Was the book available to buy from you in Russia?

How does POD not make sense in your situation?

It doesn't really matter what you think should happen. The only thing that matters is what the markets you want to serve or sell to think (will they buy?).

At least all the rappers and rap producers understand that basic marketing concept.

I can't answer your first question because I don't know the answer. My publisher was in breech of his contract with me by failing to pay some the money he owed me, and I don't know what he was up to.

He might be a party to the present caper. He did attend Russian book fairs, so there is the possibility that he was in on it. He might have unlawfully sold someone permission to translate it, etc. I just don't know at this point.

I've contacted Lawyers for the Arts to help me with this problem and to see if I can get get some answers.

Print On Demand doesn't work because they only pay out about 15% or so. That doesn't leave enough to spend any money to do internet advertising. For instance, if you have a $30 book, 15% means you have $4.50 to play with.

The ads for POD sound good but the reality doesn't match up.

It amazes me that the larger issue of this thread is about the felony theft of ones copyrights, yet the some of the response is to an example I used to express my utter frustration in the heat of the moment.

And then I'm scolded for all sorts of ignorance that I supposedly have.

I fully understand how the marketplace works, 'kay? I was merely reflecting on the irony of producing something that is extraordinarily important to mankind, and getting screwed BECAUSE it is so important and valuable.

Maybe my book is more valuable than some 20year-old millionaire's unique way of grabbing his crotch. At least I'd like to think so.

If what I'd done wasn't valuable, no one would have stolen it.

So please, folks, stop scolding me for some side issue. I've already lost tens of thousands of dollars...and your two cents worth of telling me where I'm wrong about rap economics doesn't help.

Kelley

Keep searching, I'm on the laptop and don't have my links with me but you can do POD for about $4.50 a book -- as in you pay $4.50 and get the $25.50

That is indeed bad news though one small consolation may be that if you did not plan to get it translated into Russian then you have lost nothing as that market never existed for you anyway. Perhaps try to turn the situation to your advantage and use this disaster as a promo tool?

'An ebook so Great Spies stole it and sold it to 10,000 Russians!'



I know how crap it is when someone takes your work. It's happened to me but in a tiny way compared to you. I had the thief of my work inform me he takes all his content from the web and he has sooooooo many sites it's not funny. I wonder if he was Russian too?

Like Kyle mentioned, check out someplace like lulu.com or even cafepress.com where you can call the shots regarding printing costs, what is sells for and what you make.

Steve

"'An ebook so Great Spies stole it and sold it to 10,000 Russians!' "

That's pretty clever!

Thanks for the idea.

Kelley

PS. Now if I could just get paid for the 10,000 customers, that would be wonderful.* My 18-year-old car needs a rest.

*Not likely. I don't know for sure at this point, but my publisher might be the one who instigated this treachery. If it turns out he is, it could increase my chances.

Thanks, Steve for those web addresses.

It looks like Cafepress could print my book for $19 with no up front costs. Just a pure $19 per copy, which is quite attractive compared to the companies that want a grand or two up front.

I sell it now as an eBook for $37. But many would-be buyers would prefer a real book instead of a 400-page eBook.

Maybe I could sell the real book as part of a bundle of eBook health reports. That way I could sell it for a price that works, say $77 for the bundle. Or sell the hardcover by itself for $47 with the option of buying the eBook version for $37?

My mind is in a state of flux, not knowing which way to go or how to decide. Any way I go would be guessing.

How does one go about making a decision like this?

a) bundle for $77 includes physical book, plus health reports

b) $47 for physical book with the option to buy eBook version for $37.

I should note that there are presently 9 used copies that are being offered at Amazon.com for $65 to $165 a copy.

Kelley

why don't you give him the opportunity to make you an out of court settlement? Say you know it's him (call his bluff) and ask him to suggest a reasonable compensation. Act as if you are 100% confident it's him.

If it's not him, the worst that will happen is that he'll deny it. If it was him, the worst that'll happen is he's spent all the money already and court or no court you won't see a dime.