₦airaland Forum

Good Luck!

Joan Peck

Just six more weeks and the advance copies will be hot off the press!
Don't miss out! Copies are limited! Reserve yours now!!!! http://bernardbooks.com

Just six more weeks to go and the advance copies of FEDDIE GIRL will be hot off the press! Yay!!!!!!!!

Don't miss-out. Copies are limited! Reserve yours now. http://bernardbooks.com

Ifez:
Yoy guys are really doing a good job with this book. I've seen it on several forums on Facebook. I''ve even joined the feddie Girl Fan page.

For those interested, her's a link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Feddie-Girl/62373092169?ref=ts

See y'all over there, lol!!!!

Thanks Ifez. The FEDDIE GIRL fans on Facebook are growing steadily.

Joan

Ifez:
I also found out u can reserve advance copy of the book at htp://bernardbooks.com

The advance copies of FEDDIE GIRL are limited and will be available in a few weeks!

Joan

Sounds like you need to join a writers forum.

"Absolute Write" is the best writer/author forum that I've come across so far.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/

Hi Omotee4u,

I'm in the book publishing business and can offer you tips on how to start and get off the ground. That is, if you're really serious about this. A few questions though, to see how well you've thought-out your idea of wanting to be in the book sales business.

First: What kind of book business are you looking at? Distribution, wholesale, Retail, or a combination of some of these?

Second: [/b]How big a business capacity are you looking at? Just internet-based or will you be involving ware-housing, storage, freight/shipping, etc.

[b]Third: [/b]You need to familiarize yourself with the book sales industry. I have references for some reading materials that will be beneficial to you.

[b]Fourh: What sort of novels (genre; cover type; etc) are you looking to carry? What means and manner (Consignment or PO)?

Fifth: [/b]Where will your business be based? US? UK? Nigeria? etc? E.g. Are you looking to buy a consignment of novels from the US at wholesale price then ship to another country for:
a. Distribution?
b. Whole sale to distributors?
c. Retail sale to bookstores and booksellers?
d. Direct sale to consumers (readers)?


[b]
A few pointers you need to know upfront:

1. Always buy directly from the publisher. You get the best deals from them. The larger the quantity you purchase, the higher the discount you get.

2. Bookstores require an offer of 40-70% off the cover price of the books befiore they consider stocking them.

3. [/b]Online merchant stores like Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Ingram, etc require about 55% of the list price as their commission.

[b]4. Before you dabble into book sales, make sure you've already built a readership base. By this I mean the customers who will want to buy from you. You also want to be sure to carry consignments from those publishers who have an extensive and on-going market plan put in place for their titles. In effect, if the publisher publicizes the books effectively, then market (consumers) will respond and be willing to purchase the title wherever they find them.
Always remember, "No marketing = Zero publicity = Zero sales."

5. As a start-up book seller, you want to go the easiest and safest route. i.e. Start with independent traditional publishers (Small and medium scale). Since they[b] need[/b] your business, they will give you a better book deal than the big boys. And they are better willing to accept book order returns, and cancellations and offer better consignment/shipping deals.

6. You want to start building a god relationship with some small and medium scale traditional publishers. If they trust you and your business venture, they'd let you carry their titles on consignment, as opposed to PO.

Finally, let me know how interested you are in pursuing this line of business and I will be happy to provide useful resources that will take you a long way. I don't want to waste my time preaching to someone who is only going through a 'should I do this?' phase!

@ Kay 9:

Na u Biko! We're all waiting on tenter hooks for the novel ooooo!!!!

Lol!!! Glad to hear that. Novel is definitely coming this July!!!

Thanks Ifez, for this post. You're such a big fan. I appreciate your help and owe you a free copy of the novel after publication. Please e-mail me for details.

Joan

Hi Kay9,

Thanks for the wonderful comment, lol!!!. The book will be released this July. If you visit the publishers site and reserve a copy, we will let you know as soon as the prints come off the press! http://bernardbooks.com

It's free to reserve, BTW.

Cheers,

Hi reader,

Thanks so much for reading through. Just a couple of quick reminders.

This thread here an official excerpt from the actual FEDDIE GIRL novel by Nona David. You can read more excerpts and reserve your copy of the book at the publishers site. Bernard Books Publishing http://bernardbooks.com
The publisher will contact you once the novel is published so you don't miss out! Novel is coming this July!!!

Copies will be available in bookstores of major cities including Lagos, Abuja, PH, Onitsha, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu, Aba, Kaduna, Makurdi, and Jos.
Novel will also be available online at select online Nigerian stores like Flegz.com, Booksng.com, Havilahbooks-ng.com, officeandbookworld.com.

View also read Feddie Girl blog posts (9 total) on [url]http://feddie girl..com[/url] http://joanpeck.

Thanks!

Joan

PS: If you're on Facebook, please help us spread the word by joining the Feddie Girl fan page and inviting others to join. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Feddie-Girl/62373092169?ref=ts
Thanks!

@ Dominique,

Thank you so much for that insightful comment. Yes of course, Nona David got a good thing going here--basically reminding parents of way-ward kids that there is still hope. Boarding school in Nigeria, of course! Lol! Many Nairalanders can identify with that concept, right?
Also, the novel is meant as an educational piece for young adults and a keepsake for the veteran of Federal schools, and anyone who basically attended a boarding school in Nigeria.

This thread here is just a blog (the main character talking about her life and experiences so far). You can read excerpts from the actual novel and reserve your copy of the book at the publishers site. Bernard Books Publishing http://bernardbooks.com
The publisher will contact you once the novel is published so you don't miss out! Novel is coming this July!!!

Copies will be available in bookstores of major cities including Lagos, Abuja, PH, Onitsha, Benin, Ibadan, Enugu, Aba, Kaduna, Makurdi, and Jos.
Novel will also be available online at select online Nigerian stores like Flegz.com, Booksng.com, Havilahbooks-ng.com, officeandbookworld.com.

For more blogs like this one, see my other thread here titled "Nigeria, West-Africa! Why me?" https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-261695.0.html#msg3729992

Alternatively, you can view all the Feddie Girl blog posts (9 total) on http://feddiegirl..com http://joanpeck. or The Journal & Diary section here on Nairaland https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-262478.0.html

Thanks!

Joan

PS: If you're on Facebook, please help us spread the word by joining the Feddie Girl fan page and inviting others to join. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Feddie-Girl/62373092169?ref=ts
Thanks!

This is the follow-up to the previous post titled "Jeez! How was I to know?" https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-261695.0.html#msg3729992

For excerpts on the actual novel, FEDDIE GIRL, please visit the publishers site Bernard Books Publishing http://bernardbooks.com Don't forget to reserve your copy of the book!

For more Feddie Girl Blogs, visit: http://feddiegirl..com http://joanpeck. or the Journal & Diary section here on Nairaland https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-262478.0.html

vescucci:
Damn, Ifez. Wetin na?

Ifez:
@Vescucci
That what? Abi, I spoil your own?

vescucci:
No, it ain't good.

But Vescucci, what on earth did sweet Ifez do to you? Lol!

gozzilla:
being following the story all through and so far. i have been to the blog, both that at blogger and that at wordpress. I have checked out the facebook fan zone. i have followed your post on the journal section.

Babe keep the effort going. A nice novel who knows it might just end up a movie, though i will prefer a soap out of it. I am waiting for the release date for the novel.

Hi Gozzilla,
I almost missed your comment. Sorry, my bad.
Thanks a lot for the encouraging comment, I'm sure the author will be thrilled to know you're a big fan. What's also amazing is the fact that you're a guy but still appreciate the story, where most guys may not (no offense at anyone for this generalization). All in all, thanks a lot for being unbiased and speaking from your heart.

Release date is in July. If you can, please go to the publishers site and reserve a copy http://bernardbooks.com
This way, once the novel is released, you will be personally informed.

Best regards,

Joan

is this good?

Oh, alright. Send me an e-mail.

Do you mean as in free online novels, or are you looking for where to purchase books online?

Not bad, actually pretty good. I would have loved to rework the opening sentence, it seems like a conjunction is missing, but since you've already received a great many adulation for this piece, I'll let it pass.
Good Job!

@Yinkaolu, sorry about the diversion from other posters. The good news is that once people see something good, they all wanna jump into that same boat 

Well, I agree with what Seun said, and I quoate:

Seun:
My bad.  I should have asked for the beginning of the book. The first chapter.  Excerpts from any other part of the book can't be understod in isolation!

Alternatively, I also see reason wuth Orikinla who recommended ANA as quoted below:

Orikinla:
Join the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) where publishers and writers meet.

If your stories are good, you will find the right publishers.

It is simple.

God bless.

Basically, if your target audience are Nigerians, then go with ANA by all means. However, if this is a mainstream thriller and you want it available to everyone, everywhere, without you as the author having to do your own marketing, distribution and publicizing, then ANA may not be the best choice, though the publishing world is a dog-eat-dog kind of business.

As for the suggestion below:

mkusua:
Its okay to publish traditionally, i mean using offline publishers, the only issue is some times you get ripped off. the issue of bad distribution , marketing and tracking makes these matter worse in Nigeria.
it is most times better to self publish your books on the internet .there are many web sites  where you can do this .you get 80 percent from the proceeds of your book ,unlike the traditional publishers that take up to 70% of the proceeds.
try www.lulu.com,
i am an author , i just started using the site, check it out . i will be publishing  my first book soon.

Well, you are on your own when you self-publish. I will let you know that self-published commercial works especially fiction, are not viewed as authentic publications. You run a high chance of your work being ridiculed and ignored by the literate world, no matter how error-free or properly formatted it turns out to be. Reviewers won't look at it, you can't apply for most competitions and major awards, and you can't call yourself a serious published author in the midst of other authors.
Finally, if you self-publish, you have to market your book yourself. Vanity publishers like Lulu, Publish America, Xlibris, Iuniverse, createspace, etc, etc, do not do a damn thing to help you sell your book. Unless you just want to sell to your mother, family, and close friends, then, 

Also, it is true authentic publishers will take close to 70-90% of the book proceeds while Literary Agents will take another 10% of what is left. However, when you compare and contrast: Self-published books are quite expensive and only sell about 40 copies on average, and about 150 copies if the author works hard on promoting and convincing people to buy the books. Some books never sell more than one or two copies. Sad, but very true. (See the Lulu book sales report of 2008).
On the other hand, a great traditionally published thriller, for example. will sell anywhere from 10,000 copies to several hundred thousands or even millions! You do the math.
So, even if a self-published author is receiving $15 per book out of the $20 dollar list price for his book and only sells 100 copies, then he has made a total of $1,500 for the life of his book.

On the other hand, if an author, who is published traditionally, is receiving $1 per book and sells the minimum of 10,000 copies, that totals $10,000. If the book makes the best-seller list and sells millions, say, 30,000,000; then the author nets in $30 Million dollars! Also, there may be other deals like movie and TV rights, audio, e-book, etc. etc. Any of these can rake in about half a million for the author.

In effect, here's the way it works. If your book is not very good and does not measure up and you don't have the time, energy, or inclination to work on it and make it a masterpiece; yet you are too impatient and want to see it in print, then self-publishing may be for you. Don't expect to reap any rewards though, cos what you put in is exactly what you'll get.

For those who wish to go through the traditional and officially accepted route, here are great links for finding agents and publishers, and communicating with other serious authors/writers:

http://www.querytracker.net/
http://www.critiquecircle.com/
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/

Well, just my two cents worth.

Good Luck!

Rosebud1:
hi
i'm new in the house. i've been hearing about the site but didn't know there was a forum for writers till yesterday when i registered. i've been writing novels since i was 12 and right now, i'm in dear need of a good publisher or a good director for my works. here are two extracts from two of my works.Enjoy and let me know what you think,

EXTRACT FROM TRUE LIES

CHAPTER ONE
JUNE 2003
The Bakares’ livingroom was a grand and luxuriously-furnished one. Rich beige carpet graced the wide floor, the glass windows covered by mustard-coloured drapes with gold trimmings on them. The side stools beside the coffee-brown leather sofas were made of glass and ivory. Two large-sized Picassos hung on adjacent walls and a grand-father clock showed the time as 9.00 p.m
Tolu sat on one of the sofas, uncomfortable under the reproachful eyes of her parents, but sure of herself and determined to win them to her side. Bridget Bakare, her mother, heaved a deep sigh, curving her lips as she clasped and unclasped her hands restlessly, the only distinct sound in the room being the gentle humming of the air conditioner at the far end. Tension grew so thick in the air one could cut it with a butter knife. After what seemed like an eternity, Gerald Bakare cleared his throat and spoke.
“Tolu,”
“Yes,dad.”
“Can you repeat what you just told us?”
Tolu took a deep breath and said, “Lanre proposed to me two days ago. He asked me to marry him.”
“And what did you tell him?”
Her eyes moved uncertainly from him to her mother, then back to him.
“I told him yes.”
“You told him yes,” he repeated quietly, shutting his eyes and nodding slowly, in mock approval.
Like a volcanic eruption, Bridget watched her husband’s temper slowly rise, though he was desperately making an effort to control it. She had lived with him for twenty-five years and always knew when an outburst was imminent, as one was now….


EXTRACT FROM UNTITLED

CHAPTER ONE
The electric kettle made a wheezing sound, signaling its content had boiled. Joe watched the steam gently rise, allowing the water to boil more till the on-button popped up and the wheezing sound faded gradually. He lifted the kettle and poured hot water into his coffee mug before he dropped it and stirred his coffee gently. He strode to his reading table, took a sip from the mug and placed it on the desk before facing his laptop once more……. His eyes moved back to the name on the pad before is cell phone rang again. This time, it was his mother.
“Good evening, mum, how are you?”
“’Evening dear.” She paused, knowing he could sense the sobriety in her voice.
“What’s wrong? You sound dull.”
”It’s you I’m worried about, Joe. Well, your father…, the both of you actually.”
“What is it this time?”
“The same, Joe. It’s just that he’s serious this time. He’ll be finalizing some things in his will and he’s determined about this. I can’t even talk him out of what he’s planning to do to you.”
“What exactly are we talking about here, mum?”
“Your inheritance,” she said shortly. “Or doesn’t it matter to you?”
He heaved a sigh. “I think I’m old enough to make choices. He doesn’t have to string my inheritance unto his own choices for me!”
“All he wants is an heir…, just a proof that you’ll settle down in life. Is that too much for a father to ask for?”
Joe bit his lip and said nothing. The picture of Uncle Acho sprawled out on the carpeted floor and writhing in pain from the effect of the cyanide flashed through his memory and he swallowed hard.
“Joe,” his mother persisted. “Lydia, your cousin is having her traditional marriage in two weeks time. I hope you’re coming down for the ceremony.”
He got hold of himself. “Of course I won’t miss it for the world.”
“Good. Just bear in mind that your father will be expecting a positive sign from you then before he finalizes his will. And listen very good— I don’t want you left out of it. Do you understand?”
“Yes I do.”…….
He dropped the phone on a pile of books on the table, shut his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose in thought,

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!CIAO!

@ Rosebud1,

Your excerpts are quite interesting. Why not start a new thread and get feedback on it without encroaching on the traffic of the original poster?

If you've already started a thread, please provide a link.

Thanks!

Joan

Hi Kay29000,

I am interested in reading and commenting on this story, but you have not made it easy to do so. Can you introduce paragraphs in the story sections? This will make it easier on the eyes and a better reading experience for your readers. 
Thanks!

Joan

How many books are you introducing? Seems like three to me. You haven't said if it's gonna be fiction or non-fiction and what the genre and target audience would be. Also, I expected you to tell why your friend considers him/herself a master in this topic as to want to educate the public about it by writing a book.

Since you're not very conversant with writing a book pitch, why don't you just post samples/excerpts of the actual manuscript for readers to evaluate? I believe you'll get better feedback that way.

I for one am interested in seeing the writing style before I say anything about plot, characterization, setting, dialogue, etc.

Good Luck!

That's easy. Here are a few pointers.

For Purchasing, visit the following:
Books Nigeria  http://booksng.com
Flegz Online http://flegz.com
Kachifo Limited http://www.kachifo.com/order/index.php
Havilah Library Solutions  http://www.havilahbooks-ng.com/aboutus.html
Office and Book World http://www.officeandbookworld.com
Also Search Nigeria Galleria http://www.nigeriagalleria.com/Shopping/Bookshops/General_Bookshops_d.html

I can call a few Nigerian authored novels to your attention.
1. Half of  Yellow Sun and Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
2. The upcoming novel FEDDIE GIRL by Nona David (My company published this one. https://bernardbooks.com )
4. Everything good will come by Sefi Atta
5. The Mrs Club by Ekene Onu
And may more.

PS: FEDDIE GIRL is published by the publishing house I'm affiliated with: Bernard Books Publishing.

You can get a copy online at our website https://bernardbooks.com/links.html

Or buy one in Nigeria. Check our website for the locations and contact details of our Sales Agents: https://bernardbooks.com/news.html

If you have questions, please contact me at [email]joan.peck@bernardbooks.com[/email]

Joan

@ Ifez,

Thanks girl, you're the best! We should employ you at Bernard Books Publishing,

Seriously, send me an e-mail at joan.peck@bernardbooks.com. I'd like to connect you with Nona David, the actual of the FEDDIE GIRL novel and blogs.

Also, about the question you posed on Buzzzzzz's thread, send us an official query at Bernard Books Publishing and we'll let you know. As for critiquing your a sample of your manuscript, please contact me using the e-mail address above. Though I'm busy at the moment, I'l be glad to take a look during my spare time.

Thanks.

Joan

iniguy:
I've read some excerpts, its cool but some parts are rather dull. On the whole its a nice work.

@ Iniguy,

Yes, Ifez is right. There are blogs and there are excerpts from the actual novel--both are two different things. The novel is written in the third person POV; while the blogs are written in first person, i.e. using the voice, mindset, and attitude of the main character, Carlotta Ikedi, aka Feddie Girl.

Please don't confuse the two. Also, clarify if you're referring to one of the two official excerpts culled from the actual novel (this post here is one of them. The other you can view at the publishers site. Bernard Books Publishing http://bernardbooks.com). If you are referring to this post, why not cut and paste the dull parts so we can be sure of what you're talking about? After all, this excerpt was posted here for reader feedback, and we are glad of your opinion, whether good or bad. This is the way authors improve.   

All the other write-ups you see with different titles (like the two on the Literature/Writing thread and the three on the Journal/Diary thread are all blogs, they aren't part of the actual novel. Just a means to create awareness for the upcoming book).

Another thing, PLEASE I AM NOT THE AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL NOR THE BLOGS. THE AUTHOR IS NONA DAVID. I AM THE BOOK PUBLICIST FOR BERNARD BOOKS PUBLISHING.

Hope this clears up the confusion.

Thanks!

Joan

@ Ifez,
I am glad you're a big fan of FEDDIE GIRL. If you're on Facebeook, please send a friend request to Nona David, the book author. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to meet you. Her facebook profile is hard to miss, it will be the one with the FEDDIE GIRL front cover. *See my pix on this forum to know what the book front cover looks like.

Thanks again for all your kind comments. I will forward them to the author accordingly.

Joan

Ifez:
@ Joan,

The same question applies to this one. It is just a blog, right? Not actually part of the main Feddie Girl novel? Please, in future, indicate which is a blog and which is an actual excerpt from the main novel, so that readers will understand and be able to distinguish one from the other.

As for me, I've been to both the publishers website and the two blog sites you maintain (WordPress and Google Blogger).
I like you marketing angle with the blogs. Many of us Niaja writers should take a cue from you.

Way to go, sis. Please keep it up!

Ifez,
Yes of course, you are right. This is just a blog, it isn't part of the actual novel, FEDDIE GIRL. I had no idea the prospect of having both excerpts and blogs was confusing to readers, though no other person mentioned it. Also, all the blog articles have a disclosing statement saying they are blogs about the main character of FEDDIE GIRL, i.e. Carlotta Ikedi. One would think that was enough disclosure, but, who knows?
Thanks, though, for pointing that out. I'll call the Senior Editor's attention to it and see what can be done.

Like I said before, I am just the book publicist, not the author. The author of both the actual novel and the blogs is Nona David.

Thanks.

Joan