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*

Amazon Author Page

As many know, Amazon allows those who have books listed on Amazon (which is everybody and anybody without discretion) to have an Author Page. They also allow for blog posts from outside blogs to show up on that page. I often take advantage of this to let potential buyers know that they'll get the better price and correct information about any of my books via my publisher and not Amazon.

Amazon isn't a distributor, they don't get information from the publisher and they don't worry about whether the book they're listing is something they can legally list or not. But then, they don't have to because technically they're not a distributor.

What Amazon does (in relation to selling published books) is to merely list the data dump of books with official ISBN's that they receive on a regular basis. It's a quite an ineffective method to say the least. Currently Amazon has for sale by Amazon two of my books that they can't even legally list yet they won't remove them. Other sellers can of course sell them but not Amazon. They pretty much operate above the law most of the time. 

For every publisher who is forced to use "distributors" such as Ingram's Lightning Source or Amazon's Create Space, because they don't and never will qualify to use Ingram and Baker & Taylor or Heaven forbid Bookmasters, selling directly to the buying public is their best bet. The publisher can even offer deeper discounts than ALL the on-line retailers. And of course they can offer better prices than Brick & Mortar stores because . . . well . . . unless you're using the big distributors one doesn't get into Brick & Mortar stores, at least not if you choose not to use an "industry" standard return policy set up to only work for publishers who have distribution through the larger distributors. 

So yes, visit my publishers site and visit SueDent.net to learn more. Hopefully soon it will all come out in the wash!!! Won't that be grand!

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!

I SAID Interview up!!!

LOL Aw, I know it's early but do go check out my answers to Lena Nelson Dooley's interview questions. This is a very popular blog among those who enjoy the fiction put out by publishers who serve that very targeted demographic of Christians that I don't write for but appeal to.



Here's the link: Lena Nelson Dooley's Blog



Lena is one of the few bloggers who humor authors who come through general market publishers so let her know y'all appreciate it. I do because it's one of the RARE opportunities I have to reach those readers as most of the venues won't even list work from authors who don't write targeted fiction much less talk about them AND let them speak their mind!



Lena rawks!



Now go let her know it. ;)



You're incentive . . . you could win a copy of Electric Angel from just posting.

This just in from INGRAM!

Received this via Ingram because I've got an edition of Never Ceese published through Lightning Source. Oh do read on:

August 19, 2011

Dear Publisher:



Earlier this week Microsoft announced the discontinuation of the Microsoft Reader effective August 30, 2012. This includes download access of the Microsoft Reader application. Users can continue to use the Microsoft Reader application and their .lit eBooks after full discontinuation on August 30, 2012. Ingram and Microsoft will continue to provide technical support until July 10, 2012.

At Microsoft's request, Ingram will cease making .lit eBooks available for initial download on November 8, 2011. Users will still be able to re-download .lit eBooks from original links through August 20, 2012, but no new purchases can be made after November 7, 2011 (US).

If .lit is the only format currently submitted to Ingram, we recommended replacing those files with industry standard EPUBs (http://idpf.org/epub) or PDF's.

For questions or more information, please contact your Account Manager.

Sincerely,



Ingram Content Group

What does this mean? It means you should go straight away to Black Bed Sheet Books to buy ALL your ebooks because they WON'T stop offering .lit format. Many folks still use MicroSoft Reader and will for quite some time. Here's a bigger question: if ebooks are in such demand, why is microsoft getting out of the ebook business? Because e-books aren't in big demand. Amazon and Barnes & Noble and Apple just want you to think that so you'll buy their "exclusive" reader. All of Black Bed Sheet Books e-books are DRM free. No exclusivity here. ;)



Oh, the link: http://blackbedsheet.goshopper.net/



And to reply on this claim: "At Microsoft's request, Ingram will cease making .lit eBooks available . . . " More like, Ingram decided all by themselves to do this. Why would Microsoft care? They don't. But it's a nice spin that keeps Ingram from looking bad I guess.



Oh and notice how INGRAM came right out and said the "industry" standard was EPUB or PDF. Oh, I'm laughing my butt off at that. *sniff, sniff* I smell "big dog" publishers marking their territory. Hear that Amazon. MOBI isn't the "industry" standard according to Ingram. You better go set them straight. LOLROFL Oh, I love starting things.



Hey Ingram, did you know that the New York Times Best Selling e-book statistics are pulled from AMAZON Kindles ONLY!!! So much for your idea of what "industry standard" is and so much for anyone who chooses NOT to publish a Kindle through Amazon (because they take returns on ebooks and offer ebooks published through them out for free without the publisher's permission) ever making that list. RACKET!!!!

Just to show you how screwed up it all is.

I found this on the Smashwords site after my book was approved for premium distribution. What a bunch of bull. Here's what it said:

NOTE: Per the rules of the International ISBN agency, you CANNOT use the same ISBN for your print book as you do for your ebook. Bowker and the Int'l ISBN agency say each ebook format should have it's own unique ISBN, so if you previously attached an ISBN to your PDF or Kindle version, you should assign a new one to your EPUB version here. If our retail partners or Bowker (the U.S. ISBN registrar) report back to Smashwords that you have supplied us an already-issued ISBN associated with a different book, your book may be pulled from the Premium Catalog. If you supply us your own ISBN, it is your responsibility to register this ISBN with your country's ISBN registrar.

There's nothing accurate about this. Not one thing. All it stands to do is confuse anyone new to publishing. It doesn't matter one bit what Bowker wants. NOT ONE BIT! Amazon doesn't require a ISBN for any kindle you do through them and in fact could care less if you use one. They assign their own funky number and it ain't no ISBN. Bowker doesn't touch them because it doesn't matter. Smashwords will give you a free one but then says it doesn't mean anything. So why worry with it? Each e-book format should not and does not need a separate ISBN. It's the same damn book. Just thought I drop that out there.

FamilyFiction.com? Why are ANY of my books listed here.

*Also and this is a big also, FamilyFiction.com is associated with if not run by the same folks who treat authors like me like the scum of the earth and were the ones responsible for this blog post I made Sue Dent Unprofessional. You wouldn't list me then. You better dang well not list me now. Or if you do, then list the right books. Forever Richard isn't even in print anymore. AND I'm the publisher of the copy of Never Ceese they're posting and they didn't even bother to contact me. Sorry. No can do. Take it down.*

First of all here's the link so you can see for yourself. FamilyFiction.Com Now here's the scoop!

What? What? What?

I don't support sites that discriminate based on denomination. And this site won't even list books unless they're written specifically for an "evangelical" audience. I was told when I first inquired about sites "like" this that I'd, at the very least, have to have my books approved by Ingram's "evangelical" arm Spring Arbor. I was then told, after both of my books were approved that my I'd have to have a targeted publisher. EGADS!!!

After I heard this I pulled both Never Ceese and Forever Richard out Spring Arbor Distribution as it was a worthless venture on all counts even if it was free. So now this sites and sites like it are listing my books. AND THEY CAN'T EVEN ORDER THEM because neither is available through Spring Arbor anymore. Not only that, Forever Richard is out of print AND they have the wrong cover posted.

Say it once, say it twice, say it three times, I don't support sites that openly discriminate. If you want to list my books then that's fine. But get the information correct and list the books that are currently selling. Again I DO NOT write for this market. Sites like this list my books without even asking AND they don't even list the right ones. For the love of God, if you're not going to help somebody out at least don't drag them down with you. Either list the correct books or don't list them at all. This is your first warning.

Yay! Another question from a writer. ;D

Sorry fans, another blog for aspiring and published authors. Booooring for you I know. Will get something exciting for you up soon. ;D

A question from an author.

I do have one question, right off the bat, pertaining to Lightning Source: I've noticed that when I receive shipments of my books, the box always says Lightning Source on the outer label, and yet I am currently through WestBow. What is the connection there? Can I go directly through Lightning Source? Is WestBow a "middle man?"

West Bow is Thomas Nelson's POD. This actually means nothing other than Thomas Nelson decided to attempt to make a little money off those authors they won't publish traditionally (which means anyone who doesn't write targeted Christian fiction.) As a side note, I find it humorous that they infer an authors work will show up in Christian Bookstores. I wonder if it's accidental that they don't mention West Bow books aren't anymore likely to show up in Brick & Mortar Christian bookstores than if the author would've chosen Iuniverse (B&N's POD) or Create Space (Amazon's POD) or have gone straight through LSI (Ingram's POD)

Oh, the question. If you are with West Bow and the box your books come to you in say LSI then there is only one conclusion to draw. West Bow, Thomas Nelson's POD is using LSI Ingram's POD to print and distribute their books. By doing this your book shows up in Ingram's catalog (as a POD of course) AND I'm assuming West Bow also has your book approved for distribution to the Christian market through Spring Arbor thus supporting the idea that your book will show up in Christian bookstores.

So yes, West Bow is a middle man. You could go to LSI yourself and do everything they can do and probably for a lot less. And if anyone from West Bow or Ingram or LSI wants to chime in, well, you can forget about it. The author asked me. ;D

When Will Reign of Terror End

I was emailing another Christian book site that just went up, attempting to determine if this site would be any different than the other 50 million "Christian" book sites that are out there. The response I got in return was this: ". . .we're just working as hard as possible to get as much book and author content on the site as possible. To this end, we've started with CBA authors . . . "

Guess the answer to my question is "yes, it will be JUST like the other 50 million "Christian" book sites out there." Which means seeing more heavily targeted fiction advertised as appealing to all Christians and not just denominationally targeted readers. And to the exclusion of any publisher who doesn't write for that targeted, exclusive market. These sites don't even make an effort to find fiction that appeals to more than just the targeted, exclusive audience CBA and ECPA serve.

Why?

Because one actually has to read the book to find these. They're broken up into genre and are mixed in with all the other general market books. You know, like C. S. Lewis and Tolkien etc . . . Actually these sites could automatically list books that have been approved by Ingram/Spring Arbor for distribution to the Christian market but they don't even do that. Won't even try. They simply go straight for CBA and ECPA affiliation and list those books straight away and usually ONLY. Most are getting a little wiser and throwing in a few books from targeted publishers who aren't affiliated which is ridiculous when all they have to do as a start is to list the books Spring Arbor approves.

When will this reign of terror end indeed?

The above response I received was from Family Fiction when I queried them wondering why they went straight to affiliated publishers for their Christian books. *Sue shakes head disappointed.*

Ingram's Spring Arbor

****** Please note that when I first drafted this blog I linked Tom Pigott to a Publisher's weekly article that placed him as the original owner of Spring Arbor before it was bought up by Ingram. As it happens that link is no more. Hmmmm . . . . Publishers Weekly articles rarely just disappear but I'm off to investigate and find it again. ;)

Okay found another link but the name is now Richard Pigott which I believe is Tom's father and this isn't the article I initially pointed to. Going to keep looking for that.

Yep. The article is no more. The original line from the article read as copied:

. . .(his father, Tom [Pigott], sold Spring Arbor to Ingram in 1997).

So yes, it's difficult to provide information when the articles you point to keep getting pulled.
******

What's going on with Spring Arbor anyway? I'm fairly certain that when Ingram purchased Spring Arbor from Tom Pigott in 1997 they didn't plan on pursuing the exact same closed, denominationally discriminative targeted market CBA was set up to serve in 1950 (and then ECPA (a group of CBA publishers) organized in the seventies) but it seems CBA member bookstores plans to make them tow the line, if you will. Because even though Ingram/Spring Arbor approves books by authors whose publishers don't belong to the fee-based Christian Booksellers (trade) Association and who don't write within restrictive guidelines to appeal to visitors of the once aptly named Baptist Bookstores,

member bookstores continue to reject books not from fee-paying member publishers.

It would seem then that CBA still runs the show. There are tons of marketing options for CBA member publishers and authors through Ingram's Spring Arbor yet NOTHING for all the "other" authors Spring Arbor approves for distribution to the Christian market.

You have to be a fee-paying member to take advantage.

So is Spring Arbor still owned by CBA or what?

Of course they are!

Doesn't matter if your book is approved by Ingram's Spring Arbor if you don't pay CBA their fee and write targeted fiction for a very denominational group of readers, then you still don't get into member Christian Bookstores. That in itself is no big deal when you understand that member Christian bookstores are ONLY for CBA and ECPA approved books.

As an author, the goal is to have a presence in any bookstore where readers show an interest in your work. I submitted both of my books for approval by Ingram's Spring Arbor after having many readers from CBA's closed market enjoy my story. Both stories were approved but NO member Christian Bookstore would let me in to do signings or even allow me to place a few books in stores where I knew customers were. And the reason given was that I needed a member publisher to have published my book. But I'd already contacted member publishers and they all told me my work didn't fit their denominationally discriminative guidelines.

So how is it that CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers can freely place their books in general market bookstores (not ABA bookstores as CBAer's refer to them) but can discriminate and keep non-affiliated Spring Arbor approved Christian authors completely out of their stores? They never planned on letting any book into their stores unless it was from a fee-paying CBA member. They got you Ingram!

Keep in mind, Christian is a broad term not one that marks a particular denomination. If a bookstore doesn't represent what all Christians want to see then the bookstore should be aptly renamed. No one accidentally walks into a LDS Christian bookstore without knowing where they are or a Catholic bookstore. CBA member bookstores used to be called Baptist bookstores. It is my opinion they should go back to that.

I've since asked to have Never Ceese unapproved for distribution to the Christian market. As you can guess it made no difference because approval to Spring Arbor means nothing for anyone not even for CBA affiliated authors.

Do remember and keep in mind also that Ingram/Spring Arbor has a vested interest in CBA. Why they're a fee-paying member. No there's no bias there whatsoever. Good Lord!

The kind of review that just makes you go--WoW!

*Note: I believe Flo is using CBC in connection with CBA. The acronyms are confusing. And actually I'm talking about CBA Christian Booksellers Association and not CBA Catholic Bible Association. HA!*

See. I know there is a God when I get reviews dropped in my in-box that read like this one. Not that I ever doubted HE exist. Not that I'll ever doubt it. ;) But oh my LORD what a thing to hear this morning. LOVE YOU FLO!!! Do read on:

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I just finished "Never Ceese" for the second time. I so enjoyed it this time. I don't know if you experience this, but sometimes if I read one author or one style for a long time, then switch to another, it doesn't sit with me well. Honestly, that's what happened to me the first time around. But this time, it was awesome.

I was reading your blog and noticed that you were getting ripped off by publishers, and I have to say, with great remorse, I bought both books, Never Ceese and Forever Richard off Amazon. I am so sorry that you did not get the benefit.

I was curious as to why CBC is at odds with you, you seemed to indicate it's due to "denominational" differences. Honestly, I'm surprised as I see them publishing many writers I wouldn't think of having in my house. I thought they seemed pretty loose in their "denominationalism". I am not overly impressed with much of the fiction that comes from them. I quit the "Left Behind" series, because I got to the point where I was pleading for the return of Jesus to put us out of the misery of the abysmal writing. (Much as I plead for the return of Jesus in real life to put us out of the misery of this abysmal world.) I went through my prairie reading days, but got sick of traveling across America over and over again, women getting pregnant, dying, babies dying, unmarked graves blah blah blah ad nauseum.

Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to author and do some really creative work. And thanks for keeping vamps and werewolves evil ... I am finding that even vampires just "have a disease" now (cough, twilight, cough, cough), the world is even trying to deny the evil of our fictional creatures. yikes!!!

Have a great day.

Flo

If Flo isn't a writer she should be one!!! I absolutely loved this line from her review:

I quit the "Left Behind" series, because I got to the point where I was pleading for the return of Jesus to put us out of the misery of the abysmal writing. (Much as I plead for the return of Jesus in real life to put us out of the misery of this abysmal world.)

ROFL Exactly! All affiliated publishers such as Thomas Nelson, Waterbrook/Multnomah and even some non-affiliated houses who use the label "Christian Fiction" to define their work write for a highly targeted niche market of Christians and not general market readers at all. It's a very real problem for those of us authors who are also Christians, but write for a broader market of Christians. If we use the label Christian in any context we're thrown in with this CBA niche market of watered down denominationl writing. Sad, sad, sad. *Sue dries her eyes and moves on.*

But do pay attention to what Flo wrote here:

Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to author and do some really creative work. And thanks for keeping vamps and werewolves evil ... I am finding that even vampires just "have a disease" now (cough, twilight, cough, cough), the world is even trying to deny the evil of our fictional creatures. yikes!!!

I bolded the significant points. ;D 

Flo you are wonderful! Absolutely wonderful. I'm not even sure you know how wonderful you are but you made my um . . . year!

Independent Distributors

Morsel for today about distributors or wholesalers depending on what the particular company wants to call themselves.

From a site that boast a list of Independent distributors:

Note: No distributor listed below is likely to take on distribution of a single POD (printed-on-demand) book. POD does not lend itself to distribution via distributors, except in the case of backlist books that are being kept in print only via POD. Frontlist books, which are the books that most benefit from distribution by a distributor, need to be produced in sufficient quantity to merit the sales efforts of one of these distributors.

And what are Frontlist books. Here's the clearest definition I could find:

"There are two publishing seasons each year: Spring (January to June) and Fall (July to December). Publishers who issue catalogs used to do so twice a year to match the publishing seasons. The new titles were listed in front of the catalog--hence the name. Older books were listed in the rear of the catalog--hence the name "backlist." . . . This can vary from house to house, but it usually refers to a title that is less than one year old. "Backlist," therefore means a book that has been in print for at least one year."

No distributor listed below [at this link] is likely to take on distribution of a single POD (printed-on-demand) book? Really? And yet distributors such as BookMasters are listed and they pretty much distribute POD books--POD books they themselves print. I suppose the wording "is likely" gives the right for POD distributors such as BookMasters to be listed. And so small publishers flock to BookMasters because they can afford this [so they think until they reap the benefits of fee after fee after fee that ultimately sink any small and POD publisher before they even get out of the gate.

Atlas books of which Book Masters is a division, does have an arm for large publishers. It's BDS another division of Atlas Books Yet if you qualify for distribution through BDS you probably won't have any trouble getting "hooked up" with either Ingram or Baker & Taylor for distribution. So why waste your time and money getting "hooked up" with a smaller wholesaler who most likely charges the same and can only offer less benefits as Ingram or Baker & Taylor who are the top two wholesalers that bookstores buy from. And no, I'm not advocating "hooking up" with Ingram or Baker & Taylor as they are the two wholesalers who are facilitating the bookstores ludicrous return policy that kills all POD and small presses that seek distribution.

I suppose I'm just saying to call a duck a duck. It is not relevant to refer to a distributor simply as distributor any more than it is relevant to call a title "Christian" when it is written for a very specific denominational market.

Speaking of Christian, STL is also on the list of distributors. Yes, they are a distributor but the bookstores they primarily shop their customers book to are "Christian" bookstores which actually only provide books for the conservative evangelical fundamentalist Christian. And most of those stores only take books that are CBA approved and already [and automatically] have distribution through Ingram's denominationally exclusive Spring Arbor or rather, as Ingram puts it, their fundamentalists arm. If you want your book in "Christian" bookstore then you need to bite the bullet and sign up with CBA. Ingram provides this denominational branch their OWN distribution. No need to waste your money on distributors who claim to serve the "Christian" market. Rest assured they will take your money.

Okay, that's enough for now. ;)

Off to work on Electric Angel!!

And one wonders why small publishers don't make it.

More fodder for my book on publishing.

Click here to read excerpt in its entirety.

Consider the advance system, whereby a publisher pays an author a nonreturnable up-front fee for a book. If the book doesn't "earn out," in the industry parlance, the publisher simply eats the cost.

In my case, as in many cases, my book never "earned out." The slim advance was all I ever got. Royalties don't come until a book "earns out."

Another example: publishers sell books to bookstores on a consignment system, which means the stores can return unsold books to publishers for a full refund. Publishers suck up the shipping costs both ways, plus the expense of printing and then pulping the merchandise. "They print way more than they know they can sell, to kind of create a buzz, and then they end up taking half those books back," says Sara Nelson, editor in chief of PW. These systems were created to shift risk away from authors and bookstores and onto publishers. But risk is something the publishing industry is less and less able to bear.

The reality is that publishers don't sell books to bookstores, bookstores buy from wholesalers. Publishers sell to wholesalers or distributors. Small pubs use distributors mostly because it's all they can afford. The relationship with wholesalers and bookstores goes back to that "depression" model when wholesalers (or at that time publishers I guess) allowed bookstores to return unsold books whenever they wanted to-however they wanted to so that bookstores could survive.

Also, the only ones printing way more than they can sell, to create a buzz as with Meyer, Rowling, King and sooooo many others, are your tried and true mainstream publishers who can certainly afford to do this and survive the insane return policy started in the depression by (wait for it) THEM!!

If the return policy is in such need of change so that the thousands upon thousands of small publishers can survive then why isn't it "fixed" to address the small publisher?

If you were one of those large publishers and the competition was nipping at your heels, producing quality fiction beyond even their wildest dreams, would you push for wholesalers to change things? And just because one wholesaler changes the way they supply books to bookstores, there's no guarantee the others will follow suit, or in this instance Ingram or Baker & Taylor. Bookstores sure as hell aren't going to change things, the larger ones are living la vida loco.

Okay that's enough until the book which will only happen if enough of you tell me you're interested. ;)

See, I'm that little guy. If I put something out there, I do so knowing that it doesn't stand a chance of getting in front of anyone other than those five or six who follow my blog. So few books that I actually lose money I never had attempting to sell it because that's how the industry operates right now. So yes, an interest expressed will help me decide whether I go any further with this book idea surrounding the publishing industry-past and present: from a small publishers POV.

Information I'll include in my book for those who want to be published.

Well, well, well. When I find something like this while "googleing" it makes me feel as though I were panning for gold and found it. My book on publishing will be a resource for information such as this. Click on the excerpt to go to the site where so much is explained:

What's the deal with returns?

Back in the Depression, when bookstores were going under right and left, publishers realized they had to do something radical to keep booksellers in business. They came up with the idea of returns—a system whereby any bookseller may return any book, with little regard for how long the book was kept or what condition it was in. No one told the book business the Depression ended 70 years ago. We still have a system that—not to put too fine a point on it—sucks. Few other industries operate on what amounts to a giant consignment scheme.

Myself and a few of my friends would like to change the last word in this excerpt to SCAM and not scheme.

This site also explains about "hurt" books or books returned from bookstores. LSI, my current POD publisher states in their operation PDF that your "hurt" book will be returned to you. However, when you ask why you are never given this option, LSI explains that it's because they destroy your "hurt" book and send you a new one for $2.00 waiving the printing fee.

Apparently POD presses like LSI and LSI themselves have decided that it isn't prudent to follow what it written in their own operations manual. They claim the wording just needs to be changed and why wouldn't someone want a new book anyway for just $2.00. Well, because that's one way a publisher can recoup some of their loss? DUH!

If anyone knows of a distributor who will actually make sure you get your "hurt" book back, I'd love to know about them. ;)

Ingram/Spring Arbor calls it . . . Marketing?

I've heard misleading called a lot of things before and I suppose I've heard it called marketing as well so good on you Ingram for taking hold of that tried and true tradition of misleading until you're called on it. Perhaps you should ask eHarmony how that worked out for them.

Why would I bring eHarmony up? Why because Spring Arbor is the distributor for the same group--conservative evangelicals or rather Fundamentalists as Ingram calls them. Yes. I finally heard it straight from Ingram this very day. Even though Spring Arbor will approve books from a Christian publisher who doesn't pay to belong to the very targeted and denominationally discriminative CBA, the non-affiliated publisher benefits in no way whatsoever. Okay. That's inaccurate. If your book is approved by Spring Arbor a Fundamentalist Christian Bookstore can order if someone ask for it.

Rest assured then, that if a Christian Bookstore exists, it is a Fundamentalist Conservative Evangelical bookstore and can only pull books from Spring Arbor who by Ingram's own admission is their Fundamentalist Christian arm which they happily call the Official Christian Market without batting an eye because well ... that's just good marketing.

Yeah. And eHarmony.com was just a dating website . . . that didn't allow same-sex dating until somebody sued them . . . and won.

Yes. It's all fun and games until someone gets sued. HA! So, just to keep it straight, according to Ingram all Christian titles that don't appeal to the Fundamentalist can just wing it while fee-based, denominationally discriminating CBA gets to claim the title Official Christian Market.

Marketing at it's best!!!

Thanks Ingram for showing us how it's done. Based on this information I will now pull both of my books from Spring Arbor as I was not aware that Spring Arbor wasn't actually who they said they were. They justified this by saying, "it's free to join." LOLROFL I suppose the most disturbing comment made was "there's nothing wrong with providing a market for the fundamentalist Christian publisher." Buddy, there's everything wrong with it when you don't state this up front.

So in a bit you won't be able to order my books from ANY Christian bookstore. However denominationally discriminating CBA publishers can go anywhere they like.

And that my friends, according to Ingram is Marketing!

And they get away with it.

And yes. I'll shut up about Spring Arbor now but I will never refer to them as simply Spring Arbor ever again. They are officially Ingram's Christian Fundamentalist arm.

Good day.

Yes. This is for aspiring authors/publishers.

Aspiring authors and publishers interested in learning ALL about the Christian market so they don't get burned, that is.

Not that long ago a poster on one of my blogs called me on supposedly saying that CBA actually sold Spring Arbor to Ingram claiming that this broad statement was inaccurate. Fair enough. I do my homework. So here's the skinny pulled from a VERY interesting article I found on PW. Well, it's interesting if you understand anything about the "Christian" market:

. . .(his father, Tom [Pigott], sold Spring Arbor to Ingram in 1997).

Sorry. I know nothing else about why this transaction happened or why CBA ever thought Ingram wouldn't approve books that didn't come through a CBA affiliated publisher (or rather a publisher who doesn't pay CBA a fee so they can actually show up inside a larger Christian Bookstore and who is bound to write for a particular and specific audience of Christians and not the broader audience.)

I do know that Spring Arbor approval means nothing in the entire scheme of things. Larger Christian bookstores still only allow affiliated publishers into their bookstores both on-line and Brick and Mortar with the only non-affiliated Christian authors getting in if they sell a lot of books on their own and the theme is close enough to consider acceptable. You know, like The Shack.

I also know that Spring Arbor can't MAKE larger Christian bookstores carry books approved by Spring Arbor so what's the point of seeking Spring Arbor approval?

Also, on an interesting note, today I called Spring Arbor to ask if there were any marketing programs they offered approved authors and was told that no, they weren't aware of any but they'd check and call me back.

The next thing I get is an e-mail from Lightning Source [my POD publisher] that tells me LSI is aware I called a buyer at Spring Arbor [incaccurate. I called a marketing representative] to discuss having a book approved for the CBA market [inaccurate. I'm not stupid enough to ask for something that can't be done.] LSI then told me to contact them with further questions regarding matters such as this?

I'm pretty sure I won't be calling LSI with questions about Spring Arbor! LOL

The above story of today's experience is merely indicative of how much of a hold one fee-based, denominationally restricted affiliation has on an entire market.

To quote a line from a famous movie:

"There is no Dana. Only Zuul." Ghostbusters

or rather

"There is no Spring Arbor. Only CBA."

A most humbling review and recent!

A most humbling review and recent. If only those who should see it would see it but the chances of that are slim to nil. So for those of you who do read it be sure and pass it on. And for those who don't know Mr. Jon Guenther, hop over to his website at www.guenfire.com and check him out. He's written many novels and sold worldwide in large numbers. I can only hope to one day write as well as he does and to have my work sell as well as his does. Here's an excerpt from his Amazon review of Never Ceese click on it to read the review in it's entirety.

". . .In a manner eerily reminiscent of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but laced with a style that need make no apologies for its freshness, Sue Dent takes us on a grand tale of Richard the vampire and Ceese the werewolf . . ."

If you not read Jon Guenther's Soul Runner, your missing something fantastic!

What being flagged for the Christian market means.

******Repost for my non-affiliated Christian author friends. Boring to anyone else***

I try to provide information to new authors as I go through things myself. One thing I'm able to share now is just what being flagged for the Christian market means.

Some facts:

* Ingram/Spring Arbor is the main line of distribution for the Christian market.

* An author does not have to be published by a CBA or ECPA affiliated publisher to have their work considered and deemed Christian.

But does being flagged for the Christian market by Ingram/Spring Arbor mean immediate distribution into any of the bigger Christian Booksellers stores? Of course not. Neither does having distribution through Ingram mean you get into any of the bigger general market bookstores.

However, without having Ingram/Spring Arbor distribution or rather being flagged for the Christian market, no Christian Book Store on-line or otherwise can even order your book.

Before you rush right out to submit your book to Ingram/Spring Arbor you might consider this. While Ingram/Spring Arbor will bring books into distribution that aren't affiliated with the two gatekeeper associations created by Christian Book Stores in the 1960's to make sure the work put out didn't offend their market, they can't guarantee you anything.

If you check with the larger Christian Book Sellers such as Lifeway and Mardels you'll find that while they do get distribution through Ingram/Spring Arbor they'll recheck any title that comes into their store for acceptance by their conservative evangelical market. Lifeway even goes as far as to question books provided by CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers, the very associations they helped spawn in the 1960s.

Bottom line, pay attention. If some of your readers come from that targeted market CBA and ECPA serve and you want to get to those readers where they shop, submit your book to Ingram/Spring Arbor. Though most bigger Christian booksellers won't put it on their shelf, at least they can order it if a customer ask for it.

It's also helpful to remember that all bigger Christian Book Sellers do target a particular Christian market and not the broader Christian market. That's why they subject all books coming in to another round of scrutiny before they even think about putting anything on their shelf. Books published by the bigger CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers like Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Bethany House, Nav Press, David C. Cook do automatically go on the shelves though Christian Books Sellers won't hesitate to pull them if a customer says something. And yes, one customer can actually make a difference.

Some comments made somewhere else where I posted this and my responses:

C. says - Great information Sue! Thanks!
God bless!
C.

Sue says - Thank you C. I find it extremely interesting how little authors actually know about Ingram/Spring Arbor. I know I was clueless. I actually thought once I was in, I could finally do signings at my local Lifeway. Nope. Lifeway is exclusive to their own specific niche market. But at least a customer can get your book if they want to order it if you have distribution through Spring Arbor.

Now I learn all of the bigger Christian Book Sellers are like this, exclusive to a specific Christian market. CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers have to be getting worried as now it seems the larger Christian Book Sellers are even turning on them! YIKES! What is the world coming to. :)

D. says - Info from someone who has been down the road - totally the most valuable info I have seen in a long time.

Sue says - Thank you D. :) I wish I could say I knew it all. I also wish I could say that what I've learned doesn't make me wonder why CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers believe they are the Christian market. They're a large part of it yes, if money has anything to say about it but that's it.

And now these affiliated publishers who wanted to fill affiliated Christian book stores with their targeted fiction (so their readers could find them of course,) are leaving Christian bookstores in droves. And they don't want their work in the Christian section the general market bookstores now provide, they want their targeted fiction mixed in with the general market fiction. Can you say running around in a big OL' Circle?

CBA and ECPA affiliated publishers are breaking their necks to say they don't write targeted fiction. Michael Hyatt can't seem to say it enough lately. Yet they do. It's the audience they were created to serve. Sure. They've loosened up a little, gotten a little "edgier" if you will. (I personally hate that word) but they still write for a targeted audience and should be in the Christian section and nowhere near the bookshelves where general market fiction sits.

What are markets for if not to help readers find things?