Post Launch Day News…

Hello Readers!

I’m here to tell you about the ups and the downs of modern day self-publishing… and of the can of worms officially opened!

So Launch Day wasn’t a great success.. mind you I am less upset about that as I am about a few of the big issues i feel i need to discuss…

I do want to thank everyone who bought or is considering buying my Book!

Please make sure to leave a review at Amazon or your local bookstore website as they really do help me!

One small tip.. If you haven’t purchased the book now and are considering getting a copy… Make sure you buy it soon.. The reason is that due to pricing changes and possible tariffs etc.. I may have to change prices. This will force a label change on the books and therefore make the books.. Less collectable… For collectors know that the first printed edition versions are the most collectable.. years down the road.. All the books are still “First Edition” however they will be a variant because of the pricing Barcode changes.. That’s my gift to my hardcore fans and followers.. Also the Special Edition hardcovers (yes i know they are pricey) will be the most sought after versions of the book years from now.

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Here’s the Universal Link for ordering the book from!

https://www.karrgalaxy.com/Artesia-Book

** Please note that the Large-Print links are not actually large print version. It is the hardcover Special color collectors edition version.**

Leave a review!

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The Bad News

Now for the bad news… My bookstore version of the book currently and has been not available from Indigo, Chapters and Coles.. and never will be after today unless something changes or i hear back on better terms.. indigo has refused to take any risks at all. (update, this is still unclear but terms are not in favor of me the indie author. The consignment agreement is too unfair actually).  This won’t affect my American friends or other friends around the world however this does Affect all my Canadian readers, followers, friends and family looking to buy a copy of the Book by walking into a Canadian Indigo, chapters or Coles local book store. It’s a sad day.

Due to unforeseen business difficulties with the way Indigo.ca conducts business with Indie Authors/Publishers.. (Indigo requires authors to accept and pay for all returns from customers) The Indigo company has refused to stock the book without going through a very rigorous and frankly unfair process. All while taking zero risk and making the author/self publisher pay for everything..

I am currently at the very least trying to negotiate with them to allow my book for sale on the website and marking it as FINAL SALE however they so far have refused to budge.

It’s a lot of details and I’ve opened a real can of worms here but suffice to say.. It’s very unfair to new authors and self-publishers trying to get established.. Traditionally published authors seem to fair better due to the economic might of larger publishers behind them.

Allowing returns means that for all sales Company wide through Ingram by selecting “YES” could potentially open me up to thousands of dollars in costs resulting from Indigo sales and merchandising people ordering books and then returning them all triggering massive amounts of wasted money.. This business practice may be okay with larger publishers but Indigo clearly does not understand the struggles of self-publishers and tiny small business authors. The risk is just too great..

The company has offered me a consignment offer for individual stores however the terms are even worse and more arduous a process.. frankly insulting and waste of time and energy and money that could be spent on marketing instead to other markets..

In some ways.. this can be considered economic censorship of indie authors and in my opinion the practice needs to stop and these businesses need to carve out a risk factor for indie authors, not only for the authors sake but for their own long term business profitability goals. Indie publishing is here to stay and it’s only growing. Risk is part of every business but Indigo seems insistent on putting all the risk on the indie author. As an indie author who has already invested personally and financially this extra burden of running yet a retail business for them, is just short sighted and a wrong approach in my opinion. Indie authors already have a lot on our plate. We need help not barriers.

I have many thoughts on strategy and limiting risk exposure for retailers but the simplest option is for all books marked as Indie books.. to set them to FINAL SALE terms only.. this allows the books in store and at the very least on their websites as orderable options.. The store manager can also just decide to order a single unit to limit risk.. or keep it to online orders only. Another strategy is to accept payment up front for those orders in-store or online…

Needless to say i am very upset over this development.. I will keep you all posted as the situation develops or if it changes..

However this only affects Canada sales.. All other worldwide sales should be okay through Ingram. I am currently checking on each major retailer but its taking time to go through them all.

If in doubt you can always go to Amazon.ca (for Canada) or your local bookstores website and order the book in Canada.

Amazon has my business for Canada currently!

Currently the only way to order my book is to find an Indie bookstore that buys their books through Ingram Content Group from the United States… or go through Amazon.ca!

**Please note that the print quality of Ingram’s bookstore version is a better than Amazon’s and Ingram’s version includes a nice dust cover jacket.** Amazon if you are reading this, please introduce dust covers soon. Thanks.

As I mentioned, Indigo’s large market share in Canada means that my book won’t get distribution in Canada in stores (or even on the website yet)..

And for me personally.. I won’t see my book on store shelves..  At least not at the current terms or until i can become rich enough to pay for every book buyers returns which isn’t likely… or Indigo comes to their senses and comes up with a better plan for indie authors with 5-star reviewed books to share the risk a little.

Don’t forget to leave a review wherever online site you do buy the book from and thank you again for all your support!

Stay tuned!