RUDDY HELL … IT’S SOFT CELL

I think today’s blog may be less controversial than yesterday. Thanks for all the emails and messages of support about the ‘sales comapny’ – all very much appreciated. It looks like they are thinking about paying, so it’s almost resolved. They just need to hurry up before I assign a debt collector and contact the industry press about it … and the clock is ticking away.

Who can I slag off today, then?

The Waterstone’s Hub? Book buyers? Book sellers? Nah, I’m kidding. Honest. But – as a book buying punter, you may not be aware that Waterstone’s is experiencing problems in getting stock into their stores. It isn’t just Tonto books, it’s everyone and isn’t the fault of those who work in the stores. If you are Christmas shopping there or anywhere else and they haven’t got what you are looking for – give them a gentle nudge. I was ‘mystery shopping’ for a few Tonto titles yesterday and it is frustrating that books are being held up in transit, etc. It’s a long story. As the great Gary Barlow once said, just have a little patience. Or shout. That works too.

And just for the hell of it – here’s a challenge…

Get your mobile phone out and film this on the sly – doesn’t have to be you and the assistant in frame, just hearing it will be enough.

Call into any bookstore in the land and ask for: The Road To Hell by Sheila Quigley – ISBN: 9781907183034 – it was released on 5 November.

If they don’t have it – ask when they are getting it in.

When they tell you they don’t know. Ask if they can find out. This usually alerts a more senior member of staff.

If they can’t tell you, ask if they can order a copy. If they say they can’t, just tell them you’ll get it somewhere else. If they want to order, just say you’ll come back when they have stock, make your excuses and leave.

If they have it – great. Find out how many in stock.

Just an experiment. See if you can email the video to me. If it works – freebie Tonto stuff will be coming your way as a thank you present. Double points if you hit WHSmith. It’s amazing the excuses that come out. Yesterday I was told by one store they didn’t have it because the publisher hadn’t sent any stock. Then I revealed I was the publisher out on a mystery shopper spree and they discovered the real reason.

I’ve had loads of enquiries for advice recently. If I don’t reply, it’s not because I’m rude, just a bit busy with more pressing things at the moment. Same with submissions – not enough hours in the day to read, but will get round to it.

The advice people are after is mainly about how to get published, whether by me or by anyone else.  The submissions that I’ve had the chance to read recently all seem to fall down in the same places, give or take, and while I wouldn’t want to patronise the hell out of writers, I reckon there are a few tips to be taken in submitting work, etc, etc, and bring some published authors in to discuss their route and offer advice too. I might run a few workshops in the New Year along these lines. I know there’s not loads of people subscribe to my blog rantings, but if anyone is interested in these kind of events, drop me a line and I’ll see if there’s enough people to make it worth doing.