A couple of thoughts, Alicia….

The app just launched last week, so it’s too soon to share download numbers and dollar value of books purchased. Both will grow over time, particularly as the owners spend on marketing (because just like with authors, you have to spend money to make money).

You don’t pay for a listing until you’re accepted.

And really, many books won’t be accepted — including those just released by the big publishers, since the focus with traditional publishing is on backlist books, not new releases.

Editors making the selection will need to get balance — not too many memoirs that will crowd out the self-help books, a good mix of essay collections and thrillers, for example. But ya know, if your book meets the parameters in my article, it only takes a few minutes to fill out the form so it gets considered. If I wrote the right kinds of books for this, I wouldn’t hesitate to apply. (But I don’t!)

Thanks for weighing in!

Sandy

Thanks, Arabella. This kind of opportunity is best suited to authors who view authorship as a business and invest accordingly. Not everyone can, or wants to, do this, of course.

Sandy

You note a database of 5000 books, and that ‘Established publishers can place a limited number of books in the database at no charge.’

This looks easy for traditional publishers which will occupy as many slots as allowed for no charge.

What doesn’t seem to be mentioned is how many people have downloaded the app, and data on their preferences, such as how often they buy from the app.

If accepted (and having already paid for that listing), you will then be offered MORE opportunities to pay for other advantages.

The advantage I would see is that you are not required to discount your book (practically forced for, say, Bookbub) to be accepted (though I haven’t seen the other details yet).

I balked at two places: checking a category – Contemporary Fiction is a little broad; and providing a phone number (which I associate with unwanted phone calls and should be requested AFTER acceptance, if at all). A paper trail via email is always preferable.

I can’t see several of my demographics – older men, women who normally buy only from traditional publishers but read the kind of books I write – using an app.

Interesting – but I’ll wait (and probably miss the opportunity to get in on the ground floor). I’m a little gun shy from previous opportunities.

I get it, Daria. Any amount of money would be considered steep for many indie authors. Those who have invested in a top quality book by paying for a professional cover design plus editing and proofreading, though, will most likely consider this fee quite reasonable.

It’s also worth noting that developing and promoting a high-quality app like this takes A LOT of money. The creators need to recoup their investment and earn a profit. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Sandy