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Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 566
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 11:31 am: | 
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Writing the Book on Self-Help:
A Publisher's Cautionary Tale
By JEFFREY A. TRACHTENBERG
New Albany, Ohio
The self-publishing business has come a long way in the Internet era. Literary do-it-yourselfers now have many online resources to tap, and even a growing number of role models. Best-selling authors including E. Lynn Harris ("I Say a Little Prayer") and the pseudonymous Zane ("Addicted") have emerged from the self-published ranks.
And then there is the cautionary tale of C. Ben Bosah, an environmental engineer who lives in this leafy village in central Ohio. Mr. Bosah was convinced that a nonfiction book about women's health written by his wife was a sure-fire hit. So instead of sending "Letters to My Sisters: Plain Truths and Straightforward Advice From a Gynecologist" to a literary agent or to a New York publishing house, he decided to publish it himself. His view was, why share the profits?
Mr. Bosah's lack of familiarity with the publishing world didn't worry him -- but it should have. Despite his determination and hard work, he made a succession of mistakes, from failing to line up a distributor before publication to selecting a title for the book that limited the potential readership. For Mr. Bosah, the problems began the moment the order landed on his doorstep: After the truck dropped off his 15,398 books, Mr. Bosah dented the front of his 1995 Camry pushing the heavy pallets into his garage. "We didn't have a motorized pallet jack," he says.
For aspiring self-publishers, the Internet has made transforming Grandma's recipes into a glossy paperback look deceptively easy. There are scores of services online that writers can hire to edit, market and print their books, and many thousands of people use these services each year. Beyond that, national book chains are often willing to put a couple of copies in an author's neighborhood store, which can be another confidence booster.
But actually selling a decent number of books is another matter altogether, as Mr. Bosah and his wife, Ngozi Osuagwu, a gynecologist, discovered.
Today, 4 ½ pallets of books clutter the three-car garage at Mr. Bosah's expansive, modern home. The 330 boxes, each holding 26 books, fill virtually an entire bay. More than half of his original order remains unsold. The 44-year-old Mr. Bosah, who was born and college-educated in Nigeria and arrived in the U.S. in 1987, says that editing, publishing and shipping the book has consumed at least 2,500 hours of his time. "I'm a tough-minded optimist," he says.
After arriving in the U.S., Mr. Bosah drove a cab while earning a second college degree, this one from the City College of New York. Since 1997, he has operated Ben Bosah & Co., an environmental management consulting firm, which he says "gives me the resources to engage in my other endeavors." He is widely read, citing books such as Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point" in casual conversation. His large home is filled with art, and his family owns three vehicles, including an Acura MDX and a BMW 530i.
To launch their careers, most fledgling authors these days turn to Internet businesses that offer print-on-demand services. The appeal is that authors only have to print the number of copies they actually need -- they can even order just a single copy -- rather than having to store cartons of unsold books. Such publishers include AuthorHouse, a unit of Bertram Capital Management LLC; Amazon.com's CreateSpace and BookSurge units; and Lulu.com, a unit of Lulu Enterprises Inc.
Mr. Bosah rejected this option because he wanted to offer the books more cheaply than this method would have allowed and because he thought the quality would be better if he hired a commercial manufacturer. He saw a book designed by Lesley Ehlers and then located her on the Web.
"I actually discouraged him from doing the book, because I know the market and I know how hard it is, but he really believed in it," says Ms. Ehlers, who primarily works with major publishing houses.
Ms. Ehlers, who designed the book, dust jacket and created the illustrations suggested he use Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing Co., in York, Pa., a firm she had worked with. But she says she suggested he limit his initial print run to 5,000 copies. "You could always reprint," she says.
A sales representative at Maple-Vail urged a similar strategy, but Mr. Bosah placed an order for 15,398 books. He now says he knew this was a lot of books, but printing that many allowed him to set a retail hardcover price of only $16.95, just slightly more than the $15 or so that Bertelsmann AG's Random House Inc. and other top publishers charge for quality paperbacks. "I like a discount and the fact that we made a quality hardcover book," he says.
The price might have been right, but for shoppers, the books were nowhere to be found. Because Mr. Bosah didn't strike a deal with a distributor before publishing his wife's book in April 2006, most bookstores declined to stock copies. Instead, he found himself selling the book to sororities, at hair salons, hospital gift shops, churches and workshops. Even today he and his wife keep a box of books in the trunk of their cars for impromptu sales and promotions.
Mr. Bosah also overlooked some other fundamentals of the publishing business. He neglected for example, to send galleys of the book several months before publication to the key magazines that do early reviews, such as Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal. That would have been another way to let retailers know the book was coming.
Although Mr. Bosah was able to land a feature in his hometown newspaper, the Columbus Dispatch, on Oct. 19, 2006, there weren't any copies for sale in the city's local bookstores when the paper hit the newsstands. "Only a miniscule percentage of people will buy a book without first thumbing through it," says Mr. Bosah. Instead, readers had to borrow the book from the local libraries in Columbus.
Even the title Mr. Bosah picked for the book ultimately limited its appeal, he now believes. The word "sisters" was meant to convey the universality of the book's subject material. However, many potential readers associated it solely with black women. A more basic title, "Letters: Plain Truths and Straightforward Advice From a Gynecologist" might have attracted a larger audience, he says. It also didn't help that the book lacked blurbs from any well-known people in the medical field. "We tried to get some blurbs from famous people but it didn't work out," he says. "I'm still trying to get some for my fliers."
Although the book is for sale on Amazon.com's Web site, it is available in only a handful of independent stores nationwide.
But Mr. Bosah says things are starting to look up. He finally found a distributor for the book, which has gotten the title into 190 stores owned by Borders Group Inc. He also says he has recouped the $40,000 or so he has invested in the book's production. His wife's book was a finalist for a 2007 Benjamin Franklin Award offered by the Independent Book Publishers Association.
And far from being chastened, Mr. Bosah is plowing ahead with other publishing projects. He's about to begin marketing an audiobook edition of "Letters to My Sisters" (a variety of women read the letters) and next year, he hopes to publish two new titles. "I'm staying in this business," he says. "I like being a publisher. I'm in for the long haul."
Write to Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg at jeffrey.trachtenberg@wsj.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119491241020490592.html?mod=todays_us_marketplac e
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 401
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 11:43 am: |
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I had all kinds of reactions to this story (including that large print run, thoughts on profits, and no distribution) until I read he recouped his 40 grand. So even though this was a cautionary tale, he DID make his money back AND receive praise for the book.
I'm wondering if Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Library Journal would have even considered a review of an unknown author and publisher without those ARCs arriving with a check. Any thoughts? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10654
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 12:45 pm: |
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I find it hard to believe that this man who did everything the wrong way earned $40,000 and broke even. What he and his hubris do seem to be doing right is to portray himself as a winner instead of a loser. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5730
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 12:51 pm: |
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I find it hard to believe that this man who did everything the wrong way earned $40,000 and broke even. What he and his hubris do seem to be doing right is to portray himself as a winner instead of a loser.
(What?) |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10655
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 12:55 pm: |
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Can't you read, numbskull? I said:
"I find it hard to believe that this man who did everything the wrong way earned $40,000 and broke even. What he and his hubris do seem to be doing right is to portray himself as a winner instead of a loser." |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5735
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 01:42 pm: |
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Can't you read, numbskull? I said:
"I find it hard to believe that this man who did everything the wrong way earned $40,000 and broke even. What he and his hubris do seem to be doing right is to portray himself as a winner instead of a loser."
(I still don't understand where you be comin' from.
Break it down for me, Mama. And keep it real.) |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 402
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 02:18 pm: |
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Correct me if I'm wrong but Cynique is saying the guy is lying about earning his money back to look good in the media.
Am I right?
I imagine he would have to have the best hustle in town to move that kind of volume without distribution. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10658
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 02:52 pm: |
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Yes, I think the guy is exagerrating because he doesn't want to look foolish. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 921
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 03:58 pm: |
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A agree with Cynique. But it has nothing to do with what I feel or think it has to do with what was written.
A few things simply do not add up.
Lets completely ignore all of the other expenses including the money paid to the book cover designer. If we take $40,000 and divide it by the number of books printed (15,398) we get $2.60 per book. On it's face this does not add up. $2.60 for a hardcover book – this seems low but we will run with it.
Jeffrey also let us know how many books were in the garage: "...Today, 4 ½ pallets of books clutter the three-car garage...The 330 boxes, each holding 26 books, fill virtually an entire bay." This equates to 8,580 books left in the garage or 6,818 book sold.
Even if we assume all of the missing books were actually sold and are not the trunk of a car, on consignment in a book store, given away as gifts, or provided to media outlets and reviews. If we assume a 50% discount to the retailer (store owner, Amazon, distributor) we see a revenue of $8.48 per book ($16.95/2). If you subtract the $2.60 production cost that leave $5.88 profit for the book. $5.88 X 6,818 = $40,017.16 Which would be break even – if you ignore tax implications.
But we know Amazon and distributors get more the 50% off. And we know all the books are not sold, books get damaged, stores return them, etc, etc. Again there is not enough here to suggest $40K in revenue.
I’m not saying anyone is lying. It does just not add up based upon the information provided in the article. $40K would not cover the expenses. Even if the expenses are accurate there were not enough sales to generate $40K in revenue.
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 403
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 05:10 pm: |
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Unless the author got an advance royalty on the next book, the award mentioned had a large cash prize with it, or the author recouped the money by some other means (such as speaker's fees or a business contract after becoming an expert author), it's highly unlikely. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5740
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 10:46 am: |
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I’m not saying anyone is lying. It does just not add up based upon the information provided in the article. $40K would not cover the expenses. Even if the expenses are accurate there were not enough sales to generate $40K in revenue.
(You're the first one wanting to defend a middle class Negro when he comes on here talking about he's trying to make it.
You are trying to find some way to prove he's a liar. The man said he broke even. Give or take a few bucks he probably did. Why not let it go at that?) |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10665
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 11:59 am: |
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And you are the first one to ridicule and discredit the extravagant excesses of the middle-class, Chrishayden. This immigrant African doctor may very well be trying to show how much more he has on the ball than African Americans do. They do this all the time. And if people want to question his veracity, they can. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5742
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 12:42 pm: |
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Playa hatas. That's what y'all are.
The man didn't even say he made a fortune. He said he broke even and Negroes who are always on here crowing about black capitalism and do for self jumped up and said he was lying.
If you think he's lying, bring in some facts.
Jeez. And you wonder why Negroes sell dope and prostitute themselves. What difference does it make with a peanut gallery like this behind you? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10668
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 12:58 pm: |
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This guy is not a playa, so your attempt to be hip doesn't apply, crissy. 
And nobody said he made a fortune but rather that his figures didn't jibe and that his story was not plausible - to anybody but you who he could probably convince to send him a blank check for books that he would never deliver, on the promise that when he came into his royal heritage, he would reimburse you.
To hold him up as a shining example of a smart entrepreneur is stupid when there are other Black folks whose stories are more believable and inspiring. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 925
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 01:09 pm: |
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Sheesh Chris, Thanks Cynique.
Emanuel's comments would be a more suitable explantion for how my man could have broken even.
Again, taken on face value, recovering the $40K does not add up based upon the information supplied, which seems to be sufficent to draw the conclusion. I supported my opinion with the facts as they were presented.
Short of an audit, we will never know the truth. Chris, as you know, people can say anything, this is why one as to read with their thinking caps on.
Troy |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 404
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 02:02 pm: |
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One thing I can say, the book looks very professionally done. I checked it out on Amazon. It's a worthy subject too. Looks like a good gift to give a daughter going away to college. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 567
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 04:11 pm: |
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Ben Bosah's responds:
I have read lots of blogs about Mr. Trachtenberg's article in The Wall Street Journal on 11/13/2007. I am very grateful to him for writing a story on my experience, and if it provides an instrumental lesson that assists someone in navigating the minefield of publishing, then it may have done some good. It will take an annal to tell the full story of how the book came to be.
Be that as it may, it appears that a lot of discussion about the book has focused on the effort and the fact that Ben Bosah Books have not made a bundle (of cash). Let me be quite clear, the motivation for the book was more altruistic in nature, and the joys of publishing it has been 'priceless.' Many an individual have spent lots of time and a lot more mullah nursing their ikebana trees, or engaged in some other hobby, probably a lot more expensive than this foray into publishing. If you count the intangibles in the comments I get from people who feel better educated about themselves and their health (and these people include PhD graduates), testimonials from others about the fact that the book actually inspired to rethink old habits and develop better ones, parents who have used the book as a conversation starter with their daughters, et cetera, you will no doubt agree that I have done better than break even.
Health literacy costs the economy between 50-75 billion dollars every year, and that is purely money. If once in a while a book like Letters to My Sisters: Plain Truths and Straightforward Advice from a Gynecologist' praised for its simplicity and unique approach for addressing medical issues helps a few people to better understand their medical conditions, then we would have made a significant contribution to the country.
It will be interesting to maybe make a slight detour and discuss some of the issues beyond writing and publishing. Let us use this unique organ of blogs and blogging to spread the message of health literacy. And while you are at it, call your library to add this high quality but inexpensive hardcover book (cheaper than most insurance copayments or for that matter, those martini cocktails) to their collection.
In my book, publishing the book has been an unqualified success. Dr. Osuagwu now has better name recognition, patients who like her honest approach are making appointments to see her, and occasionally she gets asked to speak for a fee. Yes, I spent more than 2500 hours but I enjoyed every bit of it. Now, make it 2501 hours. And I am still having fun.
Reach me at benbosah@benbosahbooks.com and let us talk about reaching the next milestone together. Wouldn't it be wonderful for Oprah or Ellen or Tyra to have an author of a self published book as a guest?
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5747
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 04:42 pm: |
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Cynique:
I believe you owe us all an apology.
Trying to down a BLACK MAN for doing something POSITIVE. I just don't get it... |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10678
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 07:22 pm: |
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I don't owe this African doctor an apology. I never challenged the content or the intent of his book except when it came to his devious math. He also seems to be entwining his success with that of his wife who learned from his mistakes when she wrote her book. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10679
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 07:31 pm: |
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The things you don't understand would fill a large library, chrishayden. And I certainly don't owe you an apology, as you try to distort the scenario of this incident. I stand by everything I said to you and your lame attempt at being noble.  |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 927
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 09:04 pm: |
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You know Emanuel draws our focus to yet another another good point -- The book itself.
I will recommend it in the next newsletter and actually buy one myself -- via AALBC.com of course. It is almost xmas time.
Plus I'm an old softie for the altruistic spin and I can relate to the fun of doing contrinuting something positive even if you are not making a ton of money...
Now after reading that email Urbanscribe posted I know for sure that he did not recover the expense associated with the book. (OK, I know I'm busting balls for no good reason now)
Ben should be REALLY glad Jeffrey wrote that article, it is only because of the article (and Urbanscribe) that we are even having this conversation. I subscribe to the WSJ and I missed the article.
I actually met Jeffrey a few months ago at BEA:
Me, Ken Smikle (publisher Black Issues Book Review), and JEFFREY A. TRACHTENBERG
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10684
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 10:14 pm: |
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I don't think anybody was trying to impugn the merit of this book, or the good intentions of its author. But the headline of this article contained the word "cautionary", and implicit in this word was the idea that there was a moral to the story. But the moral got lost when the author stretched the truth about his monetary profits. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 930
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 10:38 pm: |
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I hear you Cynique, and I agree.
Jeffrey deliberately gave us enough information to draw conclusions about the veracity of Ben assertions. Jeff did not have to say Ben was exaggerating or lying – he simply showed us.
Now the article was not about a man trying to benefit humanity by spreading important information about women’s health issues.
It was an article about someone who spent a boat load of money and failed to make a profit. Jeffrey highlighted the mistakes my man made and how he ignored advice of knowledgeable people. Jeff does not talk about the fun of the process or Ben’s altruism because that was not the point of the article.
Few can afford such charity or reckless behavior which is why Jeffrey makes it clear that the couple is very affluent – they could afford to lose the money and seemingly a lot more.
Overall I think Ben’s publishing company benefited from the article, readers of the WSJ probably found the article interesting, if not amusing, and aspiring self publishers can heed the many warnings.
15K hardcover books is a ton of books! Jeff painted a clear picture how what that looks like I don’t think the average person really appreciates how many book that is.
Also 2,500 hours is more than the number of hours one would work on a full time job over the course of a year – but I’ll leave that alone
I’m still going to buy a copy. Of course I could simply email my man and get a free copy (at least I would expect to get a free copy), but I’ll buy the book. If the book is garbage I’ll come back and tell you. If it is good, I’ll tell you that to and THEN I’ll mention it in my newsletter. I can’t go on E’s recommendation cause I looked at it on Amazon too and there is not enough information there to recommend the book in my newsletter
Letters to My Sisters: Plain Truths and Straightforward Advice from a Gynecologist
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0977339815/ref=nosim/aalbccom-20
Hey there are so many less expensive alternatives on Amazon site to buy the book. I could not logically pay the $16.95. So I brought one for $8.95. There were cheaper alternatives but I went with a reputable seller who was selling a new copy of the book.
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Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 932
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 11:48 am: |
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I spoke to a woman, whose opinion I respect and who is involved in publishing. She has read the book and was unaware of this article.
She too doubts the author made $40K on the book, but she did however like the book and spoke very highly of it.
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Mosaicbooks
First Time Poster
Username: Mosaicbooks
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 01:44 pm: |
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I'll chime in an say, I question the 40G recoup. And it does seem illogical that a business man would make that kind of investment without thinking it through. I did find it interesting that the Wall Street Journal would reference Zane and E. Lynn. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 933
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 03:54 pm: |
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Mosaicbooks, I met Jeffery, in the African American Pavilion at BEA. He is well aware of Zane, E. Lynn and very likely Mosaicbooks.
As far as Ben is concerned I’m sure he is a bright individual, who was unfamiliar with publishing and failed to heed the advise of those who are more familiar – a form of arrogance or risk taking (usually confused with confidence) that is not uncommon.
I'm sure he will learn from his mistakes on the second book, continue to provide a valuable service to women, have fun and maybe even make some money...
Troy
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Zane
Regular Poster
Username: Zane
Post Number: 64
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 06:48 pm: |
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Actually Jeffrey called me to discuss the article. I also believe he spoke to E. Lynn but can't verify that. I have known Jeffrey for many years and he did an online Q & A with me for Dear G Spot.
Zane |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10700
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 12:48 pm: |
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Hey, chrishayden, check out everything that was posted here after your ridiculous demand for an apology, and see how off base you were, - as usual. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 940
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 03:17 pm: |
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Cynique, have you ever known Chris reverse himself, after a thoughtful consideration of facts and evidence that go counter to his opinion?
Do you expect him to do this when those fact support your position?
Just curious.
Zane, Jeffrey seems to have been more through that most in writing this article. He presented facts, supplemented his interviews with first hand accounts, and painted an interesting picture with the descriptive detail.
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Benbosah
First Time Poster
Username: Benbosah
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 09:34 pm: |
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A heartfelt thanks to those who believe me. And for the naysayers, what can I do to convince you? I am going to keep chipping away and essentially that is the secret. If you have ever watched the movie, The Shawshank Redemption, the lesson you take away is that you keep chipping away and you will find success. We say ' Slow and Steady wins the race.' When you have had a formal launch of a book, sold the books at sorority conferences, at hair dressing salons, at hospital gift shops, at churches, to many organizations, through Amazon, Barnes and Noble for a short while in their store (before the orders came from New York to stop buying directly from me), and always on their websites, through Borders, libraries, had many doctors in different cities buy boxes of the book to support and promote a colleague, and add a mother-in-law who is a maven (who have single handedly being responsible for selling more than 1500 books around the New York area), and you will find that it is easy to recoup your 40K.
Now, I am not yet rolling in money. And yes, being new to the publishing business, the idea of parting with almost 60 percent of the cost of the book was not a welcome one, until I discovered you could not penetrate certain channels without distributors.
For those who are making distinctions by referring to me (or is it the doctor) as African, I do not see the need for that to be part of this discourse. I can assure you that if someone was coming down the street with the intent to harm us, they would not be stopping to ask us to speak and to find out who is African, or not.
I welcome the scrutiny of the book. Check it out for quality, in content and design, and give me your candid view on whether it is not worth every cent the $16.95. And please blog and review the book. It makes for an excellent end of the year gift, for both women and men who care for them, and maybe you review will definitely help recoup my initial expenses, since you do not believe me.
As I mentioned in my earlier posting, if one takes into consideration the energy and time I have put into this venture, it may be deemed unprofitable, but that is taking cash returns into consideration. I can tell you engineering consulting definitely pays better. Some people could consider it an expensive hobby, but its no different from grooming a bonsai tree. Now, if Cynique will drop his cynical garb for a moment, and do some back of the envelope calculations, he will discover that all is necessary to break even from selling a little more than 7000 books is an average of $5.90 a book. Troy, I would have been happy to 'hommie you a copy.' Only the major bookstores and some independent bookstores will sell you new copies, unless of course you get it from me. I am anxiously awaiting you view of the book. Now, let us get people to start talking about Letters to My Sisters: Plain Truths and Straightforward Advice from a Gynecologist. Since you already bought a copy, you can buy a few for the women in your life (i.e., wife (or girlfriend), sisters, nieces, etc.,). If you buy it from www.letterstomysisters.com website with PayPal, I can get them autographed. Cheers and a pleasant day to you. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 10750
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 11:51 pm: |
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I am a "she", not a "he" and cynic that I am, I reject your self-serving rationale and creative math. Yours is indeed a "cautionary" tale. I certainly wouldn't consider your method a shining example of how to self-publish a book, and I'd really have a problem if you'd recommend that others emulate your system. BTW, there's another thread on this board, having to do with self-promotion. You might want to plug your book there. |
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