The numbers tell the story

I am still trying to find my way on Threads. That’s me assuming that Threads is a platform I should be allocating more time to. Maybe it isn’t. I have found it kind of whiny and passive-aggressive, with people complaining a lot about what someone did or did not do to them on an airline flight. Lots of that.

Another thing: I think I am on Instagram and suddenly realize I am on Threads. Zuckerberg has dragged me over there against my will. Sneaky.

There’s a lot of complaining about Amazon on Threads. Posts like this:

“Serious question: why are you still buying books at Target and Amazon and not local bookstores? No shade, just curiosity.”

Well, I have never bought a book from Target. But I am an author on Amazon and everywhere else. So if you’re not buying my book from Amazon, you’re buying it from an independent or chain bookstore, or checking it out from a library. In that case, my book finds its way to you from Ingram.

I am not here to bash Amazon or Ingram. Ingram is a great friend and resource to independent authors, getting their books in the hands of retailers and libraries everywhere. If you are on Amazon only and not Ingram, these markets are off limits to you.

But let me lay some numbers on you. My trade paperback retails for $17.95. It is print on demand, so there is no warehouse (or garage) full of my books. The print quality is amazing.

• Print on Demand at Ingram costs $5.20 per copy. I make $2.61 on each book.

• Print on Demand at Amazon costs $4.26 per copy. I make $6.51 on each sale.

• I make no more than $4 on the non-Kindle ebook (Ingram) vs. $6.73 on Kindle (Amazon).

• I make 77 cents per copy on the hardcover, available via Ingram. I decided to create a hardcover version for libraries.

Just FYI, the audiobook is available through Author’s Republic, where I make 85 percent of the $14.99 price. Except that a lot of the activity there is rentals at libraries via Overdrive and Hoopla. No one really pays full price for audiobooks, but Author’s Republic is a wonderful user-friendly platform.

Amazon also lets you upload A+ content (shown above) to your book page. That’s the series of horizontal ads at the bottom of the page. And they are very responsive to issues and pay more quickly. It took me almost a month to get a response to a question from Ingram.

But really, I just want people to read my book. I love hanging out in independent book stores and finding new nooks and crannies in libraries. So I am happy no matter where you find it.

My local independent bookstore, Browseabout in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, has been very good to me. I’ve sold nineteen books there, had a signing event, and just dropped off eight more at their request.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, I canceled my subscription to The Washington Post and to Amazon Prime and Audible. I deleted my Twitter account. I am back on Amazon Prime. It seemed dumb to be at war with an entity that was actually treating me pretty well.

So back to Threads. The original poster received a range of reflective answers from people who don’t live anywhere near an independent bookstore, or who like to read indie books, or they are disabled and can’t easily get to a bookstore. Of course, there is bookshop.org. If you buy my book there, it will come to you via Ingram.

In the last couple of days, on Threads, I have stumbled onto some thoughtful spiritual discussions and enlightening threads by women of color. I am in hang-back-and-just-listen mode right now.

Lent begins in two days: Shutting up and listening is a viable spiritual practice.