High PriceS, Reviews and what should I do?

“Hi, have you published your book?”

“Yes, it’s done.”

“Did you self-publish?”

It is not the question but the tone that was used in posing it. I immediately started to defend my choice to self-publish. Shit, why did I do that? Did I give in to the stigma of self-publishing? Is self-publishing a red flag that says my book is less valid and probably not very good? Does the community somehow think that self-publishing is an admission of my inadequacy as an author?

Well, I think my book is a wonderful collection of my family and memoir stories. I don’t need to defend my publishing pathway. Time for some relevant self-talk: Goodness Gail, you need to start, at the ripe old age of 76, to simply answer the tone of such a question with a simple “yes”. End of conversation!

My book - 21 Smithfies Drive is available through:

The Friesen Press Book Store

amazon.ca

amazon.com

Chapters Indigo.ca

Barnes and Noble

Independent book stores by order. I ordered one through my local bookstore, Masters Books Store in Haliburton, ON

But here’s the glitch. The prices at some of these are ridiculously high. I can’t imagine anyone buying it. I understood the sellers could change the price from the Friesen Press Book Store prices I agreed to, but I didn't expect it to be this high.

So, what do I know now? I have no idea. Do reviews bring the price down? How will anyone review it if it is too expensive to purchase?

And then there are all these companies advertising on my Facebook page, since my book was published, who want me to purchase their services to write a review. Does that sound ethical to you?

At my book launch, I will give away at least 10 books, and I will only charge $15  for any I sell.

I guess I’ll just let the high prices go and try to forget about it. Any advice?

I am going to try to increase my use of my Substack page to post this and other writing topics. I don’t expect much from it, but I do like the thought that someone may wish to respond and share with me.

I am also going to start a series of blog posts about writing short story fiction. I want to write about writing and be finished with self-publishing. I can't separate the author from the teacher who likes to share and help others. The information in my short story fiction series will be a combination of the learning I gained in completing a Certificate in Writing from the University of Toronto, my additional research and my own writing. I will always credit the course directors and other sources used in my upcoming series.

You can email me at steltergail@gmail.com

You can find on Substack -M. Gail Stelter, Writer

I hope wherever you are in the world, you are doing well. Here in Ontario, Canada, it has been a cold, long winter, and I am so done with it. Marching into March and Spring!

take care

Gail