Tuesday 22 September 2009

It's all happening

Wow! A moment to catch my breath.

Last Tuesday, I nervously waited outside a building that looked nothing like a church but once inside had all the true warmth and love of church at it's best. Grace Community Church had invited me to speak on the recommendation of Rolf at Huddersfield Christian Bookshop. Not only had he found me the gig, but he turned up to listen, too! The prayer cover I'd asked for from my church prayer team really worked wonders. The talk went well, many books were purchased and I came away full of joy.

Saturday found me at the big event in Burnley, speaking alongside Adrian and Bridget Plass! That was an action-packed day that started when I set off at 8:15 am and finished when I flopped onto my settee back home at 10:30 pm. Met lots of lovely people and sold 17 books ~ yippee!

On Monday, I gave a two hour workshop and talk to Lindsay's writing class. We gathered in Barry's lovely home and the time vanished. It is a small but eager group and it was a pleasure to be part of it for the afternoon. They each bought a book.

With two library talks coming up in the next two weeks, I find I'm running low on books again. Should I do another print run even though there are almost a hundred books stored with Amazon waiting for the wider world to take notice.?

Thursday 3 September 2009

I spoke too soon

This is typical of the roller coaster ride that is self-publishing. Both branches of Amazon seem to have come through, at last. I say 'seem' because so far I only have the possibility of progress. Createspace finally came back to me and it looks like a minor error in communication may be holding things up. I've made alterations and am now holding my breath. Raj from Amazon.co.uk phoned me back, at last, and explained Amazon's stupid system of saying things are out of stock but in fact listing them as available under the 'new and used' link(????). Richard has contacted Nielsons to see if they can get the price changed on the US version to take away the confusion there. So watch this space...

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Headaches with Amazon

I'm struggling to get the book printed in the US. Createspace, the printing arm of Amazon.com, won't accept my ISBN number and won't explain why not. It all takes so much time when you are dealing with remote no-reply email communications.
Amazon.co.uk are not being very helpful either. They insisted I send them 104 copies of the book to qualify for their fullfilment programme but they still list the book as being out of stock. They also insist on listing the US version ~ which doesn't actually exist ~ at £6 and eligible for free delivery. Who is going to want to pay £6.99 for the one that is sitting in their warehouse ready to be posted?
AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!! All I want to do is get back to my writing.