The BookThinker Newsletter ISSN 1547-9501 #84, 18 December 2006

BookThink Update
25 December 2006>>>

Update Announcements

An End of Days Identity and Meaning in the Shadow of the Dying Earth Collecting Science Fiction Well, I hope you brought your thinking caps with you today - or, in the immortal words of P.G. Wodehouse's Bertram Wooster, "ate fish." Science Fiction Editor Timothy Doyle takes on some fundamental philosophical topics today in his monthly column, among them eschatology. Don't know what eschatology is? You'll soon find out, and what's more, there's bookselling profits afoot.

A Novel Approach Dan Martin's Journey Back Second up is Dan Martin. Dan originally approached me several months ago and requested that BookThink review his first novel, Journey Back. Though we weren't able to accommodate him, I suggested instead that he pen an article on his experiences getting his book published. The resulting piece is an unusually interesting insider's look at the struggle many writers face when attempting to make it in a business that, ultimately, we booksellers profit from on the back end.

From the Editor Important announcements for BookThinker readers.

How To Package Books Part I: Making a Case for B-Flute Part II: Packaging with B-Flute In Part I of "How to Package Books," I suggested the use of b-flute for packaging books on the basis of three criteria: a high protection level for contents, high packaging speed, and low materials cost. Today, I'll explain how to use b-flute in as much detail as I've ever written about it. I think some of you may be surprised to see how useful it is in meeting not only conventional packaging needs but also those that arise out of special applications.

Buying and Selling Children's Books A Modern Day Christmas Carol (Internet Style) BookThink's Children's Books Editor Guusje Moore is here today, but the topic isn't children's books. I think most of us could share stories about how books and other items we've sold have had a powerful impact on the lives of their buyers. As I've said before, I think the highest purpose a bookseller serves is to return books to their rightful owners. Guusje experienced something like this recently, and I think you'll agree that the outcome was indeed special.

50/50 Issue #19
Dogs, Dogs and More Dogs
Now Available
Issue #19 of 50/50 is now available for purchase; its focus is "Dogs Dogs and More Dogs." Subscribe today here.

Introducing .... BookHunt Software Designed for Buying Inventory Online The bookselling theme we pound the hardest at BookThink is this: Sell better books. Agreed, some of you don't live in inventory rich areas, and this may be easier said than done. One solution I've suggested is to start buying some of your inventory online. After all, where are most of the best books located? For most booksellers, however, especially those new to the business, buying online is significantly more difficult than buying books in the field. Or was until now. Software developer Ian Ashbury has come to the rescue. Ian has designed a tool for BookThink that will greatly enhance your ability to not only locate inventory online but also save you countless hours you otherwise would've spent slogging through listings at eBay. It's called BookHunt, and here's more information.

Previous BookThinker update- BookThink Update
11 December 2006>>>

Update Announcements

Selling on Amazon A Simple, Cheap Method for Bulk Listing on Amazon It's Steve Weber's turn again, and this time he discusses something you may not have been aware of - an Amazon tool that allows Pro-Merchant sellers to bulk upload listings. It's a great time saver. Find out how to do it today.

BookThink's Bookseller Profile Travis McFarland is our brave bookseller this month - braving, that is, a Bookseller Profile. Would that all of you were so brave. In any case, Travis, though only two years in the business, has also braved something else - a business model that requires some sophisticated bookselling knowledge. He specializes in modern signed first editions, collectible children's books and other hard to find items. As always, it makes good reading, and don't forget to click into his eBay Store when you're done and buy a book or two. I guaranteed that it would happen!

Gold Edition #33 How To Buy and Sell Photobooks Issue #33 of the Gold Edition - How To Buy and Sell Photobooks - is now available for purchase. Purchase now.