The Authorized Version

In response to my earlier post regarding the long wait between book releases from one continent to another I had such interesting replies from friends around the world— with my undying gratitude— that I decided the conversation is worth being pulled from the comment box to its own post.

First, Julie wrote from Australia: "When will it be available in Australia?"

I immediately tried searching for A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE on Amazon AU and found it isn’t even listed. That prompted a quick query to my English publisher who replied with information that I found fascinating: Basically, books release in Australia about three months after the UK. So there is a reasonable chance that A DARKLY HIDDEN TRUTH will release in Australia before Christmas.

He explained that "Amazon Australia" doesn’t really exist. The link that comes up from a Google search transfers to Shopping.com which carries some titles but by no means a complete range. My publisher’s major agent in Australia is Koorong, http://ning.it/f1EJ1m.

My publisher said, "Please tell your contact to keep in touch with Koorong. They will be proactive – they are very capable."

Then Dolores wrote from England: "Donna. Here's a practical tip. When it's released in the UK, your non-British readers can buy it from The Book Depository, a UK Internet bookshop, that sells books worldwide without charging postage. So Australians, Canadians and everyone else - including Americans - can buy it without any extra charges."
 

Which sent me to The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781854249685/A-Very-Private-Grave

And I was amazed. Not only is A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE available anywhere worldwide postage free it is also the lowest price I’ve seen anywhere: $9.99 USD. Not sure how that would translate into Australian dollars or pounds Sterling (Dolores and Julie, you might like to weigh in here) but it’s at least a dollar less than I’ve ever seen it.

I asked my friend Jayne to check it out from Canada and she replied that, indeed, The Book Depository magically shows the price in Canadian dollars for her: "It says CDN $11.15 (26% off, Save $3.99)," she replied.

How can they do this, you ask? I’m wondering that, too, as to the deeply discounted price. I can’t sell my own book that cheaply. But I do have at least a start of an answer on the free postage issue: Did you know that unlike England, America’s media mail or book rate postage is domestic only? No wonder so many book giveaways from American authors specify "America only." Since I so value my international readers I don’t limit my giveaways and have, with great delight posted books to England, Canada and South Africa. But also, I’ll admit, with great expense. I would be very interested to hear from other readers regarding your country’s postal regulations.

So there it is, once again, the good news and the bad news. But do keep The Book Depository in mind when looking for a book that’s not available at your local brick and mortar store. And do be on the lookout for A DARKLY HIDDEN TRUTH next September.