Keepin' to the Sunny Side
Thrill report: Bill and I tiptoed into an enormous Barnes and Noble in Columbus on a recent Saturday, hoping to find Letters from Eden nestled on one of its shelves. Downstairs are the really sexy tables, with big green signs saying, "NEW NON-FICTION" and the like. A quick check netted nothing there. We took the escalator upstairs (yes, the store was that big) and there, in the nature section, was my book, displayed cover forward at the end of a shelf.
A man-span away was Jane Goodall's new book. OSSUM! The event seemed to merit some kind of notice. Bill of the Birds did a gannet-like sky-pointing display, accompanied by some gutteral, harsh calls. Awk! Awk! Awk!
My editor, Lisa White, emailed to tell us that Letters was indeed on the New Non-fiction table in a Boston Barnes and Noble. Would it be uncool of me to spread a sleeping bag under said table, to keep a close eye on unsuspecting customers?Upon downloading these photos, I noticed that, in the one of me holding the book, the sun appears to be shining out of my butt. As happy as this moment was, and despite the hopelessly self-aggrandizing nature of this post, I can assure you that this was but a shaft of sunlight, beaming in a west-facing window.
I'm now into the 80's, of the 182 orders thus far. Here are the choices I make every evening. Shall I mow the lawn, or sign books? Shall I make dinner, or sign books? Shower, or sign books? The lawn is 8" long; the kids are gaunt and hollow-eyed, and nobody wants to come near me.
If you'd like to add to the general neglect being suffered by my family and home, you can order Letters from Eden here.
posted by Julie Zickefoose @ 7:26 PM
21 comments
21 Comments:
Well, maybe you should feed the kids, but I think book-signing should come before mowing the lawn or showering - I'm anxiously awaiting my copy!
Don't worry dear. Gannet Dad will simply regurgitate some food down the kids' throats. Keep signing them dang books! Git 'er Dun.
Julie,
I know a thing or two about general neglect. Between RAPTOR and a certain drool-splattered Boston Terrier, it's a wonder anyone gets fed or clothed.
I'm not ashamed to admit that when I find myself at a bookstore I do a little "merchandising". I've been known to put friend's book cover forward in the shelf.
I'll be checking the Roseville B & N tomorrow. Let's all be Julie's undercover promoters.
Yes, I have a funny feeling "Letters from Eden" will be mysteriously appearing face-forward in bookstores all across the continent.
Here's a question: do you, Julie, make a better percentage on your book when people order directly from you? Or is it the same difference financially to get it at the bookstore? I'm thinking of how many unsuspecting family members I can turn into JZ fans this Christmas...
As an inveterate bookshelf shuffler myself, I will greatly appreciate Birdchick's and MojoMan's surreptitious ministrations.
To answer your question, Wendi,
I make from 10-15% of the list price as a royalty on bookstore copies. The more copies sell, the higher the royalty percentage creeps. When you order a book from me, I make 50% of the cover price.
(Pick me! Pick me!--jumping up and down waving hand wildly while holding elbow)
If you'd like to order multiple copies, I give a good break on shipping--I can fit up to 6 in a Priority mail box for $10 shipping.
Bill has started talking seriously about child labor. Put those little dimpled hands to work!
I think I'll take up book shuffling.
BT3, excellent gannet imitation, HOWEVER, you can carry a good thing to far. Regurgitated food, that image is going to be stuck in my head all day. Thanks.
Obsessively checking the PO Box in Rondeau
RR (for Liam Railroad Ric)
I think we all need to pledge to hit local bookstores and "face" Julie's books.
And, seriously, stock up on a bunch of lunchables and let the kids fend for themselves! :)
I'm down the with "face-forward" pledge. When I worked briefly in retail, we had a name for that process. I can't remember. In any event, I ordered mine today finally!
Love the Gannet! BOTB would fit in well at Cape St. Mary's...
Julie,
Jane has been telling me about you and Chet for a long time and today there was a lull in the activity at work so I browsed your site. You are an incredibly gifted person and I was completely immersed in your writings and photography. Your nature paintings are so happy and light! Chet Baker is the perfect, serious, artistic model, though :)
I would like to comment on something Boston Terrier specific. Two Bostons might be double trouble, but they are also double entertainment and double LOVE. I have a 10 year old Boston named Chloe who lived with us as the "only dog" for nearly seven years. My family pressured me for another Boston but I resisted for a long time. They nagged me until I couldn't stand it anymore and, in November 2003, I visited Jane in Stewartstown and drove home with lovely Bella. She's a wonderful addition to the family, and like Jane says, Bostons are like Fritos --- you can't eat just one.
Congratulations on your new book! I'll look for it at the Barnes & Noble nearby.
Mary
Charlotte, NC
I've been known to do the bookstore shuffle. I'll have to spy upon my local WBU and see if they stock it. If not, I'll have to chat it up to them.
We had our neighborhood yard sale last weekend so I now finally have some book money and have bookshopped online today. A little blue envelope will be winging its way to Ohio in the mail tomorrow (ignore any doghairs found within... Jack Sparrow was on my lap all afternoon).
How lovely to hear from you, Mary. Jane has forwarded a couple of e-mails from you. Like you I am an enormous fan of Jane's dedication and lifetime customer service (and friendship). I am resisting puppy fever. Chet is so portable, and there's something about "May we bring our dogs?" that sounds a little harder to sell than "May I bring my (little cute clean discreet lovable) dog?" I do know this: I never want to be without a Boston in my life.
Maureen, there are bonus Baker hairs in each and every book I wrap. Like Thomas Kinkade, he leaves a bit of DNA on every artwork. Let's not wonder what DNA Thom is leaving...Ooh, my word verification code was eoorf!
Regarding the shaft of sunshine from your posterior:
If anyone deserves to have sunshine coming from one's butt, it's you!
:-)
I also take the "Face Forward " pledge. And when Geoff's book comes out next year, hopefully some folks will do the same for us.
***rubbing hands together and listing all the B&N's in my area***
Perhaps we need to start the "face forward society". BT3 has books and Geoff has one coming soon too, we nature writeres need to stick together.
Julie,
No need to face forward the book, daughter Rachel found it on the very front, "as you walk in" table of new releases at Borders in Rapid City, SD. My family would not even let me touch it, I have to wait for my copy, they didn't want me to "spoil" the pleasure of thumbing through my own copy from your hands.
Caroline in SD
WHOOTY HOOT HOOT!!
You made my day. Thank you for that report from the field, o valuable foreign correspondent; 'tis the first Borders sighting to date. How cool that it was on the New table. And the image of your daughter holding you back is priceless. It went in the mail last week, Caroline from SD, and it won't be long now.
For those who are envisioning this wreck of a house with starving children: I am cleaning today, and the back of my car is full of books to go to the PO first thing in the morning. I'm in the 130's of the 201 ordered. The end is in sight! (at least until the people who get their books decide it's the perfect Christmas gift).
Thanks again, Caroline!
Julie,
Love your new cut, a little more gray and we'll be twins, and your book. Eden is all I thought it would be and more. Am reading it like I would savor a wonderful meal or a walk in a special place I've never been before. Slowly with delight.
On the shelf right below A Sand County Almanac - you're in good company!
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Just thought I'd let you know I found your book at a Borders outside of Chicago, facing forward and nicely displayed on a shelf at eye-catching level.
I bought a copy (it's wonderful!) - then read your website later the same evening and realized I could have ordered a signed copy from you. Should have thought to check here first!
Post a Comment
<< Home