24 Comments
19hEdited

In response to a couple readers letting me know they didn't like a hyperlink that took them to Amazon, let me tell you all why:

All the other bookstores, to greater or lesser degree, finance themselves on returns credit for unsold books. This is charged against the author's royalties, so it comes out of our small pile of walnuts. Barnes & Noble is the worst of these - they often order twice what they know they'll sell. Other independents are unfortunately under-capitalized, which leads to late payments and returns credit games.

Amazon sells everything they order. They pay on time. I don't lose a dime from my publisher doing business with them. In fact I see more dimes because the readers' recommendation system really works as a sales tool. 80-85% of my income comes from Amazon sales.

Sorry to be so mercenary, but I don't really mind a business run by an asshole who runs it like a business. I like that better than some sweet someone who just loves books discovering mine and then shorting me because of their inability to keep up. Not all independents are like that. I love Powell's, they act like Amazon - they sell what they order and they pay on time.

If I have a choice between "purity" and paying the bills without problems, I'll take the latter, every time. So will any other freelancer - if they want to keep being a freelancer.

Cheers..

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For all who buy at Amazon, please remember to give it a review there after you've read it. those reviews really do help.

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Love it Tom. Beautiful cover and looking forward to reading it. I will be purchasing several for my flyers in my family.

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Looks real good, Tom. I guess we all have to park around your block for the book signing tour!!!

Rent a shuttle bus maybe?

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I laughed out loud. Hope you're doing OK, Ransom.

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Whenever the "Woodstock" of the HCR's LFAA readers occurs, I hope Tom has a tent where he is signing and selling his books.

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Beautiful cover Tom. Will order my ebook.👍

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Congratulations!! Stunning cover!!!

Will be getting one for nephew Colin!

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Oh my goodness! When do you sleep?? Congratulations 🎉!!

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I thought you know old people don't sleep.

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True✔️

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Congratulations Tom! Very exciting for you.

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Congratulations, Tom! It’s a gorgeous cover! Now, the agony of waiting for 11 Mar.

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Congratulations! Book signing tour?

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1dEdited

Around the block here. :-)

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Ordered!

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ordered mine months ago.

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Congratulations Tom!! That's wonderful. I decided to get your "Turning the Tide" first to give me context then I'll get your new one. Looking forward to learning a lot. ♥️🇺🇸💙

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Congratulations on your first printing! Ordered a copy for my retired USAF hubby. He was in B52s back in the day.

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Spectacular cover! Looking forward to reading it and gifting it.❤️

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Brazilian Air Force? Who knew?

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You do now. :-)

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