The Publishing Industry - Just so you'll know.

This very enlightening article explains it all in great detail and leaves no question as to why the publishing industry is the way it is presently. I quote it often and will continue to do so. The link I initially gave is a bit weird now though. So I've found a new link to the page:

This is the new link.

Though I've discussed it before it seems when I post about it again that new readers are immediately shocked and surprised. If you're an author and you want to understand more about why things are the way they are then you need to go to the link above and read it thoroughly.

For your viewing pleasure I will only quote some excerpts:

"The 1920s saw the founding of such important publishing houses as Simon and Schuster, Random House, Alfred A. Knopf, and Viking Press. Although Random House would grow to be the largest and most successful publisher in the country, and would hold that position into the twenty-first century, Simon and Schuster introduced some important industry innovations with long-term consequences."

*Sue scratches head* I wonder what those "important industry innovations" were?

"The Great Depression of the 1930s hit the book publishing industry as hard as it hit every other sector of the American economy. Booksellers at that time were mostly small local businesses, and to help them survive the economic hardships of the depression, Simon and Schuster invented a system allowing booksellers to return unsold copies of books for credit against future purchases. Other publishers quickly had to follow Simon and Schuster's lead, and the practice became the industry standard."

Well, I guess it was a good idea at the time. But I like the way this "industry standard" is described here: http://www.creativemindspress.com/business.htm

Back in the Depression, when bookstores were going under right and left, publishers realized they had to do something radical to keep booksellers in business. They came up with the idea of returns—a system whereby any bookseller may return any book, with little regard for how long the book was kept or what condition it was in. No one told the book business the Depression ended 70 years ago. We still have a system that—not to put too fine a point on it—sucks. Few other industries operate on what amounts to a giant consignment scheme.

LOL SUCKS! Really? Not only that but small publishers don't even get to see their returned books. The only way to survive is to make your books non-returnable. That way large bookstores can still order your books but not take you down with the ship. I sort of hate to say it but unless this return policy mess is straightened out, Barnes & Nobles is next. Good thing there are Independent Bookstores to pick up the slack. Independent bookstores that don't abide by Industry Standard that is. ;D

Do let me clarify something.

I, Sue Dent, will never publish a Kindle through Amazon, a Nook through Barnes & Noble or anything through Smashwords or an e-book through any other venue other than my publisher, Black Bed Sheet Books.

This is something I wanted though. Black Bed Sheet Books however, has many titles through Amazon's Kindle and Smashwords and has no issue with this. But that's what I love about Black Bed Sheet Books, they respect my decision. They also respect my decision to make ALL my titles non-returnable so they wouldn't have to eat shipping and print cost for "returned from the bookstore" titles that they'll never see again. That decision however, they like a lot. What publisher wouldn't? ;D

Electric Angel NOW available!!!

***This just in: One customer, when ordering, had to use Internet Explorer as the WONDERFUL Google Chrome couldn't cut it. So if you're having problems ordering, ditch the Chrome if that's what you're using. ;) ***

In case you miss it when you order an e-book, this is how it works at Black Bed Sheet Books:

THE WAY IT WORKS:

Make a selection and proceed through your shopping cart purchase. We will process your order and send your purchase as an attachment to your email address within 2 business days, but most likely sooner, like within 24 hours, but we say 2 days in case of emergency.

All ebooks available on this site, no matter what format, costs five U.S. dollars plus twenty-five American cents, or cheaper, ladies and gentlemen, or what equals that amount in foreign currency.

This is front and center on the E-book ordering page. This information does not print out on the receipt you get. In an age where instant gratification is usually key to securing a sale, I felt it was important to point this out. The check out program Black Bed Sheet Book uses doesn't presently support instant download capability but will very soon. If you think BBS should get a better check out program then buy their books so they can pay for one. For the record the receipt may very well boast the same message shortly. Again, thanks for being patient as we iron out the kinks.

On sale starting today for a VERY limited time at Black Bed Sheet Books!

ONLY $10.00

It will be available for sale anywhere books are sold but NONE of those sites or stores will be able to give you this kind of deal!!! And NO, you won't see it on the shelf of any large bookstore because I refuse to shoot myself in the head with my own gun by making my books returnable which is the only way one gets into large bookstores.

They can order my books so that's all you need to know. Folks, small publishers do not see the books that large bookstores order, and then return because they can,and are therefore out the print cost of the book and the shipping cost for the book which they never see again. I WILL NOT subscribe to such lunacy just to say my book is in a large bookstore. Get over it!!!

For all my good Christian readers, the ones who favor work put out by targeted denominational publishers like Thomas Nelson, Zondervan etc . . . Electric Angel will also be available through Spring Arbor. That means large Christian Bookstores CAN order it but like large general market bookstores won't put it on the shelf.

Best bet, go to Black Bed Sheet Books to place your order. And here's a nice perk. Electric Angel is also available in Kindle format, Nook Format, Microsoft Reader Format WITH additional pictures added from the photo shoot with Jim Sorfleet of sNs-photo.net of Ron Fitzgerald the cover model. For an additional amount I will even sign the e-book copy of your choice.

No the Kindle won't be through Amazon and the Nook won't be through Barnes & Noble. Why would I do that when they give away an authors e-book for free. Don't think that's gonna be happening.

Here's a link to the page at Black Bed Sheet Books where you can purchase a Kindle or Nook or whatever! :D (Thanks Caprice!)

But yes, I put a LOT of time, effort and money into each MS, including paying for a high-quality professional edit with reviews from past work to prove that it's worth it. So I ain't gonna say it again. Go buy the darn thing! ;D

** Please be patient as we're still working out a few kinks we didn't know about in the ordering process. You can now order an e-book WITHOUT having to choose a shipping method. LOL It is charging tax though but I believe this will be fixed shortly. Also a message will be added, once you purchase the e-book to state that the file will be sent to you within 24-48 hours after purchase. It does say this on the Black Bed Sheet site but one can easily miss this so the message will be added to the receipt you recieve. Thanks so much for all y'all's patience!! Especially you Caprice. ;)***

Let me clarify about large bookstores like B&N.

They actually DO put books by small published authors on the shelf IF the publisher makes the books returnable. That way they can order the books without a worry in the world. Put them out for the book signing or event and then box them back up (if they even unboxed them which is unlikely) and send them out free of charge (and signed as well if the author did that) back to the distributor the publisher uses. The small publisher will think they've accomplished some grand thing until they see the bill THEY have to pay because the books were returned AND to top that off the elusive "returned from the bookstore books" are never seen by the publisher again so they're out the print fee too.

The return policy on books was set up in the depression by Simon & Shuster to keep bookstores from going under. If you're a big publisher the policy can work for you. There is absolutely no way this policy will EVER work for small publishers. EVER! My current publisher actually makes most of their books returnable. I asked him specifically NOT to make mine returnable. I've been with two publishers who went under due to this insane policy that needs to be reworked for small publishers. I'll not take another publisher down. But yes, you can find small published authors in large bookstores and yes, they will humor you and let you do events so long as you make your books returnable because that way they aren't out anything but you sure as hell will be when you see what you have to pay for the books that are returned to your publisher -- minus the books most of the time so you've lost your printing fee too!

Yep. Things need to change but large bookstores don't care about that. Small publishers aren't the ones who made them what they are. Large publishers "own" them.

Want me to do a book signing at your B&N?

**I would like to add that ALL large bookstores operate like this. If a small publisher makes their books non-returnable (to survive) they will not be put on the shelf by large bookstores for any reason (they can be ordered though. How nice!) Several small published authors, myself included, have had limited success with a few ventures at B&N but all in all they end in disaster!!!! Complete and utter disaster. The model is set up to deal with large publishers. Corporate could care less about small pubbbed authors. My local B&N actually let me do a book signing then refused to pay me for the books I BOUGHT IN AND SOLD because CORPORATE told them they didn't allow for this kind of signing anymore. Two years running and I still haven't been paid. They're not picking on me. This is how they treat all small pubbed authors. Small publishers are the new large publishers. Deal with it B&N or don't and you can end up just like Borders**


Want me to do a book signing at your Barnes &Noble?

Too bad.

Barnes & Noble is an outlet for large publishers ONLY! Always has been. Always will be. And they don't seem to be budging on the matter. In fact, they're only tightening the reins. Before they'd allow their CRM or Customer Relations Manger to humor small published authors who didn't have distribution through the "big two" Baker & Taylor and Ingram. They'd let the author bring their own copies to sell.

NOT ANY MORE!!!!

And to make matters worse, they don't allow book signings for any author who makes their books non-returnable which is the only way for Small Press to survive. If a small publisher doesn't make their books non-returnable, large bookstores like Barnes & Noble will order at will without a care in the world because of the deal they have set up with large publishers that Simon & Schuster started during the depression. They can return ALL books ordered whenever they want to for free, no matter what shape they're in and no matter when they do it AND they get there money back.

That's where all the books you see in Books-A-Million come from since they are only a reseller of "returned from the bookstore" books. Sadly, this model works for large publishers but will "sink" any small publisher because when the books are returned (as they ALWAYS are) the small publisher has to pay shipping and has to return any money to the bookstores!!!!! And guess what folks, nine times out of ten the books aren't returned at all. They're "supposedly" destroyed because the distributors don't want to pay the postage to have them returned. I say supposedly because I've had books show up for sale at Books-A-Million when BAM is a reseller of "returned from the bookstore books." That can't happen unless someone is lying. And no, I make nothing off the books sold from BAM.

To keep this from happening anymore, I've made my books non-returnable. But like I said, Barnes & Noble won't let me in to do a booksigning because this means they don't get to give the books back and charge my publisher shipping.

They can ORDER my books for you if you ask them even though most of the time they'll tell you they can't just because they don't want to mess with it.

So there ya go.

And you wonder why I hate Barnes & Nobles and ALL large bookstores.


Jerks!

Ya, so if you want to order ANY of my books, please visit Black Bed Sheet Books or my website suedent.net I invest a LOT of MONEY in making my books the best they can be. I can't keep doing that if they don't sell. Support small press. Don't support Barnes & Noble or other large bookstores. At least not until they support small press and quit "pooping" all over them. Big FAT bullies!!!!!

Non-Amazon KINDLE & Non-B&N NOOK of Electric Angel

That's right. As early as tomorrow because I've got to make certain of the price BBS wants to ask for Electric Angel the Nook and Kindle version, I'll wait to post the links to purchase said copies. Just know that while you can purchase a Kindle version it will NEVER be on Amazon for sale as I don't welcome them GIVING my work away for FREE!!!!! And the Nook will never be on sale at B&N for the very same reason.

You'll have to purchase through Black Bed Sheet Books or any link I might put up which is actually also Black Bed Sheet Books. It also won't be selling for 99 cents. I'm pretty sure it will be more like $6.99. The reason: I put a good bit of money into every book I put out and somebody has to pay for it.

Do know that since best-selling ebooks are determined by what kindle's sell through Amazon, (I know, right! What a racket) I won't be making that list anytime soon either. As if that matters. So yes, if you want an ebook copy of Electric Angel don't look for it at on-line venues. I don't deal with thieves if I can help it. ;)

Smashwords is out too because if you make it into their Premium Catalog, which I always do, they let Barnes & Noble give your book away in their little "lending" library. Oh yes, B&N is all about helping small published authors. NOT! Sorry Smashwords. You really should pay more attention.

Hachette Book Groups Christian Division

As I continue on my publishing journey, I like to keep authors informed about what I've learned as knowing and understanding the different markets can keep you from wasting precious time and yes, even money.

As one can learn from reading previous post, I'm very interested in getting my work into bookstores where my Christian readers shop. I'm not all that interested in getting into the larger Christian booksellers however as I've come to learn they've only ever shelved books produced by publishers affiliated with the two gatekeeper organizations they created, CBA and ECPA. At least, that's the way things have gone here in the U.S. They do now take non-affiliated publishers work now IF the book is denominationally slanted toward the evangelical side of writing.

An interesting trend seems to have developed over the past few years though. When Ingram aquired Spring Arbor, CBA and ECPA's only distributor at the time, they began to allow non-affiliated Christian books into distribution. The larger Christian Booksellers almost immediately balked at this and even stopped carrying some affiliated books seemingly questioning the very organizations they created.

As a result, the Christian publishing industry, originally defined by CBA and ECPA affiliated product, began to open up. And finally we have readers recognizing that there is more to Christian publishing than books provided by a very large niche market.

Here's how Hachette books tries to "unconfuse" things. I've added a bit after each FAQ based on what I've learned. Again, just my opinion based on my experiences so far.


Hachette Book Group FAQ to read the FAQ in its entirety.

Christian Division of Hachette Book Group

Why did Hachette Book Group start a Christian publishing program?

Some of the country's most popular books in recent years have been Christian titles. The Left Behind Series (40 million copies sold) and The Prayer of Jabez (10 million copies sold) have dominated secular bestseller lists. Christian authors like Jan Karon, Jerry Jenkins, John C. Maxwell, T. D. Jakes, and Bruce Wilkinson have huge followings. Their books are carried by mainstream retailers as well as Christian bookstores. As a result, several New York houses have entered this market.

Sue's input: Just keep in mind when the term Christian title is used here it refers to titles put out for the specific Christian market CBA and ECPA serve only (evangelicals, Baptist and now "some" Catholics according to CBA's market definition on their site.) All the books mentioned were not written for the general market. And yes, they were carried by mainstream retailers but are usually mixed in with the general market books and sometimes in the Christian section the larger bookstores now provide. Niche market books mixed in with general market books. Very confusing.

Why does Hachette Book Group have a separate division for Christian titles?
Publishing books for the Christian audience is similar in many ways to publishing for the general audience. The editorial, marketing and sales functions operate in much the same way, but there are many subtle differences. First, the editorial content requires an understanding of Christian theology and worldview. Christian books, even novels, emphasize a spiritual message and context. Second, Christian titles are also marketed through religious media (television, radio and periodicals). Third, Christian books are sold in religious bookstores, in addition to general market retailers. There are approximately 2,000 Christian stores nationwide, most of whom belong to the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). Thus, separate editorial, marketing and sales expertise and focus are needed to reach this audience.

Sue's input: Whose theology and worldview? Up until recently, only the theology and worldview of folks who visit Christian Bookstores. Targeted fiction until the merge of Ingram/Spring Arbor. Christian books are sold in religious bookstores but the larger Christian booksellers only shelf titles produced by CBA and ECPA publishers. Oddly enough, they are accepting titles from large CBA affiliated authors who are now publishing through Center Street who is not a member of CBA or ECPA. How bizarre is that? Karen Kingsbury and Ted Dekker are two examples. I haven't seen it happen yet where a previously unaffiliated Christian author published by Center Street got onto the shelf of a bigger Christian Book Store so I can't really comment further on that. So far it just seems Center Street is tying to gain noteriety by publishing a few successful CBA authors. That's just my take.

Does Hachette Book Group use a separate imprint for its Christian books?

Books that are specifically and exclusively written for Christian audiences are identified with the FaithWords imprint. However, many Christian authors today are writing for a broader audience and those books are published under the Center Street or Hachette Book Group imprints. The determination is based on the content and intended audience of the manuscript. In addition, Hachette Book Group has the Walk Worthy Press imprint for the Christian African American market.

Sue's input: Thus Faithwords is Hatchette Books CBA imprint. Many Christians authors today are writing for a broader audience? Many Christian authors have always been writing for a broader audience so why cator to them now? I won't share my input here.

Who handles Hachette Book Group's sales into the Christian retail market?

There was no real answer here. Just a number you could call but unless the world is spinning in a different direction and I completely misunderstood the question Spring Arbor will be handling Hatchette Book Group's sales to the Christian retail market. That's what they do.

Another very interesting thing I learned is that Hatchette Books actually created an Imprint from William Young's Windblown Media. I know I'm confused now. LOL What market will this be for?

Also Center Street on their about me page claims they are a general market publisher. In their FAQ they elaborate that Center Street is actually publishing for the broader Christian market. In the whole schem of things, General Market and Broader Christian Market are in most cases two very different audiences.

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled blog reading. *and that's for the one or two who actually read what I write. :)

Dead of Night Interview

Don't forget to listen to my Dead of Night Interview with Master Ron Fitzgerald. ;) You'll hear a kick-butt reading from Never Ceese done by producer Leslie Osbourne. Click here to go to the page to listen.

Electric Angel Book Trailer

I give you the official book trailer for "Electric Angel." The book should be sent off to be printed in about a week. You may still pre-order here or at www.downwarden.com/blackbedsheet. If you pre-order by clicking on the "Electric Angel" tab on this page then you will get a signed copy. ;)

Now on with the trailer.

Enjoy! I know I did.

Interview up!

VM Underground Interview is up! Aww, y'all go click on the image and go "like" it. ;)

Do you wanna say some good stuff about Electric Angel?

Do you wanna say some good stuff about Electric Angel, I know I want you to!

Yep, that's my way of asking for editorial reviews. I've got an ARC or whatever you want to call it for anyone who is in the business of reviewing ARC's. Since I'll never get to Publisher's Weekly, (don't qualify. Not with a big publisher and not going to be strung out by their tall-tales that they review as many folks as they can get to . . . yeah right?) I instead look for anyone else. Actually I don't have to look far, I've already have one ARC sent off to the British Fantasy Society and will send a few more out shortly.

If you're interested though you can contact me at suedent@neverceese.com and I'll see if you qualify. I'll only send the ARC out to qualified reviewers. ;)

Also for any of my "Christian" reviewers, meaning those who review work for those publishers who write exclusive denominational fiction, Electric Angel will be submitted to Spring Arbor for distribution for all the good that does. But hey, it does make it AVAILABLE for sale in places where it wouldn't be even if it doesn't get it in the door of ANY "Christian" bookstore as they claim it does.

Okay, yes so anyway. Book should be out shortly to buy. Pre orders can already be made on this site. Just go to the Electric Angel tab at the top of this page. No. It's not showing up on Amazon yet but don't look for a bargain there. I'm not going to allow it. If you want the book the best price will be from me or Black Bed Sheet Books. That includes Kindle, Nook or whatever format you ask for. Yep, yep!

VM Underground Interview with Sue Dent

Listen live Monday July 11, 2011 at 11 P.M. EDT 10 P.M. CDT and MDT And 8 P.M. PDT as Vic Mendoza interviews Sue Dent on the VM Underground Show. You may also listen on http://wflmradio.com and http://nvasionradio.com

Reviews disappearing from Amazon?

Say it ain't so? Yep. Some time back I earned a grand review from New York Times Best Selling author Eric Wilson. How grand to see that, for whatever reason, it's now gone. Good thing I've COPIED all my reviews from Amazon just in case this sort of thing happens. ;) So without further ado I'll repost the now missing review from Eric Wilson right here. Just because.

Eric Wilson
September 6, 2007
4 Stars

Circling the Camp

Sue Dent has done the unthinkable. She's pushed the boundaries of Christian fiction, circling the camp with a small publisher, howling for someone to take notice. And it's working.

"Never Ceese" is a blend of traditional vampire themes and modern smart-mouthed characters. Ceese is a werewolf on her way to a British castle, where she will rendezvous with Richard the vampire. Ceese is in a constant struggle with "the wolf" inside, while Richard is trying to maintain a modicum of control over his fang-toothed desires. This unlikely pair, united by an old woman named Penny, discover they have mutual childhood links. As they travel to meet a young college-age researcher, their pasts come to light. Romance flits about in unexpected places. And a self-seeking professor angles to take their immortality for himself.

The standbys are in play--garlic, crucifixes, wolfsbane, etc--but Dent adds a few of her own elements to this classic battle between the old ways and new. There are few surprises, but the story moves at a quick pace, leavened with humorous dialogue and clever insights. Dent's characters struggle with their cursed sinful natures, seeking release--if such a thing is possible.

In the end, all is resolved--if not a bit suddenly on some levels--and possibilities are left open for the sequel, "Forever Richard." I guess I know what book to add to my Christmas list. With Dent circling the camp, someone's bound to wake up to this genre's possibilities.

Do keep in mind I'm not circling any camp. This is just how those authors who write for niche market publishers perceive it when general market authors write stories that also appeal to their niche market readers. And no, none of those publishers have taken notice and never will. ;)