You might be facing similar self-publishing book pricing problems. In 2018 I had issues with proper listing and pricing at Australian book retailers, such as Booktopia. Since then I have learnt more about the secrets of Print on Demand (with IngramSpark). Things I will be writing about in an upcoming Pitfalls of Publishing book!
Feeds are not distribution. IngramSpark promising Australian micro/indie publishers that they can get their book listing out to 39,000 retailers/libraries is misleading. As a proud author-publisher, I do NOT expect that online book retail partners like Booktopia and The Nile to not list POD books, or list them at over-inflated prices! Actually, The Nile still stocks NONE of my books as partners of Ingram.
Retail Prices
As an experienced user of Print on Demand, I list my titles prices with consistency. To encourage sales, I set a low RRP and Net Sale Price for library supplier orders. It seems there is little one can do about the IngramSpark feed system and retailers listed prices, although Ingram is good in other ways.
While problems with my book “How to Start a Freelance Business” were about colour print being done overseas (now fixed) what about my latest book? I set the price at $23.95. Let’s see what the retailers sell it for.
Retailers for ‘My Personal Brand’
Booktopia – $26.62
Amazon.com.au – $22.50 (+ $3.90 shipping)
Fishpond – $26.92 with shipping
AbeBooks – $33.86 with shipping
The Nile – NOT LISTED (even though partner)
Mighty Ape – $36.99!
Wheeler Books NZ – $32.61 (says its overseas, so using Amazon version)
Boomerang Books – $33.73 + 9.99 shipping! (Says overseas supplier, for no good reason)
How to explain the extra mark-up and long shipping times quoted? In the past, IngramSpark commented that they do not control the retailer’s final price, it is a suggested price only.
I think some of the long shipping times is because I first listed it on KDP (Amazon) and after unhappiness with covers, I went through the process again with IngramSpark. Those stores with higher prices might be ordering it from the Amazon listing, so perhaps the book is shipping from overseas.
When an Australian author distributes using IngramSpark (in Melbourne), why does the book rarely appear in our retailers’ online stores? Is it that all POD books are treated as low priority listings? Or is it that only books that are selling over 100 per month get made visible and prices sharpened?
I already know that Amazon has a price matching and lowering algorithm. If books are physically bought in at launch but not sold, you’ll find that the price drops dramatically to rid them of this excess stock. Sometimes authors overseas have said that they sell out the old version when they should really be selling the new version.
Picture if you will, a huge warehouse with robotic forklifts, sending books all over the world, the people scurrying due to time constraints and record times to be made in delivery.
An indie publisher could apply to a distributor and get approval for Australian book sales. Members can do this through the Aust. Society of Authors (John Reed) distributor, if they have a cash reserve to fund 500+ copies. Production quality must be really high for this.
Another Book Visibility Problem
Another problem more prolific authors have faced: books that got ordered but had no time on store bookshelves. Distribution on consignment does not usually mean your book sitting in boxes out the back, as Joan Isaacs of “To Prey and To Silence” found hers was. I’m guessing that hers was a strong, controversial message but not a marketable product in the bookstore staff’s eyes.
As the Writer’s Grapevine tells it, Joan’s award-winning book had 98 bookstore returns. Reason: damaged. Returns might also be code for “we didn’t want to display that book”. Returns are expensive with IngramSpark. The only option is “Non-returnable” (no bookstore would select it) or “Return-Destroy”. This is because otherwise it would cost the Australian publisher a lot more than they ever made.
Another risk for the independent publisher, to be considered carefully.
Another way to get books out to individual readers is to order a box of 50 from your Print on Demand. This is in the Order section at IngramSpark, and don’t forget to select the AU store and pricing.
Then set up a webstore, or GUMROAD, which is far quicker, and sell books directly. Remember to account for PayPal 2.5% fee and of course, postage. Send Document post if possible ($5.50) and put it in a hardened envelope (they sell these at OFFICEWORKS). Take your book with you when you measure envelopes. Weigh the book.
11 Comments. Leave new
I’ve recently released a book through IngramSpark. What I’ve found more distressing than the book being marked up a ridiculous amount (almost double my set RRP) by Australian retailers is that some of them have listed a RRP that is WILDLY different (over double my set RRP through IngramSpark and what is listed with the ISBN) than what it should be, making people think the bookstores (barely) discounted price is a ‘bargain’.
While I understand and accept that retailers are able to set whatever price they want on a book they list, I didn’t think that they could list an incorrect RRP. Wouldn’t this be a big ‘no no’ according to the ACCC’s statements about Two-price comparison advertising?
I completely agree and have had that happen. You try to make a reasonably priced book and they don’t follow the pricing guide set at all. I’ve no idea about laws, all I know is they don’t do this to traditional publishers so what’s the go?
I have written to the ACCC but their potted reply did not really help much as it asked me to follow up directly with Booktopia first, which is nigh on impossible for authors, rather than a customer. Use http://www.BOOKO.com.au to check all your book retailer pricing.
Thanks for this informative article, Jennifer! I’m planning on self-publishing my first novel in January, and was going to be using Ingram Spark for the first time (I’m also in Australia). Now I have some idea of what to look out for!
Very good read, and insightful. I have not used POD, but I know a friend who has. I, however, self-published a book (along with my two co-authors), and had 100 copies of our book printed up. Getting these into stores is now a seemingly impossible task.
Try Imaginarium 2.0 – they handle book sales of indie publishers and are just two passionate people making calls to bookstores, etc. https://imaginarium2point0.com/
Thanks for your informative post, Jennifer. On an author’s behalf, I have produced through Ingram Spark a title due for release in a few weeks. Dymocks are showing an interest in an advance copy, but sent a message saying “I hope you have a distributor we deal with, as we do not buy direct.” Can you please advise how I should identify and approach a suitable distributor?
Yes, same issue with books self published via Amazon KDP! A search for my books in Amazon often shows, the inflated secondary sellers pricers coming ahead of my actual Amazon published price. One of my books (rrp 21.99USD on Amazon) is listed at over 800USD. Amazon, Google, and the entire book marketing/publishing industry need to start working together, or we will all end up selling nothing!
The price skyrockets when Amazon cannot locate your book feed. If you have trouble with this through a POD host and have updated your ISBN listing, then try listing your book by opening an Amazon ‘Fulfilled by Merchant’ account. Then you can supply your book to visitors directly.
I am trying to get my science fiction novel distributed in Australia. It is set in Australia in 2042. I have it with Amazon, but they don’t ship to Australia. I want to promote my novel, but tis pointless if the distributor doesn’t ship to Australia. I tried calling Booktopia, but they are impossible to reach.
I find that Booktopia is hard to reach but managed to get a form from BPS, their distributor arm. Distribution to retail and Print on Demand are two very different animals.
Check out Distributors in my Publishing Directory: http://jenniferlancaster.com.au/business-directory/wpbdp_category/book-distributors-australia/