rolanni: (i've often seen a cat without a smile)
[personal profile] rolanni
I have finished entering the back-logged orders for Fledgling and Saltation. As of this moment, we have 164 Saltation and 214 Fledgling available for adoption. These are for books-signed-by-the-authors. Which will, please note, probably arrive directly to your mailbox some time -- even some Very Long-Seeming Time -- after you could've picked it up in a store. This is because we will be signing and mailing each of those books ourselves. Auctorial fingerprints, no extra charge!

If you're interested in adopting, please drop me a note at rolanniATkorval.com (where The Usual replaces AT).

The rest of the bookkeeping can take a hike for the evening. Also? The chest of drawers did not get built, though the pieces of same have been decanted and counted. Perhaps tomorrow. Or, perhaps tomorrow we'll be grasshoppers and go see Up!

I wondered over on Facebook this morning whether I really needed to hang on to all of the hard-copy submission drafts for various novels. I mean, what's the point? And! If I shredded them and used them for mulch, then I could, like, get rid of a file cabinet! Believe me, there are fewer thrills so heady as getting rid of a file cabinet, especially when there's the possibility of replacing it with a bookshelf. Andy Funk suggested that we auction the drafts off, which I thought was kinda silly (sorry, Andy), because -- Hello? Piles of Old Paper that only have one side available to draw on.

However, in the course of my explorations today, I opened the bottom drawer of one of the file cabinets in my office, discovering the original 'scripts for Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors and Carpe Diem. Not only was this Very Scary (no wonder I don't have any room in the file drawers!), but -- now I can't get the drawer closed.

Which leads me to wonder anew if Andy's idea has merit after all -- would anybody pay for this paper? -- or if shredding is the way to go?

Your opinion counts!

[Poll #1419696]

Date: 2009-06-22 11:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] johnhawkinson.livejournal.com
It's quite common to have charity auctions at conventions that auction off such things. Typically they'll go for somewhere between 1x-100x the cover price of the novel.

Definitely please don't shred them!

Date: 2009-06-22 11:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shana.livejournal.com
Selling them will not only free up drawer space, it will pay for cat food!

Date: 2009-06-23 04:09 am (UTC)
ext_3634: Ann Panagulias in the Bob Mackie gown I want  (animals - kitty in food)
From: [identity profile] trolleypup.livejournal.com
My personal guess...lots and lots of catfood!

Date: 2009-06-22 11:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jhetley.livejournal.com
Just as long as the bid covers shipping costs . . .

Or maybe a charge for "shipping and handling"?

Date: 2009-06-23 12:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] missingvolume.livejournal.com
I voted for selling them but if you have made arraignments with a university about your papers they will certainly want them.

Date: 2009-06-23 12:05 am (UTC)
sraun: portrait (Default)
From: [personal profile] sraun
I chose the museum option. I don't know how feasible it is. My next choice would be auction them off. My 10th or 12th choice would be shred them.

Would it be possible for you to scan them so you have electronic copies before doing anything else? Or more accurately - do you have convenient access to a way to scan them? At work we have some very nice Canon multi-function devices that have paper feeders, and you can scan & e-mail stuff to yourself. Does your employer have one by any chance?

Date: 2009-06-23 01:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rolanni.livejournal.com
The problem with donating things to museums is that...museums are understaffed, and cataloging stuff is people-intensive work. All of which means that a lot of stuff that's donated winds up in the back room or in the basement in cardboard boxes, waiting for somebody to get around to them.

Would it be possible for you to scan them so you have electronic copies before doing anything else?

Well, Arnold was kind enough to give us electronic copies of all of the books we placed with Baen, which is pretty much everything.

do you have convenient access to a way to scan them?

Steve has one of the multi-function machines that photocopies, faxes, scans and bakes bread. It is agonizingly slow for anything more than page or two. At work, I have its slower and dumber cousin -- it only scans one sheet at a time, no faxing or baking of bread, and it's slower.

Date: 2009-06-23 02:17 am (UTC)
sraun: portrait (Default)
From: [personal profile] sraun
Yeah, that's why the 'if feasible' comment on the museum option.

I wonder if anyone close has access to quick machine? I'd volunteer to run them through my work machine, but I'm really bad now-a-days at anything getting things done when thye involve protons, neutrons & electrons, as opposed to just electrons.

Date: 2009-06-23 12:10 am (UTC)
alicebentley: (bluestars)
From: [personal profile] alicebentley
I'm sure it feels funny to auction off something you would otherwise pulp, but they ARE unique not-available-anywhere-else items, and owning them can help your fan base feel more connected.

When I have the wherewithall I like to bid on things like this just to be supportive. This particular year all my spare cash (as well as some I can't spare) is going to grad school, but I know I would be interested if it wasn't for that.

Date: 2009-06-23 12:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dievalkyrie-99.livejournal.com
AAAARRRRGHHHHH!!! - no no no, please don't do that!

**runs out to start a 'Save the Manuscripts' campaign**

Auction those suckers!

Date: 2009-06-23 02:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] baggette.livejournal.com
I didn't complete the survey because I am not particularly fond of any of them. I don't care,as long as the manuscripts are not destroyed.
Whatever you do decide, PLEASE don't destroy them.

Date: 2009-06-23 02:04 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] katmoonshaker.livejournal.com
Whilst I can not at this time possibly afford to bid on them (winces & bites knuckle while whimpering), I would have to say to sell them to the highest bidder. And thinking about it, I think I'd put the money into a general slush fund where it could be used for travel, cat food, coffee, new books, or whatsoever might be needed to fuel the production of future books.

Thus spake the Kat.

Date: 2009-06-23 02:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] drammar.livejournal.com
I like the idea of auctioning them. I hope that the auction takes place in a venue available to all, not just at a con (she said selfishly because she's not yet been able to go to a con).

Date: 2009-06-23 03:28 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Not able to vote on the poll directly so I'll just say sell, sell sell! :)

Chris H

Date: 2009-06-23 04:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mbarker.livejournal.com
Isn't this somewhat like Pascal's wager? If you try to sell them and fail, you can always donate them to a library/university/museum or even shred them. But if you shred them, I have doubts about auctioning off a bag of confetti...

Date: 2009-06-23 12:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rdmasters.livejournal.com
Oh? Howabout:

"For auction: One bag of shredded paper. Originally from an office in Langley, Virginia."

That would get a lot of bids.

Point is, if it auctioned shredded, it would be one of the worlds hardest jigsaws, *as well* as a darn good read!

Still, A->M------------->S are my choices.

OR, you could dump it intact, and check on eBay to see who your stalkers are!

Date: 2009-06-23 01:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mbarker.livejournal.com
Might be fun to see how that bag of paper from Langley would sell -- although I can neither confirm nor deny its authenticity.

Date: 2009-06-23 05:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] painoarvokas.livejournal.com
I don't really care, except: please don't destroy them.

Date: 2009-06-23 07:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] martianmooncrab.livejournal.com
if not an auction, how about a raffle?

Date: 2009-06-23 07:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] keristor.livejournal.com
18thed (I think) about not shredding them. I suspect you're right about museums, especially if you don't already have an arrangement, but I'm among the fans who would be willing to bid for them up to an amount of "lots of cat food plus shipping charges".

Date: 2009-06-23 11:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] https://me.yahoo.com/a/mVbUuqolno8SBXYiPj8Y.sUsWTAwhRnnckM-#9f005 (from livejournal.com)
Burton fm Montreal

Definitely auction the manuscript off instead of shedding them. It should feed the cats for a while.

Think a museum/library would prefer a digital version of the manuscript. It much easier to give them a disc to play with instead of a stack of papers several feet high.

Date: 2009-06-23 11:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] technomage.livejournal.com
Just curious, how do I advise you of an address change for each volume... I've moved.

Date: 2009-06-23 02:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rolanni.livejournal.com
The email address in the post at the top of the thread works.

Date: 2009-06-23 01:15 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
100% agree with katmoonshaker

Cathy C

Date: 2009-06-23 01:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] starthorn.livejournal.com
Do Not Shred! I will be happy to pay shipping and handling (and a gratuity for the cats of course) if you just want to get rid of them or would be willing to bid in an auction for an original manuscript signed by the authors...

Stan

Auction off Drafts

Date: 2009-06-23 02:20 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
I would suggest that you let your agent handle any auction so you won't be inundated with bids, also she/he can check your contract to see if you can do it. Less hassle for you, if you decide to do it is to let an outside agency (publishing house) do it.

It does sound like a good idea though.

Manuscripts

Date: 2009-06-23 02:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] doccolt.livejournal.com
I could probably aford a number of bags of cat food and would happily pay shipping and handling. Auction or raffle. Anything that makes them available to your fanatical fans!!

Forgot

Date: 2009-06-23 02:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] doccolt.livejournal.com
Prefer not at cons which my work prevents me from attending. That is better than distruction however.

Date: 2009-06-23 04:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] baobrien.livejournal.com
If you do sell them, packaging them with some documentation on their provenance and/or history of creation would add to their value - both to the buyer and/or if they're ever donated to the museum.

I agree with everyone else on order of preference.

B. O'Brien

Manuscripts

Date: 2009-06-23 05:57 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Like everyone else, I think you should sell them - Kinzel already has an eBay ID, so that would be an easy way to go. If you feel funny taking real money for old paper, you could always make them charity auctions. (Though they do say charity begins at home....)

If you want to make some future grad student's day, and any of these documents are early versions, you might consider scanning them in to an electronic format - editorial comments and all!

Mary C

Vindication

Date: 2009-06-23 10:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arfunk.livejournal.com
Well, Sharon, it seems at least some people like my auction idea.

Just doing my part to help keep the cats and authors fed,

/Andy

Re: Vindication

Date: 2009-06-23 11:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rolanni.livejournal.com
Indeed, you are sagacious and wise. Mozart appreciates your tender care for his comfort.

Re: Vindication

Date: 2009-06-24 03:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arfunk.livejournal.com
Can I use this as a pull quote on my web site, business cards, and resume?


"Sagacious and wise" -Sharon Lee

????

Ink

Date: 2009-06-24 06:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] apolias.livejournal.com
Shredding and using as mulch --OK anywhere if the ink is bio-etc. Otherwise, be sure to use only on ornamentals.

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