Just Grounds Community

Real People - facing the forgotten issues with friendship and a little fun.

Writers Marketplace

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Community members and published Authors write about and sell their books here.

Members: 10
Latest Activity: Apr 30

A book shop for self-published authors

This community is shop. A shop where members and their families who have gone to the trouble and expense of producing a book, have the opportunity to present, promote and sell that book. It is a place for self-published authors.

There are no restrictions or conditions. So long as the books comply with the Agmates Code, then that is fine.

The second but no less important objective of this Community is to support Agmates.
It is my view that the authors should pay a commission to Agmates for this opportunity.

If you want to join us and market your book(s) in this place, write to me and I will tell you the deal that I have with Agmates, which I believe is fair and reasonable.

How you arrange for purchasers to pay – is up to you. You make your own arrangements. Don’t forget post and packing. I find $6.00 just about covers it if you don’t use boxes. Bubble wrap and Australia Post, silver coloured plastic bags are what I use.

To the Buyers
There are a lot of good Australian books, many, because of the very nature of the publishing industry in Australia, never get the opportunity to be presented to, put before, the Australian public.

On this site we have the opportunity to sell not only to you, but to the world.

Why do we self-publish? The answer is simple and complex. If you produce a book, publishers will only, by and large, accept a manuscript from a Literary Agent. You then have to find an agent. I have found that to be an impossible task. For those who do find an agent it is not unusual for a publisher to 'take on' two or three new authors a year!

A visit to your local 'chain' book shop will show that the shelves are dominated by overseas authors published by international publishing houses. It has taken me three years to get one of my books into two of the national 'chain' book shops.

Quite honestly I don't stand a chance against the marketing power of the major international publishers.

Will you get value for money if you buy in our shop?

I don't know, because I don't yet know how many or what type of books we will get in the shop. This is just the beginning.

I hope we will have a good range. I hope it will encourage others to publish. If they don't know how to do it, I can help with finding editors and very economical printers.

Many now famous authors, started their careers by self-publishing and doing the hard work of selling their books to book shops. This is another shop. What we have done is eliminated the travel and the cost of working the shops.

What I can assure you, from the feedback that I have received, if you buy my books out of this shop, you will get value for your hard earned dollar and the landlord, Agmates, will benefit.

So, authors and readers, become a member of our community. Soon we will have our books on display and if you buy you can write and tell us just what you think of us and our work.

There is such a lot of talk about 'Buy Australian Produce'. Let's do the same with Australian self-published books.

Roger.

Discussion Forum

"Grandie" - Sydney Grandison Watson - King of the Upper Murray and his sons to the Gulf and Cape York 2 Replies

In sight of the majestic Snowy Mountains, Sydney Grandison Watson settled at “Walwa” on the Upper Murray, in 1845.“Grandie”, as he was known, was to expand his pastoral holdings on the Upper Murray…Continue

Started by Greg Blackmore. Last reply by Greg Blackmore Sep 23, 2010.

The Santa Files, Book One, The Tale of Dash

Santa's new foreman, , a zealous elf from the east thrust upon him by an unscrupulous telemarketer has big plans for the workshop. It's going to take all the efforts of the beautiful Skinny Legs and…Continue

Started by Linda Smith Aug 23, 2010.

"The Suffragist and The Squatter" - Annie Lister & P S Watson by Norman C Hutchinson 2 Replies

One of the three brothers that settled Gregory Downs in 1876 was Phillip Sidney or P S. In 1898 he married Annie Lister and they immediately left for the Klondike gold rush in British Columbia (Via…Continue

Started by Greg Blackmore. Last reply by Greg Blackmore Aug 20, 2010.

Hearts of Stone - by Roger Crook 5 Replies

Hearts of Stone is a love story that starts before WWII. It is also a story about terrorism and religious fanaticism. Not Moslems in the twenty first century but the Christian Irish in the twentieth…Continue

Started by Roger Rankin Crook. Last reply by Ian Macrae Yeates Aug 19, 2010.

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Comment by Roo Palmer on September 2, 2011 at 7:52am: EXTRA NOTES on my novels: I have printed copies available of all five novels I have written. Dale. A Love Story. Dale. Image of Innocence. Dale. AIDS Child. Dale. Forbearing Secrets. Dale. The Spirit's Bequest.' I am at present writing my sixth in the series, Dale. Teenage Prodigy which tells a teenage musical love story. They also can be downloaded into a pdf file at my Storehouse. The prices on the site are in US currency as the site is a United States POD site, so the aussie currency will vary, but the printed books are printed here in Australia in Melbourne.

Comment by Roo Palmer on September 2, 2011 at 7:40am: I am a Christian novelist. I write family friendly, non-offensive books that deal with social and family issues in a positive and heartwarming, yet dramatic way. 'Dale. A Love Story is the first story in a series of touching stories focusing on the life of a young man named Dale who has a courage and faith to step up to the plate to help make a difference in his neighbourhood and community. The story flows over in a series of novels following his life and the daily struggles of his family and friends, while dealing with many issues such as child abuse, AIDS, War Veterans, the Occult, Bullying, drugs, as well as family issues such as lying and stealing. They are entertaining stories, full of mystery, suspense, drama, and difficult relationships. Follow each character's stories as they struggle through their own difficulties and how they find the healing to restore the hurt in their lives...This is a story that will open up a fresh approach. We are a hurting society and need something to give us hope. Testimones: Val: I've never read anything like it. I couldn't put it down. Shaz: I am hooked. You can view more information my novels at www.freewebs.com/roopalmer and my Storehouse to order is at www.lulu.com/roopalmer

Comment by Matthew Hoffmann on August 1, 2010 at 6:09pm: I don't know if I have a book in me (yet) - all my writing at present tends to business orientated, but when the mood strikes I am reader whose tastes move across a range of topics. I enjoy biographies (currently working through a Peter FitzSimmon offering) and of late have been working through a series of war histories (Gallipolli, The Light Horse, Kokoda) some of our Aussie history really is stranger than fiction.

Comment by Matthew Hoffmann on August 1, 2010 at 6:02pm: I haven't read the "Flight to Australia" yet but really enjoyed Roger's previous offering "Hearts of Stone". I traveled through Wales and Ireland briefly in 1995 and Roger's eye for detail was bang on - although he was describing a much earlier period - gave me a chuckle, especially as a cousin took me too a cattle sale in Ireland. My cousin couldn't keep up with the auctioneer but was a bit shocked when I could tell him what just sold and for how much. I told him it was 'easier' if you thought you were about to bid - you tend to concentrate better when the $'s are rattling upwards... Good stuff Roger.

Comment by Ian Macrae Yeates on July 31, 2010 at 5:29pm: "Flight to Australia" by Roger Crook is a very well written book. Roger has set a high standard of description and his research is detailed, accurate and relevant. This is maintained from Britain to Perth WA. There are very few novels to my knowledge set in the west and the characterization is fully fleshed. That is why I visualize Flight will some day grace the silver screen.
Ian Yeates T.Cert;B.A.;B.Ed;B.Litt.Comm,

Comment by alan mikkelsen on July 31, 2010 at 12:15pm: Well, here I am! No books to my credit sadly, I get into enough trouble posting on Agmates, and in other lively areas!

Cheers alan m

Comment by Roger Rankin Crook on July 30, 2010 at 9:53am: How true IIana, I'm 80k words into another. It never leaves you alone. Stay with it and keep reminding yourself that your own individual 'style' is as, or even more important than being perfect in grammar.
I have learned a lot since I joined up with a lady editor in Victoria. But I still have to bring her back at times when they don't appreciate the idiom in what you are trying to express. Try explaining to an Australian editor all about how the Welsh speak English and what the Welsh language sounds like to non-Welsh ears.
Good Luck
Good luck

Comment by Roger Rankin Crook on July 29, 2010 at 10:31pm: Thanks Sue, Steve has both of my books. Read a chapter a day. Come and join me?

Comment by Sue Manton on July 29, 2010 at 10:27pm: Hi Roger

I'm not a writer, rarely a reader ... time permitting. Just want to be where you are :)