Grace Allison, author (member of TxAuthors) of Do You Have a Dream and Einstein’s Compass, read the recent article by Amy Collins about the issues authors are experiencing with the Amazon ADD TO CART button and what to do about it. Grace generously offered to share her solution to the issue, one that put her book on the ADD TO CART button and ensured she received her royalties.
Grace’s Solution: Contact the Resellers
First she went to her Amazon page for Do You Have a Dream Workbook: 5 Keys to Realize Your Dream. She took note of the book resellers who had her paperback edition for sale. Grace then contacted each reseller to let them know that they were selling her book for a lower price than she was able to sell it for, and asked them to pay her a royalty.
Then she waited.
Unsure what to expect, Grace was pleasantly surprised to receive the following replies (names of resellers are deleted for privacy):
You have received a message from the Amazon Seller – xxxxx
Hello,
We received a message indicating that we were listing the products of your brand in our inventory and we sincerely apologize for this matter. Our intention was not to infringe your rights.
We have just deleted the concerned listings from our inventory and you can be assured that we won’t list it anymore.
In case you see reminding articles, please contact us and we will remove it immediately. Thank you for your kind understanding and cooperation regarding this matter. Best regards,
Reseller A
You have received a message from the Amazon Seller – yyyyyyy
Dear Ms. Grace
Thank you for the below email regarding the book ISBN: 0998830801. We want to apologize; it is not our intent to infringe on publisher/authors rights. We have researched this matter and, although the title was included as inventory of a trusted and reliable supplier; we would like to reassure you that we take such matters very seriously and would never list such items intentionally.
We have taken the following steps to correct this infringement:
We have permanently removed this title from our listings and quarantined it from being re-listed.
We have sequestered all copies of this title and will return to the supplier.
We have forwarded details of this matter onto our supplier so they can also take appropriate action.
If you have other listings that you would like us to remove please provide us with a complete list of ISBN’s or the prefix (1st four digits of the ISBN – identifying the publisher) and we will be happy to remove those from our listings as well.
For any questions about your royalties, you should reach out to your publisher. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely
Reseller B
Today, if you go to Grace’s book sales page on Amazon, you will find that the resellers have adjusted their pricing so that, at $6.39, Grace’s is now the lowest price available and is listed by the ADD TO CART button. By taking these steps, Grace has also ensured that she will be paid her royalty.
________________________________________ How to contact the resellers:
1. Go to your Amazon page where your book is for sale. Grace’s book sales page, as an example, is https://amzn.to/2JZpvBl
2. You will notice in blue writing under the “Paperback” price for your book, “# New from $6.39.”
3. Click on the blue copy. On the next page, you will find the list of resellers.
4. Click on a reseller link (listed under the Seller Information column), and you will find a button to contact the reseller.
One effective way to leverage other people's connections on Twitter for your business is through strategic networking and relationship-building. Here are a few tips to get started:
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Identify key influencers in your industry: Look for people on Twitter who have a large following and are well-respected in your industry. Follow them, engage with their content, and share their posts.
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Build relationships with influencers: Once you've identified influencers, start building relationships with them. Engage with their content by commenting, liking, and sharing their posts. Share your own insights and add value to their conversations.
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Create valuable content: Share your own content that is informative, useful, or entertaining. This can help you gain followers, as well as get noticed by influencers who may share your content with their own followers.
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Participate in Twitter chats: Participating in Twitter chats is a great way to connect with others in your industry and gain exposure to new followers. Look for chats that are relevant to your business and participate regularly.
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Collaborate with influencers: Consider collaborating with influencers on a project or campaign that aligns with your business goals. This can help you reach new audiences and gain credibility in your industry.
Remember, the key to success on Twitter is to build genuine relationships with others. Be authentic, add value, and always prioritize the needs and interests of your followers and connections.
Why should an Author Register their Book/Manuscript with the Writers Guild of America?
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is a labor union representing writers in the entertainment industry, including film, television, and new media. Registering a book or manuscript with the WGA does not confer any legal copyright protection, as copyright is automatically granted to the original author upon creation of the work. Registering with the WGA is a way for writers to establish a record of their work and claim authorship in case of any future disputes or legal issues.
The value of registering a book or manuscript with the WGA may vary depending on individual circumstances. Some potential benefits of registering with the WGA may include:
- Evidence of Authorship: Registering a book or manuscript with the WGA can serve as evidence that the author is claiming ownership of the work, and that they are the original creator of the content. This can be helpful in case of any disputes over authorship, plagiarism, or intellectual property rights.
- Dispute Resolution: The WGA provides arbitration services for its members in case of disputes related to writing credits, royalties, and other issues. Registering a book or manuscript with the WGA can facilitate the resolution of such disputes by providing a documented record of the work.
- Industry Recognition: Some writers may find value in associating themselves with the WGA, which is a well-known and respected organization in the entertainment industry. Registering a book or manuscript with the WGA may help establish professional credibility and recognition among industry peers.
- Networking Opportunities: The WGA offers various networking events, workshops, and resources for its members, which can provide opportunities for writers to connect with other professionals in the entertainment industry and potentially advance their careers.
It's important to note that laws and regulations related to copyright and intellectual property may vary by jurisdiction, and registering with the WGA may not be the only or definitive way to protect one's work. Writers should consider consulting with legal professionals or literary agents for specific advice on protecting their intellectual property and maximizing its value.
The process is relatively simple. Go to this web page: https://wgawregistry.org/register.aspx The cost is $20 per item you register. This cost is nothing to what it may cost you if someone steals your idea and makes a movie out of it.
The process takes about 10 minutes and the response is instant. Your book/manuscript is now registered and safe from those you love stealing authors ideas.