I commented earlier today that I was headed out to check on a bookstore to see if they needed to be re-supplied. For the third time, I found that they had sold every one of my books, but just hadn't noticed that they were no longer on the shelves. Yes, I had left them with careful instructions on how to re-order. But in every case, they didn't bother to keep that information or failed to keep track of sales.  So far on this trip, I have taken orders for 40 books, not one of which would have come in if I hadn't made the effort to check. But it bugs me a little.. Is this the author's job? I find it hard to keep tabs on stores that are located 700 miles away from where I live. So I check up when I can be in the area, and get a variety of this response: "Oh, yes, that book sold very well. We'd love to have more." Then why didn't they re-order? Marketing gets harder and harder! |
