Apparently there was a glitch in its production and 'they' are ironing it out. With the different systems for USA and the rest of the world, it is a complex business and many things can go wrong. After all, it has to work properly!
But it is really frustrating to have clients cry, "where, pray, is my dvd?"
So, where are we up to? Once it is done and ready I can get them off, but also can announce the LAUNCH.
On the website now, www.gilding.net, is a page with a chance to buy:
the pdf, £10
the book, £19.99
the dvd, £15.55, or a combination! There is a cute Google button to hit to actually BUY.
I have been around the place to sell the books, and the good news is Foyles is taking it, and the very good independent bookshop in South Kensington. I had not expected to get them in there, non specialist shops, but there you go. I have more confidence now and will try other outlets.
There has been no time to attend to the US market. I need a book distributor for that so that will take a while to organize.
Apart from the book life is full on with buying a property to let (I have been to landlord classes to learn how to do it properly!) and with looking after my aged parents in whose house we live and which we are slowly developing.
Work.... ah yes, some of it going on but I am not able to do much. However, these events are coming up, each of which I shall be giving an illustrated talk:
1st. Conference on Hinterglasmalerei, Augsburg, Germany, Fri/Sat 5/6 October.
2nd. Just Glass conference, Saturday, 20 October 2012, Venue: Brockway Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1 4RL. Time: 10.30am-4.30pm.
3rd. Day long class at West Dean College, W. Sussex, Gift Day, November 13
2 day class, Lommel, Belgium, 24/25 October
5 day class West Dean, 15-22 Feb 2013.
More soon, f
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Monday 17 September 2012
Getting the book into the world
I am getting a couple of rejections, which is interesting.
The V&A and the BM (British Museum) have declined it.... not very sure why, I have to read their emails more carefully. Anyone who has had rejection slips may be like me... a quick scan to see and to grasp the meaning, then put it away in a drawer, and get over it. Never mind the detail.
The dvd is on its way out (through the birthing canal and all that entails) and now I have to find out, somehow, who has paid and is due one. Some will have had a book already, and some books are waiting to be mailed along with the dvd.... but which and who?
Once the backlog is cleared I should be able to handle the orders as they come in.
I have been going around London on my motorbike (which my friend Bridget always insists is a moped.... but its not) delivering and hustling.
I dropped into Foyles (I had been told they were very good for writers) and found the buyer, and presented, and lo, she took 3. Reading the bumph she handed me it stated on NO account just drop in to see a buyer: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. Sorry.
So there are many more locations to try.... bookshops are on my list as I am encouraged by the South Kensington independent bookshop also taking 3 (sale or return). But I feel a bit wary of museums. I think they are put off by the How To section, but I really dont know.
And then I was sent the encyclopedia (a long list) of book distributors in the US , which I have to carefully sift. That enormous market has to be tackled soon. I had thought of organizing a trip to take in several locations, carrying the books. But they are so heavy, it seems a bit daft. The finances can't possibly work out. How many would I have to sell to only break even? Forget it.
So today I work in the office to catch up with it all before the dvds actually arrive. Once that is due to happen I need friend Simon to help me with getting it all online, with the ebook, the PayPal button and all officially launched.
Cheerio, and do drop me a line if you want to join in with any ideas! f
The V&A and the BM (British Museum) have declined it.... not very sure why, I have to read their emails more carefully. Anyone who has had rejection slips may be like me... a quick scan to see and to grasp the meaning, then put it away in a drawer, and get over it. Never mind the detail.
The dvd is on its way out (through the birthing canal and all that entails) and now I have to find out, somehow, who has paid and is due one. Some will have had a book already, and some books are waiting to be mailed along with the dvd.... but which and who?
Once the backlog is cleared I should be able to handle the orders as they come in.
I have been going around London on my motorbike (which my friend Bridget always insists is a moped.... but its not) delivering and hustling.
I dropped into Foyles (I had been told they were very good for writers) and found the buyer, and presented, and lo, she took 3. Reading the bumph she handed me it stated on NO account just drop in to see a buyer: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. Sorry.
So there are many more locations to try.... bookshops are on my list as I am encouraged by the South Kensington independent bookshop also taking 3 (sale or return). But I feel a bit wary of museums. I think they are put off by the How To section, but I really dont know.
And then I was sent the encyclopedia (a long list) of book distributors in the US , which I have to carefully sift. That enormous market has to be tackled soon. I had thought of organizing a trip to take in several locations, carrying the books. But they are so heavy, it seems a bit daft. The finances can't possibly work out. How many would I have to sell to only break even? Forget it.
So today I work in the office to catch up with it all before the dvds actually arrive. Once that is due to happen I need friend Simon to help me with getting it all online, with the ebook, the PayPal button and all officially launched.
Cheerio, and do drop me a line if you want to join in with any ideas! f
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Getting it out
It has been an extraordinary time.
Loads of orders for the books, so I take the payments and wait for the first batch to arrive. (Not exactly waiting, as if there isn't enough to do). Some pay with PayPal, (not as easy a system as I first thought) some with cheque, some want book only, some want the dvd too.... I am keeping a list, but once I realised I was billing some people twice I saw I was losing control. I have go myself into some deep doodoo here, up to my neck.
With the help of my longtime associate we (she) made a spreadsheet and we had to enter EVERYBODY; paid or not; sent or not; dvd or not..... for a regular business this is normal, but not for me.
I have just returned from the Post Office where I sent off over 120 books in individual packs or in multiples, up to 40, all over. I think the book is going to do quite well, and the dvd too, so now I am over the HUMP and can deal with orders as they come in.
Order for the next 200 lot has been placed. It will settle down, but you can imagine it is a bit full on.
But the video is very jolly and I always smile when it plays. I hope it spreads quickly. (on You tube and on my first page of gilding.net)
Very best to all. f
Loads of orders for the books, so I take the payments and wait for the first batch to arrive. (Not exactly waiting, as if there isn't enough to do). Some pay with PayPal, (not as easy a system as I first thought) some with cheque, some want book only, some want the dvd too.... I am keeping a list, but once I realised I was billing some people twice I saw I was losing control. I have go myself into some deep doodoo here, up to my neck.
With the help of my longtime associate we (she) made a spreadsheet and we had to enter EVERYBODY; paid or not; sent or not; dvd or not..... for a regular business this is normal, but not for me.
I have just returned from the Post Office where I sent off over 120 books in individual packs or in multiples, up to 40, all over. I think the book is going to do quite well, and the dvd too, so now I am over the HUMP and can deal with orders as they come in.
Order for the next 200 lot has been placed. It will settle down, but you can imagine it is a bit full on.
But the video is very jolly and I always smile when it plays. I hope it spreads quickly. (on You tube and on my first page of gilding.net)
Very best to all. f
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