Publisher Let-Down

[Andrea Campbell]

In the past month I've had two teachers write me to ask how they can get enough copies of my forensic science books for their classroom. One publisher in New York, who did my Detective Notebook: Crime Scene Science told me that there was no way they could notify an author when a book goes out of print. So here I am, like an idiot, promoting a book that is no longer available! It annoys me terribly that I wasn't even given the opportunity to buy copies to stock. Were they pulped?

I try to create products that will have a long shelf life. For example, my book Great Games for Great Parties: How to throw a perfect party, not only had ideas on party arrangements and ideas, but it had 100-tried and true games for adults to use at events for interactivity. You know, the games you can play to get people up out of their chairs and interacting. And when I hit the market with it, there was a void--lots of books for children's parties but none for adults. You know that title didn't give me much of an advance, I think, $1750., but it paid me royalty twice a year for 12 years and was sold in Spanish, New Delhi, India and Russia--twice! I think I made all tolled $35K on it. Now that's the kind of book I want working for me.

So I try to create "shelf-sitters" and reference books. So it just peeves me no end that mainstream publishers today only keep a book on the shelf for about six months. What's up with that?

I'd like your feedback.

By the way, I just started my own publishing company, Primate Press LLC to address things like this. Problem is, there is a lot of set-up and initial costs but I bound to do it. Our first title is whacked. It's a monkey romantic-intrigue. Yes, the characters are monkeys who have jobs, wear clothes and drive, etc. And my colleague is photoshopping actual pictures of my friends monkeys as characters. It's going to be a riot! But that's a subject for another day.

[Michael Martin]

Hi Andrea! It seems odd that publishers wouldn't incorporate a notice system for authors. However, on ibis one can check ot the copy numbers available at different warehouses. I'm not sure if this is relevant to your post but it's all I know. The two distributors we (at a bookstore) accessed were Baker and Taylor and Ingrams. If this doesn't necessarily address your point, I need the typing practice anyway, lol... Enjoy the weekend, Michael.

[Andrea Campbell]

Michael,

Thanks for those typing fingers. Well, yes, I've heard about the numbers. Although those things are artificial because the system with returns is always in a state of flux.

And I was just angry at publishers who are doing the next thing, while not really waiting for an audience for what they've got. They find it easier to dump a title early, and print new, because the market is new-driven, when in fact, an author makes money by a book staying on the shelf.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Best,

Andrea

[Michael Martin]

I bet some are 'remaindered' in many places. Rather than being 'pulped,' I mean.
Wow, it's been a year. Hope you are well Andrea.