So I see some readers have beef with the price set by my publisher for Drawing the Stud. So much so they feel compelled to post one-star reviews both on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, even though they haven’t read the book. They’ve got a regular little pile-on going on over at Amazon right now, and though I don’t think authors should ever respond to a review, in my opinion, this is not a review. A review requires actually reading the goddamned book in question.
In response I must say I don’t set the price for books I write through a publisher, but hey, my name is on the cover, so there you go. Personally I think complaining because a book is too expensive is tantamount of me standing in front of the Lexus dealership with a picket sign. Have I ever felt a book was too pricey? Of course, and I made a note to either check it out at the library or to check back later to see if the price came down. I most assuredly would not give an author a one-star review over something she has no control over.
Further, there are complaints that IR authors don’t write novel-length books anymore. I can explain that in one word; piracy. When you write in a niche like IR authors do, your book sales are severely limited. For the most part, you only make money the first month your book is out. Then someone uploads it to the pirate sites and bam, there goes your money. Well, if it takes you six months to a year to write a book, you have one month out of twelve to make money. Or you can write four books in that same timeframe and get paid four times. One book, Try a Little Tenderness, took me two years to write and was on the pirate sites within a week of release. It sucks for you as a consumer, it sucks for me as an author.
I realize there’s a mentality out there that authors should write only for the love of the work, and that sounds very nice, but I’m not one of those authors. I do love writing, but it’s damned hard work and no way in hell would I do it for free. I’m not sure why people have the mentality that artists should be happy that “someone read our books.” I call shenanigans. I am a professional author putting out a product for you, the consumer. The idea that I should somehow have no interest in making a profit is both absurd and insulting to me and to my books. Writing is hard and publishing and promoting is even harder. I realize these are not issues that readers care about. Y’all want as many books as you can get, for the cheapest price you can find. And I do understand that, but just remember, this is my job and while I love my books and I love writing, and adore my fans I also like to get paid. Thank you.
the one who writes 
Very sorry that some readers would use the review to complain about the price of your books. As a retired clergy, I do understand the notion of working without being paid for your work. There was the thought that I worked for God and therefore didn’t need compensation. Please know there are fans that enjoy your books and we will continue to pay the price that the publishers set and not be apart of the complainers…
Well said, Roslyn!!
I sometimes think some of the books I want are too pricey as well, but I also know the authors don’t have control over that. I just wait for a site sale if I cant afford it at the time. Now, I did know about the piracy, but I had no idea to what extent. You guys are getting screwed at both ends! And what people are doing there wont make the price go down!
This is totally unfair and totally unreasonable! Some books are too expensive, but I either wait on it to go down on my Amazon Wish List or buy it, if I absolutely, positively have to gave it. I hate that piracy is an issue and possibly the reason that some books are so short. I must admit that I am not a fan of novellas, unless it’s a tie in to another book. To rate someone lowly because of price and not content is ridiculous. I hope that they are writing that they didn’t read it in their “complaint/review” so others can see how stupid they are. I’m not driven by reviews though. If the description is great or I read one book by an author and I like it. I’m reading everything they write!
Hi Ms. Rosyln,
So sorry to hear about what some readers are doing to your novel. They have to realize that you can’t always get something for nothing. I, for one, don’t care what the novel cost as long as I enjoy that author’s writing. I have even told some of the authors that I follow that the prices were too low. Don’t let those people bother you. Your true fans will purchase your novels no matter what the cost. They realize that this is not just enjoyment for you, but also your JOB!!!! So, with that being said, keep your head up because someone(God) greater is on your side. I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday.
I believe that if u want it, u should buy it. Personally, I don’t have a problem with paying $10-14 for an eBook. If we can pay $14 for a Charlaine Harris novel, and $12 for Darynda Jones’ latest ”Grave” series novel, what’s so wrong about purchasing a ”well written” IRR?
Well that sucks. I can’t believe you’re getting one-stars just for the price and not because people didn’t like the story, especially when you the author don’t set the price. I completely agree with you that the idea that you should have no interest in making a profit from your works is ridiculous. I like my job but I sure wouldn’t keep showing up if they stopped paying me. If I want to do volunteer work I will go to one of the animal shelters.
Three years later and it seems some things haven’t changed much when it comes to some folks not wanted to pay for other people’s work. I am sure you know the issue of returned books for a full refund on Amazon even aftet the book has been read. They don’t do that with movies and music. Sure you are allowed to be unsatisfied or make an purchase error, but when does it stop? And the writers I follow have plenty of free content that they share with fans.