What are your experiences of publishing on Kindle / iTunes?

[kerryw]

I've got my first novel out in paperback in a few weeks but it is already out on Kindle and iTunes. It's been selling steadily although, bizarrely, it has sold more copies in the USA/Canada than the UK despite the fact it is set in, and I live in, Britain.

But I was wondering what other people's experiences are of that publishing route for fiction? Has it been rewarding or too much hassle?

Although I know ebooks are the future (well present, I guess), I still like the hard copy to hold. I've got a proof of the paperback and it's great. I'm looking forward to it being out properly.

If anyone's interested in the links, I have a website here with all the details: http://kerrywilkinson.com

The USA Kindle version is here (http://amzn.to/r3U5Xi), the UK Kindle version is here (http://amzn.to/nIvHAP), while the iTunes version is here (http://bit.ly/owQkg1).

It's a detective story where a series of bodies are found locked in houses where there the killer has no obvious way in or out.

Sorry for the mini-spam, if it's a problem remove the links but I'm still interested in other people's opinions.

[Brad N.]

I've given it a lot of thought. This local author made a small fortune selling her ebooks for like $.99 a piece and had publishers banging down her door. She's kind of a big deal now and sounds like your going about it the same way. Good luck. When I am at a PC I will check out your stuff.

[capntightpants]

I've got my first novel out in paperback in a few weeks but it is already out on Kindle and iTunes. It's been selling steadily although, bizarrely, it has sold more copies in the USA/Canada than the UK despite the fact it is set in, and I live in, Britain.

But I was wondering what other people's experiences are of that publishing route for fiction? Has it been rewarding or too much hassle?

Although I know ebooks are the future (well present, I guess), I still like the hard copy to hold. I've got a proof of the paperback and it's great. I'm looking forward to it being out properly.

If anyone's interested in the links, I have a website here with all the details: http://kerrywilkinson.com

The USA Kindle version is here (http://amzn.to/r3U5Xi), the UK Kindle version is here (http://amzn.to/nIvHAP), while the iTunes version is here (http://bit.ly/owQkg1).

It's a detective story where a series of bodies are found locked in houses where there the killer has no obvious way in or out.

Sorry for the mini-spam, if it's a problem remove the links but I'm still interested in other people's opinions.

I've been told by some "industry pros" that self-publishing novels on kindle/itunes causes publishers to run away from you (which is the very opposite effect of the comics industry). But seeing that you've already been paper published, it probably wouldn't be a problem for you.

[Petey Parker]

I've got my first novel out in paperback in a few weeks but it is already out on Kindle and iTunes. It's been selling steadily although, bizarrely, it has sold more copies in the USA/Canada than the UK despite the fact it is set in, and I live in, Britain.

But I was wondering what other people's experiences are of that publishing route for fiction? Has it been rewarding or too much hassle?

Although I know ebooks are the future (well present, I guess), I still like the hard copy to hold. I've got a proof of the paperback and it's great. I'm looking forward to it being out properly.

If anyone's interested in the links, I have a website here with all the details: http://kerrywilkinson.com

The USA Kindle version is here (http://amzn.to/r3U5Xi), the UK Kindle version is here (http://amzn.to/nIvHAP), while the iTunes version is here (http://bit.ly/owQkg1).

It's a detective story where a series of bodies are found locked in houses where there the killer has no obvious way in or out.

Sorry for the mini-spam, if it's a problem remove the links but I'm still interested in other people's opinions.

Your book has a great price. Browse the Kindle forums on Amazon.com and you'll see there is a quite a large group of people that voraciously read but don't like to pay high prices for the books. It also helps that your book appears to be part of a future series. Series go over well here as well.

Edit: Word of warning for you though if posting on the Kindle forums. They quickly turn on self publishers who bring up their own books in topics.

[kerryw]

Brad N, hope you like it if you do check it out.
Petey, I've seen a few people be turned on so tend to stay clear of the OTT self-promotion
Captntights, I think it depends on what people's sales are like. If you sell lots and lots I don't think publishers would be too put off!

[Cth]

Check with Dusto (http://www.amazon.com/Icelander-Dustin-Long/dp/193241651X) and Joshua Fialkov (http://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Hale-Fialkov/e/B0036GPAQO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1).. both are board members and have books on Kindle/Amazon for their experiences.

Hopefully they'll name check this thread :P

[Brad N.]

I've been told by some "industry pros" that self-publishing novels on kindle/itunes causes publishers to run away from you (which is the very opposite effect of the comics industry). But seeing that you've already been paper published, it probably wouldn't be a problem for you.

Look up the story of Amanda Hocking. She has publishers now pounding her door down after she has sold more than a million of her books that way. "Industry pros" don't like it because it completely cuts them out of the process. Hocking is now the one telling them thanks but no thanks. Obviously she's still exceptional but with this technology there will be more like her.

[kerryw]

Look up the story of Amanda Hocking. She has publishers now pounding her door down after she has sold more than a million of her books that way. "Industry pros" don't like it because it completely cuts them out of the process. Hocking is now the one telling them thanks but no thanks. Obviously she's still exceptional but with this technology there will be more like her.

Heh, that is pretty extreme. Some of it is obviously luck with word of mouth and so on but you have to have something decent to start with. It's cool when people you don't know start leaving reviews and when you've sold more copies than to just people you could possibly know.

Even my website (http://kerrywilkinson.com) is getting decent traffic.

[Dave S.]

Nook? Why cut out a quarter of the US ebook market?

[kerryw]

Nook? Why cut out a quarter of the US ebook market?

According to the PubIt (http://pubit.barnesandnoble.com/pubit_app/bn?t=pi_reg_home) site, you have to have a US bank account, credit card and address to publish on Nook, which I don't.