EDIT: Looking at Troubador’s site it seems that for a fee they can try to get your book placed. It doesn’t say where however. This is called vanity publishing for a reason, and that being that people want to see their name and story in print. RD was lucky that he had platform on which he pre-sold (although people have no idea exactly what they’re getting) so will make money. Most people don’t.
Just caught up on all of this. What the heck is going on?? What is she talking about, publishing for trade and retail? Apart from Amazon you have to get a deal with a retailer, and Amazon have their own print on demand service for self-publishers who aren’t going straight to kindle. I’ve put some of the info I found below. Lisa, or frankly at this point whoever it is, is treating people like complete idiots. For a bereaved woman who wants sympathy she’s spending a hell of a lot of time arguing with everyone, and there’s a school of thought that says she’s protesting too much. Say the date if there is one, and stick to it. You don’t need to say anything else and frankly you’re digging yourself into a massive great big hole. Stop with the emotional blackmail, and changing the story about what RD had planned. He told people the book was only going to be sold to his followers. His cherubs. Other than a whimsy about signing books outside Waterstones, the only other thing was trying to get bestseller status on Amazon. There was no discussion about selling the book to the public, so that’s completely new. Why is she saying that? All she needed to say was that they’d missed the opportunity to publish this year because it’s now too close to Christmas, or, as the publishers implied, there are family members who may not be on board with the plan. Nobody would have minded a delay if it was explained. And everyone would understand a change of heart. The screaming and shouting about what we’re saying is moronic now! Stop twisting our words Lisa please.
Results of a quick google search:
- Waterstones keep self-published authors at arm’s length by requiring them to fill in a submission form on their website. I submitted my book initially on publication, and then again once I was achieving good sales and publicity. Zero response.
- WHSmith book buyers can only be reached through emails sent via their customer relations department. Zero response.
- I’ve investigated whether Gardners will promote my book to retailers, but they publicise new titles only.
- I’ve called in to my local bookstores, WHSmith and Waterstones. Waterstones staff told me they can only pass information on, and seemed very reluctant to do so. WHSmith told me they don’t support ‘local authors’.
- I’ve researched the names of key non-fiction book buyers, and sent them personal letters, with a review copy sent to the head office address. Zero response.
- I’ve searched LinkedIn, and found the non-fiction book buyer for Waterstones, plus other people in buying and marketing roles, written them a personal message explaining my publishing success and asking how I can submit my book. Zero response.
Self Publishing (from the Amazon website)
If you are an author or writer, you can always choose to sell only your own books in your stores. Many authors do maintain their own websites on which they offer their titles for sale, while some of them also list their books on sites like Amazon. You could even publish and sell your own books with Amazon’s
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which allows authors to independently publish their books as ebooks that can be read on Kindle Readers, or have them printed under Amazon’s ‘print on demand’ feature, wherein a book will only be printed if the buyer chooses that option.
and no actual definite date mentioned this time either. So October had rolled to November, from the above November will roll into December. Could December then roll into January 2024? which goes back to Bobs phone call and being told no plans until 2024!!!