In my shop, this is easily one of the questions I am asked most frequently. Luckily, Nigel Burwood of Bookride has of late been explaining, in an excellent series of posts, just exactly where he and other dealers traditionally procure stock. Informative for both outsiders and current booksellers alike, with lots of stories from the trade thrown in for good measure:Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.
Flatsigned Celebrates Itself
In one of the most blatant displays of hubris in the annals of bookselling, the notorious Tim Miller of Flatsigned.com is celebrating his 10 year anniversary by issuing a press release for the ages.Here are some nuggets:on his business name- "Coined by legendary horror writer Stephen King, the term FlatSigned refers to the most desirable type of collectible book." Not.on how he got started-One of his friends told him "he could make money by getting books autographed and reselling them. At the time, the film version of John Grisham's novel "The Firm" was being filmed in Memphis, where Miller served...
Amazon and Bibliofind: A History
Amazon's acquisition of ABE continues to be a big topic of conversation among online booksellers. Dealers are still attempting to read the tea leaves and divine Amazon's ultimate intentions for ABE and its subsidiaries (Library Thing, Bookfinder, etc.). On the Bibliophile List, discussion of late has turned to the fates of previous Amazon acquisitions, specifically Bibliofind (an early competitor to ABE), and what these might tell us about Amazon's plans. During this recent back-and-forth, Marion Meyer of Marion Meyer Rare Book in East Hampton NY offered the following history of Amazon's buyout of Bibliofind - both in order to correct...
Book Patrol Launches "Hall of Shame" on Twitter
Much has happened in the bookselling world since the rise of the online bookseller. One of the areas that has taken the biggest hit is in the proper cataloging and describing of a book offered for sale.So for your entertainment pleasure Book Patrol has created a Hall of Shame on Twitter. Though it will be predominately populated with real life book descriptions found on real life online marketplaces there will also be other inductees as the situation warrants. You know, like the guy in New Zealand who got busted for taking pictures of women's feet in the libraryEnjoy!
The Evolution of Author Marketing : Readings Endangered, The Appearance Rising and Product Placement is Just Around the Corner
Author Ethan Canin, right, mingles with guests at a recent "Words & Wine" gathering in SeattleRemember the days when one of the few options an author had was to hit the road to promote their new book, crossing the country, reading at bookstores both big and small, connecting with readers in the hope that they will buy your book.Well, it's not that simple anymore. The changing publishing and bookselling landscape has forced everyone to revamp their marketing strategy to come up with new ways to sell books. Most major publishers now have an in house speakers-bureau and internet marketing department....