The bookstore chain, Waterstones has been accused of passing off some of the company’s stores as independents.
The company denies the allegation.
Waterstones accused of passing off stores as Independents
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Tag Archives: selling books
Neither a borrower nor a lender be
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.
The Decision
“I haven’t done this kind of thing before. I mean girls from my background do sometimes. I know they do, but it’s not kind of a normal thing to do is it? I know other girls do it but, really I’m not sure …”, she said, conscious of repeating herself.
The girl leant forward on the hotel barstool, her stillettos clicking against it as she did so.
“There is a first time for everything”, he said trying not to be overt in his admiration of those slim bare legs. “Why not give it a go, I’ve never had anyone regret it afterwards?”
“Oh I don’t know. What will my friends think of me? As I just told you, girls don’t usually do this kind of thing. Well girls like me that is”. She said staring nervously at the money on the bar.
“Go on, you know you want to”, the man replied giving what he hoped was an encouraging smile.
“Well … as you say my friends don’t need to know and I’m an open minded kind of girl, always up for trying new things. No one is watching are they?” she said glancing around the practically empty bar.
“No, no, no one is looking at us. Now is as good a time as any if you want to go through with it”, he said, glancing at her tiny, perfectly manicured fingers as they played nervously with the cash on the bar.
“OK, I’ve made a decision”, she said picking up the money and, glancing around for one final time handing it to her companion. “I like what I’ve seen so, yes I’ll buy your book. Will you sign it for me?”, she asked smiling shyly …
Letting go
Letting go of one’s book can be difficult. Several weeks ago I was in the pub enjoying a pint with 2 friends. I had just sold a copy of my book, “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” to my friend A. There it sat, in all it’s splendour within easy reach of 3 pints of beer. Just one careless elbow or a wrong move by my guide dog Trigger and my book would have been well and truly soaked! While I didn’t voice my concerns, I sat in convivial surroundings thinking “what if someone’s beer splashes all over my book?” However the book was, of course no longer mine as it’s ownership had passed from me to my friend A who is now entitled to do with it as he sees fit. While “Lost” remains mine in the sense that the creator of intellectual property/ideas retains ownership of them (unless he signs a contract signifying otherwise), once I sell and/or give away any of my books, the property in them passes to their new owner.
I guess my feeling of concern regarding that book and the 3 pints can be compared to a parent who’s child has reached the age of majority, the point at which they can leave home and enter into relationships without parental consent. Parents may worry that a particular date isn’t right. They can, however do nothing whatever about their son or daughter’s decision.
The copies of “Lost”, once sold are, forever lost to me. Doubtless their new owners will treat them with care and, I hope gain many happy hours leafing through my work. I do, however think from time to time about that book on the pub table and the 3 pints of beer …!
To Advertise Or Not, That Is The Question
As with most authors I am always on the look out for opportunities to gain more exposure for my books. I was interested therefore to read this article (https://chrismcmullen.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/advertise-your-book-on-amazon-new-opportunity/) which highlights Amazon’s new programme allowing authors to advertise their books at a cost of $100.
On the one hand I am tempted to take advantage of this new opportunity. The potential benefits are obvious (increased exposure and, hopefully) sales of my books. If only a small percentage of authors take Amazon up on their new offering then they will, potentially have an advantage in terms of exposure for their works over those who do not.
On the other hand if significant numbers of authors avail themselves of Amazon’s new programme the potential book buyer will, I suspect be bombarded with advertisements so my books may become lost in a sea of virtual noise. It is hard enough to find one needle in a hay stack and if that mound of dry grass is chock full of sharp implements what are the chances of readers picking out my needle when there are so many other instruments from which to choose? I believe in my writing, however one good author among many other writers (many of whom are producing quality works), why, exactly should the book browser click on my ad in preference over that of another advertiser?
Prior to parting with one’s hard earned cash it is useful to pause and consider the many free alternatives to paid advertising. KDP Select (https://kdp.amazon.com/select) allows authors to promote their books free of charge for upto 5 days in any 90 day period or, alternatively to offer them in a Kindle Countdown Deal. Most of my books are enrolled in KDP Select and in my experience the programme does increase the exposure of an author’s work for, human nature being what it is most people jump at the opportunity of obtaining “something for nothing”. Many who download books advertised via KDP Select will not leave a review, however some will and good reviews possess the potential to increase the exposure of one’s books thereby (hopefully) enhancing sales.
The downside to KDP Select is that in return for enrolment the author must keep those works enrolled exclusive to Amazon for 90 days, (I.E. the books concerned may not be sold anywhere other than Amazon during that time frame). Another disadvantage is that while newly enrolled works will be downloaded (in my experience) relatively rapidly, once a book has been in the programme for some time it will, when on promotion receive fewer downloads than freshly enrolled titles, so the longer a publication is offered via the scheme the fewer downloads it is likely to receive.
Another way to gain free publicity for one’s books is by contacting fellow bloggers who advertise as offering guest posting opportunities and requesting that they provide you with a guest slot. (If a blogger is kind enough to let you guest post it is only polite to offer them the same opportunity on your own site). You can find a useful list of book bloggers here (http://bookbloggerlist.com/). The Story Reading Ape’s Blog also offers a wealth of useful material for authors and readers alike and can be found here, (http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/).
In conclusion I won’t be signing up for Amazon’s advertising opportunity at present. I will, however watch with interest how it develops and, in particular what those who use it have to say. At this juncture my view remains that free opportunities abound so why spend money on advertising when it could be spent on book covers, editing etc.
The Mystery Of Disappearing Content
On looking over my Amazon author’s page I noticed that the one on amazon.co.uk contains my biography, a photograph of yours truly with my guide dog Trigger (Trigger is the dashingly handsome one), while that on amazon.com has only a list of my books. I had assumed that information entered onto one author’s profile would automatically be copied, by Amazon to my other page. On querying the position Amazon advised that authors need to create author’s profiles on both sites, a fact of which I was previously unaware.
Perhaps I am the only author who has laboured under the misapprehension that the creation of a profile on Amazon automatically creates a page on both amazon.co.uk and amazon.com. Obviously this is not the case but it would be extremely useful if, on creating an Amazon author’s profile the creator was offered the option to, at the same time create pages on both Amazon sites.
Turning to the issue of Amazon book reviews, I welcome the fact that reviews posted on one Amazon site now also appear on both amazon.co.uk and amazon.com (so, for example a review of my short story, Samantha which appears on amazon.com also shows on the UK site). However the issue is clouded owing to the fact that anyone casually glancing at a page on one Amazon site will see that a particular book has x number of reviews, however if he/she scans down the page reviews on another Amazon site, for the same book may well become visible. I would suggest that the total number of reviews on all Amazon sites for a particular book should be clearly displayed without the need for the reader to scan the entire page. The number of reviews and, more importantly the comments contained therein influence reader’s decisions as to whether to purchase a particular title. I would be interested to hear what other authors and readers think?
Akelite
I published my first e-book, a collection of short stories entitled “The First Time” in December 2012. I have subsequently published 1 long short story, “Samantha” and 2 further collections of stories, “Sting in the tail and other stories” and “An act of Mercy”. My experience of self-publishing in the Amazon Kindle store has led me to the conclusion that the best method of obtaining exposure for my books is to enrol them in the KDP Select Programme which allows authors to promote their work free of charge for upto 5 days in any 90 day period provided that titles are exclusive to Amazon. As a consequence of KDP Select my books have received a respectable number of downloads together with several 4 star reviews. In addition to utilising KDP Select I use Twitter and this blog to promote my writing.
Yesterday I came across a Tweet with a link to a promotional video by the seller of software called Akelite. The video states that using Akelite anyone has the potential to make thousands of dollars (well in my case pounds). Akelite does (according to the video) show which topics are trending on Amazon thereby allowing the author to write about popular subjects which will generate an impressive income stream. The developer suggests that people may wish to pay someone to write a book on their behalf in order to benefit from the earning power of Akelite. Authors do not as usually contended require reviews to assist in driving traffic and sales. Akelite dispenses with the need for reviews.
I listened to the presentation with a growing sense of incredulity. The presenter’s statements regarding Akelite simply do not chime with my experiences of self-publishing on Amazon nor do they fit in with anything I’ve read by other self-published authors regarding their experiences.
I attempted to research this product by Googling Akelite, however all of the results appear to lead back to the person who invented (sells) the product or people affiliated to him (I.E. there seem to be no independent reviews of Akelite).
I haven’t used Akelite, however the idea that by employing a piece of software people can make thousands of dollars without putting in the hours (sometimes months or years) required to produce well written books is to me quite simply incredible. In the words of Victor Meldrew in the British comedy “one Foot in the Grave” “I don’t believe it”!
I would love to here from anyone who has used Akelite. All comments positive or negative will be published. The inventor of Akelite is, of course also free to comment.
The Great Leviathan AKA Amazon and how to sell your books
Amazon is frequently portrayed as the great Leviathan, a monster who devours independent publishers and authors without mercy. Amazon may well have grown to big for it’s boots, the company is, however a great way for authors to promote their work.
Last year I self-published my collection of short stories, “The First Time” using authorsonline.co.uk, a self-publishing company. Initially “The First Time” appeared on a multiplicity of sites including Smashwords, Google Books and the great Leviathan itself! Months past and not having sold a single copy (actually I tell a lie as one book was downloaded by myself in order to check how it read on my Kindle)! I determined to make “The First Time” exclusive to Amazon and enrol it in Amazon’s KDP Select Programme which allows authors to promote their books free for upto 5 days in any 90 day period. I had already enrolled my other books (“Samantha”, “Sting In The Tail” and “An Act Of Mercy”) in the Programme and had an idea of what to expect. Enrolment of “Samantha” led to two 4 star reviews while “Sting In The Tail” has, thus far received one 4 star review. As at the time of writing “The First Time” has been downloaded 47 times as a consequence of it’s participation in KDP Select (the book is on free promotion from 4-8 October).
I believe in my books. When “The First Time” first appeared in serialised form back in 2012 it received a large number of likes and encouraging comments. However despite these encouraging signs “The First Time” languished on virtual book shelves until it’s enrolment in the KDP Select Programme.
The lesson I have learned is that however good one’s book is it is extremely difficult to get noticed unless you are lucky enough to be an established author. I have done all the things recommended by social media experts (E.G. use of Twitter and Facebook) to promote my books, however I’ve found that the use of KDP Select is the most effective way of bringing my books to the attention of a wider audience. Blogging and other social media are a great way of letting people know that you are out there and interacting with readers and I derive enormous pleasure from such interaction, however when push comes to shove it has in my experience been Amazon which has moved books from their virtual shelves into the hands (do I mean virtual hands?) of my readers. I’d certainly recommend blogging and the use of other tools but you should, in my opinion give serious consideration to the KDP Programme.
“The First Time” is free to download in the Kindle store until 8 October, http://newauthoronline.com/2013/10/04/free-book-promotion/
Forever in search of the new
Yesterday (5 March) I popped into my local independent book shop in search of a present for Easter not entailing Cadburys cream eggs! Having purchased a book on the Dinosaurs in Crystal Palace park I fell into conversation with the book shop’s owner. I asked whether the growth in ebooks was impacting on his business. Somewhat to my surprise he replied that he haden’t noticed a fall off in business, he had, however seen a rise in the sale of graphical (picture books). I speculated that the growth in sales of this particular type of literature perhaps stemmed from the low attention span which can flow from excessive use of the internet and he agreed.
The above conversation reminded me of an earlier post on this blog (http://newauthoronline.com/2013/02/02/going-to-hell-in-a-hand-cart/) in which I pointed to the growth in website hopping, the practice entailing the surfer inanely clicking on links with no particular purpose in mind. I argued that this constant search for new and exciting content fosters a spirit of instant gratification and a shallow view of the world. In contrast reading entails concentration and yes, on occasions cudgelling one’s brains in order to comprehend what the author is driving at. In contrast to the inanity which can flow from web surfing reading fosters a deep appreciation for the world in which we live.
To return to my visit to the book shop, perhaps this obsession with the internet is leading to a breakdown in concentration whereby people find it difficult to read anything other than short novels or works containing lots of illustrations. I certainly hope that this is not the case.
Returning to the subject of ebooks, my latest book, Samantha is currently free in the Kindle store (the offer ends on 7 March). For Samantha please visit http://www.amazon.com/Samantha-ebook/dp/B00BL3CNHI
K Morris - Poet 