You might have guessed already, but with so many new authors being published, and established authors putting out a new book each year — ie more fabulous books to read — this readers’ boom can be the author’s bust. Therefore I thought the topic worth sharing.
Book retailers have limited shelf space so they are unable to stock every book all the time. Many books sell out and are not always replaced — even the big sellers, like House For All Season, for example. It was #5 best-selling fiction debut in 2013 but you’d be hard pressed finding a print copy because retailers have had to make way for all the other great books coming out.
So how do you buy a book when it’s not in stock? (And you know about it from the author’s backlist (that little list of titles inside the front cover.)
ASK.
Walk in, or ring, or email your retailer and they’ll order it in for you. (You want to read it. They want to sell it, and the author wants to know you enjoyed it.)
Same goes with the library? Does the book constantly have RESERVES on it? Maybe they’ll buy in another copy. Is it only in print only and not accessible as an ebook for you to borrow? There’s an option! How can you make it happen?
ASK.
Walk in, or ring, or email your local library. Librarians love to help readers.
Too easy really! There’s always Aussie online retailers of PRINT books with massive warehouses, so try Booktopia and Boomerang Books.
Yes, you may need to be patient while the order is processed, but you know good things do come to those who wait.
Now, can you help me spread the word? Oh, and let me know how I can get an ice cream when I am about 100 km away from a shop!
Lovely advice Jenn, and thanks for the plug about libraries! As we are part of a consortium of libraries, it is fairly easy to get back lists of books for people, it’s the latest ones we struggle to get in a timely manner because everyone wants them. Our library service proudly stocks all your titles Jenn.
Love librarians. Thank you, Janine
Great post Jenn. I find in the big city all the best books and ice cream are only a short drive away.
Here is a great easy ice cream slice I’ve made several times. Curtesy of Kidspot.com.au
Ice cream slice
This ice cream slice uses sweetened condensed milk and can include your favourite chocolate bars or lollies. It’s a perfect dessert for summer days and great to pass around at parties.
ingredients
1 1/2 pkts malt biscuits
1 tin (400g) sweetened condensed milk
600ml thickened cream
2 large Crunchie bars, roughly chopped
1. Line a slice tin with cling film or baking paper. Place a layer of biscuits in the tin.
2. In a bowl, whip the cream and condensed milk together using a mixer until thick.
3. Roughly chop Crunchie bars and fold through cream and condensed milk mixture.
4. Pour over the biscuits and top with remaining biscuits. Freeze overnight. Cut into sections and serve.
YUM! YUM! YUM! I can make even make that in the van. Thank you!!!
So true and awesome to understand why it is that one week i can see it on a shop shelf then the following it is completely gone and no space where it was. 🙂 ❤ i have to wait until after xmas (incase hubby buys them for me) but if not I’ll be swinging over to booktopia to get my hands on your books… finally! 🙂
I believe it will be a very bookish Christmas. 🙂 Have a merry one too.