Things Break…in Threes
In the past two weeks, my laptop’s hard drive had a meltdown, our main drive here at the home office died and our refrigerator broke.
Why All Books Should Be Non-Returnable – Part II By Angela Hoy
This article may be reprinted/redistributed freely as long as the entire article and bio are included.
After publishing last week’s article, I received a flood of email from authors. One mentioned that she’d heard bookstore returns were instituted during the depression to help bookstores stay in business. Interestingly, however, the practice never died, despite the end of the depression. I researched this interesting tidbit and this is what I found.
Re: Why All Books Should Be Non-Returnable
- Former Bookstore Owner Says…
- Another Permanent Temporary Solution…
- Author Supports Both Systems
- Book Signings A Problem
- Another Opinion On The History Of Returns
- Another Way Returns Can Victimize Publishers
Fiction Set in Real Location Can Inspire Local Interest and Sales! By Marjorie Abrams
People like to read about places they know. I discovered this to be true when I recently published my first mystery novel, Murder on the Prairie: A North Florida Mystery. The book is being received with an unexpected degree of enthusiasm for the setting, Gainesville, Florida – home of the University of Florida – the nearby Paynes Prairie State Park Preserve, and its Visitors Center in Micanopy. Reader comments and book sales have reflected this enthusiasm.
Help! My Book Title Has Already Been Used!
I thought my book title was really unique but I’ve just discovered another book with the same title. What can I do?
Frustration, Humble Pie, and Freelance Success For Two By Joe Wallace
I remember the night I took the call from my future writing partner, Catherine Tully. What she told me was the first step on a long journey of failure, frustration and eventually, freelance writing success. Catherine had called to share her excitement in having an article accepted for publication in Boys’ Life. It was her first query and she had made four hundred dollars. From that moment on I saw dollar signs.
Whispers and Warnings For September 21st
This Week:
- Publishers won’t rule out lawsuit against Google Print – a digital age test of copyright law
- The Star Tribune (Minneapolis) – former ombudsman who sued the paper for age discrimination is returning to write a column on ethics
- The Mirror of London – Publishes photos that appear to show actress snorting cocaine…after they lost a libel case to her.
- DEPUTY President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu in Nigeria – Sued by 35 journalists for alleged libel.
- Tate Publishing in Oklahoma – Author reports bad experience.
About to Head Out Again!
We’ll be hitting the road again next weekend, right after Zach’s birthday. We feel the oil companies may have hyped the gas shortage and I really don’t think it’s fair that I miss my reunion when there seems to be plenty of gas…
Why All Books Should Be Non-Returnable By Angela Hoy
This article may be reprinted/redistibuted freely, as long as the entire article and bio are included.
Bookstores have a long history of ordering too many books and then returning them for a credit, often damaged and at the expense of the publisher or self-published author. At other times, the books are simply destroyed (or sold to a big salvage bookstore), again, at the expense of the publisher or self-published author. It is my strong opinion that bookstores, like other retailers, should be financially responsible for their own sales forecasts…
Writing For Others – What To Charge?
Angela:
Your article, Writing For Others – What to Charge?, is a godsend. I’m just quoting my first big professional job, and he wants a scope of work. Now I can be sure that I don’t get ripped off!
Thank you,
W.A.