Well while I've recently become acquainted with SmashWords, I now find that there are MANY legitimate sites that allow you to covert a file into Kindle format or .epub format or pocket reader format and some even keep coding that SmashWords "meatgrinder" doesn't!
So can anyone tell me of one that will create a PDB file and keep the centering and italics coding? I've found one that keeps the accent mark that "meatgrinder" doesn't seem to get but it doesn't seem to see the italics or centering.
If you don't know what I'm talking about don't worry about it. ;) But if you do, please point me to a good on-line converter site that will hold the italics and centering. ;)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Okay Lets Go Over it Again!
This is for aspiring writers who listen and read blogs posted by "published" authors who don't really know how the publishing industry works or ever worked but like to blog about it as though they do.
First off, it takes quite a bit of research to get the "truth" of the matter or if you're lucky you'll run across a link like this one here that explains it all quite nicely. ;)
Bottom line, Simon and Shuester started the return policy/"don't worry about sending the book back just rip off the book cover and send it to save on postage" during the depression to keep the then small bookstores/now chain bookstores from going under. The publishing industry has warped and mutated since then until no one knows what's going on anymore.
Sufficed to say EVERYONE involved in publishing makes money off an author's work but the author. And no small publisher can operate with chain bookstores as ALL chain bookstores operate by "large" publisher's rules thinking it's perfectly legal to send unsold, over ordered books back with the covers ripped off etc . . . and not pay for 3000 years after a book sales because that's the way "large" publisher have done it for years.
I'm still baffled that some really big name Small Press authors don't get this. They act like they don't know anything about publishing. It's right there for anybody to see. I certainly see it. There are more than 4000 copies of Never Ceese out there that I've not received one cent of royalty for and never will. Gotta love that!!! NOT!!!
E-books may give us authors and small press publishers to turn this all around but we've got to be smart about it. We have to learn from the past but dear Lord you have to know what the past is before you can learn from it. EGADS!
First off, it takes quite a bit of research to get the "truth" of the matter or if you're lucky you'll run across a link like this one here that explains it all quite nicely. ;)
Bottom line, Simon and Shuester started the return policy/"don't worry about sending the book back just rip off the book cover and send it to save on postage" during the depression to keep the then small bookstores/now chain bookstores from going under. The publishing industry has warped and mutated since then until no one knows what's going on anymore.
Sufficed to say EVERYONE involved in publishing makes money off an author's work but the author. And no small publisher can operate with chain bookstores as ALL chain bookstores operate by "large" publisher's rules thinking it's perfectly legal to send unsold, over ordered books back with the covers ripped off etc . . . and not pay for 3000 years after a book sales because that's the way "large" publisher have done it for years.
I'm still baffled that some really big name Small Press authors don't get this. They act like they don't know anything about publishing. It's right there for anybody to see. I certainly see it. There are more than 4000 copies of Never Ceese out there that I've not received one cent of royalty for and never will. Gotta love that!!! NOT!!!
E-books may give us authors and small press publishers to turn this all around but we've got to be smart about it. We have to learn from the past but dear Lord you have to know what the past is before you can learn from it. EGADS!
Black Bed Sheet Books now offering Kindle, Nook and other Ebook formats!
For those of you waiting for Black Bed Sheet Book titles for your Kindle Reader, Nook Reader or Palm Reader and various other readers as well, then wait no more.
Never Ceese, republished by Black Bed Sheet Books in 2010, is now available in all these formats via SmashWords. All other titles will be added very soon. Not only will these titles be available, they are all DRM free meaning you won't just find one e-book format specific to one reader but many ebook formats that will work with ANY reader.
Since I, Sue Dent, have tackled the task of transferring these titles to e-book format for Black Bed Sheet books I will share that while the .PDB format reads fine, I've yet to find a way to tackle the translate accent marks when found in the text. I've checked and re-checked the other versions and found NO problems. You can see for yourself in the 20% preview that you can read for free.
Smashword's own style guide nails the accent mark as one of those codes they've yet been able to address with their "meatgrinder" so there ya go. Just wanted to let you know as BBS strives not to put below quality work out there.
If you want to purchase the $3.99 PDB version it will most likely print a "funky" character wherever a word is accented. There really aren't many but it is what it is for now.
Unlike Amazon and Barnes & Noble, SmashWords DOES NOT accept returns which is the way it should be. The publisher should decide whether they want to make a book returnable not distributors. Amazon and Barnes & Noble are distributors period. Also you get to read a 20% preview would should let you know right away whether it's something you want.
So support the CORRECT way to do things and purchase from SmashWords. The fact that bigger published authors are sticking with Amazon and Barnes & Noble should tell you a little about them. They aren't interested in providing you with quality fiction at a reasonable price. They're only interested in taking your money and as much of it as you'll let them.
There is a link to all copies of Never Ceese in many e-book formats over on the left and here's one here as well: Never Ceese for sale at SmashWords.
Never Ceese, republished by Black Bed Sheet Books in 2010, is now available in all these formats via SmashWords. All other titles will be added very soon. Not only will these titles be available, they are all DRM free meaning you won't just find one e-book format specific to one reader but many ebook formats that will work with ANY reader.
Since I, Sue Dent, have tackled the task of transferring these titles to e-book format for Black Bed Sheet books I will share that while the .PDB format reads fine, I've yet to find a way to tackle the translate accent marks when found in the text. I've checked and re-checked the other versions and found NO problems. You can see for yourself in the 20% preview that you can read for free.
Smashword's own style guide nails the accent mark as one of those codes they've yet been able to address with their "meatgrinder" so there ya go. Just wanted to let you know as BBS strives not to put below quality work out there.
If you want to purchase the $3.99 PDB version it will most likely print a "funky" character wherever a word is accented. There really aren't many but it is what it is for now.
Unlike Amazon and Barnes & Noble, SmashWords DOES NOT accept returns which is the way it should be. The publisher should decide whether they want to make a book returnable not distributors. Amazon and Barnes & Noble are distributors period. Also you get to read a 20% preview would should let you know right away whether it's something you want.
So support the CORRECT way to do things and purchase from SmashWords. The fact that bigger published authors are sticking with Amazon and Barnes & Noble should tell you a little about them. They aren't interested in providing you with quality fiction at a reasonable price. They're only interested in taking your money and as much of it as you'll let them.
There is a link to all copies of Never Ceese in many e-book formats over on the left and here's one here as well: Never Ceese for sale at SmashWords.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Big publishers trying to weasel their way in?
With technology making e-books more than just a novelty, it's only a matter of time before larger publishers try to find a way to make the kind of profits off them that they did on print books. Seems they've already started and it also seems that they're relying heavily on reader's ignorance.
Why should an e-book from a larger publisher sell for almost the exact same price as a print book?
No matter what is said, there's absolutely no reason for this kind of pricing. The cost to produce e-books is next to nothing, there are no warehousing issues or none of the other things that drove the price of a print book up.
Well . . . there is one thing that might drive the price of a large publisher's e-book up since they choose to only use Amazon's Kindle or B&N's Nook to publish. That would be the cost of paying for the ENCRYPTION to keep these books from being read on anything BUT the exclusive readers purchased from either Amazon or B&N. Adobe works with B&N to secure their Nook books. I'm sure Adobe charges enough for that. And I'll bet it isn't cheap for Amazon to keep up to date with their encryption.
But why encrypt anyway?
I know I've said a lot about SmashWords lately but here's why. Their books are DRM free! What's that mean? It means the Kindle book they produce can be read on a Kindle reader WITHOUT the publisher of the book having to deal with a company like Amazon who attempts to act like the publisher and distributor by forcing things such as their "lending library" on their publishers. Then of course there's the allowing 7 days for an e-book to be returned. As I've said before, return of any item should be the publisher's choice, not one made by the distributor. Barnes & Noble's Nook also allows for returns I'm sure since B&N doesn't know any other way to operate.
SmashWord's books are DRM free!
I suppose they could be called the Napster of e-books. Oh and no, you won't see the large publishers going to SmashWords for e-book distribution. They aren't interested in anything but taking the most money they can from the reader. Well . . . they might if folks stopped buying Kindle's from Amazon or Nook books from B&N. But we all know that ain't gonna happen. In fact, the "big dog" publishers are counting on it!!!
Quite frankly I think it's time for a revolution. I'm just saying.
from your .doc and the Nook they produce can be read on ANY o only specific e-book readers can read them is simply a way to knock all other publish
Why should an e-book from a larger publisher sell for almost the exact same price as a print book?
No matter what is said, there's absolutely no reason for this kind of pricing. The cost to produce e-books is next to nothing, there are no warehousing issues or none of the other things that drove the price of a print book up.
Well . . . there is one thing that might drive the price of a large publisher's e-book up since they choose to only use Amazon's Kindle or B&N's Nook to publish. That would be the cost of paying for the ENCRYPTION to keep these books from being read on anything BUT the exclusive readers purchased from either Amazon or B&N. Adobe works with B&N to secure their Nook books. I'm sure Adobe charges enough for that. And I'll bet it isn't cheap for Amazon to keep up to date with their encryption.
But why encrypt anyway?
I know I've said a lot about SmashWords lately but here's why. Their books are DRM free! What's that mean? It means the Kindle book they produce can be read on a Kindle reader WITHOUT the publisher of the book having to deal with a company like Amazon who attempts to act like the publisher and distributor by forcing things such as their "lending library" on their publishers. Then of course there's the allowing 7 days for an e-book to be returned. As I've said before, return of any item should be the publisher's choice, not one made by the distributor. Barnes & Noble's Nook also allows for returns I'm sure since B&N doesn't know any other way to operate.
SmashWord's books are DRM free!
I suppose they could be called the Napster of e-books. Oh and no, you won't see the large publishers going to SmashWords for e-book distribution. They aren't interested in anything but taking the most money they can from the reader. Well . . . they might if folks stopped buying Kindle's from Amazon or Nook books from B&N. But we all know that ain't gonna happen. In fact, the "big dog" publishers are counting on it!!!
Quite frankly I think it's time for a revolution. I'm just saying.
from your .doc and the Nook they produce can be read on ANY o only specific e-book readers can read them is simply a way to knock all other publish
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Why do e-book distributors allow for returns?
So in light of the fact that Smashwords, an e-book distributor, DOESN'T allow for returned e-books, one might wonder why any e-book DISTRIBUTOR might allow for this.
As far as I know a distributors purpose is to distribute things through their distribution channels making money off of what sells. If a publisher wants to make their e-book returnable that should be up to the publisher not the distributor. I have to wonder at any distributor that forces things on publishers as though they have the right to do this.
Wake up publishers!
Find a distributor that acts like a distributor. With the publishing industry leaning toward e-books as opposed to print books, WE the authors, small publishers and self-pubbed authors of the world have a chance to SHAPE how things happen. Or we can sit back like a bunch of mindless imbeciles and pretend there isn't a RIGHT way to do things.
I can not understand why anyone would want a Kindle published on Amazon when Amazon gives the buyer 7 DAYS to return the book. Not when there are other e-book distributors that leave that choice up to the publisher. No. Amazon isn't the only "distributor" doing this but they're certainly the loudest ones.
As far as I know a distributors purpose is to distribute things through their distribution channels making money off of what sells. If a publisher wants to make their e-book returnable that should be up to the publisher not the distributor. I have to wonder at any distributor that forces things on publishers as though they have the right to do this.
Wake up publishers!
Find a distributor that acts like a distributor. With the publishing industry leaning toward e-books as opposed to print books, WE the authors, small publishers and self-pubbed authors of the world have a chance to SHAPE how things happen. Or we can sit back like a bunch of mindless imbeciles and pretend there isn't a RIGHT way to do things.
I can not understand why anyone would want a Kindle published on Amazon when Amazon gives the buyer 7 DAYS to return the book. Not when there are other e-book distributors that leave that choice up to the publisher. No. Amazon isn't the only "distributor" doing this but they're certainly the loudest ones.
Oh I am so in love with Smashwords right now!
And if you're an author, you should be in love with Smashwords too! Want to know why? Of course you do! With e-books quickly gaining ground over print books, an inevitable move all things considered, I began looking for the best way to get mine out there. Of course because Amazon was so LOUD with their Kindle program I went there first. But as e-book distributors go, their program really sucks.
The kindle lending library is a fine example of that too. It's not exactly publisher friendly when the distributor can force a publisher into doing something they should have a choice over. The only choice the publisher has in this case is to un-publish their Kindle e-book and move on to another distributor.
Another fine example of an e-book distributors lameness is when they allow e-books to be returned. I actually didn't look to see what Smashwords policy was on this until after the fact. I therefore went to their FAQ section with one eye closed not exactly sure I wanted to see what I might find. This is where the love affair starts. This question and it's answer should make every publisher grin and smile from ear to ear and SHOULD have them racing right over to Smashwords for the simple fact that Smashwords is doing everything right. So here ya go. Read it and weep Amazon and all you other e-book distributors who THINK you know how to do things. From Smashwords FAQ:
Are books returnable if I don't like them?
No. All sales are final. This is why most authors allow you to sample much of their book for free so you can try before you buy.
Oh my gorsh!!!!! Let's read that again shall we?
Are books returnable if I don't like them?
No. All sales are final. This is why most authors allow you to sample much of their book for free so you can try before you buy.
I love you smashwords, more than words can say. Thank-you for not giving our work away. Thank-you soooooooo much!!!!
E-books are no different than music or software. If you're with an e-book distributor that allows refunds and takes that power away from you the publisher, then you need to find another distributor. IMO
The kindle lending library is a fine example of that too. It's not exactly publisher friendly when the distributor can force a publisher into doing something they should have a choice over. The only choice the publisher has in this case is to un-publish their Kindle e-book and move on to another distributor.
Another fine example of an e-book distributors lameness is when they allow e-books to be returned. I actually didn't look to see what Smashwords policy was on this until after the fact. I therefore went to their FAQ section with one eye closed not exactly sure I wanted to see what I might find. This is where the love affair starts. This question and it's answer should make every publisher grin and smile from ear to ear and SHOULD have them racing right over to Smashwords for the simple fact that Smashwords is doing everything right. So here ya go. Read it and weep Amazon and all you other e-book distributors who THINK you know how to do things. From Smashwords FAQ:
Are books returnable if I don't like them?
No. All sales are final. This is why most authors allow you to sample much of their book for free so you can try before you buy.
Oh my gorsh!!!!! Let's read that again shall we?
Are books returnable if I don't like them?
No. All sales are final. This is why most authors allow you to sample much of their book for free so you can try before you buy.
I love you smashwords, more than words can say. Thank-you for not giving our work away. Thank-you soooooooo much!!!!
E-books are no different than music or software. If you're with an e-book distributor that allows refunds and takes that power away from you the publisher, then you need to find another distributor. IMO
Monday, February 21, 2011
Why are e-books returnable?
Music and software isn't returnable unless there's a download problem so why do the few e-book distributors out there offer e-books as being returnable for other reasons beyond that? The return policy for print books was put in place originally by Simon & Shuester during the depression to keep small bookstores of the day (now your large bookstores) from going under. All of the other publishers joined in so they wouldn't lose sells but nothing changed after the depression as it's hard to take something back once given.
Offering e-books as returnable for up to 7-days after purchase is ridiculous. Especially when you consider how little an e-book costs to begin with. Unless of course the e-book is provided by a larger publishing house who is still trying to operate under the mentality that folks will pay the same amount for an e-book as a print book even though it costs FAAAAAARRRR less to produce it. *I would like to laugh at this mentality but fears readers will let large publishers get away with this.*
Furthermore, why do authors not question this? It isn't like you have to put up with it. If a site doesn't let YOU the publisher decide whether you want to make the book returnable than something is very wrong. Why not just sell the e-book yourself? I actually know the reason for that. It seems there's no way for an individual to encrypt their e-books so they can't be stolen by law-abiding citizens who seem to not be able to obey the law.
So I guess we're at their mercy until an encrypting program comes along that an individual publisher can afford and utilize. Anybody know of one?
Offering e-books as returnable for up to 7-days after purchase is ridiculous. Especially when you consider how little an e-book costs to begin with. Unless of course the e-book is provided by a larger publishing house who is still trying to operate under the mentality that folks will pay the same amount for an e-book as a print book even though it costs FAAAAAARRRR less to produce it. *I would like to laugh at this mentality but fears readers will let large publishers get away with this.*
Furthermore, why do authors not question this? It isn't like you have to put up with it. If a site doesn't let YOU the publisher decide whether you want to make the book returnable than something is very wrong. Why not just sell the e-book yourself? I actually know the reason for that. It seems there's no way for an individual to encrypt their e-books so they can't be stolen by law-abiding citizens who seem to not be able to obey the law.
So I guess we're at their mercy until an encrypting program comes along that an individual publisher can afford and utilize. Anybody know of one?
Kindle version of Never Ceese!
What's that you say? Never Ceese is now available in the infamous KINDLE format? Has Sue Dent lost her mind?
That's right folks, Never Ceese is now available in KINDLE format and not through Amazon!!! Simply go to this link here. Say it once, say it twice, say it three times.:
SmashwordsSmashwordsSmashwords
and purchase Never Ceese in a variety of e-book formats including but not limited to Kindle. Straight from the publisher, Black Bed Sheet Books via Smashwords.
The jokes on you too Amazon, as you won't be giving this Kindle away for FREE via your little "Lending Library" scheme that you force Kindle publishers to participate in just so Amazon can sell more Kindle e-readers.
So off you go people with Kindles and every other e-reader device. The future is here and so are the e-books.
That's right folks, Never Ceese is now available in KINDLE format and not through Amazon!!! Simply go to this link here. Say it once, say it twice, say it three times.:
SmashwordsSmashwordsSmashwords
and purchase Never Ceese in a variety of e-book formats including but not limited to Kindle. Straight from the publisher, Black Bed Sheet Books via Smashwords.
The jokes on you too Amazon, as you won't be giving this Kindle away for FREE via your little "Lending Library" scheme that you force Kindle publishers to participate in just so Amazon can sell more Kindle e-readers.
So off you go people with Kindles and every other e-reader device. The future is here and so are the e-books.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Amazon consistentaly innacurrate.
The rights to my second book in my Thirsting for Blood Series, Forever Richard, which earned a resounding review and book blurb from the British Fantasy Society have been returned to me. The publisher fell under harsh penalties inflicted by BookMasters when BookMaster oversold my publisher's books to the tune of over $800 in one months time and then charged my publisher for returned-from-the-the bookstore books when true-to-form, the large bookstores that were wrangled into buying them sent them straight back.
So my publisher ended their contract with Bookmasters and Forever Richard went out of print--MONTHS AGO! My publisher, out of the goodness of their heart, sent me the last ten copies BookMasters supposedly had.
Amazon is now showing on the book page for my out-of-print book this message:
Only 5 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
It's true that most websites that sell books don't have a clue about what they're listing and Amazon is no different. Just want to make sure everyone knows that. They may have five books, they may want you to order the ones they have but they can't possibly have more on the way because there aren't any more and won't be anymore until Black Bed Sheet Books re-publishes them.
Perhaps it's just some automatic wording that pops up when there are say, 5 books of something left in stock. Fine. I don't really care. It's misleading and inaccurate. Again, just thought I'd let y'all know. They're also still listing the hardback of Never Ceese as available from Journey Stone at retail price. Those rights have been returned to me as well. Baker & Taylor have been informed. This listing should simply show, out-of-print.
Buy the Black Bed Sheet edition of Never Ceese or even the one I published through S D Enterprises. Thanks so much for y'all's support.
So my publisher ended their contract with Bookmasters and Forever Richard went out of print--MONTHS AGO! My publisher, out of the goodness of their heart, sent me the last ten copies BookMasters supposedly had.
Amazon is now showing on the book page for my out-of-print book this message:
Only 5 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
It's true that most websites that sell books don't have a clue about what they're listing and Amazon is no different. Just want to make sure everyone knows that. They may have five books, they may want you to order the ones they have but they can't possibly have more on the way because there aren't any more and won't be anymore until Black Bed Sheet Books re-publishes them.
Perhaps it's just some automatic wording that pops up when there are say, 5 books of something left in stock. Fine. I don't really care. It's misleading and inaccurate. Again, just thought I'd let y'all know. They're also still listing the hardback of Never Ceese as available from Journey Stone at retail price. Those rights have been returned to me as well. Baker & Taylor have been informed. This listing should simply show, out-of-print.
Buy the Black Bed Sheet edition of Never Ceese or even the one I published through S D Enterprises. Thanks so much for y'all's support.
New blog up . . . somewhere else!
Here's a link to a blog post at just put up at
Ctrl+Alt+Pub
concerning Smashwords! Check it out.
Ctrl+Alt+Pub
concerning Smashwords! Check it out.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
B &N Screws yet another author. And they're working the big dogs now!
I came across an interesting post on my FB page two days ago, from another author. As usual, I checked the publisher. I don't want any authors writing for publishers who discriminate based on denomination littering my page. Well this author actually did write for one of those publishers. His latest book was published by Stone House, Wesscott Marketing's "Christian" arm. I raised my finger to hit unfriend when something stopped me. I'm not sure what it was but something said, "hold up. Give him a chance."
So I perused his FB wall and found from his recent post that he was recently screwed by Barnes & Noble. Still I felt little remorse. After all, he's published by "one of those" publishers. I perused his wall a little longer to find him freely using words like "ass" and "f&*k" and oh MY!!! LOL Maybe I was wrong about Stone House. Maybe they weren't targeting that "Christian" market at all.
As it turns out Vincent Zandri is a straight up kind of guy (whom I'm quite honored to have met.) He's been published by some of the big dog publishers (in the day when such a thing was possible and actually happened.) His Barnes & Noble nightmare is outlined here in a blog post he made on his blog. It pretty much mirrors ALL the experiences EVERY small press or self-pubbed author is going through and has gone through since forever. Only now it's waaaaaay worse.
As I said in another blog, there is no mystery behind why chain bookstores are failing. They refuse to embrace that publishers exist outside their little world of Simon & Schuster and Random House and Knopf and the list goes on. It isn't the economy and it certainly isn't technology that's bringing them down. If anything technology has leveled the playing field. It has done what needs to be done.
Watch large publishers as they try to maintain a foothold outside their little story-book fairy tale of an existence. Welcome to the Jungle remains my motto.
My feelings on Stone House publishing taking on Vince Zandri, well I certainly have some but I'll keep from sharing them here. ;D
Feel free to ask though.
So I perused his FB wall and found from his recent post that he was recently screwed by Barnes & Noble. Still I felt little remorse. After all, he's published by "one of those" publishers. I perused his wall a little longer to find him freely using words like "ass" and "f&*k" and oh MY!!! LOL Maybe I was wrong about Stone House. Maybe they weren't targeting that "Christian" market at all.
As it turns out Vincent Zandri is a straight up kind of guy (whom I'm quite honored to have met.) He's been published by some of the big dog publishers (in the day when such a thing was possible and actually happened.) His Barnes & Noble nightmare is outlined here in a blog post he made on his blog. It pretty much mirrors ALL the experiences EVERY small press or self-pubbed author is going through and has gone through since forever. Only now it's waaaaaay worse.
As I said in another blog, there is no mystery behind why chain bookstores are failing. They refuse to embrace that publishers exist outside their little world of Simon & Schuster and Random House and Knopf and the list goes on. It isn't the economy and it certainly isn't technology that's bringing them down. If anything technology has leveled the playing field. It has done what needs to be done.
Watch large publishers as they try to maintain a foothold outside their little story-book fairy tale of an existence. Welcome to the Jungle remains my motto.
My feelings on Stone House publishing taking on Vince Zandri, well I certainly have some but I'll keep from sharing them here. ;D
Feel free to ask though.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
My thoughts on the current trend of large bookstore closings!
Large bookstores were once small bookstores who helped large publishers get their books to readers. When technology changed and made it easier and less costly to publish, along came small publishers. Large bookstores refused to acknowledge the change. Large publishers were fine with this. It limited the competition. Large bookstores weren't about to bite the hand that has fed them so long. But I'll bet they never expected that same hand to actually starve them to death and then come back looking for the scraps. Funny how that worked out. And I don't mean funny ha-ha either. :(
For those of you who say that technology ruined the publishing industry, you couldn't be more wrong. Technology has leveled the playing field and so to all those large bookstores who are collapsing under their unwillingness to embrace small and self published authors and to all large publishers who can't figure out which way to turn now, I have only this to say and you should just be glad you can't hear me sing it. . .
Welcome to the Jungle!
You can have anything you want but you better not take it from me.
For those of you who say that technology ruined the publishing industry, you couldn't be more wrong. Technology has leveled the playing field and so to all those large bookstores who are collapsing under their unwillingness to embrace small and self published authors and to all large publishers who can't figure out which way to turn now, I have only this to say and you should just be glad you can't hear me sing it. . .
Welcome to the Jungle!
You can have anything you want but you better not take it from me.
Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award
Below is a fine example of what everyone should know about anything labeled "Christian" when it comes to publishing.
Nothing can be grander for an author than to learn their work appeals to an audience they never knew existed. At the same time nothing could be more disconcerting than to be collectively ignored by each and every publisher and media outlet that serve that audience.
Even the awards for books written for this specific audience are geared to "weed out" undesirables or rather those authors who dare to write outside CBA's restrictive guidelines that target a denomination instead of embracing the fact that we all serve the same God.
Yes, like many awards labeled "Christian" I considered entering this one (why wouldn't I? I are one.) I went straight to eligibility and found this:
Wow! They even went a step further to define "Christian market place." Even took it one more step further to say that CBA, an exclusive trade organization (because member publishers and bookstores have to pay fees to belong) actually serves a specific audience of Christians and not all Christian readers.
For those who are new to my blog, I'll briefly lay out my experiences with attempting to gain marketability in the "Christian Marketplace." I was told that all I needed to do was have my books approved by Ingram's Spring Arbor. I did that. Keep in mind, I don't write for CBA's audience. Didn't even know what a CBA was until their audience started raving about my books. The next thing I learned was that Spring Arbor approval isn't what it's cracked up to be. Large Christian Bookstores do not order books based on Spring Arbor approval. They only order books from publishers who serve their "target" audience.
In the past they only ordered books from CBA affiliated publishers but have moved a tiny minuscule nudge to allow books from non-affiliated "targeted" publishers. I've since had my books "unapproved" by Spring Arbor.
The conclusion is that based on the eligibility rules, the winner will be the same old same old. Tacking the label "Christian" on simply marks it as "targeted" work which is fine if that's what you enjoy reading. Just don't think it represents titles that appeal to general market readers, Christian or otherwise.
Aw, you probably didn't anyway. Most folks already know. ;D
Nothing can be grander for an author than to learn their work appeals to an audience they never knew existed. At the same time nothing could be more disconcerting than to be collectively ignored by each and every publisher and media outlet that serve that audience.
Even the awards for books written for this specific audience are geared to "weed out" undesirables or rather those authors who dare to write outside CBA's restrictive guidelines that target a denomination instead of embracing the fact that we all serve the same God.
Yes, like many awards labeled "Christian" I considered entering this one (why wouldn't I? I are one.) I went straight to eligibility and found this:
Books must be Christian in nature, promote the Christian faith, and intended for the Christian marketplace. The Christian marketplace is defined as the marketplace that is served by CBA member retail stores
Wow! They even went a step further to define "Christian market place." Even took it one more step further to say that CBA, an exclusive trade organization (because member publishers and bookstores have to pay fees to belong) actually serves a specific audience of Christians and not all Christian readers.
For those who are new to my blog, I'll briefly lay out my experiences with attempting to gain marketability in the "Christian Marketplace." I was told that all I needed to do was have my books approved by Ingram's Spring Arbor. I did that. Keep in mind, I don't write for CBA's audience. Didn't even know what a CBA was until their audience started raving about my books. The next thing I learned was that Spring Arbor approval isn't what it's cracked up to be. Large Christian Bookstores do not order books based on Spring Arbor approval. They only order books from publishers who serve their "target" audience.
In the past they only ordered books from CBA affiliated publishers but have moved a tiny minuscule nudge to allow books from non-affiliated "targeted" publishers. I've since had my books "unapproved" by Spring Arbor.
The conclusion is that based on the eligibility rules, the winner will be the same old same old. Tacking the label "Christian" on simply marks it as "targeted" work which is fine if that's what you enjoy reading. Just don't think it represents titles that appeal to general market readers, Christian or otherwise.
Aw, you probably didn't anyway. Most folks already know. ;D
Monday, February 14, 2011
Why Large Bookstores Can't Fall Fast Enough For Me!
The main reason why it can't happen fast enough for me is that they refuse, absolutely REFUSE, to move away from being bookstores to feed the world with books from large publishing houses only. They don't even pretend anymore. As an example, Barnes & Noble USED to humor local authors and allow them in to do book signings AND occasionally would put the local authors books on the shelf. The current trend, however, is to spit into any authors face who isn't published by a large house.
Only four years ago, my local B&N allowed me in to do a signing. Not today and it's the same book. And they've yet to pay me and another author for a booksigning we did there a year and a half ago. We sort of got caught up in the transition. B&N's home office decided, after the fact, that the local story shouldn't have allowed an author to bring books in on consignment and kept giving the poor CRM of the store the run around. At least that's the story I've been fed. Still, we were never paid and it doesn't look like we ever will be. Sad. So Sad.
And to add to the misery, my local B&N is showing they have limited stock of my books!!!!!! How rich is that? They won't stock my book at my request. They say I have to be in B & N's system. How then can they have limited stock of my book? "Get it off your shelves," is all I have to say. Forever Richard is out of print. If you see this on a shelf at ANY Barnes & Noble, please don't buy it. Order it from me until Black Bed Sheet Books republishes it. Same goes for Never Ceese. You won't see the Black Bed Sheet Edition of Never Ceese in ANY B&N store though they can order it if you'd like to have it. You will only see the hardback which I DON'T make any money from when it sells. The only B&N that MIGHT have a copy of Never Ceese that I republished myself is my local store but you can rest assured if it's on the shelf, I won't make anything from the sell of it and I'm not even sure how they got it.
*Sue looks at watch on arm.* So yeah, not at all bothered that the larger bookstores are dropping like flies. Couldn't happen soon enough for me.
Only four years ago, my local B&N allowed me in to do a signing. Not today and it's the same book. And they've yet to pay me and another author for a booksigning we did there a year and a half ago. We sort of got caught up in the transition. B&N's home office decided, after the fact, that the local story shouldn't have allowed an author to bring books in on consignment and kept giving the poor CRM of the store the run around. At least that's the story I've been fed. Still, we were never paid and it doesn't look like we ever will be. Sad. So Sad.
And to add to the misery, my local B&N is showing they have limited stock of my books!!!!!! How rich is that? They won't stock my book at my request. They say I have to be in B & N's system. How then can they have limited stock of my book? "Get it off your shelves," is all I have to say. Forever Richard is out of print. If you see this on a shelf at ANY Barnes & Noble, please don't buy it. Order it from me until Black Bed Sheet Books republishes it. Same goes for Never Ceese. You won't see the Black Bed Sheet Edition of Never Ceese in ANY B&N store though they can order it if you'd like to have it. You will only see the hardback which I DON'T make any money from when it sells. The only B&N that MIGHT have a copy of Never Ceese that I republished myself is my local store but you can rest assured if it's on the shelf, I won't make anything from the sell of it and I'm not even sure how they got it.
*Sue looks at watch on arm.* So yeah, not at all bothered that the larger bookstores are dropping like flies. Couldn't happen soon enough for me.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Christian Crossover Fiction! Don't be fooled.
Recently I read an author's blog who mentioned who their agent was. Knowing that this agent only submits work to targeted "Christian" publishers, I was intrigued. I never doubted for one moment that the author had not found a general market publisher through this agent but yet I just had to know.
I can now accurately report that no, the author does not have a general market publisher. They were published by Stone House Inc., Wesscott Marketing Inc.'s "Christian" arm (no they don't give up easy) or rather the imprint Wescott created to serve that very targeted market of Christendom that CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers were set up to serve in 1950. And the proof is in the authors they've taken on, (if you need proof.) Most are already writing for other affiliated houses. You can follow this link to see for yourself: Wesscottmarketing.com
So for my author friends, don't be fooled by the title of this blog. There's no such thing as Christian Crossover Fiction! It's simply fiction produced by targeted "Christian" publishers attempting to get you to read their authors by proposing that they don't indeed write for a very specific audience of Christian readers.
Just don't want my author friends wasting their time. If you're attempting to find a general market publisher, you'll need to stay away from any publisher that claims to put out crossover Christian Fiction! And readers need to stay away if they expect to find anything other then heavily edited fiction that only appeals to one particular segment of Christians. If that's what you want to read then fine, by all means enjoy!
I can now accurately report that no, the author does not have a general market publisher. They were published by Stone House Inc., Wesscott Marketing Inc.'s "Christian" arm (no they don't give up easy) or rather the imprint Wescott created to serve that very targeted market of Christendom that CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers were set up to serve in 1950. And the proof is in the authors they've taken on, (if you need proof.) Most are already writing for other affiliated houses. You can follow this link to see for yourself: Wesscottmarketing.com
So for my author friends, don't be fooled by the title of this blog. There's no such thing as Christian Crossover Fiction! It's simply fiction produced by targeted "Christian" publishers attempting to get you to read their authors by proposing that they don't indeed write for a very specific audience of Christian readers.
Just don't want my author friends wasting their time. If you're attempting to find a general market publisher, you'll need to stay away from any publisher that claims to put out crossover Christian Fiction! And readers need to stay away if they expect to find anything other then heavily edited fiction that only appeals to one particular segment of Christians. If that's what you want to read then fine, by all means enjoy!
There's another great social network out there I frequent called Shoutlife. It a place where folks of many different faiths are catered to. This blog post I'm making here is not an advertisement for that site LOL but I do have a lot of friends who cross-post between there and Facebook. One of those folks, Debbie S., reminded me of a post she put on Shoutlife a while back and I just had to share it. She put a link to it on my Facebook Wall but since you have to join Shoutlife to read it, I posted it here. I would encourage y'all to join Shoutlife as well as there are some great folks there who don't cross-post to FaceBook. Ahhh, variety, it's what it's all about, right?
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Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Kindle Lending Library? Part 2
Here's a response to my blog about Amazon's Kindle Lending library idea. I chose to respond here so I could see the comment in front of me as I respond. ;D
I see your point, Sue, but I'm not sure it is a black and white as you present it.
When I purchase a print book, it's mine to do with as I please. I can lend it to anyone I want, for as long as I want. When money has been tight, friends and I have taken turns buying the next in a series we wanted to read and loaning the books to each other.
How is what Amazon is offering any different? The book will not be readable by the original purchaser during the loan period.
Granted, I'm sure there are issues and unintended results to consider, learn from and avoid, but this is inevitable as we transition from print publishing to digital publishing.
I'm not sure the problem is what Amazon is doing, but rather the possibility that those using it will use it unethically and immorally. Unfortunately, that is also inevitable. But that is a societal issue, not a business one. Although, business-wise, the digital market probably needs to develop the equivalent of those impossible to open blister packs or bulky attachments created to deter thieves.
Just a few of my random thoughts on the issue. It would be an interesting discussion if anyone is interested.
Loaning a book to a friend to save money is one thing. For a distributor of e-books, in this case Amazon's Kindle, to start a lending program without first consulting publishers is another.
Some publishers may actually see an advantage to the program but heaven help you if you don't. The two-week lending period is unbelievable. Most books can be read in two to three days. The chance that the borrower will decide to buy a book they've finished is slim. Very SLIM! If Amazon shortened the borrowing period it might make more since or make the lending program less suspect. As it is it screams only one thing: Amazon wants to sell more Kindle Readers not kindle e-books.
The logic that if there are more readers there will be more kindle e-books sold is slightly skewed. Why would anyone buy a Kindle e-book when they can read it for free? And why debate whether it makes since or not because if you're the publisher of a Kindle e-book your stuck with the program whether you like or not. Very few are allowed to opt-out and from what I've heard, the link to opt-out doesn't even work. And the window of opportunity is short. In most cases that window has passed and the link still doesn't work.
Bottom line is publisher's of a Kindle should have a choice and they don't. I can only guess it's because Amazon knows what will happen if they give publisher's a choice.
As far as loaning books to save money, Kindle's sell most of the time for less than five dollars. They don't cost as much as physical books.
*******added 02/10/11******************
Also, if your gauging your feelings around the Amazon's forced Kindle Lending Library based on how larger publishers react, you might consider this. Larger publishers are treated differently by Amazon. They have the ability to actually hurt Amazon and they use that leverage regularly.
The Kindle Lending library idea probably doesn't bother them all that much because they already fought and won the major battle to control the pricing of Kindle books. Their kindle books sell pretty close to the price of a physical copy, something Amazon wasn't going to allow at first. But of course, money talks.
If Amazon had been able to force larger publishers to sell their kindle books at a more reasonable price then larger publishers would be screaming too. Except part of their threat for not getting their way was to pull their books from Amazon listings (something small press can't do even if they wanted to at least not easily) if Amazon didn't do what they said. So I guess they wouldn't be screaming because if they hadn't gotten their way on pricing, they'd be gone. So big dog publishers win again. Small press sits by and watches the fall out.
I see your point, Sue, but I'm not sure it is a black and white as you present it.
When I purchase a print book, it's mine to do with as I please. I can lend it to anyone I want, for as long as I want. When money has been tight, friends and I have taken turns buying the next in a series we wanted to read and loaning the books to each other.
How is what Amazon is offering any different? The book will not be readable by the original purchaser during the loan period.
Granted, I'm sure there are issues and unintended results to consider, learn from and avoid, but this is inevitable as we transition from print publishing to digital publishing.
I'm not sure the problem is what Amazon is doing, but rather the possibility that those using it will use it unethically and immorally. Unfortunately, that is also inevitable. But that is a societal issue, not a business one. Although, business-wise, the digital market probably needs to develop the equivalent of those impossible to open blister packs or bulky attachments created to deter thieves.
Just a few of my random thoughts on the issue. It would be an interesting discussion if anyone is interested.
Loaning a book to a friend to save money is one thing. For a distributor of e-books, in this case Amazon's Kindle, to start a lending program without first consulting publishers is another.
Some publishers may actually see an advantage to the program but heaven help you if you don't. The two-week lending period is unbelievable. Most books can be read in two to three days. The chance that the borrower will decide to buy a book they've finished is slim. Very SLIM! If Amazon shortened the borrowing period it might make more since or make the lending program less suspect. As it is it screams only one thing: Amazon wants to sell more Kindle Readers not kindle e-books.
The logic that if there are more readers there will be more kindle e-books sold is slightly skewed. Why would anyone buy a Kindle e-book when they can read it for free? And why debate whether it makes since or not because if you're the publisher of a Kindle e-book your stuck with the program whether you like or not. Very few are allowed to opt-out and from what I've heard, the link to opt-out doesn't even work. And the window of opportunity is short. In most cases that window has passed and the link still doesn't work.
Bottom line is publisher's of a Kindle should have a choice and they don't. I can only guess it's because Amazon knows what will happen if they give publisher's a choice.
As far as loaning books to save money, Kindle's sell most of the time for less than five dollars. They don't cost as much as physical books.
*******added 02/10/11******************
Also, if your gauging your feelings around the Amazon's forced Kindle Lending Library based on how larger publishers react, you might consider this. Larger publishers are treated differently by Amazon. They have the ability to actually hurt Amazon and they use that leverage regularly.
The Kindle Lending library idea probably doesn't bother them all that much because they already fought and won the major battle to control the pricing of Kindle books. Their kindle books sell pretty close to the price of a physical copy, something Amazon wasn't going to allow at first. But of course, money talks.
If Amazon had been able to force larger publishers to sell their kindle books at a more reasonable price then larger publishers would be screaming too. Except part of their threat for not getting their way was to pull their books from Amazon listings (something small press can't do even if they wanted to at least not easily) if Amazon didn't do what they said. So I guess they wouldn't be screaming because if they hadn't gotten their way on pricing, they'd be gone. So big dog publishers win again. Small press sits by and watches the fall out.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Kindle Lending Library?
Supporting roles:
Amazon = Brain
Pinky = Well, everybody has to have a side-kick.
**********************************************************************
Pinky - Whacha doing Brain?
Brain - What's it look like I'm doing? I'm making it so all the Kindle books on our site are available to the public.
Pinky - How're you going to do that Brain?
Brain - I'm going to make it so that anyone who purchases a Kindle book will get points for loaning it out for free for two weeks. That way folks will buy more KINDLES and we can make more money and take over the WORLD!
Pinky - For free? Won't that make publishers of Kindle books unhappy?
Brain - Of course not! They'll get more publicity than they've ever had. They're books will be everywhere.
Pinky - So they'll make more money.
Brain - No! They'll make nothing unless the borrower of said book decides after two-weeks of reading they wish to purchase it.
Pinky - Two weeks is a long time to have a book to just review. I read One-Fish, Two-Fish in one night and that was written by a Doctor! I don't know if folks who've published through Kindle will appreciate that.
Brain - If they don't like things they can opt out.
Pinky - Well that's awfully nice of you Brain!
Brain - Nice! HA! The window of opportunity to opt-out will be very short. And of course due to the fact that the program is so new, I'm quite certain the link to opt out won't be working before it's TOO LATE!!!!! And I'll be well on my way to TAKING OVER THE WORLD! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA
Pinky - Does that mean I don't have to pay for that doctor's book now? Because I'd much rather buy a cookie with that money.
**********************************************************************
Stay tuned for another riveting adventure coming soon as I'm sure Amazon will keep me well supplied with fodder. So happy I took all my books off Amazon's Kindle. Happy indeed! Y'all have fun selling those Kindles. Want to publish in Kindle format, go with Smashwords.
Added today: Here's the actual e-mail going out to folks who have e-books on Amazon's Kindle:
Dear Publisher,
We are excited to announce Kindle book lending. The Kindle Book Lending feature allows users to lend digital books they have purchased through the Kindle Store to their friends and family. Each book may be lent once for a duration of 14 days and will not be readable by the lender during the loan period.
All DTP titles are enrolled in lending by default. For titles in the 35% royalty option, you may choose to opt out of lending by deselecting the checkbox under "Kindle Book Lending," in the "Rights and Pricing" section of the title upload/edit process. You may not choose to opt out a title if it is included in the lending program of another sales or distribution channel. For more details, see section 5.2.2 of the Term and Conditions.
For more info on how Kindle Book Lending works, see our FAQ here: http://forums.digitaltextplatform.com/dtpforums/entry.
Sincerely,
Amazon Digital Text Platform
Isn't it nice to know that Amazon considered YOU the publisher and even asked YOU the publisher what you thought about them taking YOUR work and giving it away for FREE! Oh but Kindle owners will just love this and isn't that what it's all about? How many KINDLES Amazon can sell at the PUBLISHERS expense. Gotta love it!
This is an absolute JOKE!!! IMO. So happy not to have a dog in this hunt. BTW, the publisher who got this letter attempted to opt out several times during that short period of time when they could do so and the link never worked. Now their book is been LENDED for free, without their permission. Go AMAZON! You so RAWK!
Monday, February 07, 2011
UGH!!!
I don't mind google ads really as it seems they're here to stay. And I do understand that these ads are targeted ads based on what a viewer has viewed in the past. But God as my witness, I am having a VERY DIFFICULT time dealing with seeing ChristianBook.com ads show up on each and everything I view simply because I often use the label Christian etc . . . Especially in light of the fact that they are a heavily discriminating on-line bookstore that ONLY automatically lists books from fee paying CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers (and now some non-affiliated copy-cat publishers) and NEVER books from a publisher/author who has gone through the trouble of having their work approved by Spring Arbor because the publisher/author was told that doing so would make their books available to the "Christian" market. Bull hockey!!!!
Change your name or change the way you operate. Nothing right about this. The only way I can keep from being offended is to stop using the label Christian. Guess what ain't gonna stop happening!
Change your name or change the way you operate. Nothing right about this. The only way I can keep from being offended is to stop using the label Christian. Guess what ain't gonna stop happening!
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Friday, February 04, 2011
If you want to be added by me on Facebook!
So if you want me to add you as a friend on FaceBook, and who wouldn't because we have so much fun there, then here's the way to do it. You can follow in one fans footsteps and, along with your friend request, send a message similar to this:
THANK YOU NEW FAN (and new FB friend) BECCA!
So glad you enjoyed both stories. After all, that's what it's all about, right? ;D
"Loved Never Ceese and Forever Richard. Thanks for writing such unsual stories with such depth of character!..."
THANK YOU NEW FAN (and new FB friend) BECCA!
So glad you enjoyed both stories. After all, that's what it's all about, right? ;D
Amazon Rarely Accurate.
Amazon rarely accurate when it comes to book information that is and for a self-pubbed or Small Press author this is never a good thing. For instance, they show 5 copies of Forever Richard, (the rights of which have been reverted back to me) as being being for sale buy Amazon as new. Originally when I saw this, and knew for a fact that BookMasters had sent ALL books that remained back to my wonderful publisher who couldn't survive BookMasters, I decided these were books Amazon may have acquired previously but hadn't sold yet. But then they sold four of six which leave 2 remaining but now shows five available again.
This isn't possible and begs me, the author, to wonder where are they getting these books. The books Amazon's sell (not the one's second hand sellers sell) come straight from the distributor. The distributor in this case, Bookmasters) shouldn't have any more books. They returned them all to the publisher. So why does Amazon show that there are "more on the way." The book is out of print. There are no more new ones to get.
Do know that I have a few copies left myself but once they're gone they're gone until Black Bed Sheet Books puts out the new edition that I plan on letting them have the rights too.
Just don't want y'all putting too much stock in the information Amazon provides. ;)
As for Never Ceese the hard copy, those rights have reverted back to me as well yet they show they can get it from Baker & Taylor. Baker & Taylor has the letter that shows the rights reverted back to me so Amazon shouldn't be able to get ANY copies. That edition of the book should show as out of print. Good grief!
This isn't possible and begs me, the author, to wonder where are they getting these books. The books Amazon's sell (not the one's second hand sellers sell) come straight from the distributor. The distributor in this case, Bookmasters) shouldn't have any more books. They returned them all to the publisher. So why does Amazon show that there are "more on the way." The book is out of print. There are no more new ones to get.
Do know that I have a few copies left myself but once they're gone they're gone until Black Bed Sheet Books puts out the new edition that I plan on letting them have the rights too.
Just don't want y'all putting too much stock in the information Amazon provides. ;)
As for Never Ceese the hard copy, those rights have reverted back to me as well yet they show they can get it from Baker & Taylor. Baker & Taylor has the letter that shows the rights reverted back to me so Amazon shouldn't be able to get ANY copies. That edition of the book should show as out of print. Good grief!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Horror World reviews Never Ceese
An oldie but a goody. Absolutely love the way W. D. Gagliani author of Wolf's Trap calls to attention a possible sub-genre that is forming. More than that though, I simply love his review. For my new visitors. ;D
Enjoy the link. Scroll down on the page a bit to find the review:
Horror World reviews Never Ceese
Enjoy the link. Scroll down on the page a bit to find the review:
Horror World reviews Never Ceese
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Bring it!
Ohhhh, sounds like Sue's going to rant again. Well, maybe but more than that, I'm just running out of blog titles. LOL Actually I just wanted to address a broader issue of cleaning house on Facebook and chose to address the matter here as many of those friends do watch my blog on occasion. And since I have my FB profile set up for even non-friends to see, then the folk whom I've unfriended will most likely see this blog too and understand a little better about why they aren't on my list anymore.
My FaceBook page is for my fans. I've no tolerance for authors or publishers who've not read my work and certainly no tolerance for those who write for a market that consistently markets to confuse. I only ever signed on to readers of that particular market because they were reading my work and enjoying it. Because of the "confusion" factor, which amounts to using a very "broad" label to define their extremely targeted work, I've now had to absolutely back-peddle my marketing efforts. Do you have any idea how costly that is especially when you don't make any money to begin with?
So though you might be a good person at heart, I'll not compromise my sanity or the audience I write for by being associated with individuals or authors who can just shrug this fact off because they actually do write for the exclusive market I've can't seem to get rid of!!!!!
So I've done a little house cleaning and will continue to do more. Therefore if you aren't a fan of my work and in some instances even if you are, you might find yourself unfriended. Don't take it personally. You can just follow me here . . . or not. It's certainly your choice. ;)
My FaceBook page is for my fans. I've no tolerance for authors or publishers who've not read my work and certainly no tolerance for those who write for a market that consistently markets to confuse. I only ever signed on to readers of that particular market because they were reading my work and enjoying it. Because of the "confusion" factor, which amounts to using a very "broad" label to define their extremely targeted work, I've now had to absolutely back-peddle my marketing efforts. Do you have any idea how costly that is especially when you don't make any money to begin with?
So though you might be a good person at heart, I'll not compromise my sanity or the audience I write for by being associated with individuals or authors who can just shrug this fact off because they actually do write for the exclusive market I've can't seem to get rid of!!!!!
So I've done a little house cleaning and will continue to do more. Therefore if you aren't a fan of my work and in some instances even if you are, you might find yourself unfriended. Don't take it personally. You can just follow me here . . . or not. It's certainly your choice. ;)
Just to remind you . . .
. . . or perhaps to clarify, I do not write for, nor have I EVER written for, that specific market of readers that CBA (and now many other copy-cat publishers) were set up to serve in 1950. My stories have general market appeal. I did begin to market to those specific readers not realizing how this would affect marketing my book. I even went as far as to have my books approved by Spring Arbor as I was told this was Ingram's Christian arm and doing so would enable me to get my books into Christian bookstores, on-line and otherwise. All it really did was make my books available for order in brick & mortar Christian bookstore and able to show up on most on-line Christian bookstores but not the larger ones that cater to affiliated and targeted publishers of which I'm not one.
I had my books unapproved by Spring Arbor so now Christian Bookstores can't even order my books if you want one. ;D However, on-line stores are still posting it as available. It isn't available and they won't be able to get it for you. I hate to show up on these sites as it implies I write for a market that doesn't support any author but those who write for a very targeted market and mostly only those who pay to be affiliated.
Just wanted to make sure y'all know I didn't sell out.
I didn't.
I still write for the general market and I still appeal to readers who enjoy work that targeted market publishers (affiliated and otherwise) put out. I'd also like to add to my author friends who frequent my blog, approval by Spring Arbor is free and easy but there is absolutely no advantage to signing up. In fact, I've yet to find a reason why they exist.
I had my books unapproved by Spring Arbor so now Christian Bookstores can't even order my books if you want one. ;D However, on-line stores are still posting it as available. It isn't available and they won't be able to get it for you. I hate to show up on these sites as it implies I write for a market that doesn't support any author but those who write for a very targeted market and mostly only those who pay to be affiliated.
Just wanted to make sure y'all know I didn't sell out.
I didn't.
I still write for the general market and I still appeal to readers who enjoy work that targeted market publishers (affiliated and otherwise) put out. I'd also like to add to my author friends who frequent my blog, approval by Spring Arbor is free and easy but there is absolutely no advantage to signing up. In fact, I've yet to find a reason why they exist.
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