A3rdParty
4561
119
9
I won't be connecting this account to my books directly. Please don't ask, there are contracts I'm in with VA's and such that I may be in breach of by not reporting the torrent.
Torrented audiobooks helped me through a lot of hard times. I had no reasonable way to afford more than a book a month but listened to them at a rate closer to a book every other day. I tried to support creators where I could but the books are expensive. I've decided to stay people over profit when it comes to AI cover art or narration as that becomes more realistic. Why go a different direction here?
If you're torrenting, you probably can't afford the prices. I'd ask, as a creator, that you check free but more ethical options first. My books aren't, but many are available through library systems in multiple formats for example. I'm going to choose to veiw the torrent site like a library. Someone gave me my cut at least once just like they would have.
Anyway, just an interesting moment I thought I would share with internet strangers. Be good to each other!
sillyDad
Provide a link where people can donate anonymously if they like the book, both in you e-book and audiobooks. Go the humble bundle way.
mythsnlore
You really know you've made something great when it's good enough to steal.
Ijustsigneduptoupvotethis
Seems like plenty of people would torrent die to Amazon rather not being able to afford it. Why not try having a donation link on your website. "If you where unable to afford my work and had to torrent it, consider donating what you felt it was worth." Some torrent creators might even include the link in their torrent description.
A3rdParty
Because I haven't made a site yet lol. I'll end up doing all that at some point. Likely patreon and what not as well because fans like it I guess. Honestly, feels grubby to me, but the way you say it makes it just feel logical.
DeVermisMysteriis
Fuck that. Report them. I'm not sure where the idea that everything should be free comes from. There's a small number of people talented enough to earn a living as an author. You should be damn proud and feel no shame in protecting your works.
A3rdParty
Ehh. Once it gets out that you have that attitude, fans turn on you. Plus, it generates interest. I found the niche genre I currently write for through this exact site. I never would have generated a dime for any of the authors in it without having been a pirate myself. I'll let my saber rust in its scabbard but won't judge a youngster who can't afford to yet. My copyright is protected.
burg14
What torrent site are they on so I know to steer clear of it?
A3rdParty
It may or may not be accessible by Googleing the word "audiobookbay" it migrates from time to time. The current iteration might end in .se but .nl may also work. There could also possibly be a reddit community designated by r/AudioBookBay that is up at the time of this comment.
ColdestOne
.
SuperUse
If you want to make serious money self publishing, write a few books in the furry erotica genre. It is a booming genre, i yave made tens of thousands s off of two books.
JamesTDG
Then why are you in this shithole?/j
SwankyPotato
Hard to get off the planet you know
JamesTDG
I was meaning imgur, but fair enough
A3rdParty
Authors love it here. Great place to take breaks. Plus, I get character outfit ideas, dialog options, and fun facts I work into my work.
A3rdParty
I may or may not have found a similar niche market.
Kwaj
You've written three books in four months? Plus coordinating covers, blurbs, editing, copyright, formatting, AND audiobook versions?
A3rdParty
Book 3 is in progress. Book 1 was 2 years of on and off writing for fun. Authors in my niche typically release monthly though and I will be aiming for every 4-6 weeks. Editing was limited to my second and third read throughs. Copyright happens automatically as you write, if you mean filing with an agency, you don’t really bother with that at my level. You just document your writing (which most word processors do automatically.) Blurb was a blurb. Formatting is done automatically by an Amazon >
A3rdParty
supplied free application. Covers were purchased online from artists through fiverr for about $50 a peice and took a week a piece. I hired a production company for the Audiobooks. Normally I will be writing the 80-100k words and doing the rest of that every 4-6 weeks, yes. I average 4.5k words a day.
Kwaj
Thanks for the thorough response!
A3rdParty
I like spreading how easy my experience has been lol. It was an escape from the rat race for me, and honestly, I'm not a very good author, yet.
Alkuam2
FMHY
nerotep
Doing well enough to support you and your spouse, but they cost more to produce than they've brought in so far? Confused but congrats
A3rdParty
Made good money on ebooks. Used roughly 25% of said money to produce Audiobooks. I have not made that money back, yet. I am confident I will. Audiobooks are slower to profit because of the monthly credit system. I hope I am on people's "buy with next months credits" lists. With my niche many people won't even pick you up until you're at 3-4 books too.
idonotthinkitownswhatyouthinkitowns
If audiobooks is your thing and your only options are torrent or Audible then I'd torrent every time. Fuck Amazon.
A3rdParty
While I appreciate the sentiment, I'm 100% dependent on Amazon for my income right now. I'm hoping other options become available in time.
FetaForMoses
Yep, my mom is a self publisher, and tried many different ways. But sadly Amazon is actually the best for her.
idonotthinkitownswhatyouthinkitowns
I hate Amazon because they fuck over people like you and workers. I hope you get a good alternative soon. Good luck.
A3rdParty
Honestly, as evil as they are, I am only successful because of the market they created. For all the ill they do, they have made self publishing exceptionally accessible. I had no education, connections, editor and a cover I paid $50 for. That has turned into nearly $20,000 in 3 months, advertised solely in a reddit community. Hard to feel fucked over. That said, they ARE evil and we need to be working towards alternatives. I'm part of several communities looking into and testing options.
vissago
cory doctorow has been promoting libro.fm, you may wanna check it out
A3rdParty
I'm watching it. Unfortunately us little guys are stuck waiting on the big guys to make a move. They need to get the readers/listens in motion before putting an audiobook on anything other than Audible becomes feasible. Right now they control 63% of the market and 80ish% of my niche. Audiobooks cost a lot to produce. 25% of what I've brought in so far from both text and audio. To eat that expense and risk putting it in another market with fewer potential customers just isn't smart.
JamesTDG
Hmm, any chance you could offer up a way to access it via patreon?
A3rdParty
To a degree. If I want it actively available to Kindle Unlimited users it can only be available through Amazon. They make up 70% of my income. Many authors release chapters as they write them to Patreons, but must remove the files before releasing. Others do bonus content or artwork and such. There will come a time when I move into that territory. Likely with my third release in the coming month.
JamesTDG
Ah, just gotta love late stage capitalism where it needs to make artificial scarcity to make more money
madjo
Can you diversify it by also adding your audiobook to for instance libro.fm? That would mean you're not fully reliant on a single store.
A3rdParty
Once I get to the financial level that I can accept lower percentages through the market giant that Amazon is, I plan to. I would have to give up 70% of my current income to do it. Not feasibly at this time.
madjo
Oof yeah that's a big difference! Congrats on the audiobooks btw!
madjo
Got a link to one of your books?
A3rdParty
I won't be connecting this account to them because not reporting the torrent would have me in breach of contract. Thanks for asking though! I write smut. Specifically harem smut. You might discover my books through r/haremlit or r/haremfantasynovels if the idea of a male lead with multiple female partners appeals to you. Think all those anime, but in western harem the lead doesn't have to pick just one. It’s what passes as crapy romance novels designed for male readers.