Bellbrook on Lockdown Press Release

Not due to go out until Sunday but you get the scoop here first:

Horror Author Sue Dent is Scheduled to Bring It to Lockdown at Bellbrook, OH Oct. 28-30 Accompanied by The Paranormal Investigative Team of Chris Matheny and Kim Brouillette of What Lies Beyond?

The entire town of Bellbrook, Ohio will be on lockdown for this paranormal expo. There will be numerous events; guest speakers, paranormal investigations, vendors and so much more. Sue Dent will be in attendance with her Black Bed Sheet Books titles.

With large bookstores such as Barnes & Noble asking all publishers to abide by an "industry" standard return policy that is antiquated, outdated and unworkable, not to mention put in place during the depression to save flailing bookstores of that era, small published authors have had to come up with some very creative ways to get their books to their reading public.

"I've started doing horror conventions," Sue says, "as well as events like "Bellbrook on Lockdown" just so I can set up to sell my books. When my friends Chris Matheny and Kimberly Brouillette told me about this event, I was definitely interested."

Sue, being an outspoken advocate for small published and self-published authors went on to say, "I try to make it easy for my fans to get my books since large bookstores won't carry them due to the fact that small publishers can't make their books returnable by that unworkable "industry" standard return policy and survive. And now, since large bookstore chains such as Barnes & Noble no longer take books on consignment, I've had to work even harder. Quite disillusioning indeed since I'd say that over 75% of the publishing "industry" is now made up of small publishers and self-published authors and large bookstores still ignore us as if we don't exist or matter."

"Not to worry," says Sue. "There are plenty of other places to find my books. Most of the time I'll be on hand to sign them too as is the case here."

"Lockdown at Bellbrook" looks to be an exciting, fun and spooky time for all except for possibly the faint of heart with special appearances by folks such as SyFy's Booth Brothers and ghost hunter extraordinaire Keith Age. Also the SyFy channel will be on hand for a special reveal. You can find more about that here: http://www.beyondtheveilparanormal.org/bellbrook2011.php and here: http://bellbrookonlockdown.webs.com/

"You'll also get to meet Chris Matheny and Kimberly Brouillette of What Lies Beyond? Do visit their blog at http://whatliesbeyond4u.blogspot.com/ to learn more about them as they'll be leading and orchestrating a few Ghost Hunts themselves," Sue says, "including one at The Kickstand Lodge, a Bed & Breakfast in nearby Spring Valley where we'll be staying. The hotel was built in the 1800's and guests have reported hearing odd noises from time to time."

Sue adds, "Because I'm going to be in the area, I did attempt to make it easier for my fans in Dayton to come see me by contacting a local Barnes & Noble. But of course since I've opted not to abide by that "industry" standard return policy that sinks all small publishers, they won't hear of it. And as I said above, they absolutely no longer allow any author in for an event unless that "industry" standard death certificate is adhered to."

So come on out to the "lockdown" and help support all small publishers such as Sue's publisher Black Bed Sheet Books. Good reads for the season and any other time as well. "You can always stop by The Kickstand B&B to get an autographed copy of any of my books or to just talk shop. Let me know when you're coming and I'll be glad to accommodate being there for you."

Sue will have her Black Bed Sheet published and 2007 Bram Stoker short-listed Never Ceese with her as well as her newest release from BBS, Electric Angel.

"I would like to add that you may order my books from any bookstore including B&N. Though no large brick and mortar bookstore will ever carry my books due to my not signing on to that insane return policy, they can order them for you."

# # #

A "leetle" about Sue Dent.

Just to be sure!

Just to be sure, you CAN ORDER my books from ANY Barnes & Noble BUT because I refuse to make my books returnable by an "industry" standard return policy that no longer works for the "industry" as it is today, I'll not be allowed in to do an event. Also B&N will NEVER order any book to put on their shelf if it isn't returnable by that "industry" standard which is outdated and doesn't work for anyone. Well, except B&N and large bookstores.

This is not an issue with my publisher. I ASKED them not to make my books returnable by this antiquated, unworkable "industry" standard as all small publishers will eventually fall due to this policy. I've been with two that have and yes, it was due to that "industry" standard return policy.

B&N employees are nice enough and not to blame but I do not enjoy talking to folks who've NO CLUE what they're talking about.

"Just get your book added into the B&N system," they chirp.
"But I'd have to agree to abide by an unworkable "industry" standard return policy."
"Yes, your book has to be returnable."
"No. My book has to be returnable by that unworkable "industry" standard return policy."
"Yes, it has to be returnable."
"--by an antiquated, out-dated, non-working, put-a-gun-in-my-hand-and-point-it-at-my-head return policy that will sink all small publishers."
"We have lots of small publishers in our store."
"You don't have any that don't agree to that return policy. And several authors have reported that B&N won't order their books for their stores EVEN if their publisher did sign on."
"Well I guess it depends on what one's definition of a "small" publisher is."

Oh my GOSH!! Did they just say that to me? I think they did. Rawk on B&N!!! You're sooooo coool!! Indeed I suppose it DOES depend on this. Just so all of y'all will know, that "industry" standard return policy is NOT standard in ANY other industry and was designed to save failing bookstores during the depression. It needs to be done away with. But I think B&N should hold on to it since it will pull them under quicker. Good grief!

It's past time for a revolution.

Please support all small published authors and self-published authors and don't shop at large chain bookstores such as, but not limited to, Barnes & Nobles. They no longer even humor small published or self-published authors. They don't allow them in for events and will definitely NOT put them on their shelves. There is absolutely nothing at any of these bookstores that you can't get anywhere else.

To Barnes & Nobles and the other few large bookstores chains still left (and operate this way)-- "Going under does not give you the right to be a bully. Small publishers and Self-published authors have only ever tried to help you. We can't do that if you choose to belief that over 75% of the publishing industry doesn't exist."At one time B&N used to order books from small publishers if they signed on to that non-working Industry standard return policy (designed for an "industry" that no longer exists as it was once defined.) But apparently they don't even do that anymore.

****Update Just to make sure my facts are straight I occasionally contact a rand B&N and ask them if they let authors in on consignment any more. The store I contacted said, "No. I have to be able to return your books." I said, "I understand that but you mean return as in the "industry standard return policy" that doesn't work for most publishers. She replied, "I just have to be able to return your books to the distributor." B&N does not distinguish between a return policy that works for All publishers and an antiquated one that barely even works for their large publishers anymore. I told her my books are returnable just not by the antiquated industry standard return policy. Yeah. You guessed it, no go! Another heads up--I told her several small publishers I know do make their books returnable according to that antiquated return policy and can no longer get in themselves, so I was just checking. "They just have to be returnable." Poor CRM sounded like a broken record. Repeating the same thing over and over. Not answering any questions. So sad. Update over.****

Things that disturb me.

Since I'll be in the Dayton Ohio area for "Lockdown at Bellbrook" I decided to see what "Independent" bookstores I could find in the area since Barnes & Noble won't let any less-than-large publisher in to do an event anymore, not even on consignment.

I found the St. Mark Bookstore and decided to check it out since it sounded Catholic and not "Christian" or rather "evangelical" or rather what would have been a Baptist Bookstore back in the day.

It sounded like a really neat store but I had to flinch at the wording on their Mission Declaration page. It reads:

St. Mark Bookshop, Inc. is an ecumenical Christian bookshop dedicated to presenting the best of all publishers and manufacturers of Christian and Roman Catholic books, media and religious gift items. We serve all of our customers with courtesy, honesty, efficiency and expediency.

An ecumenical Christian bookshop with ecumenical meaning, the aim of unity among all Christian churches throughout the world. The part that disturbs me greatly is this. The store acknowledges a desire to be an ecumenical Christian bookshop. And their dedication is to present the best of all publishers and manufacturers of Christian and Roman Catholic Books?

Are Roman Catholics not Christian? And you can't use the label Christian anymore in publishing without it marking only "one" group of publishers who write targeted fiction for a very discriminating Christian audience.

Hard to be ecumenical if these are the only publishers a bookstore pulls stock from.

No publisher as ever labeled themselves a Christian publisher except those who provide "targeted" fiction to one denominational audience. The proof is in the pudding. Catholics do indeed fall under the broad label Christian yet those publishers don't call their work Christian fiction or Christian non-fiction. They mark it as Roman Catholic or Catholic.

So yes, I remain disturbed by this.

Is the average Joe disturbed by this? Probably not but if you're an author trying to compete in this market, you should be.

EXACTLY how I feel . . .!

Exactly how I feel. . . about B&N and OTHER large bookstores, including large "Christian" bookstores such as Lifeway and Mardel's who discriminate but don't make that clear. And yes most definitely Amazon as well!

Chain retailers bent on eliminating Independent bookstores?

Yes, that includes large "Christian" chain bookstores as well. Just another reason for small publishers to not sacrifice their business by attempting to get books inside a Barnes & Noble or any other chain bookstore. My source is the Gale Encyclopedia of US history:

In the 1970s, national chain bookstores such as Barnes and Noble and Waldenbooks began to open retail outlets in malls across the country. By buying in volume, chains could earn more profit on each copy of a book sold, allowing them to pay higher rents. Buying in volume also meant that they could negotiate deeper discounts from publishers. By passing this discount on to book buyers, the chains were able to attract customers away from the smaller independent bookstores.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/publishing-industry#ixzz1Z4FaOsSM

"By passing this discount on to book buyers, the chains were able to attract customers away from the smaller independent bookstores." What? What? What?

Gee, what ever happened to working together for the common good of the well, umm, AUTHOR!!! So B&N and OTHER chain bookstores are actively seeking to lure business away from "smaller" independent bookstores. Innocent enough I guess unless you consider, B&N and OTHER chain bookstores won't even let small publishers in and has recently taken the stand that a small publisher can't even get in on consignment EVEN IF they sign on to abide by an "outdated" and unworkable industry standard return policy.

Look out large chain bookstores your "true" colors are showing. Go ahead. Keep pandering to those large publishers. How long do you think you can stay in business when over 75% of the publishing industry today is made up of SMALL PUBLISHERS and you don't do anything to make getting into your stores workable and now, not even doable. As it stands, NO small publisher can even get an event at a B&N period. And oh my, you should here the way they try to explain this. If it weren't so sad it'd be funny.

Indie stores, make your move! Create an new industry standard return policy that fits the market today. I'm going to be in Dayton Ohio Halloween weekend. I can't get into a B&N to do an event. I don't honor the industry standard return policy as it is but you can certainly work with my publisher to devise a return policy that is beneficial to both parties.

"The song has been sung. The time is upon us," or you could just sit there, "cowering your bathwater." ;)

Smashwords now falls into my "bonehead" category.

So I chose to distribute some e-book copies of Never Ceese through Smashwords. I learned that if you qualify for premium distribution your book will show up for sale on B&N as a Nook, whether you want it to or not. Well I don't want it to because B&N accepts returns of e-books which should be a function of the publisher and they make a nook available to their lending library where nooks are given away for free for an extended period of time, again a decision to be made by the publisher. So NO I don't want my nook on B&N. Due to this problem, I pulled my books from Smashwords. Here's how Smashwords handles me no longer using them as a distributor. Here's the link: Never Ceese

At the bottom of the page under reviews it reads: This book is no longer published, and is no longer accepting reviews.

LIE! That doesn't even make sense. And it would make even less sense if they add no longer published at Smashwords. No book is published at Smashwords. Smashwords is a dang distributor not a publisher. The book is published and sold through my PUBLISHER. So are all the e-book versions now. Just go to Black Bed Sheet Books to purchase any version you want.

Smashwords says all day long, "oh, we're not the publisher. You are. We're just a distributor." So which is it, Boneheads?" I'd appreciate it if you'd remove the inaccurate statement off the bottom of my book page on your site.

Haper Collin goes POD!!!!!!

Oh this is far tooooo good not to share. Here's the link to the story called:

HarperCollins Publishers Making 5000 Titles Available Print on Demand

Here's my comment if you could care less about what the articles says but want to see my comment. Of course! Who wouldn't?

"Even as digital book sales grow, bookstores continue to be an important place for customers to shop for physical books. The goal of this initiative is to give the local bookseller the capability to provide customers with a greater selection of HarperCollins titles in a physical environment," said Brian Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer of HarperCollins Publishers.

Large bookstores are only an important place for large publishers as no small publisher can operate under the "industry" standard return policy that "sinks" all small publishers should they sign on to it, (which they have to for large bookstores to carry their books) and now it's barely working for large publishers.

How HILARIOUS that Harper Collins (and I'm sure the others will follow suit if they've not done so already,)is considering that "great evil" POD publishing! Hysterical.

Here's an idea. Since large publishers are responsible for that insane "industry" standard return policy, why don't they ALL work with "their" bookstores to fix it so All publishers large and small can compete!

Too funny. That return policy was created to save bookstores during the depression, put in place by Simon & Schuster and then by the other few large publishers of the day. Now those SAME publishers are throwing "their" bookstores under the train! I guess they're beyond saving.

My thoughts: bookstores should stop pandering to large publishers and create an "industry" standard return policy that works for the "industry" today--before it's too late--if it's not too late already. I guess large publishers today lack the "perseverance" and moral fortitude they had back in the day. Borders is already gone because of this problem. Who will be next?

Here's a comment that I posted on my Facebook page which in no way is to infer that I like Facebook it's just that it's free and I don't mind that they make money selling information that I want out there to begin with:

Is it not the most hysterical thing you've ever read!!! Harper Collins are the ones that gave CBA affiliated Zondervan their OWN imprint so they could discriminate in large bookstores as well as within large "Christian" bookstores, making the publisher, once owned by Family Christian but then disowned for their "evil" ways (because after all Harper Collins are the ones who distribute the "Satanic" bible) suffer for their wicked ways. Zondervan's response to the complaints from their one time owners, "It was a hostile takeover. We had not choice." LOLROFL Oh yeah. Like they couldn't "just say no." *Sue hums then sings* Money, money, money, money--Monnnn aaaaa!

Bellbrook on Lockdown!

And check this link out to learn waaaaay more about What Lies Beyond and myself!

Don't buy my books from B&N or Amazon!

Wow, really? An author is asking readers NOT to purchase their books from Amazon or B&N. Most authors expound upon the virtues of having their work available through these "wonderful" venues.

A.) NO ONE asks to be listed on B&N or Amazon it automatically happens whether you like it or not. Secondly, why would I want to be listed on B&N on-line when they won't even consider carrying my books in their brick and mortar stores therefore making it impossible for me to plan an event there. And all because I chose "NOT" to agree to the "industry" standard return policy that sinks ALL less-than-large publishers. They don't even pursue setting up a separate return policy that works better for ALL. But that's because large publishers, back in the day, designed the warped "industry" standard return policy not the bookstores. So in B&N's defense, it's the large publishers that truly suck. Even so, I won't support any bookstore that doesn't support small publishers.

Oh and B.) why would I ask to be listed on Amazon when they blatantly list two of my books as available through them as "new" THROUGH AMAZON when there's no way for them to "legally" get them. They're both out of print and quite unavailable. My correspondence with them has been a circular discussion of biblical proportions and I'm forced to sit back quietly because I can't afford a lawyer and, well, it's hardly worth it.

Either way, I didn't ASK to be listed on these sites, no author does, it's automatic once you apply for a ISBN through Bowker and stick it on your book. How nice!

Of course you may purchase ANY of my books ALL day long through Black Bed Sheet Books and well that would be wonderful. I also offer it for sale on my site at SueDent.net and it's available at many other on-line sites OTHER THAN Amazon and B&N . . . THANK GOD!!

Lighting Source's definition of "Return Policy."

Let's begin.

From LSI's contract

BACKGROUND ON RETURNS

Typically publishers grant booksellers the right to return unwanted and/or overstocked copies ofbooks. These books are considered “returnable”.

Sue's thoughts: Pay very close attention to this. The ONLY publishers who grant booksellers the right to return unwanted and/or overstocked copies of books are large publishers AND not only do they give bookstores that privilege but grant them other privileges as well. It is part of that warped "industry" standard return policy Simon & Schuster [and soon the other few large publishers] set up during the depression to keep bookstores from going under. The problem: once the depression ended and bookstores were able to stand on their own again, no one changed the blasted return policy and in fact, it became the "industry standard."

As books are returned, booksellers charge publishers for the cost (i.e. their purchase price) of any books returned and expect to be reimbursed. The cost of returned books is either deducted or netted against the proceeds of book sales of the publishers’ titles in the month returns are shipped to the publisher.

Sue's thoughts: If only that was how it worked. It isn't and you can research for yourself to see that there is WAY more to it than that. What's listed above is only a very, very, very small part of how it really works. Keep in mind it's part of that "warped" industry standard return policy. The only part that makes a modicum of sense.

Some booksellers will only purchase books on a returnable basis;

Sue's thoughts: Let's go ahead and say it right now. No larger bookseller such as Barnes & Noble will purchase your book unless you make it returnable by that warped "industry" standard return policy EVER, no matter what. MOST small booksellers will which is refreshing as this means a very workable "return policy" is used.

therefore, there is a probability that sales may be reduced if a title is designated as non-returnable.

Sue's thoughts: LOL You bet sales will be reduced. No large bookstore will ever order your books period! But then, when you make your book returnable according to the "industry" standard, even when a large bookstore buys your book they aren't technically buying it because they get to send it right back whenever they want to and they get to do so for FREE! They don't even have to pay shipping, according to that warped "industry" standard return policy.

Publishers must weigh the risk of returns against the potential for increased sales and be prepared to reimburse booksellers for the cost of returns as they occur. Publishers who make their titles returnable typically place a designated percentage of their proceeds from sales into a fund (or reserve account) that is used exclusively to pay for the cost of future returns.

Sue's thoughts: For the publisher, and I'm not talking about the large publishers who that warped "industry standard return policy works I mean the small publisher, there is GREAT risk of returns and the absolute unbelievable hard truth is that small publishers typically NEVER get their returned books back so they're out the print cost of the book. More on that in a moment. Needless to say, the above statement is only speaking about larger publishers.

Having said that, here are the choices you get to make as a publisher if you use Lightning Source, Ingram's POD distributor. Pay very close attention.

Returns Designation Meaning

No - Select this designation if you do not want to allow your titles to be sold on a returnable basis. LSUS will not accept returns from booksellers for any title so designated.

Yes-Deliver - Select this designation if you want to allow your titles to be sold on a returnable basis and you would like to receive a physical copy of the book upon its return. If you select this option, you will be charged for the current wholesale cost of each book returned, plus a $2.00 per book shipping and handling charge. LSUS does not guarantee the condition of the book being returned

Yes-Destroy - Select this designation if you want to allow your titles to be sold on a returnable basis and you would not like to receive a physical copy of the book upon its return. If you select this option, you will be charged only for the current wholesale cost of each book returned. No shipping and handling fees will apply. LSUS will destroy any returned books that it receives if this option is selected

Sue's Experience with Lightning Source: No matter what option you choose, you NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER will see your "returned-from-the-bookstore" book. I chose Yes-Deliver and expected to see my returned book sent back to me. Hahahahahahaha! Yeah right. I thought this because of this statement " and you would like to receive A physical copy of THE book upon ITS return."

I'm going to give you a few seconds to decide what YOU think that means . . . . . . . . . . okay, times up. If you thought it meant you will get your "returned-from-the-bookstore" book back, guess again. YOU WILL NEVER SEE IT AGAIN! It isn't even an option. When I contacted LSI to ask them "what up" they had this to say. And yes, I have the emails:

"No you don't get the book back, what we do is print you a NEW copy and charge you $2.00 shipping for it."

I said, "where is my returned book?"

"Oh we destroy that."

What? What? What?

"I didn't choose "Yes - destroy" so I want my damn book back like your contract states."

"Well, that wording really needs to be changed."

At this point I just sit in silence thinking WOW! And this is legal. They've no fear whatsoever. Their contract is full of wording that infers one thing but means another. Unbelievable. I did tell them at that point that I felt this was illegal and they blew me off. I told them to tell me where it was they destroyed the books as I wanted to "see" my book before it was destroyed as I didn't believe it ever came back to them as they "inferred." Their response, "oh trust me. We take care of it." I never did get a location I could visit.

Bottom line is, LSI never sees the returned books. They don't want to pay to have it shipped back and neither do they want to pay to destroy it. Since they won't divulge the location were the destruction of the book occurs, I'm going to assume they don't destroy them either. Were do said books go . . . hmmmm . . . there's lots of money to be made selling returned-from-the-bookstore books to wholesalers who dabble in such things.

Now before you go on and think I've got it "in" for LSI, ALL POD distributors operate this way and it's due to that warped "industry" standard return policy. LSI is so bold about it because apparently they think the well-they're-doing-it-too mentality will protect them. So far so good.

If you're a publisher and you make your books returnable according to that standard then you're basically sunk. I've asked my publisher to make ALL my books non-returnable according to that "industry" standard. But basically my books aren't non-returnable at all. If you'd like to work out a return policy that benefits both the publisher and the bookseller he'll be more than happy to work with you. Hopefully my decision will help keep my publisher alive and kicking for a LONG, LONG WHILE.

But to be so bold as to sit there and tell me that I don't ever get my returned book back when the contract clearly read that I will . . . wow, just wow!

Dayton Ohio Barnes & Noble

As you should know by now, and if not you will be hearing more soon, I'll be in the Dayton OH area Halloween Weekend for "Bellbrook on Lockdown" with my friends Chris Matheny and Kimberly Brouillette or What Lies Beyond. What you don't know is that about five minutes before scribing this note, I contacted the Dayton Ohio Barnes & Noble to set up an event. Of course I knew what they'd say and almost wish I'd written the words down somewhere so I could prove it to you. I told them I would be in the area and was interested in setting up an event. Here's how the very short conversation went:

"What type of an event?" The story manager asked.

"I'm coming to sell books," I replied.

"Are there any in our warehouse?"

"Of course not. I've asked my publisher to make my books non-returnable according to industry standard as the industry standard return policy doesn't work for small publishers at all. In fact they lose money."

"I'm sorry. We can't do an event unless the books are returnable[industry standard returnable not a return policy that benefits BOTH parties.] "

"In other words no small publisher can do an event unless they make their books returnable according to industry standard which will eventually put them out of business."

His classic response. "Yes."

So, if any bookstore in the Dayton, OH area is interested in hosting an event, and actually cares about giving small publishers the same chance large publishers get, I'll be in the area. Do I expect a response? *Sue laughs to herself.* Nope. Not one bookstore will even feign interest. So I'll see y'all at Bellbrook. It's your best chance at getting a signed copy of my books because in spite of my work being just as good if not better than most of the crap large publishers put out, I don't get to sell my goods in larger bookstores even if I wanted to. Not unless I sign my life away and well, that just ain't happening.

Thanks Barnes & Noble!

Thanks for nothing!

ELECTRIC ANGEL BY SUE DENT: BOOK REVIEW | Book Reviews | Open Book Society

ELECTRIC ANGEL BY SUE DENT: BOOK REVIEW | Book Reviews | Open Book Society

Okay I lied! ;D

Here's the first "official" review of Electric Angel to come rolling in done by the Open Book Society. I have to admit, the first paragraph of the review had me going "What?" I was sure she hated it. Aw, not to be! ;)

My favorite line from the review:

"There were several parts that had me nearly giving myself papercuts to turn the page fast enough."

Now go read it for yourself if you'd like. Here's the link: Open Book Society reviews Electric Angel.

Reviews of Electric Angel!

You won't see reviews popping up on Electric Angel overnight as is the case with soooooooooo many books an author publishes. The reason: A) I'm not with a large publisher therefore news of a new release takes a LOT of time to get out there. B) I don't solicit reviews therefore they come in their own time.

I also do not think reviews do anything to help sell a book and shouldn't. It's nice to know someone read my book and enjoyed it. And the kind words are certainly appreciated. But reviews aren't moderated and in most cases can't even be left unless the fan "joins" the site or at least "purchases" another product from that site. For instance, to leave a review on Amazon, you have to have bought a product in the past or purchase a product straight away. And that's to leave a comment on a product you bought SOMEWHERE ELSE!!! And Amazon is where most other bookseller sites go to get reviews. Either there or Goodreads, a site heavily sponsored by large publishers who don't give a "darn" about small pubbed authors period.

So to learn the "truth" about what "real fans" say about my book, you best start looking here as I'll post responses as I get them. Mainly because it's so dang encouraging to me. ;) Here's the latest:

Laurie Froehlingsdorf, part owner of Shoutlife.com says of Electric Angel: "I started reading it last night and I am hooked! Love the fact I can read it on my kindle."

In reference to authors/publishers/readers of that targeted "Christian" market that so frequently ignore the fact that I exist AND appeal to their readers ergo offer NO support whatsoever publicity-wise or in any other way: "still sucks that people are so closed minded!"

Love me some Shoutlife!!!

Love ya, Laurie!

Ghost Hunters, Paranormal, Sue Dent, Oh MY!

Check it out! Yours truly has been added to the guest list along with Chris Matheny and Kimberly Brouillette of RIP/WLB! Watch for the press release coming soon! Yeah Baby cuz it ain't Halloween unless you entertain some spirits . . . and settle down with some "fitting for the season" reads!

OBS does Chapter by Chapter Review of Never Ceese.

In October of 2009 the Open Book Society contacted me about doing a chapter by chapter discussion of Never Ceese along with an interview. It was great fun and a wonderful way to see just how folks get excited about my Thirsting for Blood Series. Here's the link to read the fun and learn more about Never Ceese. I will tell you though, MANY, MANY spoilers here!!! ;) If I'm not mistaken, you can still add your own input to the questions. Here's the link: OBS Reviews Never Ceese. I've added the link to the sidebar on the left as well.

Goodreads ain't good enough.

Someone asked me today if I was on Goodreads and since I'm a published author with some modicum of success (not of the financial kind of course) I almost laughed. Of course I'm on Goodreads whether I like it or not. See I joined up to have SOME say over MY published works.

"So, Sue, what sort of gripes do you have against Goodreads?" Well, since you asked I'll tell you. I will state right away that if I weren't an author I probably wouldn't know enough about the publishing industry to have a gripe. But since I am, here's my biggest one. Goodreads states that their main goal is to help support authors. Without knowing any more about how the publishing industry works than most do, that sounds like a noble cause. However, the cause is too broad. You can't help all authors if you don't differentiate between large published authors and Indie and self-pubbed ones. If discussions about large published authors are allowed to happen or books by these publishers listed (and don't even mention large publishers SPONSER the damn site) then these are the only authors who will be helped. All Indie and self-pubbed authors are like dogs at a cat show.

Indie and self-pubbed authors can't get into the same venues (meaning large brick and mortar bookstores) that large publishers can and neither have access to the monies large publishing houses have access to in order to pimp their authors as voraciously. Therefore no site can claim to help promote "authors" and actually be successful at doing that.

So I suppose I'll have to set up my own book site, perhaps call it "BetterReads" and only promote Indie and self-pubbed authors. That way when a large publisher releases their latest and greatest from some obscure author who happened to be in the right place at the right time, and that book shoots immediately to the NYT #1 best-sellers list, because large bookstores did the obligatory buying of millions of copies to put it there, the Indie and self-pubbed authors on my site won't have to be subjected to the circus that follows. How deflating to have to sit on a site and watch all the chatter about a book that only got attention because thousands of them sold to large bookstores who subsequently sell just enough of said book to readers to satisfy the status quo, if they're lucky.

Sort of stinks, doesn't it!

GoodReads?

Only there because I can't keep my books from being listed. I do accept friend request but trust me, it's not worth your time to add me. Friend me on FB or follow my blog at SueDent.net which subsequently posts to Goodreads. ;)

Electric Angel NOT available as an Amazon Kindle!

Electric Angel is NOT available as a Kindle on Amazon. Therefore it's NOT free and you can't LEND it out to friends without the "true" publishers permission so that the "friend" can read it and NOT buy it afterwords (because who would after they've read it.)

Distributors shouldn't be able to take liberties with e-books that only a publisher should have. Purchase a Kindle of Electric Angel at Black Bed Sheet Books

Once again I must reiterate that my publisher actually does publish many books on Amazon's Kindle but respects the hell out of my decision NOT to and for that I respect the hell out of him. ;)

Kindle Author Interview? Can this be?

There's this nifty little blog hosted by David Wiseman where Mr. Wiseman interviews and features Kindle authors. Well, I thought it was a particularly attractive blog and asked Mr. Wiseman if he ever considered interviewing authors who had a Kindle book but not through Amazon and if so, could said author be interviewed. He responded with, "yes. Lets!"

So I got the questions today and turned them in today! At some point here in the very near future you will see an interview with me about Never Ceese, the Black Bed Sheet "KINDLE" Edition available only through Black Bed Sheet Books and possibly some other venues my publisher may choose but not through Amazon (because I choose not to. Yeah. My publisher's cool like that.)

Wow! Now that's cool! In the interview I explain why I personally don't use Amazon to publish my books in Kindle format as well as the advantages of not doing so. I'll let you know when the interview is up otherwise you can just keep checking David Wiseman's Kindle Authors blog! ;)

WTF2!

A little bit more abut just what WTF2 means!

WTF2

Click above if you dare. ;)