Strauss Consultants, Inc.

Barnes & Noble Studios Introduces Blogging Booksellers

erica — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:41:46 +0000

“On the first birthday of Barnes & Noble Studio, B&N.com has introduced Blogging Booksellers, which features B&N booksellers from stores around the country who post video blogs made with Flip cameras about books and authors they recommend as well as events and news about their stores. Their material will be updated weekly. There are currently 11 vloggers; more will be added. The booksellers will give “a friendly face to their local stores,” the company said.” -http://www.shelf-awareness.com/index.html

This is an interesting concept, and I think that people like getting book recommendations from a real person. There are a few kinks to work out, and once the booksellers get more comfortable in front of the camera it will probably be a more interesting watch. Although I did enjoy the bookseller from Arizona who had the good idea of including two cute kids into her vlog.

Reviews for Ivy in Bloom and Birds of a Feather

erica — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:04:23 +0000

Reviews for Vanita Oelschlager’s Ivy in Bloom and Birds of a Feather:

Birds of a Feather

The Children’s Book Review

http://tinyurl.com/pbtmc5

Ivy in Bloom

The Children’s Book Review

http://tiny.cc/uamtT

Heartland Reviews

http://tiny.cc/DHR02

Poetry for Children

http://tiny.cc/JPVUp

Delisting Possible as Borders Prepares to Unveil Strategy Next Week

erica — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:53:48 +0000

With Borders set to declare fourth-quarter results next week, expectations are grim: more multi-million dollar losses, store closures, payroll slashings and, with shares currently trading at 64 cents per share, potential de-listing from the NYSE. Shareholders will hear more about the company’s strategy, including plans for a reverse stock split to satisfy NYSE conditions, next Wednesday when CEO Ron Marshall hosts a conference call with analysts and investors.

One turnaround expert tells the Detroit Free Press that Borders seems to be one of buying time and hoping economic recovery is just around the corner. “They are figuring their brand name is going to carry them,” said Ken Dalto .”Brand names mean less with the inroads of technology. The brand name is Amazon.” Managing partner of Bingham Farms-based McTevia Associations Jim McTevia points to a possible Chapter 11 filing, but says even that wouldn’t solve Borders’ problems. “Depending on their ability to get debtor-in-possession financing, they could easily file for Chapter 11,” he said. “It is much easier to facilitate the sale of a troubled company under bankruptcy protection.”

Detroit Free Press

Loukoumi’s Good Deeds Book Premiere with Special Guest Readers

erica — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:20:06 +0000

Join us for the book premiere of Loukoumi’s Good Deeds, with special guest readers: John Aniston, Gloria Gaynor, Alexis Christoforous, Frank Dicopoulos, Constantine Maroulis, and author Nick Katsoris.

This event takes place Saturday, April 4th, 11am at the Barnes & Noble at 1972 Broadway in NYC. $2 from the sale of each book will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Borders Group Changes in The New Year

erica — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:56:29 +0000

Borders Group has undergone many changes in the new year that publishers should be aware of. One part is a management changeup, and the other is the sharp decline in their sales. Holiday sales for the nine-week holiday period ending Jan. 3, 2009 was only $868.8 million total consolidated sales. This is a 11.7% decline from to the same period last year. Here we will breakdown for you the changes and what they could mean for your business.

New Management Breakdown:

Ron Marshall is the new President and Chief Executive Officer and will serve as a Director.
Mark Bierley has been named Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Finance.
Anne Kubek is now Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing.
The new position of Chief Administrative Officer has been given to Dan Smith.

Sales Breakdown:

Borders superstore segment total sales for the holiday period were $652.6 million, which is a 13.6% decrease compared to 2007.
The book category at Borders, on a same-store basis, declined by 11.0% for the period. Borders.com sales for the nine-week holiday period were $20.3 million.
The Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment total sales for the holiday period were $161.7 million, a 16.4% decrease compared to the same period one year ago.
Comparable store sales for Waldenbooks declined by 8.0% compared to holiday 2007.
Borders Group was notified by the NYSE on Dec. 31, 2008 that they did not satisfy one of the standards for continued listing of its common stock when the stock was selling for less than $1.00 per share over a consecutive 30 trading day period. The stock remains listed on the NYSE under the symbol “BGP”, but the NYSE will assign a “.BC” indicator to the symbol to denote that it is below the listing standards.

Borders will be one to watch in 2009 to see if they can turn around these downward trends in their book sales.

Publisher Guides

erica — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:35:43 +0000

We have just updated our website with more helpful publisher guides. Please take a look when you can for info how-tos on book ads, tip sheets, BISACs, comparative titles, cover images, and more:

http://www.straussconsultants.com/resources/effective-tip-sheet-guide

http://www.straussconsultants.com/resources/major-sales-accounts-image-specifications

http://www.straussconsultants.com/resources/comparitive-title-guidlines

http://www.straussconsultants.com/resources/book-advertising

Small Press Book Fair

erica — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:48:10 +0000

The Independent and Small Press Book Fair will be held in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 6-7 by the New York Center for Independent Publishing. The NYCIP intends to encourage optimum sales and exposure for independent publishers and small presses with this Fair as an excellent, cost-effective opportunity to sell and promote your press, as well as meet industry contacts. This event is free to the public and there is a 20% discount for NYCIP members who wish to present. Strauss Consultants will be there and exhibiting.

Amazon Connect and Author Blogs

erica — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:12:05 +0000

Considering the current economic climate, it has never been a better time for publishers and authors to turn their focus to lower cost, high impact Internet marketing. Amazon Connect is one new vehicle for our Internet marketing efforts, which has great potential to drive sales.

Amazon Connect now makes it easier for publishers and authors to connect with consumers, while promoting their books and blogs. This free program allows publishers and authors to post messages directly to their readers. These messages appear on the consumer’s Amazon home page, on the author’s detailed book page, and profile page. Authors are also able to create their own profile page with personalized information. All you need is a blog that has the ability for people to subscribe to it through their RSS newsreader feed.

Authors and publishers are now more in control of the content on their books’ Amazon pages than ever before. There has never been a better time to start blogging!

Miami Book Fair

erica — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:48:29 +0000

From Nov. 9-16th the Miami Book Fair International will be showcasing authors, international books, Spanish books, children’s books, and more. The street fair portion of the Fair will be from Nov. 14-16th so bring friends and family.

PAMA BookPage Party

erica — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:01:57 +0000

On Oct. 28 from 6-8pm at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in NYC, PAMA will hold its Fall Cocktail Party presented by BookPage magazine. BookPage will be celebrating 20 years of book reviews.

RSVP: rsvp@pama-ny.org

Price: $25