Amazon has recently added the ability to publish a paperback on KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). To learn more please visit the following link, https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=AH8RA6CMVRN8Y&ref_=pe_2983330_227202760_kdp_BS_D_pgs
An elderly writer, sat alone in his garret
Dreaming of champagne and claret.
He said, to himself,
I have little wealth
And my only companion is this parrot!
An interesting response to a reader’s question, by Jo Malone of The Standard. I note however that Jo fails to mention the option of self-publishing in her response, http://www.standard.co.uk/business/ask-jo-malone-how-can-my-poetry-translate-into-a-wedding-gift-people-will-buy-a3412361.html.
I am aiming to publish my latest collection of poetry, “Refractions” in the next 10-14 days. The collection derives it’s title from my poem “Refractions” which runs thus:
“The poet may redact
The light that through his poem does refract.
But the reader will therein construe
That she believes to be true”.
In the same way that light refracts, so to does poetry. What the reader sees in a poem is not (necessarily) what the poet intended him to perceive. Likewise different readers will interpret the same poem in diverse ways. The poet, for his part may obfuscate his meaning, while the whiley reader will dig deep and, perhaps get near the essence of the poem.
If anyone would like a free copy of “Refractions” in return for an honest review, please contact me via newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com (the address is rendered in this manner to defeat spammers).
Many thanks,
Kevin
This short piece speaks for itself and is worth a read, (http://www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/gunner/bad-poets.html).
Kevin
A fascinating piece in “The Guardian” regarding the Future Libraries Project, where authors submit a manuscript which is securely stored and only read in 100 years from now (2114). The ceremony for handing over manuscripts takes place in a Norwegian forest who’s trees will be cut down in 100 years time to make paper on which the books submitted to the project will be printed. The latest author to hand over his manuscript is David Mitchell.
For the article please visit https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/30/david-mitchell-buries-latest-manuscript-for-a-hundred-years
According to an article in “The Telegraph” a new generation are buying books in order to express their personality. Some of these books remain unread on shelves but, a Foyle’s representative does not see this as a problem as, sooner or later these works will be picked up by their owner and read. For the article please go to, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/29/new-generation-buying-books-to-express-their-personalities/
Polonius famously remarks, “Neither a borrower nor a lender be, for loan oft loses both itself and friend”. While I haven’t lost any friends as a consequence of lending books, I have determined not to let others borrow my work in future.
As those of you who follow this blog will know, the print edition of “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” has been available to buy for several months. Since it’s publication I have given away copies to family and friends. In addition several libraries and my local pub (who maintain a small lending library) have been recipients of free copies of “Lost”. While I am delighted to have my book available in libraries and dens of iniquity (sorry I mean pubs)! I have clamped down on lending “Lost in the Labyrinth” to readers other than via the institutions (including my local pub) who hold copies. My rucksack usually contains several copies of “Lost” which, if the opportunity arises I show to potential readers in the hope they will purchase a copy. While a number of people have bought copies without asking to borrow my work, I have been surprised that several individuals have asked, “Can I borrow it?” The first few times this question was asked resulted in me answering in the affirmative. I have, however now come to the conclusion that if, after having looked at my book someone is sufficiently interested to request to borrow a copy, then they are (potentially) intrigued enough to purchase one. I have therefore taken to saying that the book is for sale and (thus far) readers have happily bought my work.
Someone or other famously remarked that “its nice to be nice”. Indeed it is. However authors are not registered charities and we should not be expected to give away or lend out our books for free. This may sound harsh, however one would not expect the local butcher or publican to give away free joints of meat or beer so why should authors be expected to do so? Having said that, I have given away at least one copy of my work to a person who, I sensed could not afford to pay for it. I felt this was the right thing to do. However those who can pay (unless they are family and/or close friends) should, in my opinion do so. I wouldn’t expect a free haircut in my local barber’s nor should he expect a free copy of my book.
In conclusion, generosity is a wonderful trait but, as authors we need to insure that we are not taken advantage of by those who could easily pay for our work but instead choose to request a free copy or to borrow one. Charity is a splendid thing and I have (with fellow authors) contributed to a charity anthology in aid of Guide dogs). However charity and money making need to be separated out, otherwise authors risk what is (often) only meagre earnings from their litary endeavours being swallowed up by paying out for their own work which they then give away or lend rather than sell.
On Friday evening, I popped into my favourite local, the Railway Bell for a pint or two. While there I fell into conversation with an acquaintance who mentioned my book, “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind”, (http://moyhill.com/lost/). I enquired whether he would like to see the book (I had a copy in my rucksack) and was told one was on order from his local bookshop. While I was delighted to learn that I had another customer for my work, I had to suppress a smile as the publisher holds no stock. Consequently my acquaintence’s order will find it’s way to Moyhill who will, in turn pass it on to me for fulfilment. I will then send a copy of “Lost” to the bookstore. How much simpler things would have been had my drinking companion gone direct to the horse himself!
The above does demonstrate that my book is showing up on all the correct systems, hence the bookstore being able to order it. I am, however still left feeling that I’ve been through rather a surreal experience!
Kevin
What is the point of having your book (or books) available in print? Surely the future is digital. Print books moulder unread on dusty shelves while we all browse our Ereaders, tablets and smart phones? Below is my experience of selling the print edition of “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind”, my latest collection of poetry, (http://moyhill.com/lost/).
I have given away copies of “Lost” in return for honest reviews in both print and electronic formats. Friends and several libraries have also been recipients of my book. Apart from free copies, I have sold a number of print books (8 at the last count). I usually carry several copies of “Lost” in my rucksack and if the conversation turns to books or what I do with my time, “Lost” is mentioned. At this point in the conversation I hand over a copy of my book, people flick through and (as mentioned above) have, on a number of occasions purchased a copy.
While it is true that I could bring up “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” on a Kindle or other device, in my experience most people still prefer the physicality of a book and are more likely to buy when faced by a hard copy work. I may have lost out on opportunities to market “Lost”. For example I recently gave a poetry reading at the Poetry Cafae in London’s Covent Garden. Being unsure as regards the rules of selling books at such events, I refrained from doing so. However several other poets did mention (and sell) their work and I shall not neglect a future opportunity to market mine.
What about sales via the internet or through brick and mortar bookstores? As mentioned earlier, “Lost” is available on the Moyhill site. In addition it can be found in my local independent bookstore, Bookseller Crow, (http://booksellercrow.co.uk/). While I am extremely grateful to the publisher for creating a dedicated webpage and to Bookseller Crow for stocking “Lost”, as of today (14 April) no sales have been forthcoming via the publisher or the bookshop.
Why should the above be the case? In my local bookshop “Lost” has to compete with thousands of titles and while it has an eyecatching cover (for which I’m grateful to David Cronin of Moyhill), my book has to compete with many other works possessing well produced covers. Another reason explaining the lack of sales in my local bookstore stems, I believe from the fact that poetry is very much a niche market and works of poetry do not sell in the same quantities as fiction. While I publicise my writing via this site (newauthoronline.com) my presence is not that of a Carol Ann Duffy and if most people haven’t heard of you it becomes largely a matter of chance as regards whether they will browse (let alone buy) your book. In short “Lost” is a small tree in a big forest and it is a matter of chance as to whether a wanderer stops to rest under it’s branches and enjoy the scent of my tree.
Turning to Moyhill, they are an excellent company and I cannot recommend them highly enough. However my book is one of many on the publisher’s website and it is, again largely a matter of chance whether a browser will alight on “Lost”.
The advantage of selling face-to-face is that readers can engage the poet and/or author in conversation. They can browse your book, ask questions and even request you to read a short passage. Likewise, with poetry readings, if a person attending likes what they hear, they are more likely to purchase the poet’s work than if they passed by his (or her) work in a bookshop.
The obvious disadvantage to selling face-to-face is that you, as the poet/author can only ever reach a tiny percentage of your potential readership, none the less a sale remains a sale!
In conclusion, in my experience, selling print books as a little known poet is perfectly possible, however sales largely flow from face-to-face interactions with potential readers/buyers. Having a website and/or blog is a great way to get your name out there and generate interest in your work, it will not, however necessarily lead to significant book sales. Despite not having sold books via my local bookstore, I remain grateful to them for stocking “Lost” and I’d certainly recommend getting your work stocked (if you can) by a bookstore.
(“Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is also available as an ebook and can be found HERE)
K Morris - Poet 