Why Paying Over $20 For A Book Isn't A Lot

Brome Lake Books

Who doesn't like a deal? I know I do! 

You know that feeling you get when you find the next perfect read in the bargain bin? When the 25% off sticker screams at you from a shelf? Or what about the used book store where you hope to find a cover that catches your eye for only a couple dollars?

Then there's the feeling you get when you read the back cover, the cover is beyond gorgeous, the first page you skim over hooks you... then the price jumps out at you... Especially if you're Canadian.

I hear you. Trust me.



But lets do the math of what went into that book.
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• Write 80,000 to 110,000 words, but this can vary depending on genre
• Multiple drafts
  • Bricks of paper to print some drafts
  • Plenty of red pens
  • Throw in some highlighters and coloured pens
  • Binders
• Finding Beta Readers
  • Explain what you need from them
  • Provide a due date
  • Either print a copy or email digital copy, whichever is preferred
• Find a trustworthy editor who you can work with
  • This can cost $1000 if you've gone through multiple edits on your own and not give too much work to your editor
  • Go over their edits, then discuss.
• Cover design
  • Find an artist
  • Get a quote
  • Share ideas
  • Go back and forth multiple times to make sur it's perfect
  • Design the back cover and spine! Did you ever think about the design of the spine? We always think of the cover, don't we?
• Format the manuscript
  • This takes hours to complete
  • Choose font
  • Choose if you want page numbers on the bottom or top of pages
  • Chapter title fonts, positions
• Write your author bio
• Find the perfect author photo to include
• Write thank you and acknowledgments
• Decide how much to charge
• Marketing swag
  • Bookmarks
  • Posters
  • Postcards
• Plan book launch
• Open social media accounts
  • Be active to keep readers interested and attract new ones
• Approach local libraries and bookstores, asking if they'll carry your book
  • Track inventory and check in to make sure if they need to be stocked up again
• Apply to be part of literary festivals
• Register for art shows to have a table and sell your books
• Start writing and researching next novel all the while market and keep interest for your published books...

Hundred and hundreds of hours, years, tears, smiles, anxiety... all wrapped up in a beautiful book that might have cost you $20.

Is $20 really that much? Is $30?

Just the 3 years it took to go from research to my novel making it onto bookshelves, that means you're paying just under $7.00 a year that went into the story you might devour in a few days.

For myself, I want the characters and worlds I create to be shared. For others to love and loathe them as I did when I was writing. I don't do it for the money (obviously), it would take the fun out of it and I'd probably wouldn't get very far in my writing career if it was the case.

Other than paying full price for a book, leaving reviews and sharing our titles with your friends and family is another way to not only support authors, but thank them for all that went into the hundreds of pages. Ask your local library to carry our books too! Then share a photo with us, it will make our week...or month! I promise.

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