Local Bookstores

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Permalink Reply by Feon Davis on August 15, 2007 at 8:00pm

I had one bookstore/gift store sold one of my books. However, they would put my at bottom of the self and it would only sell one every month. I had alot discrimmation from the lady that work there unfortuntely. Two I have one right now but not like really regular bookstore. They are also at the bottom of a shelve. Both on Consigment at the time. However, other like christian bookstores wouldn't sell my book which didn't surprise me knowing why a black woman expose to Discrimmation before. However, I didn't give up I try a gift shop and the lady was black and she sold on my books but other didn't sell there after. So, I was disappointed then one I just went to her store and browse and didn't see my book no where. That explained why. sigh... then Few month to year I thought trying out of town. The I thought would work ok. It was a Christian bookstore own by couple. And one sold but I was told that my book was to thin and wasn't done professional like paperback and they will selling only books with ISBN and bare code on it. So, I told thank you for giving me a chance. ANd decided to just selling online instead and at events. but that makes it hard when you can afford paying fees to sell your book which may not sell. Then you lost money.

if anyone has suggest please let me know or offers from bookstores to sell my book for me on consigment.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Jost on August 15, 2007 at 8:28pm

Hi Feon, I would like to start by saying I am sorry you haven't had much luck...but I believe the venue that will truly benefit you hasn't shown itself yet and maybe being on this network of authors will help...I to believe you have been at the target end of discrimination because I and my older son (he is part black, part white) have experienced it in many ways; however while he was growing up, our attitudes remained positive and it has made us both stronger. Both of us still believe in ourselves and know whenever the right time comes for us to benefit we are open to accepting it. I truly hope I can help you find avenues for you to sell your books and hopefully at no cost to you...but obviously I cannot promise anything, but I will keep my eyes and ears open....I do believe deeply in "pay it forward"...a wise woman once said, "If you constantly point the finger, in blame, at others for the disappointment you feel, then your hand won't be open to accept the good"...I wish you the best of luck....

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Permalink Reply by G.H. Monroe on August 24, 2008 at 2:46pm

Hello Feon. I mean my comments in the most constructive way possible, so please do not be hurt or offended, but as I read your post here, I see quite a few errors in grammar, typos and wrong words. I understand that this is just a networking forum, but I find myself wondering if your book might have some of the same little problems. As I said earlier, I by no means intend to hurt you, tear you down or discourage your writing and selling, but may I ask if your book is thoroughly edited? Did you edit it yourself or pay someone?

Maybe it just needs a little tweaking in order to get more approval from more retailers.

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Permalink Reply by Julia Widdop on December 12, 2010 at 5:47am

I also noticed those problems that G.H. Monroe commented on and thought the same things.

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Permalink Reply by Theresa M. Moore on November 9, 2009 at 2:48pm

Hi, Feon. What it looks like is that you have a long uphill battle. The fact is that books are not only not selling at this time, you are dealing with people who already know what they want to sell, and if your book does not fit their wants you will never get ahead with them. Yes, you can have some success at selling online, but at the moment you are up against big conglomerates like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, and a host of other sites. The only way to get noticed in the midst of all the hype and hoopla is to a) write a blog about your book on a blog site, b) work on pricing your book in competition with the biggies (like I do), and expand into electronic books. Contact ebook selling sites which will host your book for a small commission instead of buying it outright. You will sell more books that way.

The whole reason why many bookstores are not willing to sell on consignment is that they have been conditioned to think they need an ISBN at all. If they do accept your book, you bear the cost of printing and delivery, and they can let the book sit there and rot. It does not cost them anything until the book is actually sold. They will take their cut, and I am familiar with selling books for as much as 30% of the price. It is not uncommon.

The other suggestion is to seriously consider finding someone to write your publicity copy for you, instead of doing it yourself. Unfortunately, if you wrote your book with grammar and syntax as bad as your latest post, there won't be any chance to sell your book no matter what you do. In that case, hunt down your old high school or college English teacher, or enroll in a part time English class for adult education. Your high school must host something like this for the weekends. If you learn to polish your book's prose, you will have a much better chance to present a professional book for sale.

A third suggestion is not to focus on whether or not you were discriminated against because you are black. Because of what I said in the first two paragraphs, I don't think that is why they would not carry your book, so that may not be the reason at all. Be proud of your blackness but shove it into the closet when dealing with so many strangers, be they white or black. Don't let that become a handicap for you. Many bookstore owners do not want to admit that they simply cannot afford to carry anymore books. That may have been the main reason they would not carry yours, with the other ones as a minor side argument.

I don't think the bookstores subscribe to this particular network, so I doubt if you will get many offers to sell your work on consignment here. But do look at bookstore web sites, of which there are a hundred or more, just by Googling "bookstores".

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Permalink Reply by TheDigitalBrothers.com on July 11, 2010 at 8:41am

I understand your concerns. I would suggest getting your ISBN # and copyrights so you don't continue to have those issues. Also, I would suggest utilizing POD (Print On Demand) to do your books and promote online to save $$$. Try http://www.lightningsource.com. They will make the book and list you on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You split the cost with them, but you books will get distribution internationally but you will not be out of allot of upfront money.

Shoot me a message, I would like to know more about your book.
Peace

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Permalink Reply by david b mclaughlin on August 15, 2007 at 8:09pm

Feon,
I do not doubt at all that you have experienced discrimination in your life. That is very sad. I am curious though how you know that the reason some of the bookstores did not carry your books was discrimination. At least one who did try to sell your book told you they felt that it wasn't professional enough. Have you considered that maybe that is why the other stores did not want to sell it?

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Permalink Reply by Feon Davis on August 16, 2007 at 2:13pm

LIke to say thank you both you for understanding and being compassionate. I also, appreciate whatever you can do cindy. And I will contact you private as well. I also am taught growing up Christian morals and values, despite what I had face and in life. And David you pointed out a very, very good question. I actually, felt that my books aren't profesionally done like the ones in the store with the ISBN and bare code. I was considering going to lulu.com and upload one of my books and pay for one to get idea what it would look like. And correct any errors. However, to be honest use the money did make from any sales toward supply like copy paper, ink etc. I am just praying for miracle. however, that depends on many books I do sell attending events. There is no other income but what I get for my health.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Jost on August 16, 2007 at 2:25pm

have you tried publish america? I wish you the best and together with others on this site we will both succeed and one day look back at all the frustration and difficulty we endured and laugh....

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Permalink Reply by Feon Davis on August 16, 2007 at 2:48pm

Actually, I did try Publish America.. unfortuntely the royalites weren't fair. Even though, I didn't want whole lot. But I felt it wasn't still fair seeing I written the book. And I also read I could go with another company as well after a period too. I don't know what others experience was with publish amercia, but I would like a fair deal seeing I am the one that wrote it. Maybe, try again later if this doesn't work out. I am at my wits end actually.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Jost on August 16, 2007 at 3:10pm

Feon I realize the royalties don't seem fair seeing that you wrote the book, but like any business they incur all the initial costs to edit the book, print it, design the cover and supply the ISBN number. It is a dog eat dog world and we do what we can....things will work out....

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Permalink Reply by Sheryl Nantus on August 30, 2007 at 10:38am

I think that if you're determined to self-pub, consider Lulu.com before going with PublishAmerica - they've had a pretty bad track record of not offering a decent discount to encourage bookstores to carry their titles and have been dragged into court more than once due to not paying royalties!

As you've noted, 8% is pretty shabby as well - most authentic publishers will offer better rates as well as a proper discount of 40% and higher to bookstores.

There are small publishers out there, just be careful of whom you go with. Always check them out with Preditors & Editors and/or Absolute Write to make sure that you don't fall prey to less-than-ethical people!

Good luck!

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