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Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 13
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 10:10 am: | 
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I have an intersting issue. It's not big money, but the principle of the thing. I did a signing at a bookstore that is very high profile in the black community of a major city. It was not a blockbuster by any means, but I sold a few books. This was back in the summer of 2007. After at least three telephone inquiries and one in person, I have yet to be paid for the books that I sold.
This is puzzling to me, I'm talking about nothing as far as money goes. This was mainly a promo thing for me to get exposue in another market. I have heard excuses of we cut checks on x days after the event which is long gone to they come out of somewhere else.
My thoughts are, I'm not a big name so you don't care or something else is up. These people host every big name black author that comes through the city that they are located in. I was there recently and removed any stock that I had left with them.
I would rather sign at Barnes and Noble in that city rather than getting stiffed by my own people.
Has anyone else ran into a situation like this?
www.DTPollard.com |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 407
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 02:04 pm: |
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This hasn't happened to me. Usually, I bring my own books, sign & sell, let them ring up the sale at the retail price, and then the bookstore cuts me a check for the # of books I've sold minus their percentage immediately after the signing. If the signing goes well, the bookstore will often buy more copies of my book to sell later before I leave. Although my books are distributed through Ingram and Baker & Taylor, I've only had one bookstore order my books through a distributor for an event. When this happens, I get a check from the distributor minus their percentage.
Did you bring your own books or did the bookstore order through a distributor? If it's the latter, you should get paid by the distributor, unless you are expecting some sort of honorarium from the bookstore for your appearance. |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 14
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 04:18 pm: |
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I brought my own books and the store rang them up under a 60/40 split deal. This is the norm at independents. At Barnes and Noble I get 80% and they get 20% when I bring books, a much better deal.
This is simply a case of these folks not paying me and it is baffling. I'm talking under $50 here, but it shows me something about the character of the store manager at least. I'm talking about a well know black bookselling organization here that should be dealing on the up and up. I'm sure if I were a national name it would be different. I will take it as a lesson on who to deal with and just because someone is not well known now doesn't mean that would always be the case.
www.DTPollard.com |
Bookgirl
Regular Poster
Username: Bookgirl
Post Number: 136
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 04:31 pm: |
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By the way, Hen81; I really enjoyed your book, The Rooftop Diva |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 408
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 04:36 pm: |
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Just chalk it up as a lesson learned. Fifty bucks is not even worth suing about but like you said it's the principle of the matter. With future signings, just make sure you agree to how you'll get paid before you start selling books at their stores. I think it's standard to get your check right after the signing. It's no wonder more authors are turning to the streets and non-book store events to sell their work. The self-published author makes out a whole lot better this way, assuming the event organizers have done their part in bringing in potential customers. I prefer non-bookstore events with a cheap vendor fee because you make out a lot better when you're the publisher. Of course, readers feel bookstore signings legitimize you and there's usually good foot traffic to reach those impulse buyers.
You must be doing something right to have appeared on the Essence Bestseller list. You should be giving us advice. |
Zane
Regular Poster
Username: Zane
Post Number: 62
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 05:46 pm: |
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Unfortunately, your situation is not uncommon. I would simply get the money before you leave from here on out. If it was less than $50, that should not have been a problem.
Zane |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 15
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 06:16 pm: |
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Thanks bookgirl for buying my book. My new book Fools' Heaven is available now about one of our other hot topics, the megachurch pastor.
You know these things are pitfalls, but it does call into question how we do business with each other. Now when I do a festival, advertising, etc. in that city, I will direct people elsewhere to get my book. I want to suppport our own, but you get what is given.
As I was typing, I just took delivery of 100 copies of my new book for 4 events and a TV appearance over the next 4 weeks.
www.DTPollard.com
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 409
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 10:17 pm: |
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I put in a request at my local library in Cleveland for "Rooftop Diva." Looks like a few copies are on the way:
http://sciron.cuyahoga.lib.oh.us/search/?searchtype=t&searcharg=rooftop%20diva |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 16
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 11:58 am: |
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Emanuel, I appreciate the support. What is the title of your book.
www.DTPollard.com |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 410
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 02:01 pm: |
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"Where is the Love" by Emanuel Carpenter. |
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