A good book can change a life. Sometimes all that stands between a reader and that book is the price. Now authors on eSomeni can put their books on sale, and readers will never miss it.
Picture a mother in Kisumu who has been meaning to buy a book for her daughter. She keeps it in her wishlist, waiting for the right moment. One evening her phone lights up: "A book on your wishlist is on sale." That night, under the light of the veranda, they start reading it together.
That is what this update is about: bringing readers and authors closer, one story at a time.
What is a book sale on eSomeni?
A book sale is a discount an author chooses to give on one of their books, for a short time. While the sale is on, every reader pays the lower price, on the website and in the eSomeni app. When the time is up, the price goes back to normal by itself.
How to find books on sale
- Look for the red tag. A book on sale shows the new price, the old price crossed out, and a small red tag such as −20%.
- Visit the "On Sale" row on the homepage, on the website or in the app. The offers that end soonest come first.
- Use the "On Sale" filter when you browse or search.
- Check "Offer ends in…" on the book page, so you know how long you have.
Already have the app? Update it from Google Play to see sale prices and offer countdowns.
👉 See the books on sale now
Never miss a sale
You don't have to keep checking. Just do one of these:
- Follow an author you enjoy. Tap Follow on their profile.
- Add a book to your wishlist from its book page.
When a sale starts, we'll let you know in the app and on your phone. If several books you care about go on sale on the same day, you get one short evening email with all of them, never a flood. You can change these alerts any time in your notification settings.
Paying is simple
The price you see is the price you pay. Buy with M-Pesa, card or PayPal, and the book goes straight into your library, yours to keep. In the app, card and PayPal payments open in your phone's secure browser window, which remembers you, so checkout is quicker.
For authors: run a sale in three steps
Go to Edit Book → Pricing → Run a discount, then:
- Choose your discount: 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50%, or your own amount (5% to 90%).
- Choose when it starts: right away, or on a day that matters, such as a book launch, a holiday or an event.
- Choose when it ends: up to 30 days later. It ends by itself.
Your followers, and readers who saved your book to their wishlist, are told automatically. Your earnings are worked out on the sale price, so your dashboard always matches what readers paid. Your price stays fixed while a sale is on, so readers can trust every discount they see on eSomeni.
A tip from us: a short sale of 20–30% for about a week is one of the best ways to welcome new readers. Many of them come back for your next book at full price.
More good things for readers
- Printable copies. Some authors include a printable PDF with their book, ideal for study guides and workbooks. Look for "Includes printable PDF". Each copy carries the buyer's name and is for personal use.
- Listen with highlights. In listen mode, each sentence is highlighted as it is read, the page turns for you, and you can pick up where you paused.
- Gentler night reading. Dark mode text is softer and clearer on the eyes.
Frequently asked questions
Who decides the discount?
The author. Each author chooses whether to run a sale, how much to take off, and for how long.
How long does a sale last?
Up to 30 days. Every sale shows "Offer ends in…" on the book page, and the price returns to normal automatically when it ends.
Is the sale price the same on the website and in the app?
Yes. The sale price is the same everywhere, whichever way you pay: M-Pesa, card or PayPal.
If I buy a book on sale, do I keep it?
Yes. A book you buy stays in your eSomeni library for as long as your account is active, even after the sale ends.
How do I get told about sales?
Follow the authors you like, or add books to your wishlist. You'll get a notification when a sale starts, and at most one sale email a day.
Do authors earn less during a sale?
An author earns their usual share of the sale price. Sales often bring in many more readers, so many authors earn more overall.
Start reading
Every book on eSomeni is a voice from Africa waiting to be heard. Now it is easier than ever to bring one home.
👉 Browse books on sale · Get or update the eSomeni app · Publish your book
Questions? Write to us at customercare@esomeni.com. We'd love to hear from you.
To God be the glory! 🙏
