makes light of all the effort involved to bring it here. Between signing off the cover and manuscript as print-ready and arriving home on Wednesday last week to find the kitchen worktop laden with brown paper parcels was shockingly quick. Troubadour had repeatedly said not to plan a launch as there could be a delay in the books being ready by publication date at the end of August.To then be informed that the books would be printed and delivered a full five weeks early – well! I felt I’d scarcely bid Belfast Song off on its first steps into the world and here it was back on the doorstep. That it was delivered on Wednesday when it was due on Thursday added to my consternation. I couldn’t open a box. Instead I went about my business of clearing the last of my packing cases which was still only partially unpacked since our move here three years ago – all the better to make space for this new creature. Denis and I had a peaceful evening meal in the kitchen as if it was any other day.
And then on Thursday morning, when Denis was out with the dog, I opened a box and took out a single copy of Belfast Song.
I walked about the house with it, stroking its face, feeling its weight and marvelling at how transformed it was since I last saw it. I then took a deep breath in and looked closer… no misspellings glared back, the format of a particular section I’d been concerned about was right and proper. Denis came back and we had a look together.
And then…I didn’t know what to be at… here were the 200 copies that I’d asked to be delivered to home (the other 200 are stored at Troubador). They had to stay hidden until the official publication date. I’d already told my writing buddies in Shipyard that the printing was way ahead of schedule so they were in the know. Did I now pretend they weren’t here?
By Thursday afternoon, I’d recovered. I contacted Dave McClelland to check if he would have time to post another blog on the website and a further email to subscribers if I sent him material over the weekend. This will be the last until September when the book is out there – so if you’re reading this, you’re in the loop of those now in the know.
I’d arranged to meet a friend in Cafe #9 on Friday to talk about possibilities of when and how I might launch the book in Sheffield. I just took the book with me. It was the right decision. Sitting with the book between us, discussion about next steps seemed more real, possibilities more tangible.
Now as I won’t be blogging again until the book is out, a note about the economics of book selling.
I didn’t know this until I started on this publishing business. My hope in sharing this is that if you decide to buy one or more copies, you can make informed choices as to where you buy from.
Just a reminder, I hope to offset the money I have invested in publishing this book. And, if at all possible, I want to avoid further costs in the process of selling.
The first thing you need to know is that the book trade takes discounts of between 45-60% of the cover price and the writer will receive between 25-85% depending on which retailer the book takes to market. This means that depending on print costs and how many copies are printed, a writer can actually make a loss per sale.
N.B What I am saying next only applies to smaller print runs – and as such hits small publishing houses and independent authors.
In my case, with a print run of 400 and the retail price for Belfast Song set at £10.99:
I will receive back:
£10.99 if the book is bought direct from me – at a launch or similar event. (And I can sign it as well.)
£5.36 if the book is bought via Troubador’s Online Bookshop
I will have to pay out:
£1.24 to Amazon for every copy of a book they sell (I’m talking about physical books here- see digital books below)
£0.69 to bookshops for every book they sell. (I support my local bookshop myself when I buy. I just would prefer not to support all of your respective bookshops when you buy.)
e-books are different. To cut a long story short: a digital copy of my book on Amazon will retail at £5.99. I will receive back £3.56 per ebook.
That’s me for now. Thanks you for reading this. If you feel like leaving a comment or two on the website, I’d enjoy hearing from you. I’ll be blogging again in September. Until then, hope you enjoy the rest of your summer.
So exciting Mary
And I will, of course, buy direct from you at Sheffield launch if I’m not away then or when I’m back, if I am. Congratulations 🎉
Thanks Emma.. I am currently looking at a launch in Nether Edge in first half of November – possibly N/E Bowling Club. But I doubt you’ll have to wait until then. I’m sure I can get book to you in September. Your support appreciated
Congratulations and fair play to you, Mary.
I’m looking forward very much to reading Belfast Song.
I’ll be buying direct 🙂
Thanks Daragh for your continuing support. I can get the book to you early September although hope to see you before that.
Yeah! Congratulations! You (and Troubador) did it!
I’m going to put the book on my Christmas wishlist for a friend geographically close enough to buy it direct from you. If that doesn’t work, you’ll be hearing from me after the holidays. Enjoy that Sheffield launch.
Thanks Hope.
I’m hoping to enjoy the book launch in Belfast on 20th Sept. And the one in Nether Edge in Sheffield in early November. In reality, I am a mix of excitement and nerves thinking about both.
Mary, well done you. How exciting. What an achievement . I’d love to purchase a book direct from you. With much love for an extraordinary achievement. My anticipation is fizzing.
Thanks Elizabeth. I appreciate your continuing interest and feedback.
I don’t thinks there will be a problem with me getting book to you. For one thing I’m meeting up with Jude in early September and can pass the book to her. So, if it’s okay, I’ll add you to my list of people wanting book direct from me- and we’ll sort details later.
Wow it’s born and being walked around your house. I definitely will buy from you direct more than one copy as I have a list of friend’s with whom I want to share.
So let me know when in September I can buy
Billie xx
Baby is born. Hope it doesn’t keep you awake at nights!
I was going to say please bring my signed copy when I see you in September, sounds like you’ll be bringing me at least two! I can pass on to others over this way if you want.
Jx
I just picked this and another message up today. I haven’t been back on the website since 30/7
So, thanks Billie. Let’s pick this up when we meet up on 14th. In meantime, have a think as to whether you would like them to be signed and if you would like the book to be addressed to the name of a particular individual.
Mary
Hi Jude
It’s already kept me awake at nights well before it arrived on my doorstep! Thanks for offer to pass on to others over your way. No doubt we’ll talk before September so we can work our if and how that might work.
Hi Sis, I will be buying direct from you at your launch in Sept and planning to buy extra copies as Christmas gifts for friends.
So excited for you and looking forward to the launch on the 20th of next month.
Well done Mary 👏👏
Hi Mary, both me and Jack are so excited for you and the launch of Belfast Song!!! We will be buying direct of you (definitely a copy for each of us for our book shelves) at the Belfast launch.
What an achievement to be a published author 🍾
Emma xx