Books

Re: Books

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 17:14:53 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]To be fair lots of us don't own a kindle, and there doesn't seem to be a paperback available on Amazon. My wife does have a Kindle and she says your book download is about twice the price of anything she's ever downloaded before - and she gets through a lot of books![/quote]Oh err....I had nothing to do with the pricing of this on Kindle and don't own one myself so I have no idea how much things cost, however, my daughter said something similar. The stocks of the paperback are held by the publisher and a few myself. I don't know how Amazon works, whether they keep supplies in their warehouse or if you order from them they notify the stockist who then sends them out. Personally I studiously avoid Amazon!

I actually had said the book was overpriced but the publisher insisted it was about right especially if we wanted to get something back on it., from what you say this may be counter productive.

Re: Books

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 02:28:29 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]I have no idea how many of my books have sold on Amazon, probably very few I imagine, the problem is with likely low sales anyway is it worth spending money promoting it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Test-Patients-experiences-musings-veterinary-ebook/dp/B00JVTM284/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402661231&sr=1-1&keywords=a+test+of+patients+martin+atkinson[/quote]

To be fair lots of us don't own a kindle, and there doesn't seem to be a paperback available on Amazon. My wife does have a Kindle and she says your book download is about twice the price of anything she's ever downloaded before - and she gets through a lot of books!

[Only 8 of the top 100 kindle books cost more than yours and a few of them are newspaper subscriptions!]

Those two factors may have a significant effect on your Amazon sales.

Re: Books

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 17:45:16 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]I don't know how long Alf Wight waited for James Herriot to take off but I bet it wasn't immediate.[/quote]

It was not. The first must have had reasonable sales, though, because there was a second, for which the publishers had the brilliant idea of getting Larry for the illustrations – then the upward curve started.

JK Rowling? Rather badly written books with a few good ideas. Must have just got the right publicity at the right time.

Re: Books

Rebecca Sheppard — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 17:30:11 GMT

As a new grad I got on well with the 'Notes on' series, in particular the Canine Internal Medicine book by Hall, Murphy and Clarke, I'm not sure if there's been an updated edition though. The 'Notes on' books are easy to carry around unlike Black's 5 min consult!

Re: Books

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 16:49:47 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

What % of veterinary surgeons are also authors of books? ( Other than textbooks) It sounds as though it could be quite high.

Wynne

[/quote]More pertinent question perhaps: what percentage of vets buy books written by other vets other than textbooks? Bit coals to Newcastle really.

Re: Books

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 16:46:47 GMT

[quote user="bob lehner"]

The business was set up by a pretty damn hot-shot retired commercial lawyer who thought he was onto a winner. He spent a great amount of money promoting the series using professional PR companies etc.

As far as I know he hasn't made a bean out of it - in fact I suspect a thumping loss.

You gotta be v lucky (or JK Rowling).

[/quote]Similar scenario to mine: publishing company owned by a pretty shit hot insurance broker who has spent a great deal on it.

I'm highly flattered by his interest and perseverance, I genuinely believe him when he says that he doesn't expect to make anything from it but he enjoyed my stories in veterinary journals and thought the book would be a nice legacy for me.

Some of these things take a while to light the blue touch paper and JK Rowling was never on a given winner she was still lucky to write the right book at the right time. 99% will never make it. I don't know how long Alf Wight waited for James Herriot to take off but I bet it wasn't immediate.

One of my clients has written several books on items that that would be of interest only to specific interest groups but could have a wider audience including: playing Spanish guitar, the mountain railways of the Andes and campanology. He still lives in penury on his occupational pension and I effectively subsidise the treatment of his dogs because he's such a decent bloke but he has bought two of my books even though I never bought one of his!!

Re: Books

bob lehner — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 16:22:55 GMT

In my experience it is incredibly difficult to break into the current books market with any degree of success.

I wrote a little e-book - part of the 'Quicklook' series, which concisely cover a number of professions and other interesting topics.

As far as I know he hasn't made a bean out of it - in fact I suspect a thumping loss.

You gotta be v lucky (or JK Rowling).

Re: Books

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 15:20:31 GMT

What % of veterinary surgeons are also authors of books? ( Other than textbooks) It sounds as though it could be quite high.

Wynne

Re: Books

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 14:30:55 GMT

[quote user="alex gough"]Deal. I will post a link to it when it comes out - I need to twist as many arms as possible to buy it in the first week so that it gets noticed on Amazon![/quote] I have no idea how many of my books have sold on Amazon, probably very few I imagine, the problem is with likely low sales anyway is it worth spending money promoting it?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Test-Patients-experiences-musings-veterinary-ebook/dp/B00JVTM284/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402661231&sr=1-1&keywords=a+test+of+patients+martin+atkinson

Re: Books

Alex Gough — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:13:24 GMT

Deal. I will post a link to it when it comes out - I need to twist as many arms as possible to buy it in the first week so that it gets noticed on Amazon!

Glad you like the DDx book Anthony. Wait till you find out the plot twist in the second edition!

Re: Books

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:06:57 GMT

[quote user="alex gough"] You can have a copy of my novel when it comes out in a month or so though![/quote]I'll swap you for one of mine!

Re: Books

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 13:00:24 GMT

I've got Alex's ddx book, found it very useful! My girlfriend got Ettinger, but it is a lot more substantial and not as easily transported/carried around.

Re: Books

Alex Gough — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 21:56:10 GMT

I only get two free copies and my mum wants one of those. You can have a copy of my novel when it comes out in a month or so though!

Re: Books

Kathryn Burton — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:29:42 GMT

Do I get a free copy for paving the way to some advertising for you?! 😄

Re: Books

Alex Gough — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 10:40:16 GMT

Gough's DDx book is currently in pre-production for release of the second edition! Not sure of the actual publication date, should be this year! Although it will be Gough and Murphy as I have been lucky enough to have Kate Murphy edit it and update it with me. I do like 100 top consultations too though - I bought it for our new grads.

Re: Books

serena holmes — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 22:42:08 GMT

"100 top consultions in small animal medicine", a recent and genius little book. Not too expensive either.

Re: Books

Utlendigur — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 21:48:49 GMT

Not quite Ddx format but I like the Handbook of small animal practice by Rhea Morgan.

Blacks 5 minute consult is also good to have around.