John_Hartley Posted 26 March , 2012 Share Posted 26 March , 2012 At the forum conference this weekend, I spotted mention of Reveille Press on the WFA stand and wondered if any pals have experience in using them. Looking at their website, they seem to occupy a sort of "in between" position, between traditional publishers like Pen & Sword (who pay you) and the full self-publishing route. As far as I can see, Reveille offer the full design & print side of things and, also, market the book to retail outlets - but you pay them for the service, recouping your costs from royalty sales. I'm working on another book and will punt it to Pen & Sword, with fingers crossed, but might not be surprised if they are not that keen on it. Reveille might be a good second option. What do you reckon? TIA John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fair Posted 26 March , 2012 Share Posted 26 March , 2012 John - I went through Tommies Guides using the Menin House imprint rather than the Reveille Press imprint. That was mainly because of the different royalty split. It worked for me as I wanted someone else to do the typsetting, cover design, indexing, and the very final proof read etc. (life's too short) but wanted the editorial control that P&S would probably not have given. Generally satisfied eith the experience, but I'd be happy to brief you in detail off forum. Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 26 March , 2012 Share Posted 26 March , 2012 Off topic I admit (and happy to have this moved if thought fit or deleted if thought outrageously nosy ) but what sort of sales figures are people achieving through these various publishers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 26 March , 2012 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2012 Bill You show me yours and I'll show you mine. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 26 March , 2012 Share Posted 26 March , 2012 Discreetly. By PM. No prying eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 26 March , 2012 Author Share Posted 26 March , 2012 Discretion always assured. Honest Harters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 26 March , 2012 Share Posted 26 March , 2012 My 'Foul Deeds' book (produced by an imprint of P&S) sold 500+ between Oct and Dec 2009. Slowed a lot after that though... From memory Swansea Pals sold 800+ in the first year in hardback and several hundred more in PB since (2004 onwards). They are LOCAL histories, after all. So limited market. Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 26 March , 2012 Share Posted 26 March , 2012 Bernard - impressive numbers I would imagine. How much of a PR push did P&S put behind it beyond their own mailing list marketing (if I might ask)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 26 March , 2012 Share Posted 26 March , 2012 On 'Foul Deeds' my wife and I managed to 'sign up' about 120 work colleagues for pre-publication orders. I worked for Swansea Council which has about 11,000 employees - many of those placing orders I didn't know. (I publicised it on the internal web). So about 400 were bought in the shops or via Amazon etc. I know that Waterstones Swansea had a 30 deep 'pile' of 'Foul Deeds' in the run up to Xmas 2009. I assume they replenished this peridically. Last week they had just 2 on the shelves (plus 2 Pals). Oddly, I noticed last week that WH Smith had 2 Foul Deeds and 2 Swansea Pals on display - not seen any in there for ages. P&S do provide order leaflets (for you to dish out at libraries etc.) as well as large card backed 'posters' that you can prop up at local book fayres etc. Sold a few books that way (maybe 30 Foul Deeds over a couple of attendances). I understand that P&S have a local agent who pitches to the local stores. Pals and Foul Deeds did get 'piles' into the shops at limited times - but over time it gets less and less (understandable with all the books that come out, I suppose). Its on their website too etc. I also arranged free local press coverage - 3 times for Pals! When the hardback came out, when the paperback came out and when an anniversary came round. Double page spreads (which I wrote in press interview style) plus some images. Don't know if it sold any but it all helps. Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Maria Posted 7 August , 2020 Share Posted 7 August , 2020 (edited) Earlier this year i ordered direct from Reveille Press a number of books , it took longer than i would expect to be dispatched and when i contacted them they replied quickly that it was due to a book being reprinted . In June i ordered another book but seven weeks later it still hasn't been sent and e-mails to both Reveille Press and Tommies Guides go unanswered . I'm taking it up with paypal but just a warning to others who are thinking of ordering in the near future . P.S I am getting a refund from PayPal , still no word from Reveille Press or Tommies Guides . I will obviously not be ordering from them again . Edited 22 August , 2020 by Black Maria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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