Tool 07 · Pricing & royalties

Pricing scenario comparer

Test three list prices side by side and see which one produces the strongest modeled royalty — per sale, per month, and per year.

Side-by-side comparison

PriceRoyalty / saleMonthlyYearly
Highest modeled incomeWinner
Sales volume can change with price. This comparison assumes the same monthly sales at every price point, which is rarely true in practice — a higher price often means fewer sales, and a lower price often means more. Use this as a starting comparison, not a guarantee of outcome.

How to use this calculator

  1. Choose format and marketplace, and print details if relevant.
  2. Enter an assumed monthly sales figure — held constant across all three prices for comparison.
  3. Enter three list prices you're considering.
  4. Compare estimated royalty per sale, monthly, and yearly income for each.

How the estimate works

Each price is run through the same royalty formula used on the royalty calculator — the two-tier ebook model, or the print royalty-minus-print-cost model for paperback and hardcover — then projected out using your assumed monthly sales figure.

The "highest modeled income" result simply flags whichever scenario produces the largest estimated monthly royalty at the sales volume you entered — it doesn't account for how sales might actually shift at each price.

Pricing scenario FAQ

Why does the "winner" ignore sales volume changes?

Because that's a judgment call only you can make about your genre and audience — this tool holds sales constant so you can isolate the effect of price on royalty. Pair it with your own sense of how demand shifts at each price.

Can I compare three ebook prices and three paperback prices at once?

Not on the same run — the comparer works within one format at a time. Switch the format dropdown and re-enter your three prices to compare the other format separately.

Should I always pick the highest-earning scenario?

Not necessarily. A lower price can sometimes drive far more volume than modeled here, and pricing also signals positioning within your genre. Treat this as one input among several, not the final word.