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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How to set the price for your book

The  quality of a book is the initial determining factor in its proposed retail price. When the physical characteristics of your book (such as page count, covers, binding, and size) are finalized, Adventure in Discovery Publishing will calculate a single-copy printing cost.    (we’ll give you an estimate far before this point, however).   Retail price is a function of all the “physical” traits of your book. Most publishers determine that new authors have little market demand. Once we know the base cost of printing a copy of your book, we can calculate what should be the proper retail price for your book.

(Adventure in Discovery can recommend a range of page sizes and suggest the corresponding retail prices.)

The retail price should also be based on your appraisal of the target audience. This includes the value your product provides to the reader, as well as at what price other competitive products are selling. The multiplier to determine retail price should be at least  3.5 to 4.5 times the single-copy printing cost, so as to allow for a reasonable margin (to cover our costs and your payments) after trade discounts are factored in. The Retail Price also helps establish the Net Sales Payment amount—the amount you, the author, make from each sale.

We’ll say it again: It is recommended that this book retail price be at LEAST  3.5 to 4.5 times the “single-copy print costs”.( Higher gross unit printing of a book can create lower unit costs)  Then round-up to an acceptable retail selling price. The higher margin allows for retail discounting at book stores –that may be planned as a part of a marketing strategy - with distributors and retail end sellers, and leave enough “gross margin” remaining so the author will enjoy a reasonable Net Sales Payment. Adventure in Discovery will recommend and discuss with you your options.

Here’s an example:

Your book costs $3.50 per unit to print.

You want to get full representation in the chains and with distributors, so you offer a 55% discount from retail.  

Multiply $3.50 by 3.5. ($3.50 times 3.5 = $12.25)  Add this sum to the printing costs. ($3.50 + $12.35 = $15.85  Round up to $15.95.   Starting at the higher proposed retail value will allow for some retail discounting.   Take $15.95 and multiply it by the discount factor of 55%

To make a nice amount per sale, but to stay competitive, your retail  price of your book should be $15.95.

Here are some things to consider when setting your price.

Various discounts are allowed to libraries and college bookstores (15%–20%), independent bookstores (40%), and large chains and distributors (50%–55%). You may also want to offer volume discounts for individuals who buy more than 5 (or perhaps more than 10) copies of your book at one time. 

From the net sale amount (the retail price less the discount given) deduct the single-copy printing cost to determine the “gross margin.” The author’s Net Sales Payment is the gross margin minus the Adventure in Discovery Publishing processing fee (if any).

How Are My Book Sales Calculated and Credited?

Your Net Sales Profit dollars through Adventure in Discovery Publishing are paid on a quarterly basis. Sale Payments from books sold directly through a Retail or Wholesale customer (typically Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Ingram, Baker and Taylor, etc.) are paid after receipt of the payment from the customer, which typically is 90 days after the sale has been made. Net Sales Profit is not paid for books sold on consignment—until the payment has been received from the retail establishment.

Author Net Sales Payment Schedule for 2009/2010

Remember, since in most cases we are printing a fixed number of books, you won’t have any out-of-pocket expense for book printing after investing in the initial book publishing package. You simply receive your Net Sales Profit on every copy sold, every three months minus the small percentage in shipping costs due. In the traditional book-publishing world—due to arrangements allowing booksellers to return unsold copies—trade publishers pay royalties much less frequently and generally for a period that ends six or twelve months previously, and you may have no control over the per-book profit amount.

But—we do our book sales a little bit differently (and, we think, far better) than others.

We don’t pay you royalties. After all, it’s your book! We simply charge the cost of printing your book (and any processing or shipping fees: see below). You may make as little or as much money as you like on each book, and you are in control of that by how you set your retail price. Warning: if you set the price too high, you will get few or no sales!

Here’s how we calculate your Net Sales Profit:

All sales are credited at the sold price of the book. (This may vary; see below.*) MINUS the Printing Cost (which you will know before we even set up our agreements), MINUS any processing fees or shipping charges.

There are typically three ways that books get sold:

1) Through “distribution” which includes places like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, independent book sellers, and other retailers and wholesale outlets like Ingram and Baker & Taylor distributors.

2) Direct to consumer. Books can also be sold direct to the consumer via one of our marketing tools such as our author e-commerce site.

3) Distribution Sales (also called “wholesale orders”)

Here’s how it works. Let’s say for the sake of example that the book has a $14.95 retail price and a $6.03
Printing Cost.

You may choose (and most authors do) to allow “volume pricing” and “wholesale pricing” on your book. This allows retailers and distributors to buy your book at a discount so that they may then in turn sell it to others; some of these folks are the infamous “middle men.” The downside is that you get less for each book; the upside (which most often far outweighs the down) is that you get tremendous exposure, you may sell many more books, and in general become rich, famous, and live happily ever after. Well, maybe not all those things, but the sales process is very, very simple. The typical discount for wholesalers, retailers, and distributors is at or above 50%, but we can work with you to set a discount that is appropriate for both your market and your book. We typically recommend discount rates from 40% to 55%.

There is no handling fee for Bookstore and Wholesale orders, if you choose to do the fulfillment.

Here’s the scenario:

The World’s Greatest Bookstore calls and wants your book; its retail price (which you set) is $14.95.

They want 500 copies.

You are offering a 50% discount (which you have also set).

So $14.95 minus 50% is $7.47. (I know! Wow! What a deal!)

Your net sales profit is $7.47 per book. It sounds disheartening until you realize that in one golden swoop you just sold 500 books at a net sale of nearly $3,735.00! Not to mention the fact that your book is now 500 times more likely to grab someone’s attention than it was yesterday. As with everything in life there are upsides and downsides.

Direct to Consumer Sales (also called “retail” sales)

These sales are made either directly by you the author, or via a system like our Adventures With (your name)
Web site.

For simplicity we’ll say your book is sold at its Retail Price of $14.95.

The Production Cost (printing) is $6.03 per copy.

Our Processing Fee is $2.00.

Your Net Sales Profit is

$14.95 - $6.03 - $2.00 = $6.92 - PAID TO YOU

That’s nearly a 50% profit on each book sold at the retail price!

Would you like a bigger profit on your books? If the market allows it and you feel your book can command it, set a higher price! For example, we raise the price of your book to $17.95, your net sales rises to $9.93 per book.
 

Author Sales System Reports

Adventure in Discovery issues Author Net Sales Payments on a quarterly basis. Included with each check is a form detailing your sales for the Current Quarter, Previous Quarter, and Year To Date, as well as information about sales through Select Channel partners—Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble (both DC—Distribution Center, and Store), and Ingram.

Soon to be available: The form is very simple to read—and will have an example of this available for you. There will also be a Glossary at the bottom of that page that defines the terms we use in the report.

Marketing:

Adventure in Discovery as a provider of publishing services to authors in addition offers a wide variety of marketing and promotional resources. We provide a full portfolio of excellent marketing tools and promotional vehicles to our authors, everything from individual promotional products to complete marketing campaigns. We offer everything from Press Release writing and distribution to Search Marketing services.

There are many marketing strategies but only a few are key to your success, YOU being one of them. Having a book published or promotional materials sent out doesn’t make you a success or make you instant income. You, the author need to put your best “face or voice” forward. Almost always, the authors must be willing to market themselves by making public appearances at bookstores, trade shows, and on radio and TV.  The author needs to be armed with key marketing materials to spread the word.

Adventure in Discovery charges a one-time $50 artist charge for creation of any à-la-cart choice.

Promotional Materials  

In self-publishing, awareness and marketing are critical components of creating sales for your book. We have a variety of Promotional Materials available to help support your marketing efforts, increase awareness of your book, and increase your sales. We use some of the best printers who don’t charge you a lot. You can order greater quantities of anything you see here. We have narrowed your choices of what kind of paper to use and what ink colors look best, and how many copies of your book you should purchase. Color sells! We will custom create your piece to fit your needs. Looking for something you don’t see here? Give us a call for more information. 1-561-575-4601.

Business Cards

Full-color, two-sided business cards professionally designed with your contact information, book cover, and description. Custom Created Business cards (front is full color and laminated; back is 1-color).

    500    $30.00*                                1,000    $32.00*                                2,500    $62.00*

Postcards

Full color 4”x 6” postcards are a great way to promote your book. Custom mail-ready postcards are professionally designed by our creative team. (Front is full color-laminated, back is 1-color.)

    500     $45.00*                                 1,000  $50.00*                                      2,500   $85.00*

Bookmarks

Full-color two-sided 2” x 7” laminated bookmarks are effective marketing tools. One side of the bookmark consists of the cover of your book, its title, a brief summary, and ordering information. On the other are your photo, name, and short biography.

       500    $54.00*                                1,000    $60.00*

Posters

Available in sets of five, these 11" x 17" full-color posters make great displays for book signings. Printed on heavy stock and shipped in a protective tube, these posters feature the cover of your book and ordering information. And /or a 24” x 36” poster size of you and your book cover with description of the book, is an excellent choice.

8.5" x 11”    $0.50* / laminated $1.30*                        11” x 17”    $1.79 / laminated $6.00 *

24” x 36”    $47.99* / laminated $60* / $90.00* /mounted and laminated
 

Promotional Variety Pack $180.00*

Ideal for book signings and trade shows. Includes (all in color) 500 Business Cards featuring the cover of your book with description and ordering information, 500 Post Cards designed to be handouts and/or mailers, three 11” x 17” poster and one 24” x 36” poster size (mounted and laminated) of you, your book cover with description.

Website with Your Name:

Click on this link to learn more.

* Prices may vary slightly.