ANSWERS from a best selling author.

Gordon, I appreciate the effort to get writers and so on.

I have to take issue with the 'must order' the report for ten dollars so we can get writer's guidelines. Since when are writers charged for the guidelines to write for a publisher? Sure, we can buy Writer's Market etc (if we choose to) but this idea of charging for guidelines from a publisher is a trend being started that I don't want to see proliferate. Just my take on things.

Good luck with the recruiting.

Sandi Bowman

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by Sandi Bowman

Gordon, I appreciate the effort to get writers and so on.

I have to take issue with the 'must order' the report for ten dollars so we can get writer's guidelines. Since when are writers charged for the guidelines to write for a publisher? Sure, we can buy Writer's Market etc (if we choose to) but this idea of charging for guidelines from a publisher is a trend being started that I don't want to see proliferate. Just my take on things.

Good luck with the recruiting.

Sandi Bowman

This cost thing is strictly on ME. The publisher relectantly agreed. I understand your position. I doubt seriously that you will see a trend started by this. Publisher's guidelines are readily available for writers to follow.

The reason I set this up, is I know the market. I don't need GTP to be inundated with submissions "over the transom" and/or queries about what kinds of books and all that.

Actually, the people are getting a book, a book that has a real world value of 12. 95 plus postage and handling. They can always ask for a refund.

I wanted to very clearly state the reason for the download. So we don't get tire kickers, lookey loos and freebie seekers...which dominate the Internet. It's ok for me to lose out on a few potential writers, there isn't a shortage of them.

I'm sorry you don't like it. And Pete may agree, but for now, I'm going to make at least one hoop for serious people to jump through.

Its the way I want to do it for now.

Gordon Jay Alexander

I understand where you're coming from, Gordon, even if I disagree on principle. .

I read the book when I was working for someone else in direct marketing. It's a good one.

I'm buried in work so I won't be participating. Thanks for the heads up, however.

Sandi Bowman

Originally Posted by GordonJ

I wanted to very clearly state the reason for the download. So we don't get tire kickers, lookey loos and freebie seekers...which dominate the Internet. It's ok for me to lose out on a few potential writers, there isn't a shortage of them.

Gordon Jay Alexander

I bought the book with the proposal guidelines, and I have a few questions about it.

1. Nothing was mentioned about what's in it for me. Like % of royalty, or outright payment for a book. Maybe it's negotiated on a per book/author basis?

2. Must the book be completed before submitting the proposal, or can we make a proposal and then write the book only if GTP is interested in it?

3. "Dollars In Your Mailbox" outlines how to publish on your own, so my question is again must the proposals be for an existing and already sold book?

4. Is there a minimum or maximum length, either word count or pages, or is the book judged solely by the value of the information therein?

Thanks,
Bud Riggs

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by Bozo

I bought the book with the proposal guidelines, and I have a few questions about it.

1. Nothing was mentioned about what's in it for me. Like % of royalty, or outright payment for a book. Maybe it's negotiated on a per book/author basis?

2. Must the book be completed before submitting the proposal, or can we make a proposal and then write the book only if GTP is interested in it?

3. "Dollars In Your Mailbox" outlines how to publish on your own, so my question is again must the proposals be for an existing and already sold book?

4. Is there a minimum or maximum length, either word count or pages, or is the book judged solely by the value of the information therein?

Thanks,
Bud Riggs

Bud,

These are excellent questions.

1) It varies and depends. GTP has some "professional" types, MD.s and Ph.D.s and they negotiate their agreements. If it is a book to be tested on spec, in other words, the book can be printed on demand to fulfill, without having to have a large amount run...then it could be on a royalty...and Bud, there is no standard, but I think everyone could be safe if they figured at 5% on the retail price of the book, they'd be safe. So for a 24.95 book, that would be 1.25 on each one sold. But, again, you'd have to reach your agreement with GTP and each one is different.

It is not uncommon for even the smallest of books to sell into the tens of thousands of copies.

2) You can do both. Dien's book is 95% written because he has been publishing the Hidden Biz Ideas for a couple of years, he just has to double check links etc. We've already rec'd proposals for books to be written. In this case, I'll do a market research on the subject. There have been times when an advance is offered, but, I'm going to suggest GTP not do this unless necessary...for some, it will be...but for most, it will be a basic commission only arrangement.

By all means submit IDEAS for books, and we'll help you flesh out the market and see what GTP "team" thinks of the market.

3) They can be for existing work, or for something totally new. IF you have been selling a book, perhaps a digital download, and it has mass market appeal, we'd consider it and weigh things out, on the benefits of having a real book. OR it may fit into the digital books that GTP will publish.

So either new or already written books will be considered.

4) Right on. Solely on content. They have published some very short books, shorter than most of the reports I've written, some only 30-50 pages. Most of their books are under 100 pages, and I don't know about word count, I don't think it matters, unless it gets too long, then we have editors for that. So, short and sweet or a couple hundred pages, all are welcome.

Thanks Bud for those questions.

Gordon Jay Alexander

Originally Posted by Fishman

Gordon and all those that have knowledge on "Dealmaking" Toll Booths...

.
Also, from my own biz experience, I think I would need to see the financials for the past 2yrs.(Tax returns, Profit and Loss)



Fishman

I think you should do some very careful research into just what it is he has to sell.

I did a quick google trip and found trademark by Hurst, subsequent sale to B&M, and a couple of other names tossed in the mix.

It could be your guy is collecting royalties on units sold and doesn't really own anything but that. Royalties can be sold, but it's a place where you'd want a top notch attorney with experience in such sales.

His desire to keep the name alive....eeehhh, I don't think so.

Bozo,

I KNOW what the product is.

I've researched the market.

I've researched him.

I left the DETAILS vague so "others" wouldn't try to "work" the deal.(kinda like you did, looking for info on the product that I didn't tell you)

What I was looking for was this... specific "tactics" on how to do a leveraged buyout. Something along the lines of getting him to do an owner financed type of deal.

You can think what you want, bottom line is this...

I've seen the product in action, there isn't anyone else making it. Each one is "special made" to order.

He isn't collecting "royalties" although since you brought it up, that could be an incentive for him to do a deal.

I tried to give what info I could without giving away the "trick".

Sorry if I confused you or anyone else.

Thanks for the input though. Much appreciated.

Fishman

Sandi,

I agree.

What's more... while the intention may be otherwise the offer comes across Exactly like those "at home jewelry" deals. You know... buy our kit and make jewelery and Maybe we'll buy it from you. - Buy the publisher's submissions guidelines and maybe we'll buy your book from you.

The "stop looky loos" thing is just sounds-good reason to me. If you can make a few bucks without hurting submissions, then make a few bucks. Profit motive. I prefer the sound of that.

Obviously, GTP has done well for many years Without charging for Guidelines (whether you call it "buy a book and get free guidelines" or "buy guidelines and get a free book" it's the same thing). And this may well be a Gordo Test. And there very well may be no shortage of writers - and if that's how you think of them Gordon, as "who cares, there's plenty more where they come from" then you've missed the mark at step one.

I'm a serious people and this ain't no hoop I'd jump through. (Of course, if I had this incredible urge to be published by GTP then I might. But I have no such urge even though I am a serious people.)

In fact, I'd think Giving guidelines is how you prevent wasters - as the guidelines would contain the "what kind of books" answers etc.

But hey. You do as you please. This is merely my feedback of it for what it's worth.

Michael Ross