As an author I'm always curious who buys my books. I watch sales go up and down, I answer emails from readers who have recently discovered my books and they feed my writer's ego with tales of how much they love my books. But slowly I noticed I was receiving emails from readers who said they could no longer walk into a Barnes and Noble and purchase my books. They were always sold out. That's good, right? Not always. I started to hear more and more that my books were out-of-print. Impossible, I thought I would be the first to know when, and if, my books were out-of-print.
So one day, while visiting in a city where several readers said they couldn't get my books, I walked up to the counter where the clerks are more than happy to check on books.
"Can I help you," he asked.
"Sure, do you have any books by Patricia Bremmer in the store?"
"Let me look."
I waited patiently while he searched the database.
"I'm sorry we're sold out."
"How many titles does she have?" I asked.
"Nine," he responded.
"Can I order them?" I asked.
He checked.
"I'm sorry they're out of print."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
Annoyed he responded, "Yes, ma'am they're out of print."
"Any idea why?" I asked.
"I think the author died," he responded.
I was set back to say the least. After the shock left, I felt my pulse and all seemed to be good. My heart was thumping loudly in my chest and my breathing grew rapid, but I took all of those as signs I was still very much alive.
So, when I returned home I called the store manager. We went through the same round of questions and answers and guess what. He confirmed my death!!!
After rechecking my pulse. I took in a deep breath and said, "There must be some sort of mistake."
"No, I don't think so," he replied.
"I'm sure there is," I insisted. "You see, I am Patricia Bremmer and not only am I not dead, but my books are not out-of-print.
Apologies flowed and I was invited to participate on a panel for mystery writers. When I arrived they had two of my titles set up in front of me. I asked the PR person where the rest of my titles were and she responded, "They're out-of-print."
Arrggg....I offered to bring the books in from my trunk but was told I couldn't bring out-of-print books into the store to sell. So after the talk, a flock of readers joined me in the parking lot and I sold books from my trunk.
You see your strongest fans will buy your books whether you're dead or alive!!!
So one day, while visiting in a city where several readers said they couldn't get my books, I walked up to the counter where the clerks are more than happy to check on books.
"Can I help you," he asked.
"Sure, do you have any books by Patricia Bremmer in the store?"
"Let me look."
I waited patiently while he searched the database.
"I'm sorry we're sold out."
"How many titles does she have?" I asked.
"Nine," he responded.
"Can I order them?" I asked.
He checked.
"I'm sorry they're out of print."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
Annoyed he responded, "Yes, ma'am they're out of print."
"Any idea why?" I asked.
"I think the author died," he responded.
I was set back to say the least. After the shock left, I felt my pulse and all seemed to be good. My heart was thumping loudly in my chest and my breathing grew rapid, but I took all of those as signs I was still very much alive.
So, when I returned home I called the store manager. We went through the same round of questions and answers and guess what. He confirmed my death!!!
After rechecking my pulse. I took in a deep breath and said, "There must be some sort of mistake."
"No, I don't think so," he replied.
"I'm sure there is," I insisted. "You see, I am Patricia Bremmer and not only am I not dead, but my books are not out-of-print.
Apologies flowed and I was invited to participate on a panel for mystery writers. When I arrived they had two of my titles set up in front of me. I asked the PR person where the rest of my titles were and she responded, "They're out-of-print."
Arrggg....I offered to bring the books in from my trunk but was told I couldn't bring out-of-print books into the store to sell. So after the talk, a flock of readers joined me in the parking lot and I sold books from my trunk.
You see your strongest fans will buy your books whether you're dead or alive!!!
Are you entirely, completely sure you're not dead, Patricia? It could be an excellent tax move (smile).
ReplyDeleteLove this! Melodie from over on Amazon.
funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com
(we'll see if the damned link works here)
I was told I could talk with the dead, so it must be true. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
ReplyDeleteDid you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz reply as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks
Also visit my site wiki.herbert-foerster.de
I stumbled through it on my own. I didn't hire anyone.
ReplyDelete