I’ve heard that it’s been really really REALLY hard to buy The Night Garden at times. Which is pretty frustrating given all of the attention it’s been getting with the shortlisting and the play touring around. The news is… there’s another reprint hitting our shores now and I’ve been assured that the problems are over. But just in case – I’m buying up some stock so people can always buy it from me – and they will of course be signed copies! And for a discount. So for anyone who’s interested in that or any of my other books I have managed to get copies of – here’s the list… (Drumroll, criss-crossing search-lights, the red curtains part and…)
The Night Garden $25
Where’s God? $25
The Elephants’ Big Day Out $20
Maximilian Jones $20
A Dream of Bunyips Dancing $20
Ali the Bold Heart $20
If you’re a school wanting to do a big order please email me and I’ll send details of how to do that.
It’s possible that I have some of the only copies left for a couple of those books. Very sad but true. And seeing as I will have the rights back for a few of them soon I have to decide what I will do. Can I reprint myself? Tricky as it’s so expensive in Australia. I still like the books very much and so do the kids! They don’t date and the idea of having the books disapear from the world is just so sad.
Maybe a great-looking dvd with the books being read aloud, the illustrations on screen and an accompanying colouring-in book?
What do we do when we want our books to live on?
4 Comments
Hi Elise,
I have a suggestion for keeping the books in circulation: why not make them free under the creative commons license? Take a look at Cory Doctorow’s career. Almost all his books are available for free, yet they still sell like hotcakes (http://craphound.com/littlebrother/ is into its 6th hardcover print run) and his name is very well known among geek circles, so he gets a lot of paid speaking gigs.
It’s been very interesting reading about the progress you’re making with the books
He encourages people to remix his books (http://craphound.com/littlebrother/category/remixes/); I think that might work well for a children’s book too.
He writes more about why the book is given away free on the About page (http://craphound.com/littlebrother/about/)
I hope this gives you some new ideas
Recreate ourselves! I do and it always pays off handsomely!
Hi Brian – thanks! Hmm it’s an interesting idea. With so many schools having their own picture book component it could be good to have them downloadable and encourage people to make their own covers. It wouldn’t stop me from doing dvds and other things (which I can afford to do!) and the downloads can be covered by copyright payments if they’re noticed so there’s even a chance of income. Any teachers or librarians or primary kids out there reading this? What do you think?
elise
Greetings Mr Impluvium! What a long time it’s been. How’s the bard? I’m doing much recreation at the moment with my big paintings
It’s wonderful and will be such an exciting gamble.