We are fast approaching 100,000 hits since our re-launch at the beginning
of July - with over 3,000 individual visits in total - that is 50-60
visitors per day making over 1,700 individual clicks. Also with the
increased visitor numbers comes more Shop Owners, which is great news.
We have had a number of requests for remote upload - for the likes of
current ABE or Amazon users - we are working on this and should be able
to offer this service fairly soon. That said, we can run a mass upload
from your Homebase export file - and admittedly this isn't the coolest
way of getting your books on Choice Books, but you have nothing to lose
by allowing us to do the hard work using this method. Drop us an
email and we can
discuss the best way forward.
Over the past few weeks
we have had a good response to emails sent to Shops already listing books on
other websites. Again we appreciate and accept that being the 'New Kids' on
the block we are up against stiff competition - these guys are big players
and we will do well to stand alongside them - although this is the ultimate
goal.
Seasoned users of these sites are reluctant move to other less
experienced sites to spend more of their valuable time listing - we can
accept that, but we would like to stress the difference in the services we
offer. Firstly you can upload high resolution images of your books - very
important for sellers of rare, old and antiquarian books - or sellers of
books with unique quotes and alike.
Alongside is a number of very nice examples of books listed lately with a
link to the Shop Owners - thanks goes out to these guy's for giving us a try
- special thanks to Lee Walker (Signed
& Lined) - Brighton based bookseller who has a lovely set of books
currently available - Good Luck Lee.
Again - Thanks for all the support and
encouragement - also to the suggestions made to improve our site - please
remember, we are not a faceless organisation and unlike a lot of guy's out
there - we are here to make life just that bit easier rather - and we need
your valued input to help us achieve that.
Best Wishes, and good luck in your selling!
Steve Willett
Past News 21st July 2008
2 Week News Update
Well a big thank you needs to go out to all the people who visited Choice
Books during the 1st 2 weeks since launch.
As you can see from the numbers below, we have had 28,724 hits in that period,
which we think is fantastic
We have sent out around 70 emails to prospective members - the response has been
great. Thank you to the people who were positive in their comments, but more so
to the people who decided to give Choice Books a go.
A special Thank You to Steve Sargent & Kevin Blackwell who were 2 of the first
members - they have helped a lot in ironing out a few teething problems - Thanks
guy's - it is appreciated.
So all that is left now is to urge you booksellers out there to try us out. What
with the site visitors at the numbers they are - you have to admit that is very
encouraging - all those visitors could be seeing your books in all their glory.
One little detail that I will insist on repeating - all these services are
currently FREE, yes FREE. Upload as many pictures as you please for as many
books as you please - you can't afford to not try us out.
Thank You
Choice Books announces
its re-launch 10th July 2008
Tuesday
8th July 2008 sees the reinvention of Choice Books. Redeveloped to
enable everyone to enjoy FREE listings – we hope you agree the format is
fantastic.
We have
taken all that is good about selling on-line and enhanced the experience to make
the whole transaction process more enjoyable for both the seller and buyer. With
convenient drop down menu’s for the likes of Author, Publisher, Price and even
Shop Name you really will find that most navigation requirements are achieved
with the mouse only.
Take a
look around and if you like what you see then simply fill in the Application
Form, available HERE,
and don’t forget to check out how to list – there is a brief tutorial on the
Application page, which
you will find very easy.
If you
have any question you may want to visit the Frequently Asked Questions located
on the drop down menu under About Us on the home page – otherwise by all means
use the contact sheet under the same menu.
All
that’s left is for us to Thank You for checking us out – let’s hope it
won’t be the last time.
Best
Regards.
Choice
Books
Past News 6th September 2007
Booker Prize Shortlist Announced
September 6th saw the announcement everyone in the book world has been
waiting for - The Shortlisted books heading for the coveted Booker Prize title.
Amongst the books on the shortlist was the favourite - On Chesil Beach -
followed by other punters favourites including Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones and the
fabulous Darkmans by Nicola Barker. The full list is detailed below - also by
clicking on the pictures, you will see the books are available from us.
Darkmans by Nicola Barker (Fourth Estate)
The Gathering by Anne Enright (Jonathan Cape)
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid (Hamish Hamilton)
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (John Murray)
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan (Jonathan Cape)...Ltd Edition also available
- Here
Animal's People by Indra Sinha (Simon & Schuster)
Past News 7th August 2007
Best selling adventure guide The Dangerous Book for Boys has caught the
imagination of movie giant DISNEY.
The maker of such fantastic movies as Monsters Inc and Finding Nemo, but to
name a few are turning the book into a film.
The child's compendium, written by brother Conn & Hal Iggulden, teaches
old fashioned pursuits including how to build tree houses and make a pinhole
camera.
After a fierce bidding war Disney snapped up the rights to translate it to
the big screen, featuring a father instructing his sons how to have fun and
remain safe. It will be produced by Scott Rudin.
According to an article in the Guardian on 13th July there has been an acquisition
by Warner Bros of the 'Septimus Heap' series of stories by the Author Angie
Sage.
Again there are rumours that the film company are hoping to build on the
successes of Harry Potter with another series of magical productions to keep the
interest going in this genre now HP is on his way.
Magyk - Book 1, Flyte -
Book 2 and the 3rd of a planned 7 book series, Physik have already been
published to date. A Limited Edition of the 1st book sold out very quickly in
April 2005 when it was published in limited numbers of 1000. Early proof copies
of this book will be highly sought after as will the signed editions of each
title.
The article from the Guardian can be read by clicking here.
It
seems from the activity surrounding fantasy titles for children, that the
interest in this genre of book will continue to arouse the interest of the big
production companies, eager to have a bite of the cherry.
Past News 6th July 2007
December sees' the release of the long awaited Philip Pullman adaptation - The
Golden Compass. Taking the name of his first book in the 'His Dark Materials'
trilogy, this is said to be a stunning production from the people who brought us
The Lord Of The Rings - New Line Cinema
With such stars as Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig (James Bond), as well as new
faces such as Dakota Blue Richards this is expected to be a blockbuster.
As Booksellers we have a wide selection of books from which the movie is
based aswell as the Second in the series - The Subtle knife, and the 3rd - The
Amber Spyglass.
Click on the clip on the left to view the trailer of the movie, alternatively
feel free to peruse our stock by using the links below.
So in The Independent on 11th June there was an article
regarding a self published title - one some collectors - including myself
had heard of some 2 years ago. Written by 2 friends who gave up work to pursue
their dream.
Unable to secure funding for the title - The Highfield
Mole, they set about producing, using their own money 2000 paperbacks of the
book and 500 hardbacks, 80 of which were 'Remarque' editions. Lavishly signed
and dated - lined and illustrated throughout these are the most sought after
editions available - most being snapped up and stored carefully for the
foreseable future.
We have 1 unsigned hardback available which you can view HERE
The article was written by Barry Cunningham - the self pronounced discoverer
of J. K. Rowling of Harry Potter fame. We all know what happened there!! You can
read it by clicking HERE
So a frenzy of activity set in which is still evident today on the more
reputable auction sites, where keen collectors are paying what might be seen as
high prices for a book which could, in time, rank amongst the best buy's of
2007.
That said, an element of caution has to be expressed - all through this year,
and in years past we hear of likely successors to the beautifully written Potter
series, all of which to some degree have not lived up to the hype initially
created. There seems promise for the book, which has subsequently been published
by Cunninghams' own publishers (Hmmm) The Chicken House - in paperback form. Tunnels
is available today from our shop - to see, click HERE
Signings around the country have been announced for the forthcoming release
of the book on July 3rd 2007 which incidentally are in to 3rd printings even
before being published - another good sign for the future of the book.
Let's
wish the 2 Authors - Brian Williams & Roderick Gordon the very best of luck
for the future
Past News 23rd
March 2007
March heralded the imminent UK releases of Heart Shaped Box written by a little known Author going by the name of Joe Hill.
Joe has written horror stories since around 1999 publishing them through small independent Presses both in the UK (PS Publishing) and the US (Subterranean
Press).
His full name - of course we all know now is Joe Hillstrom King son of the
immensely successful Author Stephen King. Keeping this a fairly guarded secret
throughout his early years of writing he was afforded the criticism akin to that
of an unknown.
The release of HSB both in the US in February and following on from that in the UK,
was a result of the hard work and critical praise for his early work.
At Choice Books we have a number of his early titles which will invariably
appreciate in value once the reputation, and release of further writing
materialises. 20th Century Ghosts, which was available in 3 formats
from 2005 is due to be released in the Autumn of 2007 in the US, as the original
was only available in the UK. This will be in hardback format.
We believe that success with HSB and from there with 20th Century Ghosts
will cement Joe’s reputation in the horror sector similar to his Father's in the
70’s. A speculative – or should we say, common sense long term purchase of this
early work is a must for collectors of this genre.
We have a number of the 20th Century Ghosts paperbacks in stock which were limited to 1000 copies.
Other early titles – some signed and unsigned are available also as follows:
Subterranean Press No2 - HB - Limited to 150 signed copies worldwide. Feat. The Last Breath
UK Limited Edition - 1 of ? - Signed/Numbered/Doodled to the title page. This is an extremely rare
acquisition with an unknown number of books. One of a few which are doodled from
the black dog on the page, which has a speech box and dialog.
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