My books in the USA, NZ and AUS

[Chris Perkins]

I was at the Frankfurt book fair the last couple of days. It is huge, really. I had to meet a lady from Bertrams on the first day and arrived a little late mainly because it literally takes 20 minutes to walk very briskly from one end to the other, even using the moving walkways. The next day I found the buses!

The lady from Bertrams seems to have taken me under her wing a bit, and does genuinely seem to want to help me out. She suggested that I attempt to do what a lot of small publishers do to generate a nice extra income: Sell some foreign rights to my books. So, I thought perhaps I could sell the US rights to the Roman books to an American publisher and I thought about selling the NZ and Australian rights to CCGB as it also covers lots of coins that were legal tender over there. Selling rights won't affect my sales in the UK, and it basically allows me to get into other countries without having people in them. Currently I sell the odd single book to the aforementioned countries, but don't have the means to get them distributed internationally in a big way.

The main numismatic publishers in the USA are of course Krause and Whitman. Whitman weren't there, but Krause were and I actually met the top Krause man who did seem very positive about the British coin book, the Roman pair and England's Striking History. I learned also, that 'Krause' is not pronounced like everyone in the UK says it, i.e. 'Kraus' without saying the last 'e'. It's not even pronounced as it should be, being a German name and spoken like 'Krausa'. No, no, the people within the company all pronounce it as 'Kraus-ee', which is frankly ridiculous.

So, I left book samples with Kraus-ee and I have the contact details for the right people etc. The top man said that they also wouldn't mind having a British coin book in the UK to complete with Spink, as apparently they have a UK wing that wants to grow things on their side of the pond. So, perhaps a 'Krause/Rotographic' publication, or something along those lines. Who knows.

I also spoke to another American company who seemed interested in the Roman pair and possibly ESH. As for Aussie and NZ publishers, there were none there that do numismatic titles but I got huge lists of publishing houses from the respective Sheila's at the Aussie and NZ publishing associations stands.

And while I was there I had a word with the British Musuem, Ashmolean Museum and English Heritage about selling my books in their gift shops. I gave out various sample books here and there and picked up loads of brochures and information about new ways to promote and sell my books. Everyone except one lady, who's name really is Sheila, was very nice to me. I joined the Independant Publishers Guild while I was there too.

I think I did all I could, so I came home on day 3 (friday). It's bloody knackering on your feet wandering with a heavy case all day, but I'll certainly be there next year again, it's an important opportunity to get in peoples faces and promote my books.

[TomGoodheart]

Well congratulations Chris!

Just one thing though, you seem to have forgotten to offer us all shares in Rotographic so we can retire in luxury when you sell the brand for £400,000,000! (Which, following another thread, was still £3,113,293 17s 7d in 1625). No, I don't know why I put that in either...

[Emperor Oli]

Excellent work, Chris. Rotographic has taken off since you took over.

[Geordie582]

Great stuff, Chris. Best of luck with your approaches.

[Chris Perkins]

Excellent work, Chris. Rotographic has taken off since you took over.

Thanks!

Yes, there really is a lot that can be done in the book industry to promote books and ones self. The previous owner just wasn't well informed, and I think his passion had died some time ago. He was also in his 70's...And you can't expect someone in their 70's to go running around to book fairs.

Imagine going to Krause with a 2004 stapled together badly printed CCGB and asking them if they'd like to produce it in the USA! You'd have no chance whatsoever. No one had heard of Rotographic that I spoke to, but now a few people have, and they all liked the look of the books very much.

And I'll go to the London book fair and Frankfurt every year from now on. People will start to remember Rotographic and it will grow.

[Hussulo]

Congratulations Chris!

I hope you have alot of success your a nice bloke and deserve it.

[Peter]

Great stuff Chris.

Any chance of getting involved with Coincraft and upgrading the 2000 edition with better paper,realistic pricing further varieties.

A bit of work required but this would rival Spink.

[Chris Perkins]

I do email Richard Lobel now and again. In last years edition he thought the prices were too low for lots of coins. Hopefully he'll like the 2007 version better and he's already expressed an interest in advertising in it.

[scottishmoney]

I do email Richard Lobel now and again. In last years edition he thought the prices were too low for lots of coins. Hopefully he'll like the 2007 version better and he's already expressed an interest in advertising in it.

Which is interesting, because I have thought the CC cats were a bit high end on prices of coins.

[Chris Perkins]

I know!

He probably uses mine to show sellers and sells to his buyers at his prices!

[scottishmoney]

Now, I would love to sell at coincraft prices, but purchase at realistic!