I said there were two problems selling the first version of my book. The first I wrote about in the last blog. The title and cover did not appeal to the right audience. The second was similar. The paperback price was not acceptable to potential readers. It was way too high priced (almost $30). And that was a harder problem to solve—at first.

My work is graphic-rich. There is a full-color photo on every two-page spread. With 147 pages that’s a lot of color printing. Before Amazon, these projects were offered only as coffee table books published by folks like National Geographic. Only they could print enough copies (in the thousands) to lower the price of single copies to what normal readers could afford.

So I’m going to make a long, detailed discussion short. I found I could choose a less expensive paper and lower the paperback by 30%. I could keep it under $20, which is the most readers in my genre are willing to pay.

And yet the photos (because of their excellent composition) are still stunning. They, along with the insightful quotes of history’s famous walkers, are what make this book special.

At the same time, I’ve created a hardback edition for those who like the extra pop of a National Geographic photo, but you’ll have to pay extra for that premier paper.

Bottom line—my work should be affordable to all. There’s the e-book for under $10 ($2.99 for the first two weeks), the paperback for under $20 and the top-of-the-line hardback is under $40.

And if that’s still too much for a truly needy senior, send me his or her email and I’ll send a free e-book.

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As I wrote earlier, I’m 77 and still writing books I hope people will read. What makes me think I can do that at my age? In tomorrow’s blog I’ll introduce you to some famous older writers.

Also today I’m collecting emails of those I’m going to gift with the discounted e-book. I’m sure it will be a surprise to most. This is going to be fun!