Angela's Desk

If You’re Buying Books for Christmas Gifts This Year, You Should Start Shopping NOW. Here’s Why…

September 2, 2021

If You’re Buying Books for Christmas Gifts This Year, You Should Start Shopping NOW. Here’s Why…
Print Friendly

In every home (and boat!) I’ve lived in, I’ve always had a hiding place for Christmas presents. In November of each year, our daughter and I get together for our annual “wrapping day.” I pull out all of the loot, and whip out my wrapping paper, scissors, and tape. I help her wrap her gifts and she helps me wrap mine (except the ones for her, of course). We have a LOT of fun wrapping, drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes, eating Christmas cookies, and playing Christmas specials in the background.

Last Christmas presented a wrinkle. We didn’t know if we’d be able to spend Christmas together. So, I had gifts for her family shipped to her house, knowing that she’d get them wrapped and under the tree if Christmas got called off because of Covid.

We were able to have our wrapping day last year (albeit at HER house).

This year, I’ve been keeping up with the ongoing headlines about more supply chain disruptions, shortages of truckers, and more. Don’t even get me started on the prices of everything going through the roof. So, last month, I cleared out a spot in my closet, and started my Christmas shopping. I admit my stress level  has gone down since I started.

How does this relate to publishing you ask? Here’s how…

At BookLocker, we use the largest print on demand printer in the world. They sent out an email last week warning us and everyone to buy books early this year. They are experiencing:

1. Supply chain disruptions
2. Shipping delays
3. Staffing issues because of Covid

These problems are occurring industry-wide and worldwide. Why?

1. Book sales were already at historic highs. Reading is inexpensive entertainment and the entire industry has been seeing record sales since Covid first hit the U.S. in early 2020.
2. People are panicking after hearing news of ongoing and new supply chain disruptions, and they are shopping for Christmas very early (like me).
3. The supply chain disruptions will probably get worse before they get better. And, as you’ve probably read in the news, there are shipping delays worldwide as well.
4. The Delta variant is affecting people worldwide, including employees at the printer’s facility. So, periodic staff shortages are adding to the problems everywhere.

We were advised to tell our authors to order books as early as possible, and to let them know if we anticipate any huge print runs (those in the thousands).

Paperbacks are currently shipping in 10 business days. Hardcovers are currently printing in 15 business days. The printer also removed their rush and expedited printing options. That happens every year when things get busy…but not until late November. That happened four months early this year.

Amazon, the #1 book seller, receives orders for our books MUCH faster than that. Our printer has a contract with Amazon that gives them faster service than others, including authors and publishers. And, from a book sales standpoint, that is a good thing.

WHAT THE PRINTER IS DOING TO HELP

  • Actively developing wage structures to meet labor market demand.
  • Ordering manufacturing and warehouse-related materials, such as paper and packing materials, earlier and in larger quantities.
  • Working with their transportation partners to anticipate and remove challenges, when possible, through frequent shipping forecasts.
  • Encouraging everyone to stock up early to avoid potential delays.

DO YOU HAVE A BOOK THAT’S ALMOST READY TO PUBLISH?

If so, BookLocker can still get your book on the market within a month but our busy season is already occurring so PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP.

HAS YOUR BOOK ALREADY BEEN PUBLISHED?

If you need copies for anything between now and Christmas, order early. VERY early. Across the industry, the lead times will get even longer as the holidays approach. MUCH LONGER. Here’s something else to consider: If the backlog across the industry get much worse, it won’t be cleared up until January, and possibly beyond.

In the meantime, if you need advice about anything publishing- or writing-related, you know I’m just a click away. 🙂

RELATED



Got questions about Print On Demand and Self-publishing? Ask Angela Hoy.

About The Author

AngelaPortrait72dpismall_400x400

Angela Hoy is the publisher of WritersWeekly.com, the author of 19 books, and the co-owner of BookLocker.com (one of the original POD publishers that still gets books to market in less than a month), PubPreppers.com (print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish), and Abuzz Press (the publishing co-op that charges no setup fees).

Angela has lived and traveled across the U.S. with her kids in an RV, settled in a river-side home in Bradenton, FL, and lived on a 52 ft Irwin sailboat. Angela now resides on a mountaintop in Northwest Georgia, where she plans to spend the rest of her days bird watching, gardening, hiking, and taking in all of the amazing sunrises.

WritersWeekly.com - the free marketing ezine for writers, which features new paying markets and freelance job listings every Wednesday.

BookLocker.com - According to attorney Mark Levine, author of The Fine Print, BookLocker is: "As close to perfection as you're going to find in the world of ebook and POD publishing. The ebook royalties are the highest I've ever seen, and the print royalties are better than average. BookLocker understands what new authors experience, and have put together a package that is the best in the business. You can't go wrong here. Plus, they're selective and won't publish any manuscript just because it's accompanied by a check. Also, the web site is well trafficked. If you can find a POD or epublisher with as much integrity and dedication to selling authors' books, but with lower POD publishing fees, please let me know."

Abuzz Press offers FAST and FREE book publication, but only accepts a small percentage of submissions, and only works with U.S. authors.

PubPreppers.com - "We Prep, You Publish!" Print and ebook design for authors who truly want to self-publish. Offers formatting and design services only, and then provides simple instructions for authors on where to sign up to have the print and ebook editions printed/listed/sold. Cut out the middle man. Keep 100% of what bookstores pay for your book!

Angela's POD Secrets Revealed Series can be found HERE.

Have a POD Book with another publisher? See if BookLocker can give you a better deal. (BookLocker offers "disgruntled author discounts" to those who want to move from other POD services.)


See BookLocker's publishing packages HERE.


ANGELA ON TWITTER https://twitter.com/AngelaHoy


BOOKLOCKER ON FACEBOOK - Provides links to free excerpts!
https://www.facebook.com/booklockerbooks


ANGELA ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/angela.hoy.750


ANGELA ON LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelahoy/


Angela is the creator of the Original 24-Hour Short Story Contest!
https://24hourshortstorycontest.com/



Read More Of Angela's Articles HERE









Fall 2023 24 Hour Short Story Contest




90+ DAYS OF PROMOTING YOUR BOOK ONLINE: Your Book's Daily Marketing Plan by Angela Hoy and Richard Hoy

Promoting your book online should be considered at least a part-time job. Highly successful authors spend more time promoting a book than they do writing it - a lot more.

We know what you're thinking. You're an author, not a marketer. Not to worry! We have more than a decade of successful online book selling experience under our belts and we're going to teach you how to promote your book effectively online...and almost all of our techniques are FREE!

Online book promotion is not only simple but, if you have a step-by-step, day-to-day marketing plan (this book!), it can also be a very artistic endeavor, which makes it fun for creative folks like you!

Yes, online book promoting can be EASY and FUN! Let us show you how, from Day 1 through Day 90...and beyond!