So I'm getting bored (well, not exactly bored, but restless) of constant data entry today so I thought I'd check out a few of the titles that I had bought, but not looked up and stacked in a slithering pile by my desk (you remember the desk... well, the box piles are somewhat smaller, but then other piles start to emerge like creatures from the Black Lagoon).
The book pictured above is one of those I just looked up. I knew of Miriam Young from her Miss Suzy series (terminally cute and fun-- and collectable) so I picked up this title, which I hadn't seen before, but had a vague recollection of anyway. Turns out, this particular title is one of the most sought after of her books. Prices online are STRANGE and basically overpriced, but then there are a couple of other books like this that have weird collectability. Gator Pie (by Louise Mathews) is one of them.
The book itself is cute. It's illustrations are generally nice, but, to my eye, nothing overly special and the story is about friendship and friends doing all sorts of crazy, fun stuff (without their parents or school to hinder them). But the PRICES.... man.... $100 is minimum and one strange soul has the book listed for $600.00. As if he's EVER going to get that for a picture book like this!
I'm taking a more moderate approach to my pricing, but I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face either. Right at the moment, I finished entering the data for it, but I'm not listing it on line until after this weekend, just in case someone at the Book Fair interested.
Now I'm not putting the book, the illustrations or the prices down -- in fact, if I can send this book to someone who fondly remembers it & wants to pass it on to a loved one, that's GREAT. That's one of my favorite ways to sell books -- to people who really CARE about the book, the story, the illustrator, etc.
Still, the PRICES.....
WOW!
In other news, I'm down to the day before launch to the Gold Rush Book fair. I've got 18 boxes packed (WAY down from the last time... when I took 33 boxes). I'm hoping that less crowded, more front facing books will help. Also, I'm doing this because I'm getting older and my knee is already protesting the work it's going to have to do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be buyers out there and that I've got what they want. On the good news side, I heard from a former customer of mine today who is going to the fair & asked me to bring a couple of books for her... that's GOOD news!
On the bad news side, my allergies are not getting better & my head is fuzzy and achy most of the time and I'm feeling draggy and rather grouchy. Not a good combination when you have to be sparkly and on your toes (and can add & subtract without making mistakes) for the entire weekend.
I'll try to post tomorrow, but this might have to hold you through until Monday (or Tuesday....)
3 comments:
Hi there!!!! My name is Emily and I live in Eugene, OR..This was my absolute most favorite and beloved book as a child. I loved the illustrations and the story of friendship and sharing..Everytime I entered the Patterson Elementary School library I would rush over to they "Y" section and desperately search for it. I checked it out constantly..Then one day..it was gone.. they thought it was too old or ripped.. i was so sad and remember clearly crying at the librarians desk... I have looked everywhere in Eugene and at every library I have entered since childhood.. Every once in a while i look online to see if i can find a really used copy for cheap but no luck..like you said.. overpriced.. then i came upon your blog today while searching for a book for my daughter Zoey who is 4 1/2.. if you are still looking for a great home for your book I assure you that it will be well loved here. Let me know. vuillaume80@hotmail.com
I too loved this book one if my fondest memories of childhood, bummed I didn't see this sooner. I hope you find a good home for it.
Lee537469@gmail.com
Thanks so much for your note -- and sorry for the delay in getting back =
to you -
Unfortunately, the copy of this book that I last had (the one in the=20
blog entry) sold the day that I actually added the entry. I haven't had =
another one since then. I have seen copies listed on E-bay (and on the=20
book selling websites), most of which are listing for over $100.00. =20
(the last one I saw wanted $300.00 !).
If I do see another copy, I'll be happy to let you know, but It=20
sometimes can take years between sightings of this book.
If I can answer any other questions for you, please let me know.
Thanks again!
Stephanie Howlett-West
Post a Comment