Attracting Attention?

Does anyone care to predict which book by your favorite writer will do well? No? Join the club. As long as the sun rises and sets, these days no one can possibly predict how well a book will be received.

It used to be the case when books were wholly within the domain of traditional publishing that critics and reviewers in the employ of the various publishing houses, having read an advance copy would broadcast their views to the world. With the advent of eBooks and self-publishing, all that has changed.

By allowing the new writer of the electronic file that is an eBook to fix the base price at the extremely low US$0.99, meaning that the product becomes available at around US$1.20, places it directly in the view of one star reviewers and other assorted self-important predators who believe it is their god given right to criticize anyone who prices their product so low.

In the vast majority of cases, these so-called protectors of the written word are correct. But by making such a fuss, denigrating the particular writer’s efforts, they actually attract attention to the work in question, boosting sales – something these people haven’t cotton onto quite yet. After all, these days what is US$1.20? It’s nothing but change to the great majority. The other way to absolutely guarantee the unwanted attention of these people is for your US$1.20 book to be praised to the hilt.

Of course, there is one way of avoiding these individuals – set the price higher. For some peculiar reason, they don’t seem to attack a book which is priced between US$2 – $5.

Mind you, it’s a catch twenty-two situation for the first time writer. By setting the price too high means that without creating curiosity among readers of those totally negative, badly written one-star reviews, your book may not attract the positive attention it deserves. It is also a fact that being an unknown writer who has set the price of your book above US$1.20, almost guarantees poor sales figures. This very subject causes endless debate among most independent writers I know.

Face it people – it takes a lot of time, effort, and patience, not to mention requiring you to develop a hide thicker than a Rhino when it comes to the inevitable negative criticism the product of all your hard work will attract in the thoroughly bitchy world of writing.

Above all, don’t be put off from writing down that story currently filling your head. Just be aware of what awaits you when you emerge from obscurity for the first time.