Comments on: My experience selling a draft novel on the Amazon Kindle

By: Aaron Ross Powell

Aaron Ross Powell — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:57:45 +0000

@BryanDoyle As a new author, you’re going to have a difficult time no matter what. There are lots of books out there and lots of new ones coming out every day.

That said, what @MagnusBakke suggests is a good idea (I just did it with my new short story collection, in fact). I’ve also had luck telling people about my books on Facebook and Twitter.

By: MagnusBakke

MagnusBakke — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:28:59 +0000

@BryanDoyle

You set the price low. People will buy it. If it’s the first in a series, and it’s good, then they will buy the next volume, which should be a lot more expensive. Otherwise, the book will be suggested if people look at books that are similar to yours.

By: BryanDoyle

BryanDoyle — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:19:37 +0000

I’m a simple guy, no computer expert….so my question is, since people aren’t literally walking by and looking at books on shevles…where they can literally SEE something, how do you get people out there to notice your novel. There are (I don’t know) a gazillion books out there. What do you do, marketing-wise, to make yours stand out? I do have a book I just put up on kindle, but except for me personally telling someone I know, ‘Go to…’ I’m not sure how to move it. Be patient??? Is that the answer? Hit and miss?

By: Aaron Ross Powell

Aaron Ross Powell — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:56:33 +0000

It’s definitely not too good to be true — but it isn’t a panacea either. You still have to work pretty hard to get people to actually buy your book. It won’t sell itself just because it’s on Amazon.

By: Mary Conner

Mary Conner — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:10:50 +0000

Thanks for the input. Kindle Direct Publishing seems like such a good opportunity for new/unpublished writers that I needed some feedback on whether it was too good to be true!

By: Aaron Ross Powell

Aaron Ross Powell — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:52:05 +0000

Hi, Mary. I don’t think my book was more exposed to that sort of thing by being on the Kindle than it would’ve been published any other way. If someone wants to copy my book, they’ll do it, whether it’s in paperback or on the Kindle or anything else.

By: Mary Conner

Mary Conner — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:13:14 +0000

I noticed that the published copy of your book has an ISBN. I’m considering publishing a novel on Kindle Direct and I was wondering how well you felt Amazon protected your rights as the author of the book. Did you feel like your work was more exposed to potential plagarism because of the medium, or did you feel like Amazon’s measures were sufficient?

By: Aaron Ross Powell

Aaron Ross Powell — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:54:00 +0000

Hi, Harry. There’s not much in the way of updates since I wrote this because, shortly after the post went up, my novel was picked up by a publisher. As part of the publication deal, I had to take down the Kindle version (it’ll be back when the revised novel comes out sometime in 2011).

That said, Amazon has sold a ton more Kindles since I wrote this post, so I can only imagine there’s more opportunity for success today than two years ago. I’d say “go for it” with your book and see what happens. Best of luck.

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:11:00 +0000

Hi, i just happened across your post of 2 years ago! I have finished a novel of 65000 words in the style of Michael Crichton-ish and just given a hard copy to my wife for comments-yikes! i was wondering whether or not you had had much success with Amazon since 2008 and if you would recommend this path. Harry

By: How To Become A Best-Selling Novelist on Amazon's Kindle — Word Wonders

How To Become A Best-Selling Novelist on Amazon's Kindle — Word Wonders — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:04:57 +0000

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