Do my thighs look big? Some would be surprised French women ask themselves this question. But three months till summertime and, truth is, the French–men, women, and even children–are already dieting! They're talking about it at the picnic table, in the school yard, and in programs on T.V.
The other day I overhead the term "culotte de cheval" and guessed the subject was fashion (as in "riding pants are out this season"). How wrong I was…
culotte de cheval (kew-lowt-deuh-shuh-vahl)
: jodphur thighs
Back home we call it "pears." A person whose weight settles below the belt is considered "pear-shaped."
What about you? Where do you store your extra? Sur les cuisses (on the thighs) or on the belly (le bidou, as little kids say)? For me it's my middle–or anywhere, actually. I try not to focus on weight, for, as a dear friends says, what you focus on increases 🙂
Today I am focusing on reader satisfaction–a much better place to center one's attention! My new book is already arriving in mailboxes! And the funny thing is I have not seen a copy of it yet (having only read the PDF format).
Because you will be seeing my book before I see it, can you please tell me: how does it look? How are you enjoying the photo-filled stories? Did you notice the puzzle in the back–and the interview? That's new, too!
If you enjoy the book, please consider rating First French Essais here on Amazon. It will be a great help to my book. Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading your book review!
First wildflower bouquet of the season!
A Day in a FRENCH Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Finally, "Un Prix Amical!"
Thank you very much for purchasing my First French Essais. The rumble you made while rushing for my book propelled it–to no. 38 on Amazon's Top 100!
If you only knew how many years I've spent, eyes glued to Amazon's Bestsellers page. I watched Twilight hit the charts, then Eato, Prayo, Lovo (translated, it seemed, into a bajillion languages!). And when Shades of Gray lounged like a slut at no. 1, I threw my arms in the air. Help me God! How could a prude like me ever make it to the bestsellers? Without a big publisher? Without a G-string?
And yet I dreamed… One day… maybe one day….
Years passed and THE DAY CAME! What a thrill to hit my computer's refresh button and see my rank finally appear–straight at the top!
But this morning First French Essais tumbled off the list…
…and Amazon slashed my book's price by 40%!!!
As book rank and price radically shifted, I felt both excited… and terrible! On the one hand my book now had the friendly price I'd tried so hard to get, but on the other hand my most faithful and supportive readers–those who purchased during the book launch–did not benefit from a prix amical, or friendly price.
If only writers were mindreaders! I could not know, when pricing my book, that Amazon would sharply undercut it, within 48 hours! Surprised to wake up and find my book selling for $13.50 instead of $22.50, I was amazed at how little control one has, finally, when "self" publishing.
Let's go behind the scenes and see why:
When an author publishes her book, via Amazon's "print on demand" service, she sets the price based on page number and format–and how much she wants or needs to earn per book.
Because my book is 150 pages & full-color, the minimum price I could set it for was $18.50. But at this price, my royalties would be zero!
…To make 0.5 cents per book, I would need to set the price at $19
… to make .65 cents per book… I'd have to sell it for $20
But this was no where near where I wanted to price my book! My goal being to offer a full-color book at $15 (a price that seems friendly to all, author included!).
Only at $15, my earnings would be $-2.35! Would I actually have to pay Amazon?
What if I bought an inventory of books? Would the printer then lower the production cost? How about if I reduced page number? Or removed some color photos? Or did cartwheels?
I tried every which way to lower the price for readers. Nothing doing! To make a return on my book, I would need to set the price over $20. And one more thing…
In order to make my book available to libraries and booksellers (or anywhere other than Amazon), I would have to set the minimum price at $28! (Get outta here!)
I finally settled on $22.50. For this price I would lose sales to certain countries, making a few cents in others, like England and France (for the latter I make a whopping 0.12 centimes per book!). I would also lose the chance to work with libraries, but could still earn slightly more than a publisher would pay me. And isn't that, after all, the goal of self-publishing?
It is one goal of self-publishing. The bigger goal is to write what you want to write–and not what a publisher tells you to! But without a major publisher, one who who can buy 25,000 books and resell them at a cheaper price), I am at the mercy of Amazon (my printer).
Sunday morning I watched as Amazon threw me to the lions–or what I feared would be lions once my readers learned the current price of my book!! What to do now?
"Tell the whole story," Mom encouraged, as she always does. "People will understand. You must never be afraid to tell your story."
* * *
To those who paid the higher price, I am terribly sorry. I tried my best to get you the prix amical. But some things are out of one's control (a lesson I learn daily). Considering the life of a book, please know your purchase has given my First French Essais the healthy start every newborn needs!
Shane Cook, a reader in Texas, is the first to have received the book–as far as I know. Even I have not seen the actual product! I asked Shane to take pictures, so I could rest assured that the spine and covers were as they appeared online. Thank you, Shane! What a relief!
… And here is the back, as photographed by Shane. One detail, I just noticed, had escaped me: the note at the bottom of the polaroid. Thanks, Tami, at TLC Graphics, for the delightful caption!
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T’inquietes pas!
T’inquietes pas!
Hi Kristin!
I have read your blog regularly for the past 7 years since my high school French teacher introduced it to my class. I love it! I can’t wait to get my copy of your latest book in the mail. I’m sorry things were rough with Amazon, but rest assured you didn’t lose a follower in the US.
Hi Kristin!
I have read your blog regularly for the past 7 years since my high school French teacher introduced it to my class. I love it! I can’t wait to get my copy of your latest book in the mail. I’m sorry things were rough with Amazon, but rest assured you didn’t lose a follower in the US.
My copy has just been delivered! The photos are lovely…great colours. I’m in my office,so will have to wait to read it later.Don’t worry about the pricing,it’s good value and, of course, unique.
Bon courage!
My copy has just been delivered! The photos are lovely…great colours. I’m in my office,so will have to wait to read it later.Don’t worry about the pricing,it’s good value and, of course, unique.
Bon courage!
Kristin,
Do not worry about the slightly higher price some of your fans paid. That is why we are your fans. We love you! Plus, at least for me, as long as we are healthy and have love in our hearts, we are rich. You always show love in your writing, and it’s all about love (and lovely books, like yours)! Have a great day, and once again, felicitations!
Kristin,
Do not worry about the slightly higher price some of your fans paid. That is why we are your fans. We love you! Plus, at least for me, as long as we are healthy and have love in our hearts, we are rich. You always show love in your writing, and it’s all about love (and lovely books, like yours)! Have a great day, and once again, felicitations!
Dear Kristin,
I noticed the #38 (!!!) and the price drop too, but please rest assured that none of your loyal readers would ever blame you for a price drop on Amazon that is clearly out of your control. No apology or explanation necessary! How could we expect you to anticipate price fluctuations due to Amazon’s mysterious pricing algorithms? Pish posh. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy but am afraid with St Patrick’s Day snow here it may take an extra day or two. It’s too bad your book can’t make its way to libraries or retail stores–it is such a charming book that would, I think, be right at home on a whimsically curated display shelf at Anthropologie. Congratulations on this wonderful accomplishment, and thank you for sharing your stories with us.
Dear Kristin,
I noticed the #38 (!!!) and the price drop too, but please rest assured that none of your loyal readers would ever blame you for a price drop on Amazon that is clearly out of your control. No apology or explanation necessary! How could we expect you to anticipate price fluctuations due to Amazon’s mysterious pricing algorithms? Pish posh. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my copy but am afraid with St Patrick’s Day snow here it may take an extra day or two. It’s too bad your book can’t make its way to libraries or retail stores–it is such a charming book that would, I think, be right at home on a whimsically curated display shelf at Anthropologie. Congratulations on this wonderful accomplishment, and thank you for sharing your stories with us.
I know your book will be priceless! I can’t wait to get my copy! Don’t worry!
You can’t control the weather or Amazon!
All best,
Carol Carney
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
I know your book will be priceless! I can’t wait to get my copy! Don’t worry!
You can’t control the weather or Amazon!
All best,
Carol Carney
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Not to worry. What matters is the pleasure of reading your book.
Meanwhile, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Not to worry. What matters is the pleasure of reading your book.
Meanwhile, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Although I havn’t yet ordered your book, procrastination is my middle name, I plan to buy several-for myself and friends. I had no idea how the system worked or I would have purchased them last week. So sorry. Your original price was absolutely fair. Thank you for letting us how how self-publishing works. Will you now actually owe money? Tell us it isn’t so. Incroyable.
Although I havn’t yet ordered your book, procrastination is my middle name, I plan to buy several-for myself and friends. I had no idea how the system worked or I would have purchased them last week. So sorry. Your original price was absolutely fair. Thank you for letting us how how self-publishing works. Will you now actually owe money? Tell us it isn’t so. Incroyable.
The $22.50 price you set for your book is certainly not unreasonable. I used to work part-time in a bookstore, and for what a reader is getting, this price is quite competitive. I’ve seen (and bought, though rarely), books without any pictures that cost more. I wonder, if your book does well, if a publisher would ever pick it up, so it would appear in bookstores and libraries. Or maybe this one will do so well that you could offer your next book (I’m sure there will be one) to a publishing house, instead of self-publishing; the publisher would set whatever price it thought appropriate, and you might get more royalties.
Rest assured that your readers don’t mind having paid more for the book. When you produced a smaller book, with anecdotes from summer 2009, that also had color pictures, I thought it was a great value. I expect that your latest one, which is supposed to be delivered in the next day or two, to be equally good – and I’d rather pay more and get the color pictures.
Surely you know by now that although we – or at least I – want the book because of what it teaches us about French language and culture, we buy it partly because it’s YOUR book. Not only does your reputation precede you, we look forward to the vignettes about your family and your unique insights on a range of subjects.
For me, one of the chief reasons to buy a book by a given author is that one has read other books by that person, and liked them. I’ve read whole series by certain writers because the first one made a good impression.
Here’s hoping that after this bit of lull, your book will rise again on the Amazon charts, and they might even raise the price again.
Particularly since you so generously share on French Word-A-Day, anything extra we might have spent on the book is more than compensated by what we have gained from reading FWAD.
Thanks again!
The $22.50 price you set for your book is certainly not unreasonable. I used to work part-time in a bookstore, and for what a reader is getting, this price is quite competitive. I’ve seen (and bought, though rarely), books without any pictures that cost more. I wonder, if your book does well, if a publisher would ever pick it up, so it would appear in bookstores and libraries. Or maybe this one will do so well that you could offer your next book (I’m sure there will be one) to a publishing house, instead of self-publishing; the publisher would set whatever price it thought appropriate, and you might get more royalties.
Rest assured that your readers don’t mind having paid more for the book. When you produced a smaller book, with anecdotes from summer 2009, that also had color pictures, I thought it was a great value. I expect that your latest one, which is supposed to be delivered in the next day or two, to be equally good – and I’d rather pay more and get the color pictures.
Surely you know by now that although we – or at least I – want the book because of what it teaches us about French language and culture, we buy it partly because it’s YOUR book. Not only does your reputation precede you, we look forward to the vignettes about your family and your unique insights on a range of subjects.
For me, one of the chief reasons to buy a book by a given author is that one has read other books by that person, and liked them. I’ve read whole series by certain writers because the first one made a good impression.
Here’s hoping that after this bit of lull, your book will rise again on the Amazon charts, and they might even raise the price again.
Particularly since you so generously share on French Word-A-Day, anything extra we might have spent on the book is more than compensated by what we have gained from reading FWAD.
Thanks again!
I must admit when I saw the original price of the book I hesitated for just a moment. But then I reminded myself how many beautiful words and pictures I have enjoyed from you FOR FREE! I have received my copy and have only had a chance to thumb through it but I know I will enjoy it when I have time! As far as the price drop goes it was interesting to hear your explanation. Long ago I quit trying to understand Amazon! Usually what happens to me is I procrastinate on buying an item and then the price JUMPS by a huge margin. Keep up the good work. No chance this reader will be angry or stop following your writings!:)
I must admit when I saw the original price of the book I hesitated for just a moment. But then I reminded myself how many beautiful words and pictures I have enjoyed from you FOR FREE! I have received my copy and have only had a chance to thumb through it but I know I will enjoy it when I have time! As far as the price drop goes it was interesting to hear your explanation. Long ago I quit trying to understand Amazon! Usually what happens to me is I procrastinate on buying an item and then the price JUMPS by a huge margin. Keep up the good work. No chance this reader will be angry or stop following your writings!:)
I usually keep a strict policy to NOT buy a new book until I have finished my current one. I broke that rule for your book today and ordered a copy!
I usually keep a strict policy to NOT buy a new book until I have finished my current one. I broke that rule for your book today and ordered a copy!
Rachael, thank you for breaking your rule. I appreciate it.
Pat, good question. I will indeed earn royaties for Rachaels purchase, and anyone who buys at the new, lower price. Once I set the price, Amazon guarantees my earnings per book (giving themselves leeway to earn more by selling volumes at lower price)
One possibility for me now, would be to bet on Amazons tendency to undercut prices…. For example, I could now raise the price to $28–and make the book available to libraries and bookstores– and hope Amazon would merelyraise the price to 15 or 18– still a competitive or fair price, as Marianne pointed out.
Overall, could bea very good outcome, for both readers and writer — especially if I can get my book into libraries and bookstores!
Rachael, thank you for breaking your rule. I appreciate it.
Pat, good question. I will indeed earn royaties for Rachaels purchase, and anyone who buys at the new, lower price. Once I set the price, Amazon guarantees my earnings per book (giving themselves leeway to earn more by selling volumes at lower price)
One possibility for me now, would be to bet on Amazons tendency to undercut prices…. For example, I could now raise the price to $28–and make the book available to libraries and bookstores– and hope Amazon would merelyraise the price to 15 or 18– still a competitive or fair price, as Marianne pointed out.
Overall, could bea very good outcome, for both readers and writer — especially if I can get my book into libraries and bookstores!
Don’t worry about the price drop; it happens all the time on Amazon. Most of us have bought something from them and then seen the price fall; we know it’s Amazon’s doing, not the author!
Don’t worry about the price drop; it happens all the time on Amazon. Most of us have bought something from them and then seen the price fall; we know it’s Amazon’s doing, not the author!
I just thought I’d mention one thing regarding the heavy, upper-leg/hip thing. We call THEM “Thunder-Thighs”.
Tonya
I just thought I’d mention one thing regarding the heavy, upper-leg/hip thing. We call THEM “Thunder-Thighs”.
Tonya
Here on the coast of Maryland we have had yet another snow storm during the night and awoke to a white wonderland. Now if only I had your book to read by the fire (quite a difference between snow and your first lovely bouquet of wildflowers)! The pleasure which I will get from reading your latest book will far exceed the price which I paid on the first day of issue and I’m certain all of your readers will feel the same way…..so not to worry. My congratulations.
Here on the coast of Maryland we have had yet another snow storm during the night and awoke to a white wonderland. Now if only I had your book to read by the fire (quite a difference between snow and your first lovely bouquet of wildflowers)! The pleasure which I will get from reading your latest book will far exceed the price which I paid on the first day of issue and I’m certain all of your readers will feel the same way…..so not to worry. My congratulations.
To readers on Facebook, you can like the Amazon page about the new book so it will show on your FB page. Maybe that’s our next step in this campaign!
Kristin, I didn’t have any idea about how the pricing worked. Thanks for the explanation. No worries about pricing it fairly!
Bonne continuation!
To readers on Facebook, you can like the Amazon page about the new book so it will show on your FB page. Maybe that’s our next step in this campaign!
Kristin, I didn’t have any idea about how the pricing worked. Thanks for the explanation. No worries about pricing it fairly!
Bonne continuation!
I was surprised and disappointed that the book I received did not have the French translation (on the opposing page),as the sample on your blog did.
Does the book with the French translation exist? Can I exchange this book for that one?
I will contact Amazon also.
Thanks.
I was surprised and disappointed that the book I received did not have the French translation (on the opposing page),as the sample on your blog did.
Does the book with the French translation exist? Can I exchange this book for that one?
I will contact Amazon also.
Thanks.
Kristin, no need at all to apologize. It is what it is. The price on my devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea, gets moved up and down too. I never know if it’s my publisher who is pulling the strings or Amazon. The pricing decision was out of my hands from the start. But we writers love to write, and it is always a joy to share our lives, our hopes and our dreams through words with our readers. You keep us inspired! Keep writing. Your words are priceless.
Kristin, no need at all to apologize. It is what it is. The price on my devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea, gets moved up and down too. I never know if it’s my publisher who is pulling the strings or Amazon. The pricing decision was out of my hands from the start. But we writers love to write, and it is always a joy to share our lives, our hopes and our dreams through words with our readers. You keep us inspired! Keep writing. Your words are priceless.
Thank you for the education behind self-publishing. Those who love you work will buy regardless of the price. Pas de soucis!
Thank you for the education behind self-publishing. Those who love you work will buy regardless of the price. Pas de soucis!
Sorry about my last comment that the book did not have the French translation. I reread the blog about the translation and realized it’s only the last chapter that’s translated, and it is.
Je suis désolé!
Sorry about my last comment that the book did not have the French translation. I reread the blog about the translation and realized it’s only the last chapter that’s translated, and it is.
Je suis désolé!
Barbara, I am sorry for the confusion. I mentioned, in a previous post (loufoque) that one chapter would be translated. Here’s that mention and the explanation:
“Moments before my book was to go into publication I had an inspiration! Why not translate the very last chapter about the man on the cover of the book? This would be a double cadeau! One, readers would enjoy reading an all French chapter and, two, the hero of the chapter would be able to understand what is being said about him (Mr. Farjon does not speak English).”
Barbara, I am sorry for the confusion. I mentioned, in a previous post (loufoque) that one chapter would be translated. Here’s that mention and the explanation:
“Moments before my book was to go into publication I had an inspiration! Why not translate the very last chapter about the man on the cover of the book? This would be a double cadeau! One, readers would enjoy reading an all French chapter and, two, the hero of the chapter would be able to understand what is being said about him (Mr. Farjon does not speak English).”
My book should arrive today, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading it by the fire on this cold “limping-into-spring” day. I have no problem with paying the original price if it was a help to you in any way. I love your blog and am always thrilled to see the latest issue in my mailbox. Keep up the good work, Kristin. You are loved and appreciated by many.
My book should arrive today, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading it by the fire on this cold “limping-into-spring” day. I have no problem with paying the original price if it was a help to you in any way. I love your blog and am always thrilled to see the latest issue in my mailbox. Keep up the good work, Kristin. You are loved and appreciated by many.
Dearie,
Your book, all of your books, are priceless.
We love you.
We love your words.
We love your spirit.
From Nan in rainy, thunder-y central Florida.
Dearie,
Your book, all of your books, are priceless.
We love you.
We love your words.
We love your spirit.
From Nan in rainy, thunder-y central Florida.
Thanks, Barbara. Just saw your note. Phew! 🙂
Thanks, Barbara. Just saw your note. Phew! 🙂
DARLING KRISTI,
As always you have exceeded my expectations on sharing the truth of your life. I wonder if I could have ever gone into the ´detail´of the workings of Amazon and the plight of a young author facing the giant. You knocked this lesson out of the ballpark and I am once again so proud of you for not just sweeping all of this insight under the rug and not sharing the details. I know how hard it is to actually write todays story with all of the precise numbers involved. Wow!!! You have just climbed up the ladder another step on your journey, I know you have learned a lot from this chapter in your life. I am sure a lot of your fans will have advice also that will help you in the future.
I also want to say – I love Marianne Rankin – she has been one of your greatest supporters over the years and I always look forward to her comments.
Cynthia Lewis is also one of my very favorite comment ors – I always feel great after reading her words.
Oh Kristi you are so lucky to have all of these beautiful friends who stand up for you always and make my job so much easier.
One day you will be blessed financially – you have chosen on of the hardest paths to realize monetary satisfaction, Thank God that is not the reason you pour your heart out to all of us, the great part is that God continues to bless you with your wonderful husband and children and your friends here at French Word-A-Day. Your readers are truly your family.
I love you Honey
XOXO
MOM
DARLING KRISTI,
As always you have exceeded my expectations on sharing the truth of your life. I wonder if I could have ever gone into the ´detail´of the workings of Amazon and the plight of a young author facing the giant. You knocked this lesson out of the ballpark and I am once again so proud of you for not just sweeping all of this insight under the rug and not sharing the details. I know how hard it is to actually write todays story with all of the precise numbers involved. Wow!!! You have just climbed up the ladder another step on your journey, I know you have learned a lot from this chapter in your life. I am sure a lot of your fans will have advice also that will help you in the future.
I also want to say – I love Marianne Rankin – she has been one of your greatest supporters over the years and I always look forward to her comments.
Cynthia Lewis is also one of my very favorite comment ors – I always feel great after reading her words.
Oh Kristi you are so lucky to have all of these beautiful friends who stand up for you always and make my job so much easier.
One day you will be blessed financially – you have chosen on of the hardest paths to realize monetary satisfaction, Thank God that is not the reason you pour your heart out to all of us, the great part is that God continues to bless you with your wonderful husband and children and your friends here at French Word-A-Day. Your readers are truly your family.
I love you Honey
XOXO
MOM