Richard’s Comments (group member since Sep 08, 2009)

Richard’s comments from the AustralianReaderdotcom group.

That's fantastic, Margo. Well done.

I'm only too happy to help. I believe we're working together, the authors of Australia. The more Aussie books we get out there, the easier it will be to get our books recognised and accepted.

I contacted every Canadian library separately and didn't get one message that there was a supplier who has a monopoly on the market to libraries over there.

In Australia, some states are different. WA needs a copy of the book sent to the State Library then they place the name in the list all WA libraries can stock (once I was on the list, I contacted each library separately, anyway). In Qld there is a great website - http://www.libraries.slq.qld.gov.au/h.... For each library named, it gives the regional library and I found it is only at the regional level the purchase is made. It also gives names of librarians. Other states you might have to open each council website and click on the library icon and hope for an email contact, otherwise you have to send the message via the council. But I sold 65 books personally the first time I sent emails to all Aussie councils. So I think it is worth it.

Thanks Stuart and Phillip,
I've found out there are over 3,000 secondary schools in Canada, so I'll be busy for many days on that. Then there's the USA!

But I've found one trick of the trade and I'm longing to share it so you all don't waste days like I have. I cntacted every library in Lancashire, UK. Some replied that they have a central point where all decisions are made as to the books they stock. So I wrote off that day's work and felt confident when I spent another day contacting every county library in England, sending my message to their acquisitions librarian. Did you guess it? Yes, wrong again. They all buy from suppliers who decide what books each library will stock, based on surveys of book reading patterns.

The good news? I have the contact details for these suppliers. Here they are:

Adult Fiction - The Holt Jackson Book Company http://www.holtjackson.co.uk/
Adult Non Fiction - Askews Library Services http://www.askews.co.uk
Children's Books - Peters Bookselling Services http://www.peters-books.co.uk

Some library authorities also use Bertram Library Services http://www.bertramlibraries.com

So I hope I save you all a heap of time if you want to get your book into the English library system. If you're lucky, sending four emails could bring in a heap of sales. Good luck.

Guy wrote: "Just had a note overnight that my story "Solitary Birds" will be published by Crannóg Magazine http://www.crannogmagazine.com/
in Ireland in the autumn issue (October). Not available online unfortu..."
Well done. How do you find these palces to send your work? I see people referred to as 'The Winner of the XXXXX Award for his/her novel...' There must be hundreds of awards out there. How does one find them?

Mine came out a couple of days ago on www.lachesispublishing.com. I'm expecting it on Amazons any day now.

Robin wrote: "HI everyone, my name is Robin and I have only just discovered Australian Reader. I am having a short story published on the site soon, called The Mango Tree and I'm very excited about it, as I have..."
Hi Robin,
You've mentioned someting of great interest to me. In Australia we seem to go for the publishers whereas overseas they go first for the agents. Here it is a real Catch 22. It's harder to get an agent than it is to get a publisher. I don't know what we can do about it though. Any thoughts?

Phillip wrote: "G'day, Richard!

I look forward to reviewing your two books, which reviews appearing in November's newsletter. I am actually eyeing them as I write. :)

What are your thoughts on your publishers?

..."

This brings us to the argument as to what can be considered as 'published'. Zeus is a partnership publisher. I contribute some money up front but then they do everything a traditional publisher would do. I get royalties and can buy books for my use at a discount. They have helped me heaps and I'm now their highest-selling author. So I'm happy with them for my Australian publishing even though some people would say I can't claim to be published because I've made a one-off payment.

My publisher in Canada is having a few problemns. Their main editor has resigned but her condemnation of the company is a recommendation as far as I'm concerned. She says they are hard working and have the highest level of morality in their intentions. They just lack good management. So my books have been delayed in publishing even though they have been fully edited. I didn't have to pay anything to Lachesis but there are still some who would question this as being truely published because I don't get an advance on royalties. I just get royalties every quarter.

So I'm happy to claim I've been published in both cases.

Hello everyone,
My name is Richard and I live north of Brisbane, Qld. I'm recently retired so you could say I'm a full-time domestic servant. In my spare time I write. I have two books published and the third should be out in November. I seldom read fiction; I stick to classics and historical works. I'm published by Zeus in Australia and soon by Lachesis in Canada.

I'll probably take some time to get used to this group but I hope to be able to join in soon.

Richard