Friday, February 04, 2005

Another One

That's right - another proof copy of Jimmy Coates: Killer has appeared on ebay! This seller describes me as: "A BRAND NEW AUTHOR WHO I SUSPECT IS GOING TO BE A SMASH HIT FOR KIDS."
And yes, he does it in red, bold, capital letters.
I describe the seller as: "AN UNSCRUPULOUS TRADER WHOSE SALES GENERATE NO ROYALTIES FOR THE AUTHOR."
Unfortunately, it's an inevitable part of the industry. I'm excited that it means someone else will read the book and I hope they will enjoy it - possibly even recommend it. But I'm pretty sure selling the proof is illegal.
The uncorrected proof (which this is) is different from the finished book, by the way. For a start, the text is about ten thousand words longer.
This one's already 5.99 - that's much more like it.

3 comments:

Joe said...

Here's the link, in case you're curious:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20045&item=6945560935&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Anonymous said...

So tempting to bid.....

Would you make more green selling your proofs on ebay than just sticking to this royalty business?

Kat

Joe said...

Don't even think about bidding. Can't encourage these literary cowboys. And if anybody else has a proof - don't even think about selling it. I'll hunt you down and feed you Licquorice Mentos until you turn purple.