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Welcome back for another edition of Author's Corner. It's been a hectic month for me between traveling, signings and moving. I haven't had time to proof Dark Horizon in quite sometime. I need to send it out soon to a publisher. I'm in a position where I have some very important decisions to make regarding the Fractured Time Trilogy. I've submitted a package to Tor Books in regards to the paperback version of Fractured Time. When the first edition (1000 books) is exhausted probably by the end of the year, I don't want to have a second edition released. There are several reasons for this:
First, I hope to make this a gift to those who supported me as a new author. If things go well, they could be collectors' items at some point. Yes, it's a long shot but I'm ambitious and I like to think big. Second, hardbacks are a tough sell and as the book becomes older, in terms of its release date, it won't sell well unless something big like a movie deal occurs to ignite sales. That is a possibility with Lions Share Pictures but I'm planning based on what is likely to occur. Third, the paperback for Fractured Time will serve as advertising as well as sales. Granted paperbacks don't make you much money but I have to look ahead at the latest books. If Tor elects to pickup Fractured Time, I'll then propose Twisted Fate and Dark Horizon as well for paperback. I believe it takes nine to twelve months from the signing of a contract to generate a paperback.
My writers tip for this month is a lesson I was surprised to learn. A new issue I've encountered is with my second publisher, VirtualBookworm.com. As I mentioned in an earlier edition, they are a print on demand publisher with a decent reputation. Since the release of Twisted Fate, none of the bookstores can order Twisted Fate because their systems show it as not orderable. I've done a lot of research to find out why and I was a bit surprised at the outcome. It appears that PODs don't offer a discount or if so, a very little discount compared to ~40% that other publishers offer. As a result, the corporations of book chains have decided not to purchase from any of these publishers because, after shipping costs, they've lost money. I'm hoping to negotiate with the publisher to find a way to accommodate them. I don't need to make nearly 50% off of each book, so I'm hoping there's a way to structure this. I'm not sure that they can do this for one author because the system recognizes publishers by their policies, not their authors. I think they would have to change this for everyone or none at all. I'll have more on this next month.
I'd like to thank Jackie Moore of Waldenbooks, Eastridge Mall and Karen of Waldenbooks of 1st St. in San Jose. They were very accommodating and it was great having the opportunity to introduce Fractured Time to a new area of the country. I've already received some e-mails from readers who enjoyed FT. I'd also like to thank Rachel from Waldenbooks, 9th & Market in Phila. And Karen Snow of Barnes & Noble in Marlton, NJ. These girls do an excellent job and helped make the signings very pleasant experiences. I'm sorry I didn't have Rachel's store listed with signings for this month. I had to turn in the updates to my webmaster before I set up the signing.
DragonCon, which occurs over Labor Day weekend, is fast approaching. Last year they drew over 20,000 people for the four day event. I've requested a fan table to promote the Fractured Time Trilogy and I wan to make arrangements with one of the book vendors in the dealers' hall to carry FT and TF. Hopefully, anyone who purchases a copy can get the book signed at my table. I'm also preparing my promo materials as well. It's a lot of work but its very rewarding when I hear that people enjoy what I'm doing. I'll have more information on this as it gets closer.
I've notified my contact at Lions Share Pictures of Twisted Fate's release and I'm hoping to hear something back about either FT or continued interest in TF as the sequel. People tell me that the longer it takes to hear back, the better it is. I hope they're right.
The following are upcoming signings:
Waldenbooks
July 5 from 12-2
Plymouth Meeting Mall
Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
Waldenbooks
July 26th from 12-2
Springfield Mall
Springfield, Pa.
Waldenbooks
December 21st from 12-3
Montgomery Mall
North Wales, Pa.
Barnes & Noble
July 19th from 2-4
310 Main St.
Exton, Pa.
Waldenbooks
December 12th from 12-3
Montgomery Mall
North Wales, Pa.
Join me next month for another edition of Author's corner. Have a happy 4th of July and a safe summer.
- Michael D'Ambrosio
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