Never too early to start pimping!

Keep in mind that this is not the "official" cover AND I'll not divulge the official title to keep some other author from hmm . . . taking advantage of all the hard work I do getting my work out there. Last title was taken. Yeah. Like every author doesn't "google" a title before they decide on one. Good one, author! I wish you well. If you want this title, you'll have to wait until AFTER the fact.

A video I made dedicated to "large" publishers. ;)

Actually, I just wanted to use some photos I had done at my last photo shoot with Jim Sorfleet of SnS-photo.com and this was a neat way to do it. ;)

British Fantasy Society's review of Forever Richard

Since the original review pointed to an edition of Forever Richard that is no longer available, (or at least wouldn't be if Book Masters hadn't dumped books belonging to my publisher to "returned from the bookstore" vendors), the BFS has kindly updated the book information on Maryann Boo's fabulous review. This is wonderful news considering all that is corrupt in the publishing industry. Thanks Book Master's, you so RAWK! I thought it was under handed for you to send signed and dated returned-from-the-book-store books to me as NEW!!!! I never dreamed you'd be as underhanded as to actually sell returned from the bookstore books to second hand vendors as opposed to returning them to a publishers stock as you say you do. At any rate, here's the awesome review. Just click the logo below. Love me some Maryann! ;D

Forever Richard finally here . . . AGAIN!

It is my pleasure to bring to you the re-published and re-vamped, Black Bed Sheet Books Edition of my 2009 British Fantasy Society long-listed, (hey, it meant something to me) 2009 Pluto Award short-listed Forever Richard. My Thirsting for Blood Series is now officially under one publisher and a damn good publisher at that. Any copy of Forever Richard that you see for sale out there with any ISBN other than: 9780976994770 is stolen and I don't make any money off of it. Book Masters, my second publisher's distributor states they send all "returned-from-the-bookstore" books back to the publisher. When my publisher left Book Masters they were supposedly sent all these books and actually had to pay for them. But apparently Book Masters lies as some of these books (many in fact) are still showing up for sale as new. The rights reverted back to me and I can guarantee you that I've not republished that version of the book. Just the same old same old. Distributors stealing because they can get away with it.

But enough of that!

Go straight away to www.blackbedsheet.goshopper.net and get you the only legitimate copy of Forever Richard out there!!!! Just in time for Christmas!!! Also, as soon as I get my copies I'll offer signed copies from my site. ;)

The Mini-Hearse is ready to roll again!!!

The Mini-Hearse is ready to roll again! This time to "Bellbrook on Lockdown" to finally meet up with my good friends Chris Matheny and Kimberly Brouillette of RIP!!! Y'all come. But if you can't, don't tell me why you couldn't. LOL I'll see you if I see you. ;)



Headed out tomorrow. If y'all see me on the road . . . show me your V-fangs-V!!!! ;D

"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."

# # #

A "leetle" about Sue Dent.

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!

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!

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!

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! ;)

Once upon a time, on a Social Network far, far away . . .

Okay, so maybe not far, far away . . . LOL Yet round about when Never Ceese started to appeal to readers of a market I NEVER IMAGINED would like my work, I began looking for ways to get to where they shopped. I found Shoutlife.com and after being more or less banned from similar sites or being creeped out because "Jesus" friended me (seriously!) I sort felt like I was wasting my time.



Then I found Shoutlife and their response to my joining was to put me up as a featured author and make me Staff Pick. Well, well, well . . . GUESS WHAT? I sort of stopped hanging out there because I was soooooo busy writing and I can only handle so many Social Networks at a time. I just popped back in to began pimping Electric Angel and . . . wait for it . . . I am currently the Staff Pick on the Author's page AGAIN and currently number eight on their list of authors!!!



Here's the link to the page where they list their featured authors: Shoutlife.com



Yes you'll have to join to see it but it is free AND I promise you that Jesus won't attempt to add you to his page . . . well maybe he won't. LOL It's a pretty laid back and accepting site. Family friendly is their motto. So anyway, thought I'd share.

Mainstream Christian Fiction?

Why can't the "evangelical" publishing houses come up with a name? EGADS! They came out of the gate in 1950 abusing the label "Christian" fiction when the work they put out (according to their own words) was "targeted" fiction for their store visitors ONLY (the then Baptist Bookstores and now Lifeway, Mardel's etc . . .) and not fiction that would appeal to ALL readers who fit under the umbrella Christian. Even today they mark their demographic as evangelicals and SOME Catholics. Not sure what that is about. Weird huh?





The label seems to be mutating now into ALL kinds of different things to thoroughly confuse anyone who is interested. Here are some examples:



Edgy Christian Fiction

Mainstream Christian Fiction

Family Friendly Fiction



and the list goes on and on and on with new ones popping up every day.



What's wrong with just picking a name and sticking with it? Can you imagine if Harlequin had the same problem? LOL We might be seeing markets like:



Mainstream Romance Almost

Scripted Romance

The First Kiss Always Happens on Page 32 Romance

Romance You Don't Have to Predict So You Can Enjoy the Story



But Harlequin doesn't have this problem. Their branding says it all. They have a HUGE readership and will keep it because some folk LOVE that style of writing. Take note "evangelical" publishers. PLEASE! You're driving me crazy.



And for the record, if C. S. Lewis actually started his writing career today, no Christian publisher would take him but of course he would soar in the general market as that's the market he wrote for. I suspect he'd be as ardently against such publishers being wishy-washy about their branding as I am. I suspect he'd be more like William P. Young in telling them to buzz off once they actually came to him after turning him down BEFORE his "own" marketing efforts garnished him a significant number of sales.

Get them directly from the author!

About this time, if one were with a large publisher, large chain bookstores would be receiving the customary onslaught of books that would push said title to the top of the New York Times Best sellers list without ONE person buying the book (just from what bookstores buy because you can't accurately track sales through a register.) I know, right?



The display above is hardly representative of the number of books large publishers will DUMP into ALL their large bookstores just to get those numbers. Not long after that the books they sent (and in most cases never even taken out of the box)are sold to wholesalers who dabble in "returned from the bookstore" books, wholesalers that sell to stores like Books-A-Million.



This is a sad scenario that plays out every day in the publishing world. Regular Joe authors are adored and held on a pedestal due to their ability to write so fantastically that they made it to the New York Times Best Sellers List. Small publishers don't have that set-up with bookstores so there's no way they can even compete on this level of . . . well . . . I like to call it deceit. Needless to say, you won't find this authors books flooding into large bookstore chains because large bookstores don't operate like this with small publishers. In fact, they never see their returned-from-the-bookstore books to even benefit from selling them to wholesalers.



What you see above is MY STOCK of Electric Angel, all fifty that I've ordered so far. As much as I could afford. Three are gone out for review and what you see are ready to sell. You buy it from clicking the book cover on your left and it will be sent out straight away. I'm going to take a picture every few days to show you how many have gone out. I won't restock until most of these are gone because . . . well . . . I can't afford to. The price is retail $12.98 but that includes shipping. Also it is only for those in the US.



Yes you can order Electric Angel anywhere books are sold. But this way you get one signed if you like that and you get the assurance that it will arrive quickly. That's my warehouse right there at the top of the screen. LOL

B&N on-line beats Amazon!

Well they all get the information about the same time so I think it's worth celebrating who lists what first. LOL So here's the link:

Click here to buy Electric Angel at Barnes & Nobel.

"But," you say, "Sue I thought you detest B&N. Now you tell us to go purchase the book there." I detest the way they discriminate against any publisher that doesn't sign on to that ludicrous "industry standard" return policy by not ordering a book for their shelf if a publisher decides to NOT participate (thus insuring their survival.)



You still won't EVER find ANY of my books on their shelf because I've asked my publisher to save himself and make ALL my books non-returnable. But you can order ALL day long and B&N has to get it for you. ;) So do it and enjoy Electric Angel! It's a great book.



You won't see a nook version for sale on B&N though. You'll have to go to Black Bed Sheet Books for that. Otherwise B&N will make your nook lendable (or rather gives YOUR work away for free without asking) and makes your nook returnable (also without asking. What is that about?!!!!)