Why indie authors should charge more for their work
In recent years, indie authors have found themselves caught in a pricing dilemma. With the rise of self-publishing platforms and fierce competition, many writers feel pressured to set their prices as low as possible—or even give their work away for free—just to gain visibility. While this approach may seem like the only way to break into a crowded market, it’s creating a dangerous precedent: a race to the bottom that devalues the incredible effort that goes into creating a book. It’s time for indie authors to rethink their pricing strategies and start charging more for their work.
Brandon Sanderson’s recent release provides a powerful example of the value authors can place on their creations. His latest eBook is being sold for $19.99. While few indie authors would dream of charging that much, his success shows that readers are willing to pay for quality. Sanderson has proven that a well-crafted book has intrinsic value, and indie authors should take note.
It's all about what the market will bear. Sando fans will pay, and higher prices could benefit authors. Readers have become accustomed to low prices from indie and self-published works, leading to a downward trend.
The real cost of creating a book
Let’s break down what goes into producing a book:
Writing: Months, if not years, of research, drafting, and rewriting.
Editing: Hiring professional editors or spending countless hours self-editing to ensure the work meets high standards.
Design: Creating an eye-catching cover and formatting the interior for both print and digital versions takes time and money if hiring a designer and cover artist.
Marketing: Running ads, engaging on social media, and reaching out to readers—all of which take time and money. The toughest part of the whole process.
Each step requires skill, dedication, and often significant financial investment. When indie authors sell their books for pennies, they’re effectively undervaluing this immense effort.
The problem with free and $0.99 books
There’s no denying that free or $0.99 books can help authors gain an audience, especially when used as part of a strategic promotion. However, when these low prices become the norm, they perpetuate the idea that books aren’t worth paying for. Readers begin to expect bargain prices, and authors feel trapped, unable to raise their rates for fear of losing sales.
This approach also creates a false economy. If an author sells 1,000 books at $0.99, they’ve made less than $350 after retailer fees. That’s hardly enough to cover expenses, let alone provide a living wage. By contrast, selling the same number of books at $4.99 would generate nearly $3,500—a far more sustainable outcome.
Why raising prices benefits everyone
Respect for the craft: Charging a fair price signals to readers that your work has value. It sets the expectation that they’re buying something worth their time and money.
Sustainability: Higher prices mean authors can reinvest in their careers, whether that’s by hiring better editors, commissioning high-quality covers, or dedicating more time to writing.
Attracting the right audience: Readers who are willing to pay a fair price are often more invested in the books they purchase. They’re less likely to treat them as disposable and more likely to leave reviews or recommend them to others.
Changing the narrative: When indie authors collectively start charging more, it helps shift the perception of self-published books from being “budget” alternatives to mainstream publishing to being high-quality, professional products.
Now, whenever I’ve raised this topic I get flooded with messages from ‘readers’ who complain that they can’t afford to buy books etc that free is their only way to write. I’m sorry but I just don’t buy that. You’re telling me you’re so poor that you can’t even afford 2.99 for a full length novel? Bullshit. You pay more than that for 99% of things including coffee for crying out loud. You’re saying that an authors work that they have commited time and energy into creating to entertain you isn’t worth anything? This has to stop!
Finding the right balance
This isn’t to say that indie authors should price themselves out of the market. Sanderson’s $19.99 eBook price is a rare example, and most indie authors won’t command such rates. However, there’s a lot of room between $0.99 and $19.99 to find a price point that reflects the value of your work without alienating readers.
Here are some tips:
Start with industry standards: Many indie authors find success pricing eBooks between $2.99 and $5.99. This range is affordable for readers while providing a decent profit margin.
Experiment: Use promotions sparingly to test how pricing affects sales. Consider raising prices incrementally to find the sweet spot.
Highlight your value: Invest in professional covers, editing, and marketing to ensure your book stands out and justifies its price.
Educate your audience: Be transparent about the effort and cost that goes into producing a book. Readers are more likely to pay a fair price when they understand what’s involved.
Breaking free from the race to the bottom
As indie authors, we pour our hearts and souls into our work. It’s time to stop giving it away for less than it’s worth. By charging fair prices, we not only respect ourselves and our craft but also help elevate the entire indie publishing industry. Let’s turn away from the race to the bottom and create a sustainable future where quality writing is valued as it should be. Only we have the power to do this.
