The Rise of E-Book Gift Cards?

Here is a letter I just received from my publisher regarding a new e-book outlet that might end up becoming a ground-breaking resource for all e-book sales at bookstores. I think this is a revolutionary step in the right direction. You might mention this to your publisher and see what they think about it. It occurs to me that this might catch on in a very positive way. I''ll also try to include the contents of my e-book card.

"I do have a new avenue for sales. I had a conference call last week with the folks at Enthrill eBooks. They sell eBook gift cards in bookstores and other retailer outlets like grocery store checkouts. They are a startup company, and their eBook cards are mostly in Calgary at the moment. Here is a short video that shows their distribution model http://www.enthrill.com/edistribution/video-presentation

I am the first publisher to join and sell eBooks as a wholesaler. Which means that I will be the first publisher to have eBook cards at a convention. Other publishers have joined their retail distribution, however I am looking at the wholesale program as getting my foot in the door for their retail end of the business. This new type of eBook business should help save bookstores from closing with the rise of eBook sales.

I ordered 100 eBook cards for Planet Janitor, and I put a list price of 9.95 on the cover. I plan on raising the price on Amazon for the week of the convention. I don't want to undervalue the hardcover, with a 2.99 ebook. However, what I will be doing at the convention is offering 50% off of the eBook cards as a VCON special. I think this will help drive sales, having a 50% off deal. My goal is to sell as many as possible, so that Enthrill will be interested in pitching Planet Janitor to retailers (they will be watching the sales numbers from the convention). I've attached the PJ, eBook card so you can see what it looks like. I also included both short stories on the eBook card as an added incentive to buyers at the convention. If we can get this into bookstores it should be huge!

Let me know what you think,"

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 Planet Janitor: Custodian of the Stars
Chris Stevenson
Engage Books | Copyright © 2013 | ISBN: 978-1-926606-80-4
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$9.95
SCIENCE FICTION
Captain Zachary Crowe and the crew of Planet Janitor Corporation are adept at handling environmental clean-ups and close system jumps to collect precious ores and space trash. The problem is they have yet to complete an assignment without a mishap to add to their not so stellar
record. Scraping the bottom of the barrel, Orion Industries contracts Planet Janitor for a clandestine operation that no one else wants, offering them more money than they could spend in three lifetimes. The mission entails a 12 light-year trip to a newly found habitable planet in the Tau Ceti system. The crew will lose 26 years on Earth due to the cryo jump, but that is the least of their problems. What they find on Tau Ceti will rattle their wits, test their courage, and threaten their very survival.
INCLUDED ARE 25 ILLUSTRATIONS & TWO FREE SHORT STORIES
Planet Janitor: The Moon is not Enough
While surveying the damage to a lunar mining facility caused by a meteor shower, a second job proposition proves too sweet to turn down. Captain Zachary Crowe must now enter the devastated base. But will the reward be enough to outweigh the consequences of taking on such a risky mission.
Planet Janitor: Journey Interrupted
The Planet Janitor crew are on the tail end of a salvage mission in the asteroid
belt when they encounter a ghost ship. Faced with a volatile substance onboard, the crew race against the clock to commandeer the vessel before it reaches the Exon Refueling Station. What they find on the ship will stress their abilities to the limit, and put their lives in imminent danger.

 

Note: I couldn't get the book cover to show, but you get the idea.