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Interesting. Would like to know how you're promoting sales. Yoou've givenme an idea.

I know in situations like this, I will often buy the cheaper book first to see if I like the writing, and if I do, then go back and the get the second. I released a two book short story collection 2 weeks ago, each with 11 stories, each around 90,000 pages, each $2.99. Book one sold 5x as many as the second. So, in your case, if people wanted to sample your writings, they bought the cheaper one. In my case, they bought the one labeled "Book 1" first. I think people unfamiliar with your books only wanted to buy 1 first to try, and the cheaper book is the obvious choice. Now, if the second, more expensive book catches up you know you've hooked people. I'm real curious to see if Book 2 catches up with Book 1 in my case, but the problem is, I know I do this, sometimes I will buy something and it will sit on my eRreader for a month or two before I read it. It may take a while before the second catches up

Neat. I still have a big grudge against 99 cent books. I think it's too cheap and sets an expectation that all books should be that price. But as a reader, totally understandable why people snatch them up.

The whole price point issue is huge with self-published authors. Because, as a reader, you wonder if you are getting quality at such a price. The flip side is, though, you can spend $12 on a traditionally published eBook and get crap, too. As a reader and a writer, I look for $.99 books, but I do so with the understanding that self-pubbed authors need to price low to get interested readers to buy it. Sure, you may charge $3-5 for your book because YOU know its worth that, but few readers do if they have never read anything by you before. it's a tough catch-22. No author should have to work for a year and sell something for $.99, which they then make $.35 a copy on. Unless the book is AWFUL, the author deserves more. But in a time when there are now thousands of more books available because of ePublishing, you need to compete.

But I cheat a little... right now I am writing and selling 15-25K word novellas for $.99. That is a fair price, i think, for this length a work. And when i finally get around to writing and releasing a novel, I will sell it for $2.99. But new potential readers will still have something shorter they can buy first

Hmm, yet again I prove I'm different from 'normal' people by buying the more expensive one first...

I'd it helps, I didn't even notice the price difference, I just liked the description of one more than the other (think it said something about blending magic realism with horror). To me, the main cost of reading a book is *time* because I know I'll never read all the good books in the world (particularly with bastards like you putting out two a day!) so a price difference of a quid isn't one that would alter my purchasing behaviour. Good luck with 'em anyway....

"I know in situations like this, I will often buy the cheaper book first to see if I like the writing, and if I do, then go back and the get the second."

This makes sense to me. An interesting experiment either way.

Walt - I struggle with the promotion vs. cost/benefits. Too much time on promotion doesn't seem to generate major gains in results.

Bradley - I agree about price "fairness". Most of these collections are around 20-30K and previously published (of course it doesn't mean anyone saw the stories in their original context).

Lee - I understand the grudge. What about free? I can tell you free really moves books (about 35K copies of We are the Monsters since June), and no one gets paid when something is free.

James - I hope the books sell based on content, not price. Price is always a big factor, though.

Anthony - interesting if not scientific.

Content, I sent a link to myself after your last post to buy "A feast" Just because it was more my cup of tea. I wasn’t worried about price.

That's a bit cold...

I am so frantic with Cybils reading that I haven't had time for those lovely looking stories...Sigh.

Oh, but what a gorgeous photograph. Thanks for that and the link to the December Lights Project. Stay warm!

What a fun-sounding project--I'll have to check it out someday when I have a chance to take a breath!

And, yes, I think that is one gorgeous photograph--but it's probably less enjoyable and more frigid than it looks...I'll stick with the rain and 54 degrees that we're currently experiencing here...

The stories are a brief breath of fresh air; I have them on my desktop so I can go back to them and keep checking if there are new ones.

Thank you for the great interview. I love reading books that tell a story using a different type of format; diary entries, letters, etc. This book will be on my reading list.

Looking forward to hearing some of the readings!

I'm developing a collection of linked stories so very intriguied by Talisman. Looking forward to reading and to other interviews on the blog tour.

Thanks for your comments! I will try to check in today from time to time to answer any questions you might have.

What are some different ways that authors can link short stories in a collection? Do they need to be in chronological order? Have the same main character? I'm sure there are different ways to approach this--just wondering your take on it, Sybil.

Margo
http://margodill.com/blog/

Hi Margo,
There are many different ways to "link" a collection. Some stories just have characters living in the same town, and that is the only real link between them. Other collections follow several characters. Others like mine follow one character chronologically.

You do not have to arrange the stories in chronological order, and in fact for a long time I'd "book-ended" the collection with the two stories that take place in Korea, which occur later in Elise's life.
I think the term linked collection is a pretty loose term that allows experimentation and interpretation, so have fun with it.

It would be so wonderful to be able to travel for research. I have been to the settings I've used in my novels, but they are all in the US.

Your collection sounds interesting.

I've written some flash fiction based on my Peace Corps experience in Morocco and have ideas for several more stories, so I found your interview about Talismans encouraging. I love to read fictional accounts of other cultures or the immigrant experience in America (like Unaccustomed Earth :) Thanks for sharing.

i would like to read this work!

[email protected]

I enjoy this collection lots, and have wanted to collect seaweeds for years as a result of the first story. Strange that what was once so common a hobby (apparently) has fallen out of favor...

I've never read Montgomery's short stories. Looks like I should dip my toes into this collection. Can't get enough "cool" over here . . .

Charlotte: Collecting seaweed was a great hobby - here people eat it, which I find to be even better. What I really wanted after reading this collection was a LIGHTHOUSE. I may need to move to Maine.

Jama: Look for these in libraries and used book stores - some of them were published in collection form in the late seventies and eighties, so they should still be available, but I haven't even been able to find them all -- still looking!
* Chronicles of Avonlea (1912)
* Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920)
* The Road to Yesterday (1974)
* The Doctor's Sweetheart, selected by Catherine McLay (1979)
* Akin to Anne: Tales of Other Orphans, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1988)
* Along the Shore: Tales by the Sea, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1989)
* Among the Shadows: Tales from the Darker Side, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1990)
* After Many Days: Tales of Time Passed, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1991)
* Against the Odds: Tales of Achievement, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1993)
* At the Altar: Matrimonial Tales, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1994)
* Across the Miles: Tales of Correspondence, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1995)
* Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories, edited by Rea Wilmshurst (1995)

I'm always so freakin' amazed at how well and widely read you are! Thanks for telling us about this one (which I of course had no clue about).

I completely never heard of this one - and love me some LM Montgomery. (Gothic fog and haunting winds!!!)YEA!

I hope you're working on a vegetarian recipe, because I'd love to try it! We had dumplings in Beijing that were out of this world. We three vegetarians had our own table and got to try all kinds of fun things the meat lovers missed out on. Funny though, most of the wait staff couldn't understand what we meant by "no meat," so they brought us chicken and duck instead!

Eeeee! Dumplings! Thanks so much for tipping me off to these books. I wanna make that recipe :9.

Tricia: You know I'm on it.
Jama: HAH! I thought of you IMMEDIATELY when I heard about Ying's new picture book. She has another one called The Runaway Rice Cake.

Oooh. I am salivating. All three are up my alley.

...origami anger trees!

I have to admit that I wouldn't be racing to read anything from the Walking Jeans series, but hey -- if you say the tree sequel is good, then I'll buy it.

The best book on anger I ever read was with a character named Owen -- a Sarah Dessen novel (three books back, I think), can't remember the title! But I look forward to this Crutcher.

Oh, and I totally want to invent an origami anger tree now.

I'll tell you, 3 Willows was fine light summer reading. There were very minor tie-ins to the previous pants books but it's essentially a new set of characters and stories, which is good. It also felt like there was less sentimentality because of the fact that the book starts with the three characters NOT being close. That helped for me--I'm not a fan of sentimentality.

love your description of 1001 Cranes. Thanks so much for highlighting it. And Chris Crutcher is amazing - I'm curious which characters come through in this book.

Thanks so much for this, T. Loved your Shannon answers and thoughts on Lips Touch. I'm intrigued!

These stories sound delicious and I can't wait to read them! I've also got Shannon Hale's post on my virtual TBR pile.

Wow. Intelligent and interesting as ever. One of the challenges for me in the MFA program was reading for craft/writing a response versus the pure enjoyment/experience of the book.

It really says something about a book where you feel so suck in you're experiencing the work as a reader versus a reviewer.

Tanita, I'm so glad you enjoyed Lips Touch! Your review really means a lot :-)

Thank you!

I agree that analyzing/reviewing a book can sometimes hinder the sheer enjoyment of it. All the same, reviews are helpful if you want advice on whether or not to read a particular story.

I really liked this review. You described the work well without sounding dry in the least! :)

Rachel Heston Davis
www.rachelhestondavis.wordpress.com

Jama & Ethel: You'll really enjoy this book, I think. It's slim enough to tuck in a purse, but if you read it while waiting at a doctor's office, you might be annoyed to be interrupted when it's time for your appointment.
Rachel: Thanks for stopping by - I do hope that I can provide some kind of advice for readers by providing discussion in lieu of stars.

I'm intrigued! I want to read it. I'm going to put Lips Touch on hold before my library system goes on furlough for a whole week.

Regarding stars, I don't love them either, but I don't want to write a review for every book I enjoyed. I know GoodReads is public, but ultimately, I'm keeping track of books for myself. I've stopped adding books I abandoned or didn't enjoy. I've been tempted a number of times just to delete my whole account.

There is not enough time to read. There is not enough time to read.
I am going to sneak this into my budget notebook tomorrow!

Saints: OY. I feel that way about Goodreads, Facebook, and the whole Web 2.0 on a daily basis. I don't like my opinions being so widely disseminated with stars. I am going to try and just write brief notes without them... I know people find them useful, though, and you're right -- they're shorthand.
KB: I feel your pain, my dear. There is NEVER enough time.

Farida--I agree with you. I'm not thrilled about the stars (especially since there are no half stars!) but they're a useful shorthand. I don't mind the way Goodreads does it in the sense that their star ratings roughly correspond to how much the reader "liked" the book rather than how "good" it was--or at least that's the way they describe the ratings. I try to remind myself regularly that it's all subjective anyway. :)

I, too, don't usually add books I've abandoned or really disliked (which often go together...)

Loved your answers to Hale's questions. I never rate my reviews either - I can consider two books 3's but it can mean two different things.