So… I’ve got a comic book I’m going to start self publishing via Amazon’s Create Space.
Create Space offers some great quality full-color prints. Which allows me to create a really nice looking comic that is print-on-demand.
So far, so good.
But I’m having a hard time figuring out pricing, and I’d love your guys’ input.
If I put out a 40-page, full-color comic… I can do so for $8.95 and make a (small) profit.
Or I can put out a 40-page black and white version for $5.95 and make a similar profit.
But, while being in black-and-white wouldn’t kill this comic… it’s not how I intended for it to be read.
Plus, $5.95 is still higher than your standard single-issue comic that you typically get from the news stands.
On the other hand, many indie publishers charge between 8 and 10 bucks per issue for 40-pagers…
So here’s what I’m leaning towards:
$8.95 for a full-color (inside and out) high-quality print.
$3.95 for a DRM-free digital copy (PDF and CBZ).
Thoughts?
(And, yes, I’ll post a sample soon so you can see what the comic is like for your selves.)
October 19th, 2009 - 11:42 pm
I think that sounds very reasonable. You have to make some money on your projects. I would pay (and most likely will pay) that much for it. I say yes sir.
October 20th, 2009 - 2:17 am
The prices are reasonable. We have to understand that labor is costly these days due to the economic crunch. The better way is to generate money for your expense. You can do freelance drawing and get paid for it. You might be an answer to someone’s prayer. Keep it up!
Sincerely,
BookWhirl.com
October 20th, 2009 - 10:11 pm
Is it just a one-and-done, or is there more? If there’s a few issues you might want to consider a cheaper first issue.
I’ve got hooked on quite a few Vertigo things recently with their $1 first issues.
(Just like drug dealers do in bad movies. “The first hit’s free kid”)
October 20th, 2009 - 10:31 pm
Purplegrant: It’s a monthly. And I love the idea of a cheap first issue… just can’t afford it.
What I will be doing though is to offer a digital sample. Basically the first 20-ish pages of issue number 1 will be free for download.
October 23rd, 2009 - 3:33 pm
Can you offer all three?
Then people can get a “trial” version: $4 Kindle, $6 B&W, and $9 color.
IIRC, POD doesn’t charge a set-up fee up-front. It’s built into the per copy price.
October 23rd, 2009 - 6:01 pm
Nonny:
Kinda-sorta. I end up needing to spend more on each issue up front to get better rates. Which in turn allows me to lower prices.
Plus, while this particular comic is not “color heavy”… having a purely B&W print might lose some of the effect. I’m toying with a B&W version to see if I’d be happy with it… but so far not looking likely.