another cash withdrawl

£56.68 for mailing bags and postage of 150 books to THE

more money spent and transfered out of the account

£77.55 for addresses of 250 childrens' bookshops
£105.75 for ad in bertdeals (to get stock into bertrams - 90 +vat)

good news and bad

it was always along shot but Wh Smith haven't taken us on as central stock. here's the email

Head OfficeGreenbridge RdSWINDON SN3 3LD

Rob BassettFluffy Little Kitten Ltd44b Hazelbourne RoadLondon SW12 9NS

20th March 2008

RE: ‘Fluffy Little Kitten’

Dear Rob

Thank you for your letter and sample books concerning the above title. Following my selection meeting, I have decided not to take this title for range in WH Smith stores. As you can imagine, I receive a vast amount of potential new products and unfortunately, space is at a premium. A decision is made using a number of different criteria – customer demand, market trends, format and current range to mention but a few. A decision is then made as to whether the product would return a sufficient profit, and on this occasion, I have concluded it would not. I would like to add that if the books are registered with Nielsen BookData, we could fulfil customer orders through our customer ordering service. You can contact them on 01438 744100. May I also draw your attention to the WHSmith Approved Independent Publisher scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Gardner’s Books. The scheme offers independent publishers a number of benefits and if you were interested, I would advise you to contact Aidan Lunn at Gardner’s Books (Tel: 01323 521555). We are happy to return your sample books to you if a stamped addressed envelope of sufficient size and postage is forwarded to us within one month of the date of this letter. Thank you once again for taking the time to bring these books to my attention. Yours Sincerely

Mick Parsons
Children’s Education Buyer

however on payment of a 90 quid advertising fee in one of their catalogues, Betrams THE have taken 50 copies of each book. This is significant as it means we can get stock to bookshops overnight if they're interested in the book.

more money moves

233.82 out of the account for postcard printing

What are we spending the £1555.58 on?

It's two major mailouts - Waterstones/Bookseller/Library and PR

We have the 500 stamps and the labels for the first waterstones mailout. This will actually come in the form of postcards. I am printing 5000 double sided colour postcards which will work as both trade and consumer publicity. There are 340 or so Waterstones so with the initial stamps I can also hit 160 others (libraries and independents) I'll source the 160 other addresses personally but if necessary we can but a list of childrens booksellers from the booksellers association here at £23.50/hundred http://www.booksellers.org.uk/bookshop_dir/bs_list_form.asp



we also need T-Shirts - 100 of them in kids (2-4) size for the PR mailout, as well as postage (around 1.92 per pack) and also 100 tough plastic mailbags for the PR



Postcards - £233.83

T-shirts - £500

PR Mailout Postage £192

PR Mailout Bags - £24.48

Total - £950.31

leaving a balance of £605.27 for later efforts and float.

more payments

I have paid in £95 for direct sales to date and £75.90 for Amazon Advantage and Associates Payments to date. All payments are now automatically going to the egg account.

Income sources are

Google Checkout
Paypal
Amazon Associates
Amazon Affiliates
Amazon Marketplace

when Alliance and leicester finally open our business account, I have to remember to transfer all payments to it.

did the up to date accounts today.

Basic picture

Stock

2872 books
Colour Printer
1000 Envelopes
Labels, Stationery, padded envelopes etc
500 2nd class stamps

Cash Balance

£1237.26

Money owed

£300 investment
£18.32 money owed by amazon

£318.32 Total

Balance

£1555.58

payment out of account

I have withdrawn £160.67 from the account today to pay for 400 second class stamps £120 and 1000 envelopes £40.67

These are for the waterstones and library mailouts

tested out direct selling through paypal checkout

the website now has a checkout through paypal.

I tested out the £10 for 3 books system. everything is automated through paypal up to and including pre-paid postage labels. The deal is £10 in, 54p in paypal fees, 98p in postage (1st class) and 25p for the envelope and printing. The revenue is £2.74 per book. This means a profit of £1.22

If we sell an individual book for £3.99 the fees are 34p, the postage 70p and the envelope and printing are 25p so the revenue is £2.70

A the moment the packing looks a little "brown envelope" so i'll invest in slightly more upscale packing labels, return address etc - after all, each envelope is like a little moving poster ad.

Also, if I go through google checkout - which is a little fiddlier - I pay less fees 30p and 21p rather than 54p and 34p

postcard printing

http://www.virtualprinter.co.uk/postcards#postcard%20prijs%201

Betrams stocking details

In order for us to stock a new title, it needs to be available via a wholesaler (e.g. Gardners or Bertrams). If your book is stocked by a wholesaler, please send a copy with an advance information sheet to:
New PressBorders GroupStillerman House120 Charing Cross RoadLondonWC2H 0JR
Unfortunately, due to the large numbers of titles we receive for consideration, we are unable to return or pay for samples.

News

books have been delivered. will do another check of them and then send off the 1500 balance.

Have sent the first copies to amazon.

everything is now rolling for publicity to start.

also, I am working out how to get supply to libraries and also to publish on the Amazon Kindle in the US