I’ve added Wilbur’s name to the new version of the book about him that will have even more illustrations than the original. The new cover for Wilbur the Duck Who Flew Upside Down (aka “Wilbur”) also features the expressions on the faces of some of the other ducks in his flock as he flies upside down. The original cover only showed Wilbur due to its relatively small 8.5″ x 8.5″ trim size. The new book will be an 8.5″ x 11″ trim size so it allows for more space for an illustration. I believe the new cover is funnier and more attractive than its predecessor.
The original version of The Duck Who Flew Upside Down (aka “Duck”) is my most popular children’s book to date. It is also my personal favorite. I relate to Wilbur in many ways.
I plan to retire “Duck” when “Wilbur” is released, hopefully by the end of this month. It will be available on Amazon and elsewhere. If you’d prefer signed copies, perhaps with a note to the recipient, I’m taking advance orders for U.S. residents for $20 each and I’ll pay for the shipping via U.S. Media Mail.
In case you’re wondering why I don’t make the offer globally, the problem is highlighted in a recent example: I shipped four books to someone outside the U.S. and the mailing cost nearly equaled the total retail cost of the books. I still love my dear friends who reside outside the U.S. and am grateful that most of you can still buy my books via Amazon (and possibly even get free shipping.)
With Love,
Russ
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
wonderful, russ –
Thank you, Beth.
Lovely Russ!
Thank you, Misifusa!
Yes, Russ, I would love a signed copy personalized to my great-grandson, Xander. I would love to give a signed copy of it to him for Christmas this year. I’m so glad you’re making this improvement. Like you, I relate to Wilbur on many levels, too.
Thank you, Jan. Would you like for the note to read, “Merry Christmas, Xander!” or something else? May Wilbur and Xander become lifelong friends.
Merry Christmas and Happy Reading, Xander!
I love it! Will do.
Awesome my friend just awesome
Thank you for your kind comment, my friend.
Very cool! Congratulations!
Thank you, Andrea!
More good news about your books. 🙂
I know what you mean about mailing costs. I mailed ONE of my paper back books to England and it cost me TWENTY THREE DOLLARS! And ONE of my books is on Amazon.com now but they raised the cost to almost $24!!!! I have NO idea why they do that. (But it was exciting to see it on Amazong! ) 🙂
Thank you, Colleen. I’m sorry you got burned by the high shipping costs for international sales too, Colleen. It’s painful. Authors must choose between refraining from directly selling internationally, charging a ridiculous amount of money for shipping versus the retail cost of the books, charging a ton for the books themselves, or lose a lot of money per transaction. It’s a tough choice sometimes.
You’re right. I did find out that I can order from here, to send somewhere else directly from where I self published. I still have to pay shipping, but it’s what I would pay to ship to me too.
Having Amazon do the fulfillment is quite convenient, but the buyer doesn’t get a signed copy nor a note written in the book to them or to their gift recipient from the author. Perhaps some day Amazon will find a way to enable both while still performing the fulfillment.
I can’t imagine I’ll ever sell a book through Amazon. It would be crazy for anyone to spend that. I have stalled in the book selling Russ, just because I don’t have the time to promote. With winter coming on maybe I’ll have more ‘down’ time to do these things. I suspect Amazon will indeed create things we have yet to imagine to do this…..
One of the things I’m experimenting with this year is direct sales via local holiday boutiques and craft fairs. When I sell physical books directly I make something like 15-30 times the amount of the royalty I get for an eBook sale via Amazon, and I get to begin developing a relationship with the buyer. With Amazon the buyer is anonymous. I’m scheduled to be at 4 events over a total of 6 weekend days between now and Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed the recent children’s book fairs and sold sixty copies of my books at the two-day event. Whether I sell a few books or many, I look forward to the adventure and to introducing my books to an ever-increasing audience. My books are nearly invisible on Amazon, but sell well when people see my books in person, get to meet the author, and are able to receive signed copies. I’ll bet yours too would continue to sell well that way.
Yes, I so want to do book fairs and such. A lot of the ones I manage to find charge to be there. But truthfully, working full time, with family obligations is really what prevents me from having time to put into it. I look forward to what I will do in the future. 🙂
I look forward to seeing what you do in the future too, my friend!
Thank you Russ. If the day ever comes…I will be asking for any guidance you can share. 🙂
I’ll be happy to share whatever I learn, Colleen.
You are very kind Russ. Some day!!!! 🙂