Movies #8

January 6 – January 20

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

 

WOW.  When you send a response.............you send a response!!

***  You have to Google `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````JIM DRISCOLL`....not James.

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January 7, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

 

Hi JD;
 
"you send a response!!"...But you don't!
 
I DO understand that you must Google "Jim;" and that's the point.
 
The Google scanner's should pick up "Driscoll"---even if the person typed in the first initial as, say, "C"--- and "B-Movies" as one. Also, if you have a professional design your website they can prerecord terms that will bring people to your site. As an example: Lash LaRue (it tickles a memory; was he the guy all in black with a black horse, no gun but used a whip?), anyway, someone searching for info on him would have your book title pop up. This would be true if they were searching "Corman" or "Wood." In other words, a well designed site can bring you hits from a hundred different direction if you've included "key terms."  
 
About once a month, I Google my name and the variations: Dan Gould and Daniel R. Gould. I get different responses. When I add key terms, after my name, like New York Times, Obama (a video), 3D List, and even Amsterdam I get a variety of citations that don't generally come up with a simple "Daniel Gould." Google isn't, as of yet, letter perfect, but it is getting there. Even more weird is when I ONLY use "Daniel Gould" there is a line of photographs of various "Daniel Goulds" that come up. Then, when I click on to the photo line---and it responds---and add to my name---in the search box---"3D List, Amsterdam" I get about 30 or so photos of me. Don't understand why I must add terms AFTER.
 
I woke up in the middle of the night with this on my mind. Is it "bane" or "bain?"
 
Actually I have a lot more to add on various topics that have already been raised, but....
 
Sincerely;
 
Dan
 


 

January 7, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

DAN....Please send me a list of all of your publications.....with the exact title or heading....especially of your book (or books)...............JD

 

January 11, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

 

OK....I'll order you 2 copies and then let you know and you can send me the correct addresses.  THANKS!

BTW.....Just saw "The Blind Side", and I highly recommend it.  It is based on a true story....if you have not yet seen it.  >>>>>>>>>>>>>JD

 

January 11, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

 

Hi JD;
 
Well, I have yet to compile a bibliography. Just no time. Then there is the weird thing about how things seem to disappear than reappear on the Internet. My essays on happiness is on five Dutch websites in Dutch, but the English version has disappeared...or the last time I looked. Try: www.partners-inc.nl. Who knows. See an interview with me at: www.skor.nl (Dan Gould's Daily Agenda Cards); you might find the interview I did---at five in the morning, and a "few" glasses of wine---just after Obama had been nominated, if you Google "Daniel Gould, Obama" Then there is my name plus New York Times and/or Int Herald Tribune. The latter has published five letters I wrote to the editor since 1986. Then I read, a year or so ago, that as they---IHT---were transferring their achieves to the NYTimes---their parent company---everything disappeared...And it gets more weird. Stanley Fish, of the NYTimes, did a column on his favorite 10 films. Strange list. He included Groundhog Day and left off  Citizen Kane. I made a comment along with a few hundred other people. I went searching for it recently---both the article and my comment at the www.nytimes.com. I tried their "search" and came up with zilch. I then went to Google and found it. But couldn't find my "comment" though, at the time, it had been included. Go figure.
 
Perhaps one of these days I'll get around to doing something about this matter of my own personal bibliography.
 
Sincerely;
 
Dan 


 

January 11, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

For now, just give me your book title.   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> jd

 

January 12, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

Hi JD;  

Not sure what you mean my "book title." None of my efforts have seen the printed page. Two completed books and three that were stillborn. But I have tenacity!
 
Dan
 


 

January 12, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

 

WAIT A MINUTE!  If you found the time to put your heart and soul into these efforts, why not publish them???   Even by your own hand, as I did.  No one knew me, neither. 

 (Come to think of it....they still don't !!!)

Did you ever find:  "REFECTIONS OF A B-MOVIE JUNKIE" ?   If not, go on XLIBRIS.COM, and punch it in!!

==========================jd=====================

 

 

January 13, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

Hi JD;
 
As you have discovered self-publishing is unprofitable. The cost of promoting a book is expensive not to mention editing, proofing, designing, warehousing, etc, etc...
 
Mark Twain was a very successful author and made lots of money. He built a fine mansion. But he resented his publisher because of the "meager" 15% he received on each book sold. He was so well known that he said: Screw you...I'll publish my own work. He did...And went bankrupt.
 
Again, my professional career was in the industry. Each publisher, I worked for---scientific and specialized---tried desparately to circumvent book wholesalers and distributors who insisted on 40% discounts and more. Why? Well, the infrastructure to create, print, publish and market a title is complex and financially demanding. And all up front monies before one sale is made. Plus it takes at least six months to a year to collect on sales to the jobber. The more books a jobber orders, from you, the longer the time it takes him to pay, seems to be the rule. I would think that you have figured that out with your own efforts.
 
Someone who had written a series of Vietnam stories---from his stay there---asked me to read them. In the discussion that followed, he said he also had copies of the letters he wrote to his family from his tour of duty. In addition, there were over a 1,000 black and white photos he had taken. I told him he had a book and he had a waiting market---other veterans who had served in Nam. "Combine the stories, letters and photos into one," I said; and I added,  I would introduce him to my literary agent. Well, he did it all. Then when I said, "Great! I'll arrange a meeting with my agent!" he replied, "Danny, your living in the past. I don't need a publisher. I'm going to publish it on the Internet with a company called LuLu [I think]." He did. That was last June. Total sales so far (at $9.95) NONE.
 
We use to call "self publishing" "vanity publishing." It does work under certain circumstances. As an example, you own a very successful florist shop and you publish a book you wrote on flowers and you sell it to your customers for years to come. A gallery owner used one of my recipes in a cook book she published around "artists' recipes" and illustrated with their art. She did a print run of 2000 copies and it sold out. But she marketed it through the artists, offered it at art fairs, etc. She knew what she was doing and invested time to build sales through a niche market. Self publishing can be done successfully, but, again, you must know what you are doing. You have written a book that DOES have a niche to fit into. I have offered suggestions on how you can develop it, but you have not responded so obviously you still don't understand. You have admitted that "promotion" and "marketing" are costly, but since you have already made the initial investment you have no choice but to make a further investment or eat a lotta paper.
 
Another example, that fits into the cost of marketing and promotion concept, is the film industry. I saw listed in the Amsterdam cinema guide that "The Green Hornet" (in 3D) was now showing in A'dam. So I checked R. Ebert's review. There was none. So I Googled and discovered that it has not been released in the USofA. Why? The studio/distributor thinks it's a bomb and---with cost to promote a new and costly film ranging at near 100 million dollars---it would be throwing bad money at more bad money. So now they have dumped it on the unsuspecting international market hoping---and probably praying---to get some fraction of their investment back. Why do you think many Hollywood films go straight to the DVD market?
 
Life ain't easy, my friend.
 
Sincerely;
 
Dan
 
 


 

January 13, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

 

INTERESTING COMMENTS.

BTW:  "THE GREEN HORNET" OPENS EITHER THIS WEEK OR NEXT!

I know how to get some sales for my book.  I need to get it on the shelf in some book stores (best done under the "returnability book program").  But this is costly,  up front.

I've entered it in some book marts and book shows (Seattle, UCLA), but this has generated zip.  My book, as you may have already figured out, is an impulse buy. It has a catchy cover....colorful

and intriguing....but people have to see it to get interested (AND likely be of an older generation....like ours) .  Another drawback, the price is set by the publishers, and is based on its 460+ pages.

That makes it too expensive for many people, to buy a book on a pop-culture subject. It's a book written for fun......both a tribute and a / an homage to these old clunkers.  No one wants to spend $35

(hard-cover) for a book like this.  I'll bet if you put it in the bargain book center at Borders or Dalton for, say, $15.99....they would really sell!!!  

Such is life for the inexperienced book-maker!!!

============================================jd=======================

 

 

January 16, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

 

Hi JD;
 
Did you send out review copies. If so, how many?  If five or less please list to whom they were sent.
 
Sincerely;
 
D

January 16, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

Elaborate..............Review Copies???

 

 


 

January 17, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

 

Hi JD;
 
Well, if this simple question requires elaboration than the answer is obvious to me.
 
How does a reader know a book has been published. Promotion by the publisher alerts the public through the reviewer. Do you read book reviews in the newspaper? How do you think that they got there?
 
The publisher sends review copies (read: FREE) to several periodicals and now also to online review sites. The copies are routed to magazines or "zines" (small and highly specialized magaznes) that cover certain categories/genre like film, cult film, etc. But the most important "reviewers" are those that review for the trade. Publisher's Weekly which has a back section---broken into categories---that give a long paragraph overview of the title. These are read by bookstores and jobbers (distributors/wholesalers); Library Journal also has a section at the back, broken into categories and this is read by librarians in small towns like Kearney Neb or the branches of NYC's public libraries; and CHOICE which reviews books for colleges and universities. These are the three essentials periodicals.
 
PW is also read by newspaper and magazine reviewers. This is how they select titles and request copies from the publisher so that they may review the title.
 
Sincerely;
 
D
 


 

January 17, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

All well and good, but this isn't done by Xlibris...at least not for free.

 

January 18, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

 

Hi JD;
 
...You are now beginning to understand the short comings of self-publishing. It ain't easy.
 
As you see, you don't know how the industry works and those who supply the knowledge expect to be reimbursed for the expertise. Things don't come free.
 
Do it yourself. Go to the a library and look for the periodicals I mentioned. Mail the books yourself. I am trying  to teach you but you seem to be both reluctant to learn and still trying to do it at no cost. As said before, my grandson can not only set up an attractive website for you (and cheaply)  but also help with getting the key terms on the Internet. There are rules to be followed and obviously you don't know them. Of course, it will require more monies invested, but at least you then will have a fighting chance of getting back your initial investment.
 
You never did answer the question (nor several others) about how many copies you "bought." I can't help you without knowing the facts. But, then, again, I am getting the idea you don't really want any help.
 
Sincerely;
 
Dan
 


 

January 18, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

 

I''VE PURCHASED ABOUT 30 COPIES, ALL FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS.

IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT...I DO....AND AS SOON AS I GET SOME $$ TOGETHER, PERHAPS WE CAN DO SOMETHING!

===JD===

 

January 19, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

 

Hi JD;
 
Sorry, I misphrased the question referring to how many copies you had "bought."  What I was referring to was how many copies of the hardbound and PB version did you have printed? I used the word "bought"  because, to me, that is all the the self-publishing "house" is only interested in; what they sell to you. From one comment you made, about Xlibris offering further "services"  but for a price, I now assume that the vanity publishing industry has evolved into trying to mimic traditional publishing companies, but at a price.
 
As to getting some $$ together, well, the major investment has been made. Sending review copies will mean the cost of postage. I assume that you don't have to pay for the books you have already had printed. Who warehouses them? If Xlibris, do they charge you? And, again, my grandson, at this point in time, works cheap. From your point of view, you can't just sit around waiting for something to happen. Unless, of course, you are abducted by terrorist and land on Oprah show after the dramatic rescue by Lash LaRue. Now that would create a sale surge.
 
Sincerely;
 
D
 


 

January 19, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....That abduction idea has merit. Let me work on that.  As far as Oprah, she's too big to share the TV screen with, anyway.

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I do not have a stockpile of books on hand.  When I want to buy a copy, or copies, I call Xlibris and order them, paying with a cc at the time of order.  I can get the writer's discount,

about 33%, which I'm doing in your 2-book order, which nullifies any royalties. I receive them in about 2 weeks, or less. In other words, you order on an "as needed" basis. I received about

15 copies as part of the original publishing deal.

BTW....I sent you, I believe, and...just for fun, a recent schlock movie review, which I do from time to time, on some old clunker....the kind my book dealt with.  I have some more that I could send....again...just for fun..... that I have saved .  Several Lash movies, some horror & sci-fi, and other B-Western oaters. 

 ============================jd========================

 

January 20, 2011

Daniel Gould to Jim Driscoll

 

Hi JD;
 
I apologize for all these questions that may seem unimportant, but I am trying to get the lay of the land. I know very little about self-publishing since it is considered the bastard child of the industry. I wanted to know how many copies were originally printed and who paid the warehousing cost. All important factors in determining your direction for marketing. However, I now recall, that nearly ten years ago I read an article about "printing and binding" a book order on demand. That is, when the order came in, the book was "manufactured." Is this how Xlibris does it?
 
If so, what did they charge you for originally?  Type setting?  so that the print-on-demand could be done when needed? Did they charge you by number of words? And you speak of royalties which really confuses me. If you "paid" to self publish, what do you only receive a royalty?
 
Yes, I received the "schlock movie review" but was unaware that you had written it. I didn't see your name on it. I would find the Lash reviews interesting...Which reminds me of another question you haven't answered (your bad at answering question...Must come from working in a corporate environment like GMAC). To wit: Was he the one that dressed all in black, rode a black horse; carried a black whip...But was a GOOD guy? Just trying to put him into some sort of form.
 
Sincerely;
 
Dan
 


 

January 20, 2011

Jim Driscoll to Daniel Gould

 

Xlibris originally charged me around $1,500 for the publishing.  They would have also edited the book, but I chose to do that myself.

So I had every hand in the book's creation......text, arrangement, cover, style, intro, editing, etc.   

With that fee, I got the book, around 15-17 copies, both hard and soft covers, bus cards, post-cards and bookmarks ( of the books cover, with ordering info on it), promotional full-color posters, and other promotional items.

I receive about $8.00 per copy sold retail (not when I order for a discounted price) . They have the typeset ready and will "forever", so any order will generate as many copies as requested.  The original publishing charge was double that, but I waited for a promotional sale of 50% off.

 

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I do those "schlock reviews" for fun....usually on films I re-visit and of the nature of the ones in my book ...IE:  B-movies of those specific genres, released usually

between 1930 and 1970, or so.   A few, like a couple of later works by Lash, lie outside that time period.  I think I saved those, so I'll try today to send them. 

They were exploitation films he made in the mid-'80's  and were VERY BAD, almost as bad as his Westerns.

 

.............................jd.............................

 

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