The Mahan Book: An Observation

[ChatOWhitehall@aol.com]

<<I also understand there is possibly a different discount schedule,  but to
date I have not received any other information.
John Ludi
AIS  Storefront>>
 
At the risk of intruding to speak to the truly obvious,  I think that, having 
been a bookstore inventory buyer, I should,  perhaps, comment on a couple of 
points. 
 
First, the terms you have been quoted are about standard for the trade,  
points-wise, however, it is important to distinguish between buying with return  
privileges, or without. With same, unsold but still merchantable  copies of a 
title may be shipped back to the publisher at the  buyer's expense for credit-- 
credit, not necessarily an  actual refund-- and there may be time limits on 
this. Now, Mr. Pries  has said that, under the terms someone has negotiated you 
do not, in  fact, enjoy return privileges. Accordingly, balancing anticipated 
 demand in a given time frame, the sliding discount/volume schedule  ratios, 
and the AIS sales price-- which has already been published and  does not leave 
much wiggle room for expenses---is the nature of the chore at  hand. Are you 
expected to pay up front? 
 
Second, has anything been said about the cost of shipping the  books across 
country, or the actual anticipated time involved in same?  Typically, unless 
something has changed, these expenses are, in the case of  hard covers not 
involved in a special freight deal, paid by the  purchaser. Sometimes books bought 
non-returnable ship free. In past, UPS was  much favored, however, should you 
be paying for this, be aware  that there may be significant cost variables 
involving shipment  weight in relation to time in transit, and  insurance 
considerations. Conversely, all this may be entirely at the  publisher's discretion.
 
I have pondered, and concluded it is impossible to  anticipate how far the 
book is going to make it into general trade. The  publisher is private and 
quirky, the subject is arcane,  and the suggested retail price is correspondingly 
high. I think it  unlikely that stacks of this book will appear in every chain 
store,  but much depends on what else is being published, and on the personal  
quirks of the buyers and merchandisers. It also depends on how well the  
publicity machine is cranking, which includes industry reviews, and word of  
mouth. 
 
I'm reading the book now, a gift from the author, and enjoying  it. From time 
to time Clarence sends me manuscripts of one sort or another  to read. 
Whereas we share a passion for the subject, and for language, we  differ markedly in 
how we approach these matters-- indeed, our  visions have been known to 
collide--- so that he is aware he  will never receive an unconsidered sugary 
attaboy from me;  hence, I suppose, my utility.
 
I believe this book will interest anyone not actively  hostile to the written 
word who engages the  Genus on anything beyond the most primitive sensory  
level. Moreover, I think that when someone one knows publishes a  book, it 
behooves one to salute their labors, which  are typically solitary, humbling, and 
born of love. 
 
Cordially,
 
Anner Whitehead

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