Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How does AuthorStock simplify online selling for authors?
A. Our wizard automatically builds your eStore after grabbing just a few simple pieces of information, such as your ISBN, title, etc.
Having an eStore on AuthorStock simplifies everything. You don’t have to worry about programming code, APIs, XML, etc. We handle all the calculations about shipping, handling, and merchant account fees, etc. For just a $12 listing fee for a whole year of service, we give you a smooth way to accept orders online. Just sign up, punch in your title and a few details, upload your cover, and start selling.
Payments go straight into whichever bank account you specify (100% to you, no sales commissions to anyone), and then emails arrive telling you where to ship your books. No muss, no fuss.
More good news: When it comes to order fulfillment, you’ll be pleased to find that Google Checkout gives you free, easy-to-use tools, including an order control panel tab that enables you to:
- Review the order
- Charge the customer (with just a click)
- Ship and confirm the order
Google Checkout also provides free services such as courtesy emails to your buyers (containing shipment information). The dynamic duo of AuthorStock.com (for your store front) and Google Checkout (for your merchant account services and fulfillment tools) is a real winning combination.
Note: You will need a FREE account at Google Checkout, where you will securely specify your bank account. During set-up on AuthorStock.com, simply tell us which email address you used for your Google Checkout account.
Q. Do I maintain control over the price of my book?
A. Yes, you (the author) maintain control over all pricing.
Q. Can I input both list price and sale price?
A. Yes, AuthorStock needs you to supply both list price and sale price. (They can be the same amount or different.)
Q. What’s involved in setting up?
A. The steps are easy:
Set-Up Steps:
- On AuthorStock.com: Sign up as a new author. Then follow the simple directions to…
- Buy at least 1 term (12 months) of AuthorStock bookstore service for only $12 via AuthorStock’s online purchase system.
- You must have (or obtain) a FREE Google Checkout account to receive your payments.
- On AuthorStock.com: Input your book’s details (title, description, etc).
- On AuthorStock.com: Upload your book’s front cover (as a JPG file). Recommended size: approx. 1200 pixels (on long side).
- On AuthorStock.com: Review your new bookstore. Proofread it, and make corrections until you are satisfied.
- Be prepared to ship your books when you receive emails notifying you of purchases.
Optional Steps (recommended):
- Upload content files for “See Inside the Book” (PDFs and JPGs or other file types).
- Enable the option for your buyers to “Get a Signed Copy.” (And if so, be sure to sign the book before shipping, if your customer request it!)
Q. Does it really cost only $1 per month, per title, to have my own online store?
A. Yes. And it’s even cheaper if you get a discount by going with a longer term. Get a 10% discount for a 5-year term, or a 25% discount for a 10-year term.
Q. Are there any hidden fees?
A. None. Google Checkout withholds a very nominal merchant account fee for accepting your buyer’s payment by credit or debit card. Your AuthorStock eStore automatically estimates that fee in advance, and it is taken into account in the shipping and handling cost paid by your buyers. Again, your AuthorStock eStore listing fee is just $1 per month, per title. That’s all you pay to have your own online bookstore! There are no sales commissions!
Q. Can my online store offer advanced features such as “See Inside the Book”?
A. Yes. If you upload the content files, then your listing will automatically provide for ”See Inside the Book” functionality.
Q. Is the “See Inside the Book” feature only optional, not required?
A. Yes, you can turn the “See Inside the Book” feature on and off at will.
Q. How many content files are allowed/needed for “See Inside the Book”?
A. You can upload anywhere from one (1) to six (6) content files for the “See Inside the Book” feature. The front cover is the only required file in the list (and it is necessary even if you disable the “See Inside the Book” feature).
Q. What kinds of content should I choose for the “See Inside the Book” feature? What kinds of file formats are allowed?
A. The suggested choices for “See Inside the Book” content are as follows. The files can be just about kind of media file, but PDF and JPG are best.
- Required: Front Cover (required format is JPG)
- Suggested: Copyright Page (PDF recommended, but could be uploaded as a JPG or other common file format)
- Suggested: Table of Contents (PDF recommended, but could be uploaded as a JPG or other common file format)
- Suggested: First Pages/Introduction (PDF strongly recommended)
- Suggested: Excerpt/Selected Chapter (PDF strongly recommended)
- Suggested: Back Cover (JPG format strongly recommended)
Q. Who stocks and ships my books for the resulting sales? Am I responsible for order fulfillment?
A. Yes. As the author, these are your sales, and you are responsible for order fulfillment, and for communication with your customers if they have any issues or questions. For each order, 100% of the purchase amount (including shipping and handling fee) will to go into your bank account (less Google Checkout‘s nominal fee). Your customers are buying from you via your eStore (i.e. not from AuthorStock as an entity). How you choose to do inventory and shipping/fulfillment is up to you.
Q. How much are the transaction processing fees for Google Checkout?
A. Their rates exactly match those of PayPal and other providers. Click here to see their fee page for the most current rates.
Q. How long of a commitment is required?
A. You can pause (close) and restart (reopen) your eStore as needed at any time, but the minimum listing period purchase is one (1) year (which requires a $12 listing fee).
Have another question not list here? Please let us know.