Yesterday I dipped a toe into the pond of despond on agreeing to have bookplates and bookmarks printed for what seemed an exorbitant price.
Each bookplate, for example, cost me just under 40 cents—this for a book from which I likely won’t earn more than 50 cents. Add in the price of the art, the design time, the postage, the envelope, and I’m running at a loss. Any business-minded person would disapprove. But when did books ever have anything to do with business?
Later that night I read about the promotion Guy Kawasaki did for his now best-selling book, Enchantment: The Arts of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions. It made me feel like an amateur. Here’s the article: HOW TO: Launch Any Product Using Social Media by Guy Kawasaki.
Now I’m amazed to have spent so little.
Plus, here they are—and they are so pretty.
I’m pleased. Please let me know if you want a set. It will be a thrill to send them off.
I think the first reader to get them will the woman in Austria who sent me a lovely poem by Emily Dickinson in her request.
The value of this profession can’t be put on a spreadsheet.
Even so, I’m going to continue to try to figure out a way to make bookplates more reasonably. If you know where I could buy individual self-adhesive labels (about 3×4″), do let me know. The label companies now only seem to sell labels in big sheets, which doesn’t work when sending a single label to a reader.
How lovely, Sandra! You did an excellent job creating these. I will be sure to keep my eye out for the size labels you need… mental “label” taken.
In reply to your reply to Genni, I sure hope paper books will not be a product to reminisce about anytime soon. I can’t imagine not browsing a bookstore or filling up my constantly growing bookshelves. My ereader had been handy for travel, but it just can’t compare to the real thing.
Have a splendid day!
Svea, thank youl
I, too, can’t imagine a world without bookstores, a life without the pleasure of browsing—always a favourite way to spend an hour or two—but I fear that things are going to be changing, have already changed.
Hi Sandra,
you should be able to get self-adhesive labels at any stationary store, then design the label and print. Don’t know if this would cost less, but I think so. A box on self-adhesive labels is around $15.00 and would create hundreds.
Just a thought.
Hi Genni! Yes, every office supply store has labels, but grouped onto 8.5×11″ sheets. I’d have to figure out the template (not impossible), and then cut the labels apart into singles. They don’t tend to leave any room for an edge. Even so, I should explore. A year or two ago I could buy packets of single labels that were a snap to run through a printer. Not any more. I’m sorry I didn’t stock up. I’ve even search e-bay for old stock. I’m going to have to explore the 8.5×11″ sheet route. It’s amazing how much time I’ve spent on this one small thing. By the time I have it figured out, nobody will be buying books any more. How can we sign an ebook, by the way? Cheers! S.
What a great idea! I would be proud to have a bookplate and bookmark from one of my all-time favourite authors (also, it gives me some serious bragging rights with my other book-minded friends). Do you want us to post our info here, or somewhere else?
Great, Nancy! You’re so sweet. Email me at: sgulland AT sandragulland DOT com or through the CONTACT page of this website.