Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I hear you, Kae. Nashville doesn't support its writers like it does music. My agent was working on a book signing for me at D-K this holiday season.

Here's a thought - not sure where it takes us. Let's park the plight of the writers for a mo and think about how all the snobbery, ignorance and downright bad business practice that rules the commercial publishing and book-selling industry affects the poor old reader.

A programme on BBC Radio 4 last weekend (Thinking Aloud) featured a very good analysis of the recent history of publishing industry by a published, but "middle ranking" author (ie not a celebrity). This featured all the usual modern business mythology about 'economy of scale' and 'continual growth' which all goes a long way to explaining the problem. What's crystal clear from any objective and honest look at the business performance of the publishing and bookselling industry is that they have almost entirely lost touch with what their customers actually value.

Readers are the people who buy books. Readers are the people who matter. Without readers, there is no publishing industry, there is no bookselling industry.

Do you, as a reader, want a cheap book by an equally cheap celebrity which takes you straight to yawnsville without stopping? Do you want to read pretty much the same book you read last week with the names changed?

I don't. I want to read things that intrigue, surprise, entertain, engross, divert and delight me. I want to be challenged, or comforted, thrilled or informed - doesn't matter, but I want to feel SOMETHING. I want books I will treasure; books that make me feel good just to have them on my shelves. Books that are like old friends - you don't have to talk to them very often they're just there when you need them.

All the ones I've read recently that have come into that category have been indies.

I don't think readers are going to stop buying books. The way they find and are able to buy and read the best books is changing radically. I just don't quite know what the new system will look like, or whether I will live long enough to benefit from it.

I hate to see book stores closing. I love selling e-books, but when it comes to reading, I'm still a "DTB" kind of guy. Book stores and libraries are like churches to me.

Hi folks, it's me yet again,
Sue [S.A.] is one of the leading lights in our gang of indie rebels over here in the U.K. David is another one who has posted on this thread.
They are two of the best writers I know, both write in genres that are not my taste by any stretch of the imagination. Why should they be excluded from high street outlets, denied access to the wider media simply because they are Indie published.
Speaking as an active member of the loose group, there is nothing which would please us more than to engage with the little independant book shops. Apart from the odd local book signing it just isn't happening. There are many reasons for this, one, which is happily on the decline is the attitude, 'Oh we don't want vanity published rubbish in our shop!'
Excuse me! Neither do we! We are trying to get you to sell our books which are as a good, and often better than the bulk dross turned out by the mainstream these days.
The other reason is fear of the unknown.There is this perception that P.O.D. digitally printed books are in some way cheap tacky things and ebooks are ruining their trade.
We WANT to work with these little shops, they are, or at least can be the future if only they would overcome this preconceived idea that new books produced by modern methods are bad.
I am only too well aware many indie books are not good enough, my early efforts certainly weren't. Not only must we find a way to seek out just the very best to promote and get them on the shelves. We must also find a way to help those new writers who's work is good but lack that indefinable something which lifts it above the masses.
Which is why I support Simon on here as he is trying to go someway towards this end, hang in there fella, it's likely to be a bumpy ride!
If any of you want to see the quality of book I am on about check out 'The Cloak of Magic' and 'The Staff of Power' by Sue Rule, or if you are into what I would describe as Historical Fantasy with a touch of horror then get 'Clan' by David Elliot.
If you know of any as good get the author to join us, get enough then you get 'critical mass and something happens. Talk to your LOCAL book shop, explain how the modern ways can help them stay in business, compete on quality as it is impossible to compete with this crazy 'remainders culture' which I, and some others are trying to get our government to act on. It is this which is destoying our lively hood as writers and the choice for our readers.
Rant over for now.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

What I meant by the kiosks was that you could download any book to your reader, but would only be ordering the POD for delivery later. That way it WOULD be the same fine quality we get now. But the bookstore wouldn't have the whole remaindered problem, because they wouldn't stock most books on-hand...but you could still buy them there. See?
As for forming a union, check out www.EPICauthors.com, where you will find there is already an international group of authors/publishers/editors/artists who are members and who are my main source of information. They are also chewing on this problem...maybe we should all sit together?

http://www.brooklynrail.org/2010/11/e...

Hi all, very interesting article here. Opinions?
Fiona

Hi Fiona,
Sorry about that, me having a 'senior moment' yes I do know what you mean, and it is certainly one way forward. It is an idea being looked at. There was a shop in London which tried something similar but it didn't work, largely because no one had heard about it until it went bust.
As for the remainders problem, it wouldn't touch it I'm afraid, at least over here. The problem is massive deliberate over ordering by our only high street chain. They do it to reduce the price they pay per book and the big publishers are daft enough to play along! It may seem incredible but many more books are pulped than are sold, even including remainder sales. That is how bad it is CRAZY doesn't get near it! Like the 1,000,000 books being given away with chocolate this Christmas!!
Thanks for the heads up on those sites, I'll check them out, working together has got to be a good thing, it is a bit worrying I hadn't heard of them, probably tunnel vision on my part! All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Excellent article, Fiona! And right on in all areas of this complex issue. To most, Nashville is Music City USA, but major publishers are either based here or have imprint offices. I've seen firsthand both industries change in the last 20+ years.

Authors and music artists are squeezed into lesser roles in industries that exist because of what THEY produce, not the record labels, publishing houses, agents, publicists, etc. These meanly provide the means for the author/artist to become widely known.

The work required to battle against this ailing, yet mean entity that refuses to change and maintain the status-quo of dominance, is more than one person can handle.

Tackling the whole systemic problem at once won't work. Yes, unite more can get done and we should try. I will investigate Epic Authors. And, Simon, can I join your group although my awards are for screenwriter and not my books yet? I couldn't get to your profile to send you a message and ask.

But at the same time, the individual author must make their way as best suited to them. Some are more geared toward marketing and business and can deal with bookstores and all it entails. Go, Timothy/Paul, tilt at those windmills. :)

I do this by going directly to were my readers are - schools, book festivals and conventions. I let my publisher deal with the system by way of 1st book of the series, while I cultivate the more personal aspects in small, meaningful doses going indie for the rest.

Hi Fiona,
That is an interesting article, I recommend the others on here read it, It doesn't mention 'remainders' although it explains the driving force behind the corrupt money grabbing ethos behind it! Also I didn't see anything about P.O.D. but thanks for the tip.
As for EPIC, if you use EBook as your principal market then I can see how EPIC is a useful adjunct.
I will have to spent a bit of time having a closer look at the site. I tend to lean more towards an actual physical book, granted Print on Demand, and I cannot see how Epic would help much in my case. But this is only my first impression, which I conceed could be wrong!
I am not anti ebook, far from it, but I regard it as a 'bonus' if any of my books sell as an ebook. Maybe I should push harder on that front.
What I and others are looking for is a mechanism to get just the very best of the vast numbers of Indie books out there into the view of the book buying public, and to a great extent this means getting books on shelves.
We need an organisation/group, call it what you will, which can go to the Indiependant book shops and recommend a title and the buyers have confidence in our recommendation. Gotta go, things to do. Thanks for the contacts.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Hi Shawn,
I too spend a lot of time and energy going to festivals, etc. Loads of book signings, many for other indie authors who are just starting up and need someone to help out with the first efforts.
It keeps me out of trouble! Glad I live in the U.K! the miles I clock up are horrendous.!!!
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Thanks Fiona for bringing this article to my attention. I have shared it with my facebook friends.

Thanks for the link Fiona - I think the radio programme I heard was about this survey too, it covered much of the same ground.

The thing about such studies of the publishing and bookselling industry is that laudable and incisive as they are they don't quite go far enough. It a matter of wealth distribution. Instead of paying huge advances to ex-Prime Ministers and celebs who have money coming out of their ears anyway, the industry should be nurturing its roots and finding ways of picking up some of the costs writers are currently having to find. The whole industry has to take a long hard look at the end-to-end process - concept to cash - of producing a book, particularly a work of fiction. I just don't see how this is something a group of individual writers can tackle, even collectively.

The article Fiona shared with us describes a business model that doesn't, never could, never will, work for a creative industry. Creative people don't work on a supply and demand basis. Writers write. Musicians make music. Artists paint and sculptors sculpt. Even software developers seem to actually enjoy writing code. This does not mean the talent of creative people should be exploited; it certainly should not be sneered at an belittled just because it is about creating something far more valuable than money.

Until someone is brave enough, influential enough, and wealthy enough, to cut through the hype and do a proper cost-value analysis of the end-to-end process of creating a book, I don't think anything much will change.

Sorry to be a damp squib, but the longer I slog on in this battle the more impossible it seems. I have to earn a living; and so, I don't write. I do still play music: the rewards are immediate and direct, the investment of time significantly less, and nobody abuses me for singing my own songs!

S.A., the battle does get weary. One of the reasons I was glad when my husband and I moved from Los Angeles and got away from the Hollywood dog-eat-dog world.

Giving up totally doesn't work. I tried that with and was miserable not writing. Now, I carve a new niche. Still trying to defy the odds in my own way, but in a wiser, more moderate approach.

The industry didn't get this way overnight. And it won't change overnight, but writers need to keep writing and musicians making song and melodies.

Good article reference, Fiona. Thanks.

Sometimes its better to just go about our naive little ways for a while until we do come to a conundrum that requires solving... Over-analyzing everything is giving me a headache.

Glad this thread was started. Gives me a lot to think about, and glad that it's generated so much discussion and different points of view. Time for a drink now ;)

Hi Lindsay
Mine's a J.D. thanks, straight and make it a double!!
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Timothy wrote: "Hi Lindsay
Mine's a J.D. thanks, straight and make it a double!!
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]"

Haha, I like your style.

And people always call me the eternal optimist!!
Once we crack how to find as many of those 'diamonds' as we can, we then have to find a way of getting them infront of the eyes of the book buying public, and more to the point getting them to part with their cash!!
I'm sure we'll have it cracked by dinner time tomorrow!!
I still believe there has to be a way, if only we could think of it!!, but we've/ you've made a start.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Timothy wrote: "And people always call me the eternal optimist!!
Once we crack how to find as many of those 'diamonds' as we can, we then have to find a way of getting them infront of the eyes of the book buying..."

Hi Paul

How are you? How is it all going?

Just thought I would mention that Waterstone's were ready to put Joni-Pip in all their windows for nothing, after reading some good reviews but it was all halted by one man....Bothy Books are still wondering why....it can't be because they use Lightning Source and POD because Joni-Pip is on Waterstone's internal database and available in all their stores already.

Had some good news anyway. Joni-Pip was Showcased at The Frankfurt Book Fair last month and an Italian Agency has requested a copy of Joni-Pip with a view to translating it into Italian!

Love to you all,

Carrie

For the benefit of those who don't know, 'the life in the woods with JONI-PIP' by the lovely Carrie King just has to be the best young adult book out there at the moment. My teenage grand daughter borrowed it and can I get it back!! all her friends want to read it as well, I suspect most of her class have 'borrowed' it. I just want it back so I can finish it!!! And yes, you've guessed it, it is in many ways an Indie!!!
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Hi, to all of you following this thread, I have just been reading a cracking article by Hugh Salmon.
I am not good at these 'speed link' thingies, hence the oldgeezer tag!
Type in on your google page.'galaxy makes me sick' you will see an article headed 'a different hat' by 'hugh salmon'.
Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

I love this discussion, it's so useful. I want to know what writers (and readers) want to see on blogs. Take a look: http://lauracea.blogspot.com. Don't forget to do the poll.

Hi,
I think it was Lindsey who asked for a conundrum, well here's one. Let me say at the outset, I am in NO WAY having a go at your average reader here.
I fully understand it is human nature, and not unreasonable to buy anything as cheaply as possible, we do it on most food items etc, but what is the effect in the book industry?
Second hand book sales have always been with us, and although the author does not get a penny from these sales,it is a reasonable activity. What is unreasonable is this 'remainders obcentity', if it is on a small scale it can reasonably be argued this is a 'green' alternative to pulping, again the author loses out. If only from the point of veiw of the cost of printing etc. will have been factored into the deal the author got from their publisher, no prizes for guessing who took the 'hit'
Both of the above have an effect on the 'Indie' book shops as they produce a torrent of stupid cheap books.
The advent of ebooks hasn't helped, don't get me wrong, I am not anti ebook, it already is a significant source, and will grow, at least the author gets something back for their efforts apart from thieving pirates.
Then there is the effective exclusion of Indie books from the high street shops.
So the conundrum :- given the amount of 'cheap' books available and the near impossibility for a 'new' authors to break through, were are the new books for the future coming from?
As things stand it simply is not worth the effort, and some expense to write! It takes upwards of a thousand hours to write and develope a decent novel.
People being what they are will continue to buy the 'cheapies' and no one can blame them. But, and this is a BIG BUT, if readers don't start buying good books at a proper price then the entire industry will die. What they have to read will be decide entirely by a handful of greedy b.....s purely on the basis of how much money they can make, the content will by then be totally irrelevant. There will be another flood of 'out of copyright' titles, produced as cheaply as possible, to hell with quality or content!
I know times are hard, but writers have to eat as well!
If we could only find that magic formula to get the good books out there and people to buy them at a proper price then the industry has a future, if not...
What is a proper price? I would suggest about $10 for 100,000 words, maybe a little less, that way there is still something for everyone.
Just remember when you buy that 'best seller' for pennies, someone wrote all those words, and they ain't getting a dime of what you spent on their work.
If you are skint, as most of us are, I'm not blaming you, just the system which allows it to happen on the current scale.
Thanks for putting up with yet another rant.
All the best Paul Rix [old geezer]
happy reading.
Question. Where is the next classic, well crafted, book coming from, one which your kids will be buying when they are your age?

I think that under $10 for an eBook is a good amount to pay. You can find many for under $1.00, but usually only for a short-time period sale. The author makes nothing on those kinds of deals. The entire industry that produces books of any kind is going through upheaval right now. Exacerbating it is the mind-set of many that "if it is on the internet, it must be free, since after all, I already paid for access." Until people realize that the internet is just another marketplace and you have to pay to own stuff you find on it, we will have theft on a grand scale. I'd like to see PODs in book stores, maybe one copy, or a few for best sellers. Since the store can get them easily and quickly, it would seem to benefit everyone.

Hi Fiona,
the $10 I sugested was for a pod [paperback] edition for around the 100,000 word size. I can see no reason why the ebook version of the same book shouldn't be around half that.
I agree with you about the thieving pirates, keel haul the scurvey dogs!!
I also agree about selected POD books should be on the high street shelves, everyone would benefit as you say, making it happen is however a different ball game.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

I am just curious if there are POD publishers out there that actually print books of 100,000 words for less than $10 and if so who are they? My publisher, Lulu, is charging $13 just to print my novel of 133,000 words (trade paperback size 6x9 and cheapest). With the retail markup and my measly commission, I have no choice but to sell my books for $22.99 (except on the publisher site)... That is why I have my eBooks at $8.99. No way am I giving them away, but at least they're less than half of my paperback version...

I don't see people jumping to buy a $22.99 book from an unknown author. That's not mentioning the internet eBook market everyone is talking about, the one where $8.99 for an eBook is too much? I am not a big eBook person either, but my dad is one of those techies and thought I should take advantage of that market. I have sold more books that way than through paperback (not a surprise)... To me, $0.99 for 1000+ hours of hard work is like handing a theif over all your prized possessions and saying "have fun!".

Hi Lindsay,
What can I say other than 'OUCH!!!!!'
Email me @
I'm not bothered about the world and his wife knowing it. I'll pass on the details of how I get published with approximate costs, and contacts for one of the best around to help. 'The Day the Ravens Died' was nearly 109,000 words and it was a lot less than that, and the quality is superb, and available 'over there'.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Lindsay, check out CreateSpace. I use them and they are reasonable and I've been pleased with the quality. I've done 90,000 for under $5. You can get an estimate by submitting all the specs before you join.

Shawn wrote: "Lindsay, check out CreateSpace. I use them and they are reasonable and I've been pleased with the quality. I've done 90,000 for under $5. You can get an estimate by submitting all the specs before ..."

What I liked about Lulu was the Global distribution. Since I am here in Canada, CreateSpace seems great for US distribution on the pro plan, and a much better book price, but I was hoping to get some distribution here. Now, to be honest, I don't see Amazon.ca or Chapters online carrying my book (and they have a 4-7 week shipping instead)...

Lindsay wrote: "What I liked about Lulu was the Global distribution. Since I am here in Canada, CreateSpace seems great for US distribution on the pro plan"

Interesting, because my second book - done with CreateSpace - is on Amazon UK through the pro plan. And CS uses Ingram for distribution so bookstores have access.

I have checked them out again and the pricing is a few dollars different. Not much, but I'm on the internet now doing some more research. Since I paid $75 for distribution only 2 months ago I'm not sure I want to pull my book just a few weeks after it's reached the market, but I am definitely going to be looking for cheaper avenues.

Lindsay,

I completely agree with you on the pricing of a paperback at $22.99. The same thing happened to me on my paperback 5 x 8 novel NO STONE UNTURNED. Amazon does discount it to a reasonable price, and when I speak and sign I sell it for $16. The book is almost 500 pages. My publisher OUTSKIRTS PRESS structures the books in such a way that they have to be priced higher in order for me to receive any royalty at all. My book is also on Kindle for $4.99 and I get the majority of my sales that way. It's difficult enough for an unknown author to get noticed and high pricing of the book doesn't help. Let's hope it changes in the future.

I do the same thing, sell them in person for $15, which people have told me is reasonable, especially since the quality of the book is good. I also try to discount it a bit on Lulu's site. Even at 25% off or something, it's still cheaper than the Amazon (etc) rate.

Hi Folks,
here we go again!!!! I've just been watching the BBC news. If it wasn't bad enough with this manic 1,000,000 paper back give away with galaxy chocolate we now have an even greater assault about to be unleashed. The British publishers have it seems, combined to give away 1,000,000 hard backs in a single DAY in march, they are recruiting 'agents' to recieve 40 each to give to friends. The give away is of 25 titles 40,000 of each. What with the 'remainders' farce, now this! All aimed at crushing all the 'little guys'. Hey!!! that's US!!!
All the best Paul Rix [old geezer]

Okay, what reason did they give for this insanity?

Hi Shawn,
The claim was it would get to people who don't normally read books, and it would promote book sales.
This is on top of the 1,000,000 give away by galaxy chocolate.
Personally I think it is because they are scared s.....less by indies and this is all part of the efforts to crush us!.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Big business is always trying to crush little businesses. In the end this is going to hurt them more than it hurts us because they are bankrupting themselves and small publishers are getting more and more creative.

Hi Gwen,
This time they have a problem, ME! I hate bullies with a passion, I'm not very big but you can't intimidate me, doesn't happen.
I've spent the day phoneing round and have found some sympathetic ears. Worse still, for them they have given me more ammunition for a report I was asked to write for the O.F.T [office of fair trading]
Worse yet, a very influential friend has been comissioned to do something similar for the D.T.I.
Between us we should be able to at least dent some of the restrictive practices and dodgey wheeler dealing.
Here's hoping.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Timothy wrote: "Hi folks, it's me yet again,
Sue [S.A.] is one of the leading lights in our gang of indie rebels over here in the U.K. David is another one who has posted on this thread.
They are two of the be..."

Hi Timothy and all of you!

I just thought I would let you know of a telephone conversation I have just had. A Branch of Sainsbury's Supermarket telephoned me about a Book Signing. They were very keen, just as long as Joni-Pip is published by 'one of the Big Publishers'.....they are not interested in any book published by smaller companies or indies.

You know what? There has to be a name for this discrimination.....some suggestions please?
It's most definitely 'Size-ist'....

I told them the name of my Publishers and the name of their wholesalers and she said.....'If you paid for anything towards the publishing of your book, then we are not interested'..... Now I see exactly what you are up against folks!

Oh well, as Bothy Books are not Penguin or Puffin or Bloomsbury or Methuen or Random House or Harper Collins etc.....then I must surely conclude that Sainsbury's won't want me....

Much love,

Carrie

Yep,Carrie, it's not easy. After doing some book signings I've gone indie and look more toward book festival, conventions and fairs.

I bemoan bookstores closing in general for the reading public, but the system and attitude toward authors stinks!! Of course that elite attitude starts with the publishers who punish or exclude stores that actively seek and/or support indie authors. My publisher told me I could work with independent bookstores on my own if I wanted, but not the chain store (Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, etc.) - that was their domain.

Hi Carrie, and Shawn.
I know exactly how you feel, been there, got that 'tee' shirt.
Now I'm not too sure how the law works on this in the states, something to do with the 'anti trustlaw'?
Over here it is what is known as 'retrictive trading practices', put together with this 'sale or return farce' there is a chance we might be able to do something about it. I might add I am not holding my breath.
I tried something very underhand and devious, 'fitting' I hear those who know me cry.
I have had a few conversations with some big name mainstream authors it has been my privilege to get to know. The proposal was they would self publish their next book. One said 'no way, they would NEVER 'vanity' publish' However, all the rest said if they could, they would, however their contracts would not allow them to do this. Two even had lawyers check their contracts, but to no avail, both showed me the letters.
One somewhat daft idea occured to me in one of my 'darker' moments. There must be several Challanger tanks going spare with the defence cuts, I know how to drive it's predecessor the Chieftain, it can't be so different. To save parking charges in London, park it in the boss's office of one of the 'big boys'. No? oh well just a thought.
I suppose I'll just have to get the report right I'm doing for the OFT on restrictive practices and hope something happens. It is all such a stitch up between the media, refusing us access, other than to rubbish 'Indies', the major publishers, all cowtowing to and in cahoots with Waterstones with this massive over ordering scam, the sale or return farce, leading to massive 'remainders' and ultimately to the 2X a millon book give aways.
They can claim what they like but at the end of the day all of this has the effect of squeezeing out the 'indies', be they small publishers, shops or authors. I'm sure 'restaint of trade' unfair trading practices and 'cartels' are in there somewhere, all of which are illegal!
Meanwhile, back on planet earth, I've got to go and pick the 'boss' and her mates up from bingo! and if I'm late on a night like this! doesn't bear thinking about!!!!
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Timothy wrote: "Hi Carrie, and Shawn.
I know exactly how you feel, been there, got that 'tee' shirt.
Now I'm not too sure how the law works on this in the states, something to do with the 'anti trustlaw'?
O..."

Greetings Timothy and Shawn!

I am shocked that Sainsbury's dare discriminate against smaller publishers! It's the gall of it all!

My publishers are on Waterstone's Internal Database and I have had Book Signings in their shops all over England and in Tesco, the Giant among supermarkets.

Oh well, I wonder if Sainsbury's are breaking the Law, then, Paul?

I suppose this is the first time that I have ever come across such appalling and blatant discrimination. I am so saddened but at least I now have a little understanding of what it is like for others!

Nevermind, a Private School contacted the BBC this week to find out my contact details to invite me in for an Author Day, so somebody loves me!

I hope all is going well with you two and Paul, I hope you arrived without skidding on the treacherous ice out there. MK was like an Ice Rink when I drove home last night. Brrrrrrr!

Much love,

Carrie

Next year I have my schedule planned and it doesn't include ANY bookstores. Not that I would refuse if any came to ME. :)

Along with school events, I have 4 major conventions and festivals planned that draw anywhere from 5,000 to 80,000 people - and all book lovers!

I don't know if there is anything like those in the UK. It does involve traveling, but I at least make what I spend, but in some cases double in profit what I spend.

Hi Carrie,
The 'internal data base' is Waterstones get out of jail card, as they can use it to 'prove' availability of a title in their stores, it still doesn't mean they will stock it!
My guess is the 'excuse' Sainsbugs will use is that they would have 'supply chain' problems. It is of course totally spurious but valid in their 'paper pushers' or should that be 'button punchers' eyes. The real problem is the mindset of those in positions of power, 'Well print on demand or Indie books aren't real books! are they?'
Get close enough to me with that attitude and they are likely to get a tap on the nut with a copy of 'Ravens', well it can't hurt can it? after all it's not a 'proper book'.
Now you know first hand why I am so cynical. If any book should be up there in the best seller lists it is 'Joni-Pip', I could add several others as well.
Keep the faith, we WILL succeed!
As for the snow, we haven't got much, plenty of ice though, weeeee it's fun!! side ways around Britain!!!
I know, I'm certifiable! I actually don't mind it as it focuses the mind on driving accuratly, high gear, low revs, just enough to avoid stalling, keep off the brakes, use your gears, even on an automatic like our honda, it's not that hard, just a different mindset.
I've got to go to Gatwick Sunday evening to pick up my daughter in law, if her flight isn't cancelled. Should be fun!!It's not far, ONLY 180 miles!
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]
P.S. of course we still love you.

Hi Shawn,
I 'do' a couple of book festivals, Winchester is the big annual event for me, I'm on my 'publishers' stand, for me it's more about exposing 'the brand' as they are, in my opinion, the best in their field. Without Authors OnLine I would never have got published in the first place.
The other thing I do is attend 'craft fairs', some are good, others are at best barely okay.
I also give talks, like my old school, with the theme if I can achieve an ambition at my age then what can the current students achieve, go for it.
Now my gardening book is begining to move, I am also getting invited to gardening/grow your own groups, so we're getting there.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

What would be good festivals or cons for someone from Alaska (pretty expensive just to get to the contiguous states) selling what I suppose you'd call social science fiction? I should have two books out by next year. However, I have serious problems getting around in crowds--poor balance and peripheral vision.

I don't know about festival and conventions in Alaska, but as a vendor, I stay at my booth. In fact, we pack food and find it difficult just to take bathroom breaks due to business. So there isn't much moving around outside the booth.

The size of the crowd varies, depending upon the event.

My brother in law is going to craft shows this coming year (he is a landscaper) and has offered to share his booth with me, so these will be my first... hoping to find other opportunities (here in Ontario)... The craft shows I've been to as a consumer have not been great, but who knows what the upcoming year will bring? Nice thing is that all ages seem to enjoy my books (maybe I'll get some sales??)...

180 miles, Paul? Hope the drive's not icy, be careful. We just got 4.5 feet of snow in a recent storm. Yay for us... (note sarcasm)!

Hi Lindsay,
craft fairs can be a bit hit and miss, but are generally alright. One little tip, don't just sit there behind your books, you will sell a few. Stand in front of, and just to one side of the books and engage anyone looking at them in conversation. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it will make A LOT of difference, good luck.
As you will have gathered I made it back! note the time!!!! The plane took off around the time it was supposed to have arrived from ROME!!! Thanks to the internet we sussed out it was going to be late!
Very little traffic thankfully, yet 2 4X4s trying to be clever ended up in hedges! The rest of us trundleing along at 40 on a dualled road we would normally travel at 70mph. Our lane, the wheel tracks just about clear, numpties incorporated in their 'Chelsea tractors' decide to do about 55-60 on the uncleared lane wooops!! [hee-hee]
Four and a half feet!!! four and a half inches have brought this island to a grinding halt!!The motor ways [free ways] were pretty clear to be fair, but I live miles away from the nearest one, about 45 miles. I am sure some of our 'main roads' haven't seen a gritter or snow plough since the stuff fell! endless miles at 25-30 on rutts and ice, laughing my self silly at the idiots in a low gear revving the guts out of their engines,sliding all over the place. High gear, low revs and just trundle through it! it's easy!! not rocket science!!!The last 40 miles homeward bound were the worst, all across the 'fens' thick freezing fog! minus 8!!
For those who don't know, the 'fens' are flat, very productive reclaimed marsh land, averageing about 10feet BELOW sea level. The roads follow the river banks, so you have a twenty foot high bank one side and a twenty foot drop into either a drainage ditch or field on the other. Oh the joys of the open road! and to think I had a long spell doing that for a living!! At least the patches of black ice kept the concentration levels high!
I'm off for a kip, 180 there and the same back, my eye balls feel sand papered and want to examine the insides of my eyelids.
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]

Sounds like The Nine Tailors.The Nine Tailors