[stylist] Request for advice

Wed Jan 22 05:29:20 UTC 2014

Donna,

Oh, I'm pretty cynical, I just try to be positive when it comes to
others lives, smile.

I still hold to my former post, except when I read Lynda's post, I
didn't realize no compensation was being offered, and this doesn't seem
right. At the very least, they should provide transportation.

I wouldn't do this for just nothing. When I'm asked to do speaking
engagements, I do insist upon some kind of compensation, though I do
take into consideration who is asking and base my request off of that.
Say a university, they can handle a $150 speaking fee. A small church
group, might not be able to handle the fee, but can provide
transportation.

And I agree with you that I would avoid giving a book away for free. At
the end of the day, you are trying to turn a profit, and any writer
should understand this.

And yes, trust me, despite only being 32, I've been soured by many
people and groups, so I get why you're reluctant to even entertain this,
but until you follow up with the contact, you don't really know what to
expect and what they might be willing to provide. All I'm saying is that
until you speak with them again, you just don't know what might be
possible.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 9:28 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Request for advice

Bridgit,
Thank you for your input on this. My first thought was that yours is the
opinion of a young person who hasn't developed a proper level of
cynicism about things like this. *grin* I tend to agree with Lynda and
the others who think it's a bit much for them to ask. Nonetheless, with
your voice in my head, I have been able to avoid writing what I really
think. You're right in that I certainly don't want to burn any bridges.
I can't call, at least not yet. I have more control in print, so I'm
working on something that will allow me to stand my ground, give them
options and keep the door open. Donna

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 5:48 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Request for advice

Donna,

Would a simple Word doc copy suffice in this situation? And you could
advertise the E-version for anyone interested at the reading itself.

This sounds like a really good opportunity. And even though other
opportunities haven't panned out, I don't think it's a reason to push
this one aside. I would call this couple and just be clear and specific
during the conversation. It seems like too good of an opportunity to
just throw away though. At least contact them and see what can come of
this. And perhaps they will be willing to provide transportation.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:35 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Request for advice

Hi Friends,
As most of you know, I have been trying to promote my new novel The
Heart of Applebutter Hill. I recently had an article in the Wilkes-Barre
Times-Leader, and I used the occasion to contact professors in that area
in education departments and those heading up disability services
departments. I told them about the article, the book and the
recommendations it has received from professionals in education,
rehabilitation and the arts as a classroom resource for
diversity-inclusivity and anti-bullying initiatives. I offered them a
free copy of an electronic version of the book (I have 7 e-book
versions, which covers about everything including reading it on a
computer).

My question is how to handle a response I received today. It's from a
married couple, both of whom are Ph.D.s and on the faculty of a
university in Wilkes-Barre. They don't use e-readers, and didn't address
the possibility of using their computer to read it.

Block quote
Thank you for your e-mail. I would love a copy of your book, but I would
like a print version.  I don't use a kindle or e-reader of any kind. We
have a Forum Series at (name of university) and would like you to
present if you are available sometime in the fall between 4 and 6 PM
Mon.-Thurs.

You could talk about your book and even have a book signing and/or, you
might discuss your experiences in education and inclusion.
Unfortunately, we do not have a budget, so we cannot offer you an
honorarium, but we do hope that you will agree to speak anyway.  Block
quote end

They go on to invite me to call them and give their home and work
numbers.

Here's the situation. E-books are free for me to give away; print books
are not. At my author price and shipping, it costs about what Amazon
charges. At this point, I have been restricting give-aways of the print
copies to the press, contest entries, online give-aways (like
GoodReads), for the people who either critiqued the book prior to
publication and those who wrote recommendations. I also am giving some
to local community leaders to help generate local interest, and I have
set some aside for Learning Ally and our state NLS and so forth.

So, they want me to send them a book and also to show up and do a
program for nothing other than the possibility of selling a few books.
This is an hour each way. Rich has been ill for 7 months and has severe
(and possibly
unreversable) nerve damage in his arms and legs.

If I were to go anyway, I would have to hire a driver; the person would
have to set aside about 4 hours of their time in addition to the milage.
The last time I did something similar, one professor promised me a
letter of recommendation. That was last February. I also never got the
advance release copy back. The school liked it enough to make a Power
Point display that they showed at some meeting, but for whatever reason
that promise was never kept.

There's no way I'm going over there without even a token honorarium;
even if I found a free ride, Rich would kill me on general principles.
*grin* If I send them a book, then I'm letting the door open for others
to request print copies. I could suggest that they ask their school's
library to order one from Baker and Taylor and borrow it.

So, what do you think? How should I handle this?
Thanks,
Donna

-- The Heart of Applebutter Hill - a novel on a mission:

http://DonnaWHill.com <http://donnawhill.com/>

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