The BookThinker Newsletter ISSN 1547-9501 #70, 5 June 2006

BookThink Update
12 June 2006>>>

Update Announcements

BookThink's Author Profiles An Interview with Janet Evanovich Bestselling author Janet Evanovich beat an unconventional, not to mention somewhat lengthy path to success. She began her publishing life in 1987 as romance novelist Steffie Hall then, sensing that the genre wasn't a good fit, advanced skillfully into mysteries - a very good fit indeed. Evanovich brought "Steffie" with her in the form of Stephanie Plum, the brassy heroine of a series of novels that now totals an even dozen, one of which is scheduled for release on June 20 (Twelve Sharp) - and you can bet that more will follow. BookThink's Michael Hayward visited with her recently, and the result is a lively look at, among other things, the writing life, Jersey and Cheez Doodles.

BookThink's Top 10 on eBay April 2006 BookThink's Top Ten on eBay returns this month with a nice mix of repeat winners and unusual titles. Among the latter are books on magic, polar exploration and golf course architecture - all perennial flashpoints. A reminder - eBay item numbers for these books are now available by special subscription free of charge. Email me at editor@bookthink.com if you'd like to receive them.

From the Editor Important announcements for BookThinker readers.

More Book Sales in Your Future? Good News, and Then Some More Good News There are many ways to increase your bookselling income, and we're forever hunting them down at BookThink. One way is to park your inventory on a venue that offers you a buying audience others don't. Some of us already know how sticky a venue eBay is - how eBay buyers are more inclined than not to shop only at eBay - but this isn't nearly as true for dedicated fixed-price venues. Today, in "More Book Sales in Your Future?" I preview a viable fixed-price venue that indeed does offer you a brand new audience - and is the price ever right. Hint: Your books will be taking long, long journeys. Also, as long as you're adding another venue to your mix, it might be time to get that inventory management system that you've been putting off and stop wasting endless hours doing things manually - and worse, selling books you don't have because you forgot to delete them from your inventory. In the same article, I preview one of the best systems I know of. And cheapest!

Buying And Selling Children's Books First We Kill Off the Parents ... In our second article, "First We Kill Off the Parents ... " Children's Books Editor Guusje Moore isn't trying to suggest the unthinkable. Rather, she's pointing to an important value indication in children's books: Stories which feature children with dead or missing parents often are among the most sought after by readers and, in turn, the most valuable. Can you spell "flashpoint"? Guusje, as always, showers us with plenty of examples.

50/50 Issue #13
Now Available
Issue #13 of 50/50 is now available for purchase; its focus is "Homeschoolers and Teachers" Subscribe today here.

Gold Edition #27 How To Become a Full-Time Bookseller Part V: Evaluating Book Collections for Purchase and Negotiating a Deal Issue #27 of the Gold Edition is now available for purchase. This is Part V of a five-part series on How to Become a Full-Time Bookseller Purchase now.

BookThink Consulting - Phase I BookThink's eBay Critique FAQ NEW! Are your eBay auction presentations lacking that certain something? Are you frustrated with listing high quality items again and again and not getting top prices for them? If so, BookThink's new consulting service, eBay Critique, may be the answer. eBay Critique consists of two elements - one, a detailed analysis of your existing eBay auctions identifying specific problem areas; and two, suggestions for improvements. Primary areas of concern include image quality, presentation layout and textual content. Read our FAQ for more details and get started today.

Previous BookThinker Update -

BookThink Update
29 May 2006>>>

Update Announcements

BookThink's NewsFlash BookThink's NewsFlash is a new column by Terra-Leigh Baghurst. She's going after the best on book news - sometimes the news will be timely and major. At other times, it will be less timely but important or intriguing enough to merit exposure. If you're a bookseller with a hot item that others need to know, Terra-Leigh is the one to email.

Buying and Selling Magic Books Part I: The High End History Editor Bill Klimon begins a two-part magic show today - well, almost. What he will do is show you much about magic books that you didn't know. Part I focuses on the high end of the market and details important references for collectors and dealers engaged in this specialty.