בס"ד
Due to a problem with my publisher, I am removing my book, The Absolute Truth, from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and other sources. The asking price of over $40 is too high. I have been trying for a half a year to reduce the price. I finally was successful a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't last long. The book is back to a high level.I feel very bad that my faithful readers had to purchase the book at that price, so I have removed it from those sources and am presently breaking my contract with my publisher. I sincerely apologize for the price.
The book is still available directly from me as an electronic copy and will remain $5. Just click on the "Buy Now" button at the top of the right column, just below the revised book cover, and I will personally Email the copy to you. This is a copy with some changes made. The changes are not in content, but just improvements suggested by readers.
I thought of getting a new publisher, which should be very simple for a book that is popular already. My only thoughts are: my book won't be needed once the Moshiach is introduced and we are into the time of Geula. My hopes are that by the time I would have a new publisher and the book would be printed and distributed, Moshiach should be here. I, in no way, want to appear that we have time to wait for Moshiach, so I am not interested in a new publisher. I think it would be sending a poor message to Hashem that I am not trusting that Moshiach is imminent.
I encourage you, if you haven't read my book, to purchase the E-book copy. As I have said before, you are getting this last minute information to help you go to the happy ending, the worldwide redemption, which is the most important goal that I have had all along. My intention is to help others make Aliyah, so the book purchase will not be for my benefit, but for you, I don't need the money. I cannot profess to be living the Absolute Truth, the word of Hashem, if I weren't doing this to help people. That is what Hashem wants from each of us, especially me.
Thank you for your patience and support in my efforts to help save the world, I do have the best readers on the web. May Hashem bless each of you and your loved ones, and give us the Moshiach today.
We deeply appreciate your honesty and commitment to your readers. With much gratitude, Ms. A.P.
ReplyDeleteIF you can get away cleanly from breaking your contract with your present publisher, then the best thing is self-publish. That's what I do as a Graphic Designer, - help authors self-publish. You continue offering it as an e-book since it is prepared. For people who want a hard-copy - you use 'print-on-demand'. The ONLY thing a publisher is doing for you is marketing. Learn to do that yourself. I'm quite sure you are capable of doing so.
ReplyDeleteI designed one book for an author who used print-on-demand and made a manageable print quantity for a first run which he sold over a short period of time. Sold lots of copies as an e-book. He learned the art of marketing through online sources. Before too long his book was number one on Barnes and Nobles in the Religion and Philosophy section. He sent out emails, made phone calls, and jumped into blogs in his category all over the place. Soon he was speaking everywhere and even invited to Israel and Europe to speak. I filmed and edited him giving a talk on the subject of his book and made him a YouTube series. Others started picking it up and soon maganizes were interviewing him. He CREATED interest in himself and his message. Just remember, you already HAVE an audience and NOBODY has the PASSION for your book outside of YOU - THE AUTHOR! Nobody can sell the book and it's message BETTER THAN YOU.
Right now, I'm beginning translation work for a book in Hebrew to SELF-PUBLISH in English with me as the designer and marketing head. Also, I am setting up the translation work for an English book to be translated into Hebrew - where I will probably lay it out in Hebrew, since I designed the English version first, and the author will SELF-PUBLISH it in Israel.
The internet makes marketing a book alot easier than in the old days when one almost HAD to have a publisher. Yes, they will print it - take control away from you, even edit it down into a mess, make a cover that doesn't have anything to do with the contents - and print it and take care of all the marketing so you don't have to worry about one thing...except it doesn't move, then before you know it, your book is sold at discount. Be sure it's designed well, and learn all you can to market your book and do it yourself!! You STILL have to do all you can when you use a publisher, so you may as well Self-Publish and keep whatever you make after expenses (which can be kept low if you read what I wrote). It’s YOUR BABY! BE the parent and help it grow up! I KNOW YOU can do this! First get out of your contract. Kol tuv. Devorah in Chicago.
Thank you Devorah, I appreciate your advice, and it is nice to hear from you. I am, however, still in negotiations with my publisher, which will determine my next step. All I want is what is best for my readers, both spiritually and financially (interesting combination). I will be posting, B"N, the final outcome. Of course, if Moshiach is introduced, the decision will be made for me.
DeleteI love the last sentence! Amen!
DeleteHashem made me say it. Thank you Hashem!!
DeleteMy understanding is that long books can really benefit the Kindle Select program (I think this is the name; it's the publishing option where Amazon Prime members can "borrow" the book and read for "free"). For books that are completely read, the money you can can be very good, even better than a "reasonable" price for a long book.
ReplyDeleteHazlacha Raba! Shabbat Shalom.
ReplyDeleteDid the newsletter of this week come in an English translation? Saw the letter in Hebrew. Thank you! Shabbat Shalom.
ReplyDeleteI received an Email this morning stating that they have not received the translation yet. Someone outside the Rav's office translates and sends it to their office. I avoid translating since I don't want to miss any nuance that the Rav had. I would feel bad if I misinterpreted his message. I have in the past posted two messages in one week -- the current and the previous week. That may happen again next week, B"N.
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