Romance Writers & Readers discussion
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Paperbacks - they is like a onion! ;-)
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Well, you have me a bit confused. I'm not sure what Waterstones is...*smiles sheepishly* Is that a UK thing?And Createspace offers free ISBN's (or maybe that's just an American thing...I don't know) But as far as I was under the impression, they are a print on demand, so the book is available to purchase online (and you can select it goes to other markets like B & N and whatnot), but I don't think they personally get your book into an actual book store.
I think that's a bit of grunt work you gotta do. Go around and trying to get them in the store. My mother-in-law (sweetest lady ever and so super supportive of me) walked into a bookstore and asked them if they'd put my books on the shelf. These were books I ordered off Createspace and gave her. And because it had a barcode on the back, like a regular ol' traditional book, they took it. She gave them four copies. I believe, since then, three have actually sold. *mind blown*
I don't know. Did this help? Or did I make no sense? Haha.
It's exciting having your own book in print though. I absolutely love that, even though nobody ever purchases it. I just like seeing it on my own bookshelf. *smiles wide*
Good luck, TL!
I'm thinking Amanda is correct. If you use the free ISBN numbers from CreateSpace then it lists CreateSpace as the "publisher" in the ISBN records, or you can buy them and put it in your own name. Either way, you should already have and ISBN..For example, the ISBN showing for Trues Love is 099561170X (ISBN13: 9780995611702)
TL - Don't cry! This will get worked out. Amanda and Nicole have great comments that should put your mind at ease. Someone in another group had the same concern about libraries and ISBN's. I believe stores can buy your book from CS with no problem.Huge Hugs, TL
From what I've heard, Waterstones and WHSmiths will not purchase books with a CreateSpace ISBN. They're also reluctant to work with indies as they tend to want bulk orders, but they also want proof stuff can sell. Bigger publishers have this proof based on their previous work.When we published an anthology a few years ago, our local Waterstones wouldn't even consider it, despite having a section for local authors. The anthology was part of my MA in Creative Writing, but as the previous anthologies had sold so poorly, they weren't interested in carrying it. They'd returned so many copies of other anthologies that they our lecturer had to throw them out.
We sold out of two print runs without their help.
Ha.
Anyway. Waterstones and other big book stores take HUGE chunks. I can't remember how much exactly, but it's over 50% for charity books, let alone more "commercial" (not sure that's the right word, but you know what I mean) books, so unless you can afford to do a big print run to make it worth your while, be careful.
Have you looked into smaller, independent bookstores? I know some of them are willing to consider selling indie books (we have a local one that advertises that it carries indie books, and it itself is run by an indie publisher). They're also a lot more nurturing and have their own loyal fanbases. Those fanbases can then rub off on you. You'll likely get a better/friendlier return from those than big companies like Waterstones and WHSmiths who are all about the money and not the love.
Good luck!
I think your best bet is to try smaller independent book stores rather than large chain ones, although to be honest I haven't had much luck with that either! Oh and try to get involved in writing and reading organisations because a lot of them have author/reader events and that's a great way to utilise your paperbacks by participating in book signings. I'm a member of Romance Writers of Australia and Australian Romance Readers Association, and am doing my first signing when I attend the annual ARRA conference in February next year! Gotta order lots of my paperbacks to take along! Very excited!
Jane wrote: "I think your best bet is to try smaller independent book stores rather than large chain ones, although to be honest I haven't had much luck with that either! Oh and try to get involved in writing..."
Oooo, that is exciting, Princess Jane. I've never done a signing. I've been meaning to become a member of the Romance Writers of America:) Just haven't done it yet...
Mod
Since these awesome ladies have given you some great ideas/advice/stuff to think about(?), I'll just say that I agree on the smaller independent bookstores. Besides a better chance for success, it's waaay easier to get reach someone in charge! Not to mention, they're more likely to work with ya for flyers, promos, etc.
Totally unrelated example: I went through 14 people before getting face-to-face with the regional CEO of Lucerne (the milk company) and I thought that was actually pretty good hahaha!!
@Princess Jane: Yeeeeaaaahhh! That is really cool!! Hooray for February!!!
Hugs,
Ann
EDIT: *growls at typos*
OK, so Waterstones is the largest book store chain in the UK.Yes, they used to support local authors in local sotres, but it's now centrally controlled.
I actually bought by ISBN on Nielsen's rather than the free one on Createspace, as this seemed to give me further room for expansion. But it is still the one registered on Createspace (it's just not their own if that makes sense).
In theory, with my expanded distribution option, book stores can order my books (typically from Ingram).
But the Waterstones guy looked me up on their system, using my ISBN and it wasn't there.
So, they order via Nielsens which although I bought my ISBN from I seem to have to also register my book with.
It's all a bit confusing.
tbh I only popped in on the off chance as I was passing.
Yes, I'm trying to target smaller book stores, but there's very very few of those locally now. Online books are so accessible now it's putting them out of business :-/
Ugh, isn't that the truth, TL. I don't really shop smaller book stores, but I do enjoy going to Barnes and Noble and I was really disappointed when they closed one close to my house. *tears* I gotta drive a little bit farther now.... I read a lot on my phone, but I do prefer a paperback over an ebook.
Jane wrote: "I think your best bet is to try smaller independent book stores rather than large chain ones, although to be honest I haven't had much luck with that either! Oh and try to get involved in writing..."
I'm a RWA and ARRA member too - also with my first signing in Melbourne in February!!! Squee!!! So excited. But NO IDEA how many books to order!!! (And I have to drag them over from Perth, so it's going to be expensive for luggage purposes...)
Cool to see another One Of Us here!!
Bree Verity
Amanda wrote: "Oooo, that is exciting, Princess Jane. I've never done a signing. I've been meaning to become a member of the Romance Writers of America:) Just haven't done it yet..."Thanks! I'm quite excited!!
Assuming RWAmerica is similar to RWAustralia I would definitely recommend it!
Annie wrote: "@Princess Jane: Yeeeeaaaahhh! That is really cool!! Hooray for February!!!"Very cool! Can't wait!!
Bree wrote: "I'm a RWA and ARRA member too - also with my first signing in Melbourne in February!!! Squee!!! So excited. But NO IDEA how many books to order!!! (And I have to drag them over from Perth, so it's going to be expensive for luggage purposes...)Cool to see another One Of Us here!!"
Ooh!! How exciting! We'll have to make sure we catch up! I live in Melbourne so don't have to worry about dragging my books too far, but . . . I totally have NO clue how many I should order!!
Yeah, books are heavy. I ordered x50 author copies, so I could start bombarding my local stores and libraries. They arrived as a box of x2 and a box of x48!?But one of my colleagues had to take the box of x48 out to my car as I couldn't pick it up!! :O (weeeeeeed!)
I wonder if there's a Romance Writers UK group? (*scurries away to Google*)
xx
Yeah, books are heavy. I ordered x50 author copies, so I could start bombarding my local stores and libraries. They arrived as a box of x2 and a box of x48!?But one of my colleagues had to take the box of x48 out to my car as I couldn't pick it up!! :O (weeeeeeed!)
I wonder if there's a Romance Writers UK group? (*scurries away to Google*)
xx
TL Clark (author of love) wrote: "I wonder if there's a Romance Writers UK group? (*scurries away to Google*)"Did you find one TL?
Nope; ran out of time :(I'll be looking later this week. As well as looking into Mailchimp.
No rest for the wicked ;)
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But I also popped into Waterstones (I was quaking in my shoes)! :O
The chap in there was lovely but apparently they're now centrally controlled.
So I popped onto their site, and they tell me I need to be on Nielsens.
Now happily I bought my ISBN there (being a UK personage), but that seems to be different from being listed on their site.
So:
I need to register on their site (if I can)
so Waterstones (& WHSmith) can have the opportunity of ordering
presuming they want to stock my book.
It's all bit like the House that Jack Built!?
Or like peeling onions; so many layers, and it's almost making me cry.
I just want stores to be able to order my book!?
I thought Createspace made this happen??
OMG! (*runs away to collapse in an exhausted TL heap with my cat on the sofa*)!!