

Also, what about using a pen name as opposed to my real name. I'm kind of thinking about using my real name. Maybe, it's ego, maybe, it's because I've labor so long and so hard, but I feel like I am not crediting myself by not using my real name. Moreover, I'm not embarrassed by what I write. I'm proud of it.

"Hey, do you want to buy my book on erotica?"

"Get away from me. Police!"

Thanks to all who write their comments to this thread.

Freddie
 
I'm published with Phaze and I've got 4 eBooks out there.

All I can say is check out the contract and check it thoroughly but as long as the rights to the story revert to you after x amount of time and you don't have to pay anything out up front you should go for it. Others will chip in with things to look out for, too.

I've found e-publishing a joy and although the promotion can be a bit of a slog sometimes it is really very rewarding. :)

And the pen name thing is your decison, I might have used my real name as I'm proud of my work, I just thought it wasn't sexy enough for erotica *L*
 
Hmm. Money for e-books, in my experience, is based on a percentage of the selling price. My publishers give me 50% of the cover price if sold through their website, a little less than that if sold through a third party such as Fictionwise.

I've never been part of an anthology where I got money so I can't advise you there.

Make sure you read your contract carefully and understand it. Get a lawyer to help if necessary.

I hope that helps.
 
BOSTONFICTIONWRITER said:
I was wondering if anyone had experience with E-Books.

A publisher contacted me wanting me to do two E-Books, one on my story, Never Too Old For Love So Young and a second book as a 10 story collection.

He told me that he would pay me $2.25 for every book sold. That seems fair. He told me that I maintain all the rights to my stories.

This is all so very new to me as I have never published ficton before. I'm looking for advice and suggestions of help.

Also, what about using a pen name as opposed to my real name. I'm kind of thinking about using my real name. Maybe, it's ego, maybe, it's because I've labor so long and so hard, but I feel like I am not crediting myself by not using my real name. Moreover, I'm not embarrassed by what I write. I'm proud of it.

"Hey, do you want to buy my book on erotica?"

"Get away from me. Police!"

Thanks to all who write their comments to this thread.

Freddie
Click to expand...
What't the name of the publisher? That's the big thing. Some of them out there aren't all that reliable, some are fantastic. I've published two enovels through Phaze and have three more coming out. The two I've published will be going to print in the spring.

But I went to Phaze, they didn't come to me.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
eroticexursions.net

The name of the publisher is through the web site, eroticexcursions.net. He told me that they are new.

Has anyone heard of them?
 
I've learned not to go with percentages on anything not being done by an established mainstream publisher. No matter what the percentage, if it's based on almost no sales, it's close to zilch. I ask for money up front and then don't concern myself with sales. I've gone the e-book route twice and expended more energy on them than I ever saw returned in dollars. They weren't erotica though; I would be interested in knowing whether those with erotica e-books really make anything off them--whenever they are discussed, like on this thread, everyone gets very vague about any hard cash return that makes sense in relation to the effort taken in producing the manuscript. That said, having a cover to slap on your signature line may be recompense enough for most.
 
I went and looked around. They seem to be a bit of a niche publisher, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

No hits on google leading to Preditors & Editors or Absolute Write or Piers page or any of the people that are running the "warning" sites. But if I were you, it is worth your few minutes invested to go check out the watchdog sites before signing a contract.

Read your contract. Make sure it says what you think it says. Compare it to other contracts.

Here is a link to what EPIC (a watchdog/advocacy style organization that wishes to protect authors/promote e-publishing) considers a "model contract" without any red flags...

model contract

so... remember to protect yourself, then go for it. That is what I would say.

oh, and as far as the issue of advances, etc that sr71plt brought up? Yes, returns on investment will most likely be quite small at first. But consider the business model. and consider what you are looking for as well. I could get more money going to Penthouse and writing for Variations. But I would do so without byline and without retaining any rights. It would pay me more upfront, yes. But that is not in my long-term best interest, in my opinion.

This is your work. Your opinion is the one that counts. Do it your way. I won't say anyone's opinion is wrong for them, just that it may be wrong for me...
 
sr71plt said:
I've learned not to go with percentages on anything not being done by an established mainstream publisher. No matter what the percentage, if it's based on almost no sales, it's close to zilch. I ask for money up front and then don't concern myself with sales. I've gone the e-book route twice and expended more energy on them than I ever saw returned in dollars. They weren't erotica though; I would be interested in knowing whether those with erotica e-books really make anything off them--whenever they are discussed, like on this thread, everyone gets very vague about any hard cash return that makes sense in relation to the effort taken in producing the manuscript. That said, having a cover to slap on your signature line may be recompense enough for most.
Click to expand...

my biggest single check from an online publishing venture has been approx. $97.00. That was a quarterly check, so it was three months return.

This is not a way to get rich or even make a living at first. If I get lucky and work hard, that will come later.
 
Some contracts will state that you are not allowed to discuss what they pay you with other possible authors or even the terms of your contract.
 
Oops

Oops, it looks like I broke that rule already by telling everyone how much they offered me.

Let's just keep that between us. Okay? (lol).
 
RedHairedandFriendly said:
Some contracts will state that you are not allowed to discuss what they pay you with other possible authors or even the terms of your contract.
Click to expand...

Interesting. In 30 years of publishing I've never seen that clause in a contract.
 
Belegon said:
I have.
Click to expand...

Then I'd read that contract very, very carefully--and use your right for an annual audit to try to catch up with what they are making on your book in relation to what they are reporting to you that they are making (if, of course, that standard clause wasn't conveniently tossed out of their contract).

Sorry, I don't buy it. I think e-booking is not a money maker for 99% of those doing it--certainly not when you cost out what you are making an hour for what you put into it. I think it gives you some sense of accomplishment--which may be enough justification for doing it--but e-book authors certainly aren't accepted as published authors in the mainstream (even though once they've put an e-book out, it rarely will be picked up in the mainstream by a legitimate publisher).

I continue to shake my head over who is buying erotica e-books in view of the, what, half a million stories a reader can get on a site like this for free--including some of those same works that are later offered for sale.

I think hard statistics aren't given simply because they aren't attractive. If the "do not disclose" clause is in your contract, I rather think it's because the publisher doesn't want other prospective authors to know how little they probably will make from the arrangement. The publisher didn't have to put in all those hours in writing it.
 
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sr71plt said:
I think hard statistics aren't given simply because they aren't attractive.
Click to expand...

They never are in a developing industry. I don't think they will be very attractive for a while yet. But I do know people who are making their living this way.

There is a future here, IMHO. But it is not an elevator, it's a long flight of stairs. I now earn enough for my writing to at least pay for my internet costs. But I still have a long way to go before I cover all that I've put into it.

Per hour, my pay is tiny. But the rewards in non-financial returns have been of a very high value to me. In some cases, immeasurably so.
 
Belegon said:
They never are in a developing industry. I don't think they will be very attractive for a while yet. But I do know people who are making their living this way.

There is a future here, IMHO. But it is not an elevator, it's a long flight of stairs. I now earn enough for my writing to at least pay for my internet costs. But I still have a long way to go before I cover all that I've put into it.

Per hour, my pay is tiny. But the rewards in non-financial returns have been of a very high value to me. In some cases, immeasurably so.
Click to expand...

I agree there's a purpose for e-books. Mainly text books (especially ones that need to be updated frequently), interactive and multimedia books, and minute niche books--or incredibly voluminous books--that can't support printing costs. The industry isn't really young--e-books have been around for 15 years, which is a long time in the electronic age. People just insist on trying to apply it to material the market won't support. And the market won't support asking people to pay for something that's readily available for free in the same electronic media.

I also agree that the rewards beyond financial return can be high enough to justify it.

No reason to kid ourselves in the face of reality, though--or to hide the reality from others to make our "success" appear larger than it is.
 
The problem with Lit and other free sites is that you get what you pay for.

Most of the stuff on these sites isn't very good, neither particularly erotic or much in the way of a story. It's not uncommon for me to read (or start reading) every new story for a week and only find one story that catches my interest.

With an e-book I know I'm a lot more likely to find a readable story. Maybe even one that gets me off. But that's even rarer.
 
E-book vs Vanity Press

Well, I figure, better to write for something than for nothing. A few other publishers have offered me $20 - $50 a story. There is more of a chance of making real money with an E-book, my opinion, than there is writing dozens of stories and hoping someone will want to pay me for the right to print one.

Now, believe it or not, there are plenty of people who, after having worked with computers all day long, want to snuggle up with a hard copy or paperback book instead of a computer monitor.

"Honey, you can't take your laptop in the bathtub with you. Here's a book. Read this instead while you soak."

I also figure that this E-book is a learning experience that I must try just to say that I did it, been there, and done that. Moreover, an E-book is way better than a vanity press where you pay for everything yourself and hope you can peddle your books to get a portion of your money back.

What do I have to lose? Some of my time and effort that I would have expended anyway and for no monetary gain. The E-books are the way of the future and the future is here and now.

Most of us are here for the same reasons, to write, and if we make a few dollars writing, so much the better. No one writes for the money, unless, of course, you are a big name writer and the publishers are waving huge advances under your nose.

We all write because we must. We write because it is fun and our way to express ourselves and get our messages across to others. And if you are any good, the money will come, eventually, after you are dead and buried.

"Geez, Freddie was a good writer. It's too bad he's been dead for 50 years and can't enjoy the enormous amount of money his stories have earned when they movies from them."

Lastly, it sure would look good to have my name on the cover of a book. I know many of my friends will be proud, some will be jealous, and all will wish me well in my search for success and happiness.

Thanks everybody for giving your opinions.
 
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BOSTONFICTIONWRITER said:
Well, I figure, better to write for something than for nothing. A few other publishers have offered me $20 - $50 a story. There is more of a chance of making real money with an E-book, my opinion, than there is writing dozens of stories and hoping someone will want to pay me for the right to print one.

Now, believe it or not, there are plenty of people who, after having worked with computers all day long, want to snuggle up with a hard copy or paperback book instead of a computer monitor.

"Honey, you can't take your laptop in the bathtub with you. Here's a book. Read this instead while you soak."

I also figure that this E-book is a learning experience that I must try just to say that I did it, been there, and done that. Moreover, an E-book is way better than a vanity press where you pay for everything yourself and hope you can peddle your books to get a portion of your money back.

What do I have to lose? Some of my time and effort that I would have expended anyway and for no monetary gain. The E-books are the way of the future and the future is here and now.

Most of us are here for the same reasons, to write, and if we make a few dollars writing, so much the better. No one writes for the money, unless, of course, you are a big name writer and the publishers are waving huge advances under your nose.

We all write because we must. We write because it is fun and our way to express ourselves and get our messages across to others. And if you are any good, the money will come, eventually, after you are dead and buried.

"Geez, Freddie was a good writer. It's too bad he's been dead for 50 years and can't enjoy the enormous amount of money his stories have earned when they movies from them."

Lastly, it sure would look good to have my name on the cover of a book. I know many of my friends will be proud, some will be jealous, and all will wish me well in my search for success and happiness.

Thanks everybody for giving your opinions.
Click to expand...

There certainly is no substitute for trying something like this out for yourself.

My experience, though, is that you are well ahead financially by selling a story (I assume you mean short story) outright for $20-$50 over putting it in an e-book for a percentage of whatever profit the publisher owns up to.

Would be interested in hearing your results from going the latter route.
 
rgraham666 said:
The problem with Lit and other free sites is that you get what you pay for.

Most of the stuff on these sites isn't very good, neither particularly erotic or much in the way of a story. It's not uncommon for me to read (or start reading) every new story for a week and only find one story that catches my interest.

With an e-book I know I'm a lot more likely to find a readable story. Maybe even one that gets me off. But that's even rarer.
Click to expand...

I agree that there is a problem on swimming through the dross to get to the gems on a site like this--and the H and W systems, which are meant to help, don't because of the way they are constructed (the E system might be slightly more help, but it's highly subjective too). The "views" statistic might be slightly more helpful--it at least identifies the top 500 on being attracted to open a story (which doesn't go far, unfortunately, in showing how good the story turned out to be).

No substitute for the time-tested method of diving in and trying out some authors and then concentrating on the ones you like--which is pretty much the way we chose what books from a bookstore to read, as well.

Do you actually buy a significant number of e-books--and how can you tell that these are any good until you've read them, either? Do you actually pick and choose on the basis of author, genre, and blurb--just as you can do here for free?
 
sr71plt said:
I agree there's a purpose for e-books. Mainly text books (especially ones that need to be updated frequently), interactive and multimedia books, and minute niche books--or incredibly voluminous books--that can't support printing costs. The industry isn't really young--e-books have been around for 15 years, which is a long time in the electronic age. People just insist on trying to apply it to material the market won't support. And the market won't support asking people to pay for something that's readily available for free in the same electronic media.

I also agree that the rewards beyond financial return can be high enough to justify it.

No reason to kid ourselves in the face of reality, though--or to hide the reality from others to make our "success" appear larger than it is.
Click to expand...

I've made more selling my own "ebooks" than I have from an ebook publisher. But I haven't published with any "big" houses (Ellora's Cave, for example) I do have one story coming out with Samhain. We'll see how it does compared to the little-known publishers I've contracted with.

As for the market, I don't know... it will be interesting to see which way it goes. Perhaps, as we become more eco-conscious, ebooks WILL catch on. Especially when Apple starts bringing out their ebook readers (they're working on them now.) It may be the new "Ipod" or "Iphone" who knows?

I've actually had comments left on my stories at Lit or on my blog from people who were reading from their phones... which just amazes me.

You never know where the future's headed...
 
Maybe we can talk...

I envy you, SalenaKittyn, being able to do your own E-books and cutting out the middle man, the publisher. For me, though, having someone else edit, do the art work, and market and advertising it is worth a third of the profits.

Now, if you are offering to do my E-book then maybe we can talk (lol).
 
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