Revised edition of my CFL book -- etc
Well, some news.
First, I am publishing a revised edition of my CFL book. It should be available thru Lulu next month. Changes are largely cosmetic --- reformatting with better-looking font, single spacing and a “real” cover. This is largely in line with the “alternate edition” I created a couple months ago. The reformatting will cut the book’s length by about 150 pages, but even then it will remain in the same 8.25 X 11 size. Using the only other (smaller) size book would still produce a 500-page book which defeats the purpose of a revised format..
I will have the original edition de-listed from distribution but how long that will take I do not know nor do I have any control over it.. Because of the changes, the revised edition will have a new ISBN (a book’s identification number). So it will take a few weeks before that starts showing on the various online sites but Amazon.com should have it by early December. Once I know that the new edition is uploaded on the distributor’s database, I can — if I so decide to input it on to Chapter’s/Indigo.
Ah yes, Chapter’s.
I held off on mentioning anything about this before now until everything was settled and I calmed down. The details of my ongoing battles are duly noted in other threads. Here’s the (pardon the pun) Coles Notes version.
Chapter’s HO buyer did not want to place a bulk order for other stores across Canada. She told me tho that I was free to contact stores individually to get the book stocked in whichever stores wanted it. I was able to get it into four additional stores. By late August, I had either arranged myself or with help from their buyers out West to get it into about 30 other stores — 150-200 copies in total.
When I didn’t see it showing up, I made a number of inquiries. Finally, word came thru one of the managers that the HO buyer had refused to put thru any more orders. Not only that, she said that the book would not be re-ordered for any store that has sold out of copies. Chapter’s is still complaining that they are not getting a high enough discount from the distributor. She also said that sports books were “over-inventoried.” The suggestion given to me was to tell people to buy it online and to be thankful that it got into any stores because many new books are only sold online. So months of effort was largely wasted.
You can imagine my reaction on hearing this. I fired off an email to the senior buyer with a copy to CEO Heather Reisman herself. They didn’t have the courtesy to reply.
So, if I’m going to drive potential customers, my suggestion is to buy it from Lulu. The price ($25.01 US) is more or less what Chapter’s charges online or in-store. The Lulu price also provides free shipping (tho thru US Postal Ground) in either Canada or US. An added benefit to ordering thru Lulu is that with my “insider” status there, I can help if there are any problems with the order or delivery.
I’ve got a few weeks to decide about whether I’m going to list the revised edition on Chapter’s or not. Those stores which have copies in stock will continue to sell them. But I see no point in anyone buying those copies with the revised edition available.
When I know more about how everything is coming along, I’ll provide updates.
Steve
THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: THE PHOENIX OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEAGUES
www.lulu.com/sobrien
obrienst@magma.ca
First, I am publishing a revised edition of my CFL book. It should be available thru Lulu next month. Changes are largely cosmetic --- reformatting with better-looking font, single spacing and a “real” cover. This is largely in line with the “alternate edition” I created a couple months ago. The reformatting will cut the book’s length by about 150 pages, but even then it will remain in the same 8.25 X 11 size. Using the only other (smaller) size book would still produce a 500-page book which defeats the purpose of a revised format..
I will have the original edition de-listed from distribution but how long that will take I do not know nor do I have any control over it.. Because of the changes, the revised edition will have a new ISBN (a book’s identification number). So it will take a few weeks before that starts showing on the various online sites but Amazon.com should have it by early December. Once I know that the new edition is uploaded on the distributor’s database, I can — if I so decide to input it on to Chapter’s/Indigo.
Ah yes, Chapter’s.
I held off on mentioning anything about this before now until everything was settled and I calmed down. The details of my ongoing battles are duly noted in other threads. Here’s the (pardon the pun) Coles Notes version.
Chapter’s HO buyer did not want to place a bulk order for other stores across Canada. She told me tho that I was free to contact stores individually to get the book stocked in whichever stores wanted it. I was able to get it into four additional stores. By late August, I had either arranged myself or with help from their buyers out West to get it into about 30 other stores — 150-200 copies in total.
When I didn’t see it showing up, I made a number of inquiries. Finally, word came thru one of the managers that the HO buyer had refused to put thru any more orders. Not only that, she said that the book would not be re-ordered for any store that has sold out of copies. Chapter’s is still complaining that they are not getting a high enough discount from the distributor. She also said that sports books were “over-inventoried.” The suggestion given to me was to tell people to buy it online and to be thankful that it got into any stores because many new books are only sold online. So months of effort was largely wasted.
You can imagine my reaction on hearing this. I fired off an email to the senior buyer with a copy to CEO Heather Reisman herself. They didn’t have the courtesy to reply.
So, if I’m going to drive potential customers, my suggestion is to buy it from Lulu. The price ($25.01 US) is more or less what Chapter’s charges online or in-store. The Lulu price also provides free shipping (tho thru US Postal Ground) in either Canada or US. An added benefit to ordering thru Lulu is that with my “insider” status there, I can help if there are any problems with the order or delivery.
I’ve got a few weeks to decide about whether I’m going to list the revised edition on Chapter’s or not. Those stores which have copies in stock will continue to sell them. But I see no point in anyone buying those copies with the revised edition available.
When I know more about how everything is coming along, I’ll provide updates.
Steve
THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE: THE PHOENIX OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEAGUES
www.lulu.com/sobrien
obrienst@magma.ca
Some Baptist you are...... 
j/k
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