WHAT IS A SCHIFFER LIMITED BOOK?
Our biography of Quincy Tahoma is a Schiffer Limited book. That means that resellers must sign an agreement that they will not advertise a cut rate price in advance of sale. Bargain prices, while attractive to us, the readers, have cut into the business of independent book stores and museum gift shops and other small businesses. Bargain books are killing independent bookstores.
The British Guardian newspaper published an article on line about the effect of bargain books in Britain. I was interested to learn that in Germany, books in German cannot be discounted for nine months and in France, there is a limit of 5% discount. And this article has some information about how the publishing business works in the U.S.
We agreed to support Schiffer’s innovative proposal and have Quincy Tahoma: The Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist published as a Schiffer Limited book, because we believe this small step in protecting the integrity of the marketplace is important. And also because this particular book is a bargain–170 illustrations, many paintings that have never before seen in public, historic photographs, and the fascinating story of Tahoma’s life and mid-century American Indian life and art.
We also want to support the small specialty stores, museums, university libraries and other smaller outlets that cater to people who will like this book.
620 lbs. of book in Charnell's living room!
So order the book directly from us, or from your local independent book store or gallery or your favorite museum gift shop. If you are a vendor, we suggest you order from Schiffer directly. But order today, so we can empty these boxes!
Several people have decided to do their early Christmas shopping by buying extra copies of Quincy Tahoma to give to family or friends. Just a thought.
And do you know someone who you think might be interested in the book? Please direct them to our blog, or send us their contact information so that we can contact them directly. THANKS!
I love seeing the picture of 620lbs of book–how exciting. That must be a tough decision about not going with one of the large booksellers but I understand your reasoning (and your publishers). Of course this book appears best as just that–a printed book. But has creating an ebook version ever been part of your conversations with your publisher. Again, your book wouldn’t really lend itself to that, but I’m just curious if conversations like those come up even in your genre.
Twitter: roxannehawn
says:
I ordered my copy from you guys directly last week.
)
Congratulations, Vera~! All those boxes hold something so valuable and special. I understand why you wish to maintain the integrity of what you’ve worked so hard to create.
Twitter: BretteSember
says:
This is really interesting. I will want to hear how it works out for you!
NoPotCoooking wants you to see..Broccoli with Lime- Ginger- and Honey
Save a copy for me. I’ll be back in Tucson soon to pick it up in person.
Donna Hull wants you to see..100 Countries 5-000 Ideas
Way to go — and congratulations! I just ordered it from your site.
Ruth Pennebaker wants you to see..Why Write
We have the rights to do that if we want, but as you say, it doesn’t really make sense, unless we revise the whole thing so it does not need pictures. And his paintings are such a major part of the book, that we are not enthusiastic about the idea. (Vera)
And, Kris, my own order–a mere 259 pounds–arrived today!!
Thanks so much for the orders, Ruth and Roxanne and Donna. We hope you’ll love it!
Believe me, we’ll be sharing the outcome, but it will be many months before we can draw conclusions. But we do know that the publisher has sold other books this way and they were successful, so we feel pretty good about it. We’re also eager to see out international sales go, because we expect quite a bit of interest in some areas.
Twitter: reellifejane
says:
Good for you for supporting Schiffer’s efforts. I do like a bargain, but when it comes to books and publishing, I support the industry and authors.
Jane Boursaw wants you to see..Trailer Talk- Cars 2 Brings the Fun!
Ruth and Roxanne, thanks for your orders! Roxanne, your shipped via media mail yesterday, so you should have it in roughly a week. Ruth, yours should go out today, good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise!
Apparently I can’t spell or use the keyboard well today. Roxanne, my comment should have read “your book shipped”. Actually, I’m surprised that my fingers work at all after the tug of war getting all those books into their super deluxe poly bubble envelopes. Another two pages to the book and it wouldn’t have fit into the mailing envelope at all. I can really relate to the word “tolerance”.
Congrats! Does this mean that if an indy bookstore (actual store!) wanted to carry it, it could?
Yes, Meredith, anybody who signs the agreement not to advertise in advance a discount price can carry the book. This should be a great advantage to Indy stores. We encourage everybody who knows about the book to ask their Indy stores and Indian art galleries and museum shops to carry the book. That would help us enormously.
Nowadays it’s a tough juggling act to make books affordable for readers but also to ensure that authors can make a decent living, especially given the amount of work involved in writing a high-quality book like this. Admittedly, I order from Amazon sometimes, but I applaud for taking a stand in support of independent book sellers.
Susan: (Vera here) I TOTALLY order from Amazon–and frequently. I don’t have anything against the books they sell, and certainly nothing against saving money, but I do believe the publishers ought to have some say in pricing. I know that Amazon carries some books at full price, but they have apparently been unwilling to talk to Schiffer representatives to even discuss a proposal. I am still pondering the fact that other countries have made laws limiting the depth of discounts. Yes, that is protectionism for an industry, but maybe we need to consider some steps in that direction. One of the saddest things I learned in researching this is the way that the discounters have affected the type of books that sell. It is almost impossible for publishers to put out quality literary fiction any more.
Very courageous of this publisher. Just today, on the ride from Boston, I passed a Borders that was closing. First the independent booksellers, then this. I felt so sad. I love books!
Alexandra wants you to see..Thoughts While Walking to Dyer Pond
Twitter: AttainSustain
says:
Interesting. As a consumer, I like to get my books at a discount. But as an author? Not so much.
Kris wants you to see..How do you Bag It