would you rather readers buy your book from amazon or a bookstore? i've heard that buying books off amazon affects the amount of money that goes to the author, and i wanted to make sure i'm doing whatever helps the author most.
This is a really revoltingly nice question, so first of all, thank you for asking it.
Secondly, it’s true, I do get a different amount of money depending on where and how a book is sold. I get a higher amount for a hardcover, for instance, than a paperback, and I get a higher royalty rate if a book’s bought for full price at an independent bookstore than at a deep discount in a place like Walmart. I even sometimes get a different rate if the book is on a cheap daily discount, like The Raven Boys is today at Amazon (but not always)(it’s complicated) or sold at a book fair. And of course if you buy a used book, I don’t get a cut, but the environment nods its head approvingly, and who can be sad about that? The difference in my cut can range from two bucks to a couple cents difference.
BUT. Thirdly: I would rather you didn’t think about this when you were buying my books. I absolutely love readers who consider the best place to get a book, not just the cheapest. “Best” is a moving target, though, and that’s not as simple as being a place that puts the most in my pocket. For me, “best” is a place that helps all sorts of books, not just mine. Ideally, “best” is also a place that does business responsibly. But the bottom line is that “best” is a place that helps you, the reader, to find books that you love in a way that works in your life.
So, sometimes that means paying full price at a local independent bookstore, because the bookseller there knows how to find the books you love and carries titles you wouldn’t have seen otherwise (and glowing because you’re supporting local economy). Sometimes it means buying it on sale on Amazon, because $3 is what you have to spend on books right now, and Raven Boys is on sale (even though you’ve heard whispers about business practices that make you raise your left eyebrow). Sometimes it means hoofing it to the Barnes & Noble because you have a gift card (and who doesn’t love gift cards? Also they have coffee). Sometimes it means buying everything on audiobook, because if you don’t read a book when you commute, you don’t get to read any books at all.
Stiefvater says: I’m cool with any of these options. If you’re informed, and you’re making your buying decision with your eyes wide open, I don’t judge you for choosing one over the other. I know where I buy books, but I won’t ask you to buy books based upon my principles or on how much I get.
All I ask is that you pay for my books, wherever you buy them. Because those numbers — books sold — are the numbers that influence how a publisher supports a series. Those are the ones that let me (and other authors) do what they’re doing.
Fourthly (fourthly? Probably), thank you for thinking about where your money goes. I really appreciate it. I’ll do my best to keep writing books worth your care.
