A week on, and I’m still waiting for Lulu.com’s so-called ‘support’ team to get back to me ... and my patience is almost exhausted.
As a result, I am preparing to experimentally publish a book that I wrote some time ago, but have never published. It is an updated version of my RESTLESS NATIVES rules, which are a non-gridded set of Colonial wargame rules. The book includes scenarios for the Sudan and the Zulu War (the latter were a later addition to the original book), and these could be easily adapted for use with the rules in my PORTABLE COLONIAL WARGAME book.
I am going to use Amazon’s KDP publishing system ... and if the end result is satisfactory, I’ll probably use them to publish THE PORTABLE PIKE & SHOT BOOK.
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Shame that LULU has let you down Bob. I'm intrigued by Restless Natives and look forward to the Scenarios!
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteLulu.com should NEVER, EVER have done the disastrous software/website update earlier this year. They still haven’t cured all the problems, and their support has gone from good to appalling. I’m still not sure that I’m getting all the sales figures and revenue that I should be.
I wrote RESTLESS NATIVES back in 2003, and demonstrated it at SALUTE, where it went down quite well. The rules don’t use a grid, but the ten scenarios (five for the Sudan and five for the Zulu War) could easily be rejigged for use with my PCW rules.
I am hoping that the new book will be published in a few days, and it will be available in paperback and Kindle editions. I may well make a PDF edition available for sale via my blog ... but that will be something I won’t be doing for a few days.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
DeleteIf you would like a review of RESTLESS NATIVES in MW, you know what to do.
I think I'd pitch it mainly as potential scenarios for PCW, as you've suggested.
Good luck with it,
Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteMany thanks for your kind offer. I’ll send you a proof copy as soon as they arrive from Amazon.
I’m looking at this book as an experiment to see how well KDP works, rather than as a publication with serious sales potential ... but I never know how well a particular book is going to sell, and a helpful review would certainly assist it to.
All the best,
Bob
Good for you Comrade Cordery. That’ll put them in their place. I emit a mighty “harumph!”.
ReplyDeleteSteve8,
DeleteI cannot believe how badly Lulu.com has messed up this year. The obvious thing to do was to completely junk the new software and website when it was obviously not working, and revert to what had worked ... but they ploughed on regardless. I’ve heard from other authors who are also having problems ... and a lot of them are - or are going - to go elsewhere.
All the best,
Bob
I will state the obvious and remind you that this is the anus hornbills that is 2020. I was going to write the proper phrase in Latin for terrible year but spellchecker offered what I think is a more appropriate phrase. I hope you find it amusing.
DeleteSteve8,
DeleteOn a personal level, my colonoscopy really could have made 2020 an anus horribilis!
(Isn’t spellchecker wonderful! It changes thing that don’t need changing ... and misses quite obvious errors,)
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob -
ReplyDeleteLooks as though Lulu has shot itself in the foot badly - whilst holding it against their left ear. This sort of thing can really shove a business under. Pity.
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteThey really have messed up big time. I’ve been dealing with Amazon’s KDP today ... and any problems I’ve had along the way have been easy to sort out with the very prompt assistance of their staff.
It’s great pity that Lulu.com has gone downhill so much and so fast ... and it will take a lot to entice me back.
All the best,
Bob
How about trying some DIY PDF sales for the 17th century book?. 1. I send you an email order.
ReplyDelete2. You send me Paypal invoice
3. I pay invoice
4. You email me PDF??
Just a thought! Appreciate that this doesn't help with hard copy sales. Simon
Simon,
DeleteThat is basically what I am thinking of doing, although I’m also looking at putting a PayPal button on my blog as an alternative.
All the best,
Bob
Oh no! Not the irresistable and wallet draining PayPal button!!
ReplyDeleteSimon,
DeleteIt’s an option that I’m thinking about using ... but I haven’t made my mind up yet!
All the best,
Bob