Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts

If you haven't seen it on Facebook, or heard it from somewhere else, we have dived into the arena of Adoption once again. As you know this process is long and expensive. We are hoping to make it shorter because it's our second time through. There's not much we can do about the expensive part though, except pray and fund-raise.

Here's my proposition to you my friends, family and readers. Let my work be your opportunity to help us with our fundraising efforts. There are a few on-line markets where you can buy my books (I'll link them below). If you will purchase any of my stories or books, all of the royalties I get from these books will be earmarked for our new adoption (once it's paid for, I'll probably find another worthy cause for these funds). These books provide minutes of reading pleasure and are excellent to give as gifts.

Something Special at Leonard's Inn: A Tale of the First Christmas: first paperback editions available by emailing me here, or by logging on to Amazon.com

Just a Simple Carpenter: The Story of Joseph: first paperback editions available by emailing me at the above email link.

Two for Christmas (the above titles together), A Time for Miracles: Retelling the Story of John the Baptist, and sermon collections - So This Is Church and Words to Live By are all available at Lulu.com.

Something Special & Other Stories (A collection of the Leonard, Joseph, and John the Baptist stories re-edited and re-packaged) is available from Create Space and Amazon.com (both trade paper or ebook)

I have finally been forced to admit it, I'm bookish. I know it isn't cool, and I tried for so many years to cover it up and look cool, but I am . . . bookish that is. I like books. I like to go to used bookstores and paperback re-sellers just to look at the worn spines and smell the aroma of books.

I like to obtain and read first editions. I really enjoy the feel of a nice hardcover (with the dust cover intact and in place) as I sit down to enjoy the pages.

I revel in a trip to the library to see if anything catches my eye.

And I'll go so far as to say that the ebook revolution has not found me wanting. I can get a book for a fraction of the paper version's cover price and not have to extend my already groaning bookshelf space. I like books because of the efficient way of arranging and presenting material. So, for books I am thankful.

Click on the graphic below--it will take you to the home of Lulu.com, then follow the instructions on the code to buy my books (if you search for my name, you know--Benjamin Potter, you'll get a listing of all my books). Don't forget to use your code, or you won't get the discount:

Okay, so here's the deal. I have several shelves of books that I have accumulated over the years (many before I ever met the Blushing Bride). Some are even near and dear to my heart. At the same time our family is in need of some funds in a rather immediate fashion. A host of these books have been gathering dust on the shelves for more years than I care to admit. A mountain of them were even languishing in storage while we lived and worked overseas.

To make the two ends work together, I will be offering a great many titles for sale, but since it is a fundraising effort I can't let the books go for a song and dance. My pricing should be fair (but probably won't be competitive, again, the point is to get raise funds for our family need). My first blush out of the gate will be to list several of the authors whose work I have and will be parting with (some reluctantly). As time permits, I list individual titles--unless people are into just buying the author's work. Most titles will be first or second editions (book club editions will be priced considerably less), and many are signed (and/or inscribed) by the author.

To answer the main question--why not use e-bay or Amazon.com? Well, I am using those outlets for some general sales, but most of the titles I'm offering in this fashion would be more suited for personal contact from collectors and bibliophiles.

So, now to the authors included:

Steve Brewer (many early Bubba Mabry mysteries)
Bill Brooks (several western titles--these will go pretty cheap as most are paperback)
Sigmund Brouwer (I have many of his fiction titles for older readers, not too many children's titles)
Susan Rogers Cooper (many Milt Kolvak titles, several E.J. Pugh titles, and all of the Kimmie Kruse novels)
Bill Crider (I have almost all of his mystery titles, including Dan Rhodes, Carl Burns, Truman Smith, and Sally Goode)
Kinky Friedman (all but the last few of his mysteries)
James Grippando
John Grisham
Stewart Kaminsky (many of the Toby Peters titles--several of these are book club editions, but in excellent condition)
Lisa Scottoline
David J. Walker

I also have a number of short story collections to sell. Tune in often for more detail on the books that must go. If you like some of these authors ask for a particular title of theirs and I'll let you know if I have it.

I will start by saying that I have been a customer of Amazon.com almost since the company's inception (I remember the first two or three years, when they sent you a gift for being a customer--before they started pushing the brick and mortar guys out of business). I also attempt to sell a few of my old books that are just taking up space as an independent seller. I've got no great beef with the company. I will also say that I'm online more often at Barnes & Noble since I was given a Nook instead of a Kindle (note to publishers, don't settle for just Kindle editions--give us Nooksters a chance too). Having said that, I wonder what will happen when a David publisher takes on the Amazon Goliath. You can read and be the judge here.

By now, if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have used the services of Lulu.com to publish some of my short fiction and a couple of sermon collections. Today I received a coupon code for you to use when purchasing any or all of my titles. The neat thing about this coupon is that the offer is for 25% off (up to $50 savings) on your purchase. A couple of things you should note: this offer is for a single purchase (that means you can't use it today and decide to use it again tomorrow or next week, so make your decisions before purchasing), and the offer is good until January 31, 2012--that gives you a couple of weeks to make your selections.

So, click on the Lulu.com logo. Choose as many of my titles as you'd like then enter the coupon code LULUBOOK305 at checkout. Simple as that. Hurry!

Disclaimer: Use coupon code LULUBOOK305 at checkout and receive 25% off your order. The maximum savings with this promotion is $50. You can only use the code once per account, and you can't use this coupon in combination with other coupon codes. This great offer ends on January 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. While very unlikely Lulu.com reserves the right to change or revoke this offer at anytime, and of course we cannot offer this coupon where it is against the law to do so. Finally, Lulu.com incurs the cost of this discount, so it does not impact the Author's proceeds of the book. This coupon does not work with self-purchases, i.e., if you are the author of the book you are trying to purchase, you cannot use this coupon. This coupon will work for multiple titles but savings cannot go past the maximum of $50.

[Please note that the following essay is posted all over the Internet in a variety of forms, and many of these postings attribute it to "anonymous" or "author unknown." The satire can be found in The Future of the Printed Word: the Impact and Implications of the New Communications Technology- Philip Hills, ed.]

#8: I am thankful for the publishing industry (specifically for books).

Books are cool--you can lose yourself in them, learn from them, and grow from them. I used to require my students to read the following essay that just about says it all:

A new aid to rapid - almost magical - learning has made its appearance.
Indications are that if it catches on all the electronic gadgets will be
so much junk.

The new device is known as Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge. The
makers generally call it by its initials, BOOK.

Many advantages are claimed over the old-style learning and teaching
aids on which most people are brought up nowadays. It has no wires, no
electric circuit to break down, No connection is needed to an
electricity power point. It is made entirely without mechanical parts to
go wrong or need replacement.

Anyone can use BOOK, even children, and it fits comfortably into the
hands. It can be conveniently used sitting in an armchair by the fire.

How does this revolutionary, unbelievably easy invention work? Basically
BOOK consists only of a large number of paper sheets. These may run to
hundreds where BOOK covers a lengthy programme of information. Each
sheet bears a number in sequence so that the sheets cannot be used in
the wrong order.

To make it even easier for the user to keep the sheets in the proper
order they are held firmly in place by a special locking device called a
'binding'.

Each sheet of paper presents the user with an information sequence in
the form of symbols, which he absorbs optically for automatic
registration on the brain. When one sheet has been assimilated a flick
of the finger turns it over and further information is found on the
other side.

By using both sides of each sheet in this way a great economy is
effected, thus reducing both the size and cost of BOOK. No buttons need
to be pressed to move from one sheet to another, to open or close BOOK,
or to start it working.

BOOK may be taken up at any time and used by merely opening it.
Instantly it it ready for use. Nothing has to be connected or switched
on. The user may turn at will to any sheet, going backwards or forwards
as he pleases. A sheet is provided near the beginning as a location
finder for any required information sequence.

A small accessory, available at trifling extra cost, is the BOOKmark.
This enables the user to pick up his programme where he left off on the
previous learning session. BOOKmark is versatile and may be used in any
BOOK.

The initial cost varies with the size and subject matter. Already a vast
range of BOOKs is available, covering every conceivable subject and
adjusted to different levels of aptitude. One BOOK, small enough to be
held in the hands, may contain an entire learning schedule.

Once purchased, BOOK requires no further upkeep cost; no batteries or
wires are needed, since the motive power, thanks to an ingenious device
patented by the makers, is supplied by the brain of the user.

BOOKs may be stored on handy shelves and for ease of reference the
programme schedule is normally indicated on the back of the binding.

Altogether the Built-in Orderly Organized Knowledge seems to have great
advantages with no drawbacks. We predict a big future for it.

I'm thankful for books.

[Thanks also to my friend Robin (Lemma) Sellman who helped me find the info I needed to post this essay.]

. . . but I've got books that need to be bought. I'm making it easier than ever. You can now purchase my first two stories at Amazon.com.

Something Special at Leonard's Inn retails for $7.00. You may purchase it for $6.00 (plus shipping) at Amazon.

Just a Simple Carpenter lists for $10.00 but is being sold for $8.00 (plus shipping).

Both books make excellent Christmas gifts. Buy one for yourself, one for your friend, and then link the purchase info (or this post) to all your friends so they can have a happy Christmas, too.

Here is a special offer for all my readers--and their friends who wish to take advantage: 
Purchase my first two stories for significant savings.

Only $2.99 for Something Special at Leonard's Inn (Published by Loom & Wheel, 1999).


Or only $4.49 for Just a Simple Carpenter (Published by Loom & Wheel, 2000).

(Shipping & Handling charges of $2.00 for the first book plus $.50 per title for each book after that.)


For even more savings, buy both together for $6.00 (plus shipping and handling) This is the perfect idea for your Christmas gift-giving plans.


Requests for autographed and/or inscribed copies will be honored. Please contact me via e-mail with your name, US mailing address, and quantity request for -- Something Special; Simple Carpenter; or "Gift Package."


Currently I can accept personal checks or PayPal payment only.

For purchases of $20.00 or more, Loom & Wheel will waive the shipping and handling charges.

Click here and buy my book.