Distribution is key--if you can get it.

It's not a matter of proving this so much as it is educating those not involved in publishing (as in publishing novels.) Actually, those involved in publishing need educating too in many instances.

Here's an example. I pinged an international publisher recently (trust me, saying one is international isn't the same as saying "I run with the big boys" or even come close. Far from it. At any rate, they attempt to act like the "big boy" publishers.

They were open for submissions and I'm always open for anyone who has achieved some level of distribution through the corporate bookstores that doesn't come back to bite the publisher and author in the butt.

I explained that I technically have distribution through a "non-distributor" distributor, specifically Ingram's Lightning Source (it isn't distribution if you never see your returned-from-the-bookstore book again,) but I was always searching for that less-than-large publisher who has managed to work a viable contract or deal of distribution with the larger bookstores that hasn't been achieved yet.

Here was their response:

(name of company) print books are all fully returnable, because if we don't allow them to be so, booksellers generally won't stock them.

I'm not quite sure what you're looking for, but it might be that, because of this policy, (name of company) doesn't suit your needs at this time.

If you would like us to consider a manuscript, though, you're very welcome to submit one.

So sad. 

I explained in return what I was looking for and asked to know who they used for distribution so I could decide whether it was worth my time to send them an MS. But the the first line of their response pegs how they distribute. 

The large corporate bookstores made a deal with large publishers back in the day, when large publishers were the only publishers. It stated, in effect, that they did NOT have to pay to return the massive inventory of books they'd order from publishers to help quell some of the cost of on-hand inventory for publishers. That has morphed into large corporate bookstores sending books back hand over fist which is an okay policy if you can snap a "large" distributor which isn't easy to do because it all comes down to sales which a small publisher can't possibly generate given the current state of affairs. 

Ingram's Lightning Source and Amazon's Create Space, two of the larger distributors for "small press" (technically non-distributors) never get the returned-from-the-bookstore books back if you play along and make it returnable. LSI will "print you a new copy" for a sizable fee which they say is to cover shipping of a book that is never shipped. The publisher is then out the cost of the book, the cost to print the book and the money they made . . . before the bookstore decided to send it back because they can.

Such is the state of publishing. 

*le sigh*

Are EBM's the Publishing Industry's Saviour?

Are On Demand Books, or rather ODB's Espresso Book Machines, the Publishing Industry's Savior? That answer comes down to whatever you want to believe. I personally like facts before I decide what to believe and so I've begun researching. Here's what I've learned so far. 


First I'd like to point you to this blog which I found very interesting and intriguing. It concerns a customer's first hand experience with this machine. Click Here for the link if you're interested in reading the article yourself.


One particular line answered one of my questions straight away. The writer of the article states:

"I’ll probably go back and do it again, simply because of how satisfying it is to have a print-on-demand book made in such an astonishingly short period of time."

Priced at well over $100,000 dollars with an almost $1000 dollar monthly "maintenance" fee, a quote I was sent by Xerox, the EBM is well out of most small bookstores price range which means the only bookstores that "might" benefit from it are the large chain bookstores. Sadly they are only around to promote their publishers, or rather large publishers. There have been a few out-of-print titles that some large publishers have decided to make available but nothing significant. Nothing that would make it worth anyone's while to purchase one of these machines. 


Until large publishers open up and make the books that readers have been brainwashed to believe they need to read available, this machine isn't anything other than a glorified small bookstore.  You can go to this link to see just what books are available on an EBM. I can save you some time however and tell you myself. POD books are the only thing available mostly, with Ingram's POD company Lightning Source being one of the main distributors. Go figure. I will go one step further and say that POD books from small publishers are actually the only books worth reading as more of these authors are concerned with quality and presenting something different while large publishers are only concerned with cookie-cutter stories and cookie-cutter edits.


A small bookstore stepping forward to buy one of these machines is sure to sink even faster than they're already sinking. There is a solution to the publishing industry's woes but buddy at this price (and with the "big dogs" holding out to keep customers coming to their sinking "brick &mortar" exclusive bookstores,) the EBM is not the answer. Plus it doesn't do color so all Graphic Novels are out and magazines too. So yes, it still goes back to those large publishers and their reluctance to let go of the past. They seem to be just fine dragging their bookstores down with them . . . the very bookstores they stepped forward to save during the depression. Sorry Xerox. I'm gonna have to hold off on my purchase.

Books-A-Million-2nd largest Chain Bookstore?

Wow! Really? Books-A-Million, according to a tiring blog concerning B&N and Amazon fighting over exclusivity rights (more or less) let this little statistic out of the bag. And OH MY what an eye-opener as far as the publishing industry and the fate of Brick and Mortar stores goes.

Books-A-Million is the second largest chain bookstore and they don't sell anything but "returned from the bookstore" books? Meaning that if you're a smart publisher and you make your books non-returnable according to that "industry" standard return policy designed by large publishers for large publishers back in the depression, you can't get your books into a BAM.

Go google it people. It's easy to find. Each and every one of BAM's distributors (three at last count) only sell those books that are sent in mass to other Chain Bookstores so that the large publisher who sent them can make the NYT best sellers list. Then over 75% of them (that's actually my statistic) are "SOLD" to second hand distributors. A smaller publisher will only go under if they play that "industry" standard return policy game because small publishers who have to deal with distributors such as Ingram's Lightning Source or Bookmasters don't even get the option to get their "returned from the bookstore" books back (nor any of the money if those books are sold to "returned from the bookstore" dealers.) Small publishers are told those books are destroyed in most instances. And still they have to give the money back to the book store that returned it, should that bookstore ever purchase a few copies in the first place. I know, right?

BookMaster's is actually supposed to put the "returned" book back into the publisher's inventory but clearly doesn't since at least 20 copies of Forever Richard showed up in my Local BAM!!! This means BookMasters made a little "something, something" on the side, leaving both my publisher at the time and myself scratching our head. How nice!

But there ya go folks!!! The second largest chain bookstore in the Nation is a used bookstore and can't even carry books by the "smart" publishers because "smart" publishers make their books non-returnable to keep from going under.

And for the record, I've tried to get BAM to order my books but they can't because BAM's "returned from the bookstore" distributors don't have any . . . obviously.

Barnes & Noble falling down, falling down, falling . . .

*Sue sings.* Barnes & Noble falling down, falling down, falling down. Barnes & Noble falling down . . . I sure hate it. NOT!

In light of the goings on this morning, the press release that B&N (Bullies & Narcissist)is going to "not" sell any more of Amazon's self published e-books I have only this to say - Bahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Oh and this, "What's the matter B&N? Nobody buying your "wittle" self-published e-books. You can't compete with the Narcissistic Amazon." Read the little snippet below for a real good laugh. It's from an article I found published in 2010:

Barnes & Noble unveiled its new self-publishing service PubIt on Wednesday, following in the footsteps of its competitors to take advantage of explosive growth in digital publishing.

"Barnes & Noble sees an opportunity to grow its traditional customer base with customers who think they have something worth publishing," says Kelly Gallagher, Bowker's vice president of publishing services. "It's one way to stay connected to their customer base."

Barnes & Noble, which expects to launch this summer, is the latest company to enter into the self-publishing market.

Really, I have more to write but I've seriously got to stop laughing. *Sue wipes tears from her eyes. Catches her breath.* Okay. So B&N can't sell their crappy (crappy meaning low quality, no quality) self published e-books so they're kicking Amazon and their "crappy" self-published e-books out. Since I really don't have a dog in the hunt--by choice--I really should just sit back and watch the fun. But I just can't seem to keep quiet about it. Perhaps B&N and Amazon should join forces. They could get Emeril to be their spokesman and they could call the joint venture
"BAM-AZON!"

Hey B&N. Why can't I set up an event at your stores? That's right! Because I make my books NON-RETURNABLE according to that outdated, only for the "big dog" publishers return policy. Us little guys don't get the books you return back, you jerks. Sorry, but I didn't sign on to publish books only to have them stolen and resold to "return from the bookstore retailers" such as Books-a-Million. Have fun "duking" it out with Amazon. Y'all deserve to be in the same fight. You're both losers.

Amazon hearlds their lending/stealing library.

This is a blurb from Amazon! You'll see it when you log in today. It reads:

"In November we introduced our newest Prime benefit, the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, where Kindle owners can borrow and read thousands of books for free, with no due dates. The library has grown to over 50,000 titles and includes more than 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers such as the Hunger Games trilogy, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and Moneyball. It also features Kindle Direct Publishing top-selling authors like J.A. Konrath, C.J. Lyons, and Julie Ortolon. We've also worked hard to make Kindle devices affordable, and they start at just $79 for Kindle and $199 for Kindle Fire.

Small publishers are dropping like flies due to this stealing library. Amazon uses the guise of a "lending" library to get around asking the "kindle" publisher whether they want this to happen or not. They claim they do ask but the bottom line is if you don't allow them to "steal" your e-book, you don't get to publish. The window of opportunity to opt out is short and most "kindle" authors don't even know about it until their fate is set.

Worse than that, why are e-books lent out in the first place? Most only cost NINETY-NINE CENTS!!! Oh yes, I suppose reading an e-book for free is WAAAAAYYY better. Most every publisher I know offers at least a free first, and sometimes even second chapter preview. Plenty of time for a reader to decide whether they want to "break the bank" and support an author's hard work. Amazon is trying to sell Kindles. They're doing it at the publishers expense in a desperate attempt to avoid the inevitable, the absolute and complete death of proprietary e-books and e-book readers. This is why I won't publish a kindle on Amazon EVER! You may find Kindle versions of my book at http://www.blackbedsheet.goshopper.net

Once again history repeats itself. IBM was the first out of the gate to attempt to keep the competition at bay with their propitiatory software and personal computers. Look where we are today. If you're a publisher or an author, you'd be wise to stay away from allowing Amazon to steal your work for their own benefit. Just saying! Barnes & Noble too but apparently their lending/stealing library is too complicated for customers to care about.

As Large Bookstores Drop Like Flies . . .

As Large Bookstores drop like flies and theories are thrown around as to why this is happening, please keep in mind that a theory is just that but the facts remain what they are.

Fact 1: Large bookstores are outlets for the books large publishers continually spew out. They don't and never have cared one thing about small publishers that now, thanks to technology, make up the largest part of the publishing market.

Fact 2: Thus the "Industry Standard" return policy put in place during the depression (first by Simon & Shuster) to save these bookstores doesn't work for small publishers as they weren't around during the depression to be considered.

Fact 3: In spite of Fact 2, small publishers are forced to sign on to that "Industry Standard" return policy in order to have their books placed on the shelves of any large bookstore which actually rarely happens as large bookstores only cater to large publishers. Because after all, that's who they serve.

Fact 4: If anyone still believes that e-books are the reason for the demise of the large bookstores then they're simply ignoring the facts. Get a grip!

As I've stated before, I've asked my publisher to make my books non-returnable according to that "Industry Standard" return policy as it will successfully take any small publisher down, eventually. I've been with two publishers who met their demise because of it.

This of course means that B&N and other large bookstores won't order my books for their store and therefore won't humor any book event (which actually means very little to me.) B&N used to do consignment for local and small publishers who don't sign on to that "outdated" return policy but they no longer even do that. I do find it interesting that the very publishers who saved their bookstores back in the day are currently throwing their bookstores under the train.

At any rate and for the record, you may purchase my Black Bed Sheet published books anywhere in the world from any bookstore in the world as you can ANY author who has an ISBNumber. I just want you to keep in mind that this means the BEST books out there will NEVER be on the shelf of a large bookstore. I wonder how long it will take for large bookstores to realize that there will be no rescue for them this time as large publishers cut and run. ;)

I'd like to feel sorry for them but I simply can't bring myself to. Not unless they change the way they operate which is to humor a return policy that actually works for ALL publishers large and small. But if they did that, I wouldn't have to feel sorry for them because they wouldn't be going anywhere. Such a simple solution.

I dare you to read this review!

ELECTRIC ANGEL

“I got Whiplash and Paper cuts from reading ELECTRIC ANGEL...Could…Not put it down!

Char Hardin

Oh. You need the link don't you:

Mavens of Horror

You do have to be a big boy or girl to read it on the site though. Meaning that yes, you'll have to click that you understand you might see adult content. If you're under 18 and want to read this review just make sure your legal guardian checks it out first. Then make sure that legal guardian orders a few copies from Black Bed Sheet Books for you to read (because the content of Electric Angel is actually fine for any age reader.) Hey, I'm a mom too! You kiddies best follow the rules!!! Now go eat your veggies! ;D

Wowsers and thank-you!

Another review from the Black Bed Sheet edition of Never Ceese: ISBN-9780976994749 that I encourage you to ONLY purchase at:

Black Bed Sheet Books even though you can buy it anywhere fine books are sold. ;D

I'd like to preface this review, (as I call it,) by saying that you won't see such reviews on Amazon or any other review site as they pull their reviews from Amazon. Quite bogus but I could really care less. Now on with the review or rather one readers opinion of the words that I wrote.

From MikkeyVamp:

". . . I know it has been some time . . . but I promised myself that I would finish your book Never Ceese within two weeks, starting a couple of days before Halloween. I just closed the book and I have enjoyed this story fully. I now understand why you called this story your "baby." It truly was overwhelming, especially in the end when you feel so much emotion for both Cee Cee and Richard. I feel as though I can call her that after the emotional roller-coaster she put me on! lol. I am sorry it has taken so long for me [to finish reading] as we all let life "busy" us too much to take moments to enjoy a quiet read. I have been wanting to send you messages over these two weeks but I said that it would be better to finish and then tell you how wonderful this story truly is! The faith element is what brought me some added peace . . . Sometimes we truly are tested and we have to wrestle alone with God to find out what it is he wants us to do . . . I'm glad for this little divine intervention with your book. I may be singing that little prayer to myself every so often. I do wonder who Penelope's daughter is and is she alive or did she die and is that why Cassie is adopted? I do hope Richard is happy to see his father again and I look forward to reading the next book!!! Of course poor Josh,that Henderson is a real piece of work!! Perhaps also, Rodney and CeeCee will become closer? I wonder so many things now!!! Let me know when the new book is available!! It is a must have and I will be sure to this time to offer myself "time" to enjoy that quiet read...Much more success to you and have a great and Blessed Thanksgiving!!"

Yes, wowsers and thank-you indeed. And all your questions let me know that I in fact did the job I wanted to do with Never Ceese. Those are the EXACT questions you should have and are eager to want to find out the answer to.

Also let me interject that one can write a story that is in fact spiritually uplifting without writing what is called "Faith based" fiction which is in fact targeted fiction for a very "targeted" Christian audience and certainly not designed to appeal to anyone but that "targeted" market. My work is general market work. The only agenda I have is to write a story that LOTS of folks will enjoy. It's comments like the above that let me know I've done just that.

Thank you so much for enjoying Never Ceese Mikkey Vamp!!! Oh and Electric Angel! ;D

Whatever doesn't kill me . . .

Did you know . . . ?

DID YOU KNOW that no site that advertises they have my books, either Never Ceese or Electric Angel or the soon to be released Black Bed Sheet version of Forever Richard, can actually sell my books for less than what my publisher can sell them for? Nor can any site be competitive with the other. They all get the standard discount. If they list the book for less, you will pay the difference in shipping. If they offer free shipping, they will up the price of the book. There's absolutely no benefit to buying my books from anyone other than:

Black Bed Sheet Books

DID YOU KNOW that you will never find an e-book copy of the Black Bed Sheet version of Never Ceese or Electric Angel listed anywhere EXCEPT at Black Bed Sheet Books where you can get a non-Amazon, non-Smashwords KINDLE or a non-B&N Nook? That's right. Amazon, Smashwords and Barnes & Noble ALL allow for the e-books they list to be given away for free through their nifty lending library WITHOUT the publisher's permission. Smashwords does so by allowing B&N to list an e-book if it meets certain easily obtainable requirements. Black Bed Sheet e-books are instantly downloadable and oftentimes filled with nifty extras! ;) And you can also read a sample chapter to make sure it's of the quality you expect before you purchase. So there's no point in looking anywhere other than at:

Black Bed Sheet Books

DID YOU KNOW that no large-chain bookstore, and specifically Barnes & Noble, will order a copy of Never Ceese or Electric Angel for their store even though I've been short-listed for a Bram Stoker Award in one instance and long-listed for a British Fantasy Award in another instance, have had wonderful, resounding reviews from best-selling authors and from some of the best fans in the world? Nope. They won't order any book for their store if a publisher doesn't make their books returnable according to an "industry" standard return policy designed to save failing bookstores during the depression. A return policy that was never designed to work for small publishers and barely works for large publishers anymore. You can order my books through the large bookstores all day long though. However, they don't get any more of a discount than anyone else. So absolutely no reason to buy anywhere else than straight from my publisher at:

Black Bed Sheet Books

DID YOU KNOW that because I have so many readers from one particular targeted market of Christians that I had my books approved by Spring Arbor so those targeted "Christian" bookstores could carry my books as Spring Arbor suggested they would? Didn't work though. Large "Christian" bookstores only order books for their store that they feel doesn't offend their target market. Not only will they not order my books, even though they've been approved, but if someone orders it through them, the book is sent straight to the customers home and the customer has to pay shipping. So I had my books unapproved as I don't play that! Again, just another reason to purchase my books at:

Black Bed Sheet Books

DID YOU KNOW that even if I write something here today that inspires you to go straight to my publisher and order my books and you do so in mass and even in numbers greater than any best-selling author as sold books before, I'll not make the New York Times best-sellers list as that list is compiled only of books that sell to bookstores and not customers? And guess who won't buy my books for their store? That's right, large bookstores and most Independent stores only do so on consignment and in small numbers because they can't afford to do anything else. So PLEASE, for the love of GOD and all that is right and good, or all that is bad and evil whichever is your preference, DO NOT BUY MY BOOKS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN FROM:

Black Bed Sheet Books

DID YOU KNOW that so far I've lost more money than I could ever hope to make back because none of y'all believe the publishing industry is the way I say it is. Can't afford to lose much more. If you don't move fast and buy my damn books you're going to be stuck reading authors such as Meyer and Rowling for the rest of your days. If nothing else that nightmare scenario should spark you into action. At least 75% of the publishing world is made up of Small Published Authors. It stands to reason that this is where some of the best authors are as well. Wouldn't it be neat if you could actually get their books and Small Publishers and authors could actually make money selling them? Think about that when you go to bed at night and happy nightmares.

Leaving for "Lockdown at Bellbrook" Thursday!!

Here's the linkage "Lockdown at Bellbrook" to prove I'll be there along with my friends of RIP Chris Matheny and Kimberly Brouillette. You can check the link to see who else will be in attendance. Much of what is going on this "spooktacular" weekend will be televised--well that should be interesting--for your viewing pleasure.

I of course will be there selling and signing my books, one of the rare opportunities you'll have to actually visit and talk with me and we all know you want to do that!!!!!

Why rare?

Well because no large bookstore will let ANY author in unless they sign on to make their books returnable via a return policy (designed to save bookstores during the depression) that will sink all small publishers eventually and is actually taking its toll on large publishers now. Yes. My books are returnable but not in regards to that insane "industry standard" return policy so not even the local Barnes & Noble in Dayton Ohio will allow me to visit you there. Way to go B&N!! You so RAWK! *Sue wipes sarcasm spittle from mouth with back of hand.*

So Bellbrook is just another effort on my part to "get out there." So come visit and come buy. I'll have my 2007 Bram Stoker short-listed Black Bed Sheet books edition of Never Ceese as well as that "electrifying" Electric Angel.

For the record, even though B&N won't order my books to carry in their store, you can order ALL DAY LONG at Blackbedsheet.goshopper.net (you can order it at ANY bookstore including B&N I'd just prefer if you not order it from those scumbags if you're going to order.) In fact, this is the only place you should buy my books as they can give you the best price AND you can order any of my books in a variety of instantly downloadable e-book formats there as well including but not limited to Kindle and Nook. I don't list my Kindle e-book on Amazon and never will. I don't list my Nook e-books on B&N and never will. Of course that means it will never show up on a "best sellers" list even though it may sell well enough to deserve to be there but HEY, it ain't about the numbers anyway. Or is it?

Enough already! ;D

Come to "Lockdown at Bellbrook" and we can talk there!!!

All for now!

B&N and Amazon Bullies are Fightin' it out!

Check it out for yourself:

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/barnes-noble-dc-comics-kindle-fire,news-12815.html

Classic line from Big Bully Barnes & Noble:

"We will not stock physical books in our stores if we are not offered the available digital format. . . "

Classic "bully" behavior and they keep getting away with it. What next? Are they going to ask and get a government bailout when their bullying ways finally, and very soon, send them down the proverbial road Border's just went down because Large publishers aren't going to lift a finger to help bookstores the way they did during the depression.

You reap what you sow and Amazon isn't any better when it comes to the publishing industry. Exclusivity isn't the answer and neither is it part of the problem. It IS the problem. DC comics - "What are you doing?" UGH! Did we learn nothing from the IBM personal computer era?

"Industry Standard" Return Policy Blues.

Have you ever wondered why large chain bookstores have sooooo many books by large published authors and not so many from any other publisher?

There's a very simple answer.

In the beginning there was no such thing as a small publisher. It took a LOT of money to produce a book and to produce just one didn't make sense. Therefore, (yes, in the beginning) large publishers printed out TONS of books and counted on bookstores to help them stock the excess inventory. The "industry standard" return policy put in place during the depression, first by Simon & Schuster and then the other publishers to keep bookstores from going under, had bookstores purchasing those books and then not charging to have them sent back. In fact, large publishers didn't care if they ever saw the book again.

Jump into the present now. It's no longer necessary to print TONS of books at a time to save on printing cost. The "Industry Standard" Return Policy for SURE doesn't work anymore, not even for the "big dog" publishers who created it. It does still work to get ALL of their authors on the New York Times best sellers list though as this is determined by book sales to "bookstores." But not even large publishers can afford to print that many books at a time and survive which is why large chain bookstores are going under (I suppose I should add, "in my opinion.")

Since printing on demand is now feasible and certainly the way to go, it would certainly make sense to "invent" a new "Industry Standard" Return Policy and put it in place. Until that happens large bookstores will only ever be havens for books put out by large publishers--until they go under the same way Borders did (again, in my opinion.)

Barnes & Nobles is one large chain bookstore I know of that no longer purchases ANY books from any publisher that doesn't sign on to that antiquated "Industry Standard" return policy. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the very publishers that created that "return" policy during the depression to save bookstores seem quite content to throw the same bookstores under the train now.

I think now is the time for Independent bookstores to rise to the occasion. There needs to be a return policy between publisher and bookstores that works better than "on consignment." Perhaps just changing the "Industry Standard" Return Policy up a bit would be best. The biggest problem I can see with the return policy as it stands is that it's anybody's guess where the "returned from the bookstore" books go. Small publishers rarely if ever see their returned books again. My guess is that since bookstores aren't required to send books back to the publisher they shuffle them of to wholesalers who dabble in "returned from the bookstore" books otherwise where would Books-A-Million be getting all of their stock since they only purchase from wholesalers who sell such books.

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."

# # #

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.****

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.

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!!