ah... look, reality!
www.publishamerica.com/cg...n/9170.htm
wow... wonder if PA's gonna lift my ban 'cause what I've been saying for months is true...
*chuckles*
wonder how long this is gonna exist...
let me c/p for ya in case it gets nuked:
*************
Shortie
2/22/2004
08:20:02
Subject: Turn negative into positive
Message:
Getting our books onto brick-and-mortar bookstore shelves is a problem we are all aware of here on the MB. It is an issue each author is going to have to deal with one way or another, sooner or later.
While at the Kiwanis on Friday this issue was brought to my attention several times by people who came up to me and said they had tried to buy my book but could not find it. One man said he was told at Walden's that they were "out" of the book. A woman said the same about a Barnes and Nobles store.
Now you and I know that my book may - or may not - have been stocked by those stores. I made no mention of that when responding to these people. Why bring up a negative????
I simply told them that I was so sorry to hear that but my book was very popular and that the book stores were having a problem keeping it in stock.
I told them the absolute truth when I told them that the book store in Tifton kept running out and would have to wait some two weeks to get an order in -- and that I had been supplying the local store with books while they waited on their order to come in.
I think I put a positive spin on a negative. Politicians do it all the time. Why not me?
How are you handling this situation?
Shortie
cora morace
2/22/2004
09:47:12
RE: Turn negative into positive
Message:
Shortie,
Kudos again with your success with the Kiwanis.
You're lucky that the bookstore said that they were out of the book, which by the way, is the smarter thing for them to say. Recently an acquaintance of mine went to three bookstores in our locale and asked for COCODRIE. The first looked it up and said "Oh, we don't stock those kinds of books, and proceeded to offer her an alternative - a Mississippi cookbook!!?? The second said it wasn't available to them, and the third suggested that she try the first store.
I had approached all three of these stores about stocking my books - I had offered to help them with copies until theirs could be obtained....one of the clerks said they had a couple other requests for it that week, too, but their store policy didn't allow them to stock it. NOT A ONE OFFERED TO SPECIAL ORDER IT! These were "chain" type bookstores, the two independents in our area both ordered copies and I have signings with both scheduled. But these others have gone out of their way, in my estimation, to make my book sound like it lacks worth and I am just proud and stubborn enough to hope that they will someday regret it.
Had to get that off my chest.
CJ
priceless1
2/22/2004
10:05:53
RE: Turn negative into positive
Message:
Face it, without a return policy, a lot of bookstores look the other way. Compound that with their snob factor, and we must work ten times harder to get our books into the hands of readers.
Lynn
eighter marx
2/22/2004
11:07:17
RE: Turn negative into positive
Message:
The stores B&M and Waldenbooks want to carry my book but it is against their policy.
B&M will not let a PA book be shipped to their warehouse but they can have it shipped to a house.
Waldenbooks will not order a POD. If someone has proof of this being wrong, please contact Waldenbooks in Sawmill Square in Laurel, MS.
I have had requests from B&M to come for a book signings in other towns.
I tell them....."YOu get the books first and I'll be glad to come." Every time I planned something it got cancalled because they couldn't get books.
It is against their policy to buy from the author or let the author bring their own books.
I tell people who try to buy it in the books stores the truth. I tried. I also tell them that if they know the author personally why fool with a book store.
I have even written to the boards of the chains, begging and offering to buy books back------- with no luck.
I hired someone yesterday to contact all the independent stores in Alabama and Mississippi.
If that goes well, I will add a state or two at a time. I plan to visit all of the independent stores after the contact, plus all the libraries along the way. I could have included the chains, but knew it would be a waste of money.
I chose Alabama first so I can show them Joyce's book, True Blue Forever along with mine.
In my ads, I say order an autograhed copy from the author or online. I add a copy of the PA order form that they sent out to your friends for the ones who don't have a computer. I have removed "ask you local book store" from my cards and my ads.
BTW, my goal is to stay close to Shortie on the PA best seller's list. I'm now 49 and I'm delighted to see she moved up.
My motto is "IF you kiss enough frogs, one day you'll find a prince." But, so far nothing but warts from the chains so I gave up on them.
Molly Marx Brent
There Ain't Enough Front Porches
eighter marx
2/22/2004
11:17:04
RE: Turn negative into positive
Message:
That should be BAM...... I screw up a lot. Please excuse my mistakes.
Molly
Shortie
2/22/2004
11:51:34
RE: Turn negative into positive
Message:
CJ,
I think you are right. I was very lucky the bookstore manager told the customer they were out of stock. He/she could just have easily said something else.
Molly,
I agree with you. I am not interested in butting my head into a brick wall. I will try to make inroads where I can and let the rest ride. BTW, I will have to check BAM. Amazon is the only one I ever check; just habit.
Lynn,
You would be a good one to address this issue at the PA convention methinks. How 'bout it?
Everyone,
It just KILLS me that there are people who are trying so hard to get my book but can't. A while back a man told me he drove all the way to Albany (45 miles) because he was sure he could get it at the bookstore in the mall there. No luck. It is just a bummer. A real bummer.
Doesn't it make you wonder what our sales could look like if there was a return policy??
Shortie
priceless1
2/22/2004
18:36:46
RE: Turn negative into positive
Message:
"Lynn,
You would be a good one to address this issue at the PA convention methinks. How 'bout it?"
Shortie, you're talking Lynn Barry, right?
Lynn <the other Lynn who is a chicken>
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oh, to be a fly on the wall if this ever comes up at the convention this weekend... I somehow doubt it; or the PA staff will somehow deny it's happening or put some spin on it that it's a Good Thing that no decent bookstore will carry your books, yatta yatta yatta...