Why It Pays To Listen Even When You Think They’re Nuts

The first published work of the writer of this press release became a bestseller as soon as it hit the bookshelves way back in 1995 and it has been topping the lists ever since.

Lucky author, some might say, but then they probably don’t have access to the strategies divulged in the web pages at http://1st-creative-writing-course.com.

By and large the content of “Starting Your Own Business” has remained unchanged (apart from essential updating) and although ten years is a fair old run, what goes up must eventually come down.

So with that in mind the author approached the publishing house with a suggestion for a commemorative 10th anniversary edition; new chapters, new cover, new cosmetics, new typesetting.

They loved the idea but balked at producing an entirely new edition per se.

“Why?” he said, “It will start the ball rolling all over again.”

“No it won’t,” they said, “It will kill the golden goose.”

And so instead the publisher opted for a reprint dressed up as a new edition: new imprint, new chapters, new cosmetics, new typesetting – but no new cover; only a subtle color change to preserve continuity.

He thought they were nuts but they were right of course; stop supplying bookstores with a bestseller for five months and you risk consigning it to oblivion for evermore. And a block on supply there must be to allow the trade to dispose of existing stock.

The threat of extinction becomes even more imminent when a giant online bookseller such as Amazon has its supply source put on hold for months ahead.

That’s the price you pay with every new edition of a bestseller.

The author was well pleased with the new production and contacted the publishing house to express his satisfaction, intimating only mild concern over the lack of a new cover design.

“Oh, there will be a new cover,” they said. “We’ll incorporate that on the next reprint of the reprint – now that the brand link has been maintained”.

His idea was good but he hadn’t thought it through to finality.

The publisher house had.

The 4th edition of “Starting Your Own Business” (How To Books ISBN 1845280709) appeared in bookstores worldwide mid-April 2005 and exactly one year on will be followed by the much-awaited reprint of the reprint replete with new cover and enhanced formatting.

All things come to pass for those who listen and wait.

Jim Green is a bestselling author with an ever-growing string of niche non-fiction titles to his credit. View his output at http://1st-creative-writing-course.com