What's the best price for short stories on eBooks?

michaelsummers · Mar 18, 2012

Hi people,
I'm new to this whole eBook thing, but I think it is the easiest way of getting something published (even if it does get swamped by several million other ebooks). It would be nice to be able to make a bit of money though. What do you reckon is the best price for a short story? I have a few written and some ideas for some more, but I'm not sure anyone would actually pay anything for one. I wonder if I set the price to 99 cents I would get a few people buying.

What's everyone else's experience of selling short stories as eBooks?

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Check out my new short story, 3 + 3, on Smashwords:

3 + 3 is an edgy tale of chance based around Theo, who we find with a gun to his head and a finger on the trigger. As the story progresses, Theo’s extraordinary history unfolds; a history that has been subtly leading up to this life or death moment without him knowing. Luck has a peculiar fate in store for this unlikely hero, and the number six has something to do with it. So just roll the dice...

You can find it on Smashwords at the link below:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/143208

Also, check out my author profile on:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MichaelSummers

Carradee · Mar 19, 2012

I get some $0.99 sales for short stories. I have about 6 available. Some don't sell, while others sell about a copy a month, across all vendors.

Some folks sell a lot better than I do. Some sell worse.

In general, I've heard that some genres do better than others, and that series tend to sell better. I'm working on a 5-story set for one character, but I only have 1 out so far.

ETA: I forgot—I do have a series of 3 short stories out under one penname, and they sell for $0.99 a copy. They also sell better than my other shorts. (My short stories tend to be about 3–4k words long.)

Buffysquirrel · Mar 19, 2012

When people can get a whole novel for 99 cents, it's hard to see why they would pay that much for only a short story. What I'd suggest is looking at what other authors are charging for their short stories, and setting your price similarly.

astonwest · Mar 19, 2012

A single short story, I give away for free...I have a novella for 99 cents and a trio-of-stories for 99 cents, so doesn't seem right to sell the singles for the same amount.

LaneHeymont · Mar 19, 2012

michaelsummers said:
Hi people,
I'm new to this whole eBook thing, but I think it is the easiest way of getting something published (even if it does get swamped by several million other ebooks). It would be nice to be able to make a bit of money though. What do you reckon is the best price for a short story? I have a few written and some ideas for some more, but I'm not sure anyone would actually pay anything for one. I wonder if I set the price to 99 cents I would get a few people buying.

What's everyone else's experience of selling short stories as eBooks?

---------
Check out my new short story, 3 + 3, on Smashwords:

3 + 3 is an edgy tale of chance based around Theo, who we find with a gun to his head and a finger on the trigger. As the story progresses, Theo’s extraordinary history unfolds; a history that has been subtly leading up to this life or death moment without him knowing. Luck has a peculiar fate in store for this unlikely hero, and the number six has something to do with it. So just roll the dice...

You can find it on Smashwords at the link below:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/143208

Also, check out my author profile on:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/MichaelSummers

I'm wondering, in all seriousness, what drew you to publishing on ebook format as opposed submitting to a press/magazine?

Al Ross · Mar 26, 2012

I sell my short stories on Amazon for $0.99 to $1.99 Novelettes for $2.99. (I do sell at all price points)

I prefer not to price them at $0.99 because then you're competing for sales with the huge piles of novels in the same price range. I think as time passes this price range will be considered (if not already is) the bargain bin price and the value of the content valued similarly.

I'm new in writing short stories. I challenged myself to write 20 short stories/novelettes in a years time (completed 4 and 3 waiting to be edited) and self-publish them on Amazon/Smashwords.

I didn't know about the paper market, else I might have gone for that, but once I made a promise I tend to stick to it. I'll try finish my 20 stories and after that I will write for the paper market. It's nice to get a story in a magazine and money upfront. Having your work edited for you is also a benefit. (saves money)

Stijn Hommes · Mar 26, 2012

Having your work edited for you is also a benefit. (saves money)

I can't imagine how that saves money. People will review and edit shorts on the SYW forum here for free. You should only really pay an editor for novel(ette) length work to make the pay worth your while.

Al Ross · Mar 27, 2012

Stijn Hommes said:
People will review and edit shorts on the SYW forum here for free.

Well that I didn't know.

RobJ · Mar 27, 2012

All this good advice ... sadly michaelsummers hasn't been back to check the thread since he posted the link to his book.

Buffysquirrel · Mar 27, 2012

You almost sound as if you suspect that was his sole intention in starting the thread!

astonwest · Mar 29, 2012

Buffysquirrel said:
You almost sound as if you suspect that was his sole intention in starting the thread!

Perish the thought! No one would ever do that sort of thing!

What's the best price for short stories on eBooks?

michaelsummers

Carradee

practical experience, FTW

Buffysquirrel

astonwest

2 WIP? A glutton for punishment

LaneHeymont

Not so secret agent

Al Ross

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

Al Ross

RobJ

Buffysquirrel

astonwest

2 WIP? A glutton for punishment