Making of a Classic Collection
The Good News
The proofs have arrived!
Any typos found in the book will be my fault. The problem with one set of eyes is that it's easy to skip over the same mistake multiple times. Eg. Who knows were they are?
Easy to miss. Especially if it's a correct spelling.
The Not so Good News
My publisher wants to drop one of the stories. It was the one that was nominated for the Pushcart Prize, City of Great Large, my most successful story. He thinks it doesn't fit. I think it does. Stylistically it's different, but its about a a village boy who heads to the city only to find misery. This is what the book is about. The empty dreams of dreamers. He won't be swayed.
The Ugly News
I popped into my one and only local book store, Dymocks and asked them about stocking my book. The manager there (Sylvia) said, send us an email. I did. Nine of them. Over a five month period. Finally I received a response (five months to the day. Aug. 21)
Message body
Hi,
Thank you for your enquiry.
For a variety of reasons we are we are not in a position to carry books
from non-recognised publishers.
We wish you well in your endeavours
Regards
Jim & Sylvia Zammit
Franchise Owners
Dymocks Burwood
Shop 323 Level 2 Westfield
Burwood NSW 2134
(P) 02 9744 1286
(F) 02 9744 3556
Non-recognised publishers?
Ginninderra is a small press but a legitimate one. Pseudo Stars and indeed all of the books Ginninderra produce are not self published. Hence the decision to drop my story. A printer publishes whatever the hell you want. For example, they could publish this;
'Thank you for your interest in selling your book through the Dymocks website. Dymocks is a chain of franchised stores and ultimately the buying decision for each store is made by the Franchise owner,'
So yes. Burwood Dymocks could have helped me out. This is the crushing and rude reality of being in artistic business in this country. No one cares. Not even the ones who are supposed to.
I mean, they ARE a book store. Not a bike store. I'm not asking to sell my bike through them. They have thousands of books in store. There's probably not a single author from Burwood.
Shame on them.
You can send them an email if you wish.
burwood@dymocks.com.au
I'll make it easy for you.
To whom it may concern,
It has come to my attention that you are unwilling to support your local Burwood author, Anthony J. Langford with his story collection Pseudo Stars. Gininnderra Press are a legitimate small publisher from South Australia. This is disgraceful. Mr. Langford has had multiple stories and poems published around the world. Yet his local store won't support him.
I wonder what drove you to get into this business? Certainly not an interest in books or authors.
I urge you to do the right thing.
Yours faithfully,
A reader.
If you don't wish to send them an email, I'll still love you. Unlikely to sell many copies anyway. But there's a principle there.
I would simply appreciate your support to help plug the book when it comes out.
OUT NOW!
Irrelevant people (e.g., book store owners) have control issues. None of the local indie book stores will house my book. But I managed to get it on a front shelf at Barnes and Noble. You never know how's gonna bite, and who's gonna bite your head off.
ReplyDeleteIt's upsetting that your publisher is omitting your prized story, Anthony. It's YOUR book. Any way to break ties and go solo with it? Probably would be too much of a headache. Sorry.
Thank you dear. Yes people are so very disappointing. it's not like we're trying to push political agendas or something. It's fiction for God's sake!
DeleteAnyway, I am thinking of going solo. This is the final straw. Um, straws.
Thank you dear
Bastards!
ReplyDeleteI sent them an email...
haha Thanks Patty. That's fantastic. lol
DeleteSent them this modified email:
ReplyDeleteTo whom it may concern,
It has come to my attention that you are unwilling to support your local Burwood author, Anthony J. Langford with his story collection Pseudo Stars. Gininnderra Press are a legitimate small publisher from South Australia. This is disgraceful. Mr. Langford has had multiple stories and poems published around the world, including the excellent novella Bottomless River. Yet his local store won't support him.
I wonder what drove you to get into this business? Certainly not an interest in books or authors.
I try to do the right thing by not purchasing from Amazon or the Book Depository and supporting Australian bookstores, publishers, printers and authors. How about you try and do the right thing by supporting Australian authors.
Yours faithfully,
Graham Clements.
Youre a very good man. Thank you my friend. It'll be interesting to see how they react. Which I doubt they will. Let me know though if you get a reply. It took me 9 emails before I got one.
DeleteIm thinking good fodder for a news story. I'll be approaching the local paper. Cheers mate!
I know the local Collins bookstore in Wangaratta - when it was around - used to have on its shelves books that may even have been self-published by locals. I knew one of the authors and I am not sure whether she paid to have her book published.
DeleteSome people care. That's good to hear. Chris said his local supported him. There are a couple of indie bookstores im hoping will stock it. Just not my local. Part of a big chain.
Delete