Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Big Red and Printing & Distribution Matters

I am thrilled to announce Dancing Lemur Press’ latest release! Compared to Heinlein and Black Mirror, this military sci-fi story takes many twists and turns on its journey. If you love action and a compelling mystery, you will love Big Red.


Big Red by Damien Larkin

We have always been here...

Traumatized by the effects of Compression travel, soldier Darren Loughlin holds the key to the fate of Earth’s Martian colonies. With his Battalion decimated, his fractured memory holds the only clues to the colony-wide communications blackout.

With time running out, Darren pieces together his year-long tour of duty with the Mars Occupation Force. Stationed in the Nazi-founded New Berlin colony, ruled by the brutal MARSCORP, he recounts his part in the vicious, genocidal war against the hostile alien natives and all who question Terran supremacy.

But as his memories return, Darren suspects he is at the centre of a plot spanning forty years. He has one last mission to carry out. And his alien enemies may be more human than he is…

Release date: May 14, 2019
$18.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 304 pages
Science Fiction - Military/Alien Contact/Alternative Historyv Print ISBN 9781939844606 / EBook ISBN 9781939844613
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

“There is drama and heartache here, insights in the light and darkness of humanity’s soul. This book makes you think.” – Phil Parker, author

“A mesmerizing mix of genres: A dash of Starship Troopers mixed teasingly with Memento, spiced with a haunting blend of Black Mirror.” - Roland Yeomans, author

“An action packed Military Science Fiction novel that kept me on the edge of my seat.” - Jamie Kramer, Books and Ladders

“This is a military sci-fi that reminded me a lot of Heinlein’s Starship Troopers.” – Lynda R. Young, author


“Every time I thought I had the story figured out Larkin threw another curveball, and I could barely keep up. It felt like the Twilight Zone or Black Mirror…” – C. D. Gallant King, author

Damien Larkin is a part-time Planning Analyst and a full-time stay-at-home father of two young children. He enjoys turning terrifying nightmares into novels and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland.

Find it at B&N / iTunes / Amazon / Kobo / Goodreads

Plus get a free Big Red MOF sticker with any direct print purchase through Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.








Printing and Distribution Matters

I know so many authors who are Amazon/KDP only. But at what cost?


I have been researching bookstores in the Cherokee Nation area for our fall release, Stone Man: And the Trail of Tears. Bookstore after bookstore, here is what I am encountering:

“We do not stock or sell books available exclusively through Amazon or CreateSpace.”

If you are an author who prints through KDP/CreateSpace, most bookstores won’t stock your books. Why? Amazon is their biggest competition. They want money in their pockets, not Amazon’s.

And if you think that doesn’t matter, that most of your sales are online only, consider this – going with Amazon gives you almost zero chance of your book in a bookstore or you making a bookstore appearance. Because independents (who have made a huge comeback in the past few years) aren’t the only ones – Barnes & Noble won’t buy from their competition. (Who else is left in the USA? Books-A-Million – and they won’t order anybody’s book who isn’t with the Big Five publishers anyway.)


And with Baker & Taylor, the second largest wholesaler of books, bowing out of the bookstore business to focus on libraries only, that leaves just one option – Ingram. Specifically, Ingram Spark or Lightning Source if you are a self-publisher or a small press.

Or, you find a distributor.


Who distributes your titles?

53 comments:

Damien Larkin said...

Thank you for posting this up, Diane! It's been an amazing journey and a pleasure to work with you on Big Red! I can't believe it's out today!

Mason Canyon said...

A huge congratulations to Damien and Dancing Lemur Press on the release of BIG RED. And definitely something to consider on the distribution path.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations to Damien!

Damien Larkin said...

Thank you Mason and Alex! Much appreciated!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Pleasure working with you and enjoy your release day.

Damien Larkin said...

I'm having an absolute blast so far. Looking forward to the official book launch later!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Congrats, Damien.

Pat Hatt said...

Congrats, Damien, on the release.

One would think it would be common sense that they couldn't get in if only on Amazon. No company wants to give their competitor more money.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That is exactly right, Pat.

Liz A. said...

And if you run afoul of Amazon, then you're out of getting your book anywhere. This is why monopolies are a bad thing.

nashvillecats2 said...

Two very good reviews, best of luck to the authors.

Yvonne.

J E Oneil said...

Amazon's a scuzzy company anyway.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

LOL!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Damien's book sounds like a great read.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

It's tougher and tougher to get your book noticed. Independent bookstores are really the best place for indie published authors. Best to Damien on his new book.

Sandra said...

Interesting info on distribution.

Re: Waterpick.I read an article that floss and waterpicks work equally well. The only thing I wonder about is if it is as good for the gums as floss.

Damien Larkin said...

Thank you! Much appreciated!

Damien Larkin said...

Cheers, thank you Pat!

Damien Larkin said...

Cheers, thank you!

Damien Larkin said...

Thank you Elizabeth!

Damien Larkin said...

Agreed on that, Susan. It's the smaller, indie bookshops that have been the most supportive in stocking Big Red. Thank you for your best wishes!

The Cynical Sailor said...

Congrats to Damien on his release!

I publish through both Amazon KDP and Ingram Spark. While I sell more paperbacks through Amazon, I still sell a good proportion through Ingram.

Damien Larkin said...

Thank you!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Something to ask your dentist I guess.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Ellen, you're smart to use both.

Karen Lee Baldwin said...

Big Congrats, Damien!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That's a powerful cover.

I don't know what it means to find a distributor. I can't imagine it'd make much of a difference, but perhaps I'll look into it.
Thanks, Diane.

Damien Larkin said...

Much appreciated Karen!

Damien Larkin said...

Agreed on the cover Rawknrobyn! Full credit to the DLP illustrators for this masterpiece!

Fundy Blue said...

I have always enjoyed books about Mars, so I ordered Damien's book and it came today. I'm looking forward to reading it. I need a reward after slogging through "The Mueller Report." LOL

Shannon Lawrence said...

Congrats to Damien on his release!

I published with both CreateSpace/Amazon and Smashwords. I considered Ingram Spark at the time, but didn't want to deal with the costs.

So far, I have my books at two small bookstores in the state. Those kind of fell in my lap, so I imagine if I put more work into it, I could have it in more places. The small bookstore are great about supporting local authors and taking books on a consignment basis.

Sandra said...

Looks like BiG RED has some great reviews.
YOU have a productive, pleasant week;)

Chrys Fey said...

Congrats to Big Red and Damien!

That's why I don't publish exclusively. Well, I usually publish traditionally anyway, but for my mom's books, I use Amazon and Smashwords to distribute.

Jemi Fraser said...

Congrats to Damien!!!

I'm nearing the time to publish my Dementia book and while I still have research to do, I'm planning on not being exclusive. Don't know if I'll ever see my book in a bookstore, but that would be fun!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you so much for ordering it.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I did consignment with a few stores in the past, but I quickly discovered that was a great way to lose books.

Ingram Spark runs specials often. Elizabeth S. Craig says she is always finding deals and doesn't often pay for setting up titles.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

So far, so good! LOL

L. Diane Wolfe said...

If you need any help, let me know.

SpacerGuy said...

Smart name for a Mars novel with a twisting exciting plot on the red planet 54 million km away.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

It's been a while since I read any science fiction, but this sounds like a good one. I'll have to check it out.

I'm tickled Dancing Lemur has been doing so well, Diane. You just never know where life is gonna lead you, do ya?

Sandra said...

Congrats, Damien. Looks like a great read.

Powdered Toast Man said...

Memento? Count me in!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane and Damien - congratulations on the book and to you Diane for publishing. Interesting what you're saying re distributorship ... I always enjoy the learning we get from you Diane - cheers to you both - Hilary

L. Diane Wolfe said...

No, you sure don't! I wanted to be an author since I was 13, but never imagined publisher and pro speaker.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Congratulations to Damien!

Sherry Ellis said...

Congratulations to Damien! Yes, it's very frustrating for self-published authors who have used CreateSpace to publish their books. No bookstore wants to stock them.

Sandra said...

I saw where Damien hit #39. Excellent!
Did you see Rocket's bday wishes at the blog?

Sandra said...

Are you having luck with bookstores in the Cherokee Nation?

Anonymous said...

Big congrats to you, Damien! Your cover is powerful!!

Those stats on Amazon were, um, a bit scary!


Elsie

DMS said...

Congrats to Damien. Wishing him the best. An interesting post for sure!
~Jess

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I will have to Google that - thank you!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Meaning there might be some actual Cherokee bookstores on reservations.

Morgan said...

Yaaaay! You're doing SUCH amazing things, Diane. Seriously. You're incredible. And yay for Damien! So fantastic. Stoked for his work to be out in the world!!!