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Don't touch that mouse. I'm here today to share with you my latest fantastic thought... Why buy one book when you can get 7 books for less than a dollar?? It sounds too good to be true... but really... It's the new "SHAM-WOW!"
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Say it with me... "Wow!" Book bundles, box sets, anthologies have become a huge hit among book buyers and authors alike.
Back in the day, I loved buying anthologies or one book with short novellas from my favorite authors. While I didn't love all the authors in the books (or even know them) I did love getting some time with my hottest heroes.
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| Bought the book for Charlaine Harris's series and found Meljean Brook's world |
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I'd scour the used bookstore's dark corners where the anthologies hid. Trying to find books I hadn't read yet.
Today book bundles are on the top of the charts and among the best-selling lists like USA Today and NY Times. Why??
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| Shameless plug for my Amazon best selling box set. |
I think I was ahead of the game back then. I knew that when I loved a particular author, storyline or character...getting any chance to be with them was worth the money spent. I've found myself falling for the other hunky cowboys or hiding from the dangerous bad guys written by new to me authors.
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| Another shameless plug.. :) |
And authors know that when one person buys your book, there's a chance they'll buy others. As a reader, I wouldn't have found out about Maggie Shayne or Lori Handleand without the bigger named author in the anthology.
But also because I loved the shorter stories. I loved that I could read a short story in about a half an hour and then go to the grocery store or run to the movies. I didn't feel like I'd left my sexy surfer riding the waves waiting for me. And best of all... I could read the book and still keep up on my beauty sleep.
I'm grumpy when I don't get my eight hours. *wink* I'm putting it out there that I was AHEAD of the game with the new interest in book bundles, book boxes and anthologies. I'm not old... I'm "Wow-Tastic!"
Why do you like book bundles/box sets/anthologies??
(And here's some information on my latest box set! Still only $0.99!!)
Dangerous Intent Boxed Set $0.99
Six sit on the edge of your seat stories from some of suspenseful romances best-selling and award-winning authors...fall in love with dangerous men
Cooper’s Redemption by D'Ann Lindun
Disappear by Mary Martinez
Logan's Redemption by Cara Marsi
Nightmare in the Woods by Sue Fineman
Protecting His Wolfe by Melissa Keir
Secret Past by Anna Sugg
Get your copy today at Amazon, Smashwords, or Kobo.
I'll give away a copy of Dangerous Intent to two lucky people who comment and leave their email address :)
Great post, Melissa! Your take on box set/anthologies made me smile on this (early!) Sunday morning. ;)
ReplyDeleteI also have purchased an anthology knowing only one or two authors in the collection. It's how I discovered the fabulously talented Ann Mayburn.
Best of luck with your endeavors!
Entertaining post. I'm honored to be in the Dangerous Intent bundle with you. Like you, I'm buying bundles too. I have Cowboy Up. It's fun discovering new authors. But as an author, I worry about what these 99 cent bundles are doing to my individual book sales.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices, Melissa - my TBR pile keeps getting bigger and bigger. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynda. We were just smart women before our time! :)
ReplyDeleteCara- it is a concern. But I see individual authors putting their first books free and hitting the best-seller lists or people discounting books for $0.99 for a limited time. Seriously, if I want an author, I will spend the money- even for a hardcover. But I think the idea behind these bundles is to get some cross promotion. We can't all be household names to everyone and if someone buys a bundle because of D'Ann or you and then likes my story and buys my books- it's a win in my mind.
Thanks Tina! I know that feeling! The books seem to grow exponentially!
As an author, being in these bundles, is a wonderful thing! I never got close to #1 with my standalones, but by the power of such talented authors, I've seen that side of the fence, and I like it!
ReplyDeleteHi, Melissa! I love anthologies because of the opportunity to discover new authors. And if a short story is good, the reader shouldn't notice that it is short. The reader should find a good story if we did our job well.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Cara and I are in Season of Magic, a holiday anthology, too!
I agree D'Ann. It's the power of more people that make it successful. Also you all share the responsibility.
ReplyDeleteVicki- I love the shorter stories. They are perfect for me who is busy. I don't feel like a crabby pants when I have to put a book down or worse yet, I don't put it down and I'm so tired the next day!
Box sets are the THING right now, and it makes me wonder how long before something else takes it's place. Nothing ever stays the same.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! You're very accomplished. I'm with Cara here, I'm very honored to have my name on a boxset with you!
ReplyDeleteJudy, There's always something new to take it's place. :) Authors are the most adaptable people I know!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary. I'm proud to be a part of the bundle with you as well. I think it's a fabulous group of stories!
Wonderful post and it really helped me understand how boxed sets can help an author's career.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy. They are very popular now and do help in so many ways. :)
ReplyDeleteI think this may be the way to go for a while. Great post.
ReplyDeleteIt does feel that way Daryl. At least people are feeling like they are getting what they pay for. And we know that when readers are happy, they leave reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late, but enjoyed your column and wanted to say so....Jean
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean... no one is ever too late on here! :)
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