Comments on: it really is who you know, in the end

By: damselfly

damselfly — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:50:03 +0000

Wiktory! I must say, the manager was really very nice about it all, and she did say she could put them up on more prominent display. Am glad to see she was a woman of her word. I really do think all her hesitation had to do with my friend's…er…making a reputation for himself

By: Jiffy

Jiffy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:58:05 +0000

We just walked in there. The books are now on the first shelf on a stand (!!) and have stickers with 'signed by the author'.

By: damselfly

damselfly — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:49:50 +0000

@Jan – LOL. Once you start writing stories, sooner or later EVERYTHING gets couched as a story. My mother keeps despairing, interrupting family conversations with "No! Wait, that's not the right order…!"

"Authorial prerogative," I reply, "Editing for strength of narrative flow."

By: Jan Schmidt

Jan Schmidt — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:44:26 +0000

Haha. Cute story – heroine undertakes untold risk of humiliation for incalculable (= no computable value of) reward. Crisis looms, tense moments ensue. Goal comes in sight and is accomplished, then the gentle unexpected twist occurs in the denouement…

I finished Shadow Queen on the train this evening. Well done I'm looking forward to the next one!

The historical figure named Irmao gave me a brief double-take. I read it as lmao the first time. Too much the 'net geek, me

By: damselfly

damselfly — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:20:48 +0000

I'm not quite sure what's cute – me, the sales staff, my friend, my icon? – but I'm going to say thanks!

By: Ben Payne

Ben Payne — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:46:36 +0000

That's so cute!!

By: damselfly

damselfly — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:10:49 +0000

@Tess – yah, the can't send 'em back approach is something I picked up from Ian Irvine's godsend of a website, from memory. It was the clincher in plucking up my courage, because I could con myself i was some kind of deep operative They did have the signed copy sticker, and she started talking about setting up an official signing (probably not until Mother's Day, which, um, not so helpful but we'll see if it pans out)

I do like the how's it selling what's the feedback strategy – I'll try that out at Borders next time I'm there!

@Nathan: It can only get less intimidating from now on, right? Right?

By: Sir Tessa

Sir Tessa — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:32:23 +0000

What the...? They sell books! Do they not understand the wonder of a signed book? Although, now I think of it, I don't know that I've ever heard of any sort of book event/author reading/signing happening in an Angus & Robertson store. It's possible she's never seen a "signed copy!" sticker. And now I think on it even more - some booksellers aren't keen on signatures. Marking the book means they cannot, if it refuses to sell, send it back. It's a commitment to keep, like a remainder mark. Only cooler. You have forced them to keep your books come hell or high water! GO TEAM DEB. That's actually an awesome tactic. I've memories of someone, I don't remember who, saying a slightly better approach to spring on unwary booksellers is to introduce yourself and ask how it is selling or if any of their customers have come back with feedback.

By: Nathan Burrage

Nathan Burrage — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:52:28 +0000

Good for you, Deb. Sign as many as you can.

Cheers, Nathan.