I actually finished this blog a few minutes ago, and then made the mistake of hitting the DELETE button to get rid of that “p” down below. Well I deleted the whole blog, and although I receiving a note to say it was now in DRAFTS, there was nothing. So beware the DELETE button. Small progress this week. My 30 complimentary copies did not arrive, and now I am waiting for UPS to trace the parcels. Nobody knows where they are. I need them to take to a couple of book stores to sell on consignment and see what happens.
I lost one and a half days because a lightning strike took out my office router and we had to get a new one. Then we had to phone Telkom to assist with the re-connection and after waiting over 4 hours for a consultant to answer their phone we gave up. I then phoned them at night and after a 45 minute wait, finally a lady answered and sorted us out. In between all this we received material to deliver for Scharrer Advertising, and Longtom Foods is now busy with enquiries every day, and so it was Thursday when I finished my list of email addresses of the UK Journalism Schools. Friday I sent out a flyer to them and by 5.00 pm received two positive replies. One was from a Professor of Journalism at Westminster University, who wrote to say that the book sounded most interesting and he would be recommending it to his students. Next week I send to the US Schools of Journalism at the American universities. I have over 400 email addresses.
This week two sales popped up in Euros. My first Euro sales! My report shows 24 paperbacks sold and 5 Kindles. I am not sure if this includes the November sales of which there were a few as CreateSpace report on a monthly basis in US$, English pounds and Euros.
Now I really have to start publicizing my Blog…not a single visitor. Oh! I nearly forgot. I received an email from Jonathan Ball Publishers to say: “Sorry. This is not their kind of book.” I didn’t really expect anything else. Onward we go.
Len Kloosman said:
Hi Jos,
This really looks terrific! You seem to have suffered more than your fair share of trials and tribulations in very short order – UPS having to back track, lightening strikes . . .. Quite a saga. Hope things settle down and run smoothly for you from here on.
Bestest,
Len Kloosman.
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josscharrer said:
Thanks Len, I am sure this week will show more progress. The only cloud on the horizon is the warning of Load Shedding about to commence again. Eskom is in very bad shape. They have not done maintenance for over 20 years and if they do not start now, SA is in serious trouble. We have generator here 6.5 kw. It must keep my son’s freezers going for his catering business and hopefully the computers. So much to do!! All the best Jos
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Nigel Fox said:
Hi Jos. I published late last year – “A Bullet in the Back: The 1914 Afrikaner Rebellion”. Just in time to be too late for reviewers prior to Christmas. The publisher is Porcupine Press about R53 per copy, plus Amazon, Kindle, Kalahari, Loot, etc and a local publicist, Caroline Konstant in Cape Town who markets to publications to get reviews. Had a launch at Kalk Bay Books and sold 13 copies, a launch at The Gallery in Riebeek Kasteel and sold 10 copies and a presentation to the SA Military History Society at the War Museum and sold 10 copies. I’m presenting to the SAMHS in Cape Town next month. Reviews are key as well as any presentations you can make to groups. Writing was tough, but getting sales is much more difficult. All the best, Nigel
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josscharrer said:
Dear Nigel,
Thank you ever so much for that information. We seem to be in the same boat, but you are way ahead of me. My trouble is that I need to print books in South Africa because the freight from the US is over $5.40 per book and a printed copy to me from CreateSpace is $5.36 and I do not have enough copies to present to groups or leave on consignment at book shops. Although I have been approached by groups and clubs and I will take them up on that when I have a supply. I will phone Porcupine Press and Caroline and see what happens. Thanks so much. We must keep in touch. Best of luck. Jos
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