Marco Invernizzi's new tool - "Ichiban"

[Ang3lfir3]

Eric I would expect better from you than using someone ELSES name, ask Daniel to come and bash these here, don't expect I will see it. By the way bonsaiist used to use dirt in the pots how many trees in that million dollar collection have DIRT in the pots, no why not, did you find something better?

Try it you might like it, anybody know how long Masakuni has been selling way overpriced tools?

Lets start with you pointing out the part where I said anything about Daniel bashing anything? He's a much nicer guy than me. I only used his name to point out that while other Masters have created custom tools designs they are at least in reasonable pricing ranges. And no you won't see Dan coming in here to say anything, he doesn't use or ever care to use a computer... he's fine with that. If something needs to be done for him the requires a computer he has people who are willing to do those things for him.

BTW a GREAT deal of the trees in the collection have dirt in the pots... dirt that has been in the pots since the day the tree was collected. Some of those trees have been in those pots longer than I have been alive... it's a moot point.

The Mas tools are overpriced... but people LOVE tools... I have a friend who happens to be a bonsaist as well and he LOVES tools... all kinds of tools... He has an entire garage full of tools... most of them he never uses.

Can't believe you have nothing better to do than rant over something you wouldn't have a chance to use, much less buy. Back to your local bonsai channel.

Would you like me to buy you a pair? Because the $350 price tag is certainly not outside my reach... how about you try "won't CHOOSE to use, muchless buy".

 

[Ang3lfir3]

I am surprised that you say that. The publishing business has always been a very risky one, one hardly knows how a certain book is recevied by the public..

The publisher will only publish the book if the Author or someone OTHER than the publisher pays to have the book printed. THEN the publisher takes 60% of the profits for publishing the book leaving a mere 40% for the author(s). From this 40% the author makes NOTHING until the cost of the printing has been covered.... the publisher however is already in the profit making business from book #1.

I am speaking of only one particular option in publishing however it is the most common scenario..... especially in bonsai books.

 

[Klytus]

This is a ghastly concept:

13) Purchasing ICHIBAN you can enter the ICHIBAN CLUB, a site created to communicate all the ICHIBAN owners all over the world and receive useful news, updates and advice from Marco Invernizzi in person.

 

[Attila Soos]

The publisher will only publish the book if the Author or someone OTHER than the publisher pays to have the book printed. THEN the publisher takes 60% of the profits for publishing the book leaving a mere 40% for the author(s). From this 40% the author makes NOTHING until the cost of the printing has been covered.... the publisher however is already in the profit making business from book #1.

I am speaking of only one particular option in publishing however it is the most common scenario..... especially in bonsai books.

There are two main types of cost in publishing: the cost of printing (editing, paper, labor, etc), and the cost of distribution (whatever the bookstores or other distributors charge).
The more risk a publisher takes on, the more potential is for profit (the risk is that none of the books stells, and the publisher is stuck with all of the costs, and therefore loses a lot of money).

If the publisher chooses to take on no-, or very little risk (all, or part of the costs are covered by others - author or other sponsors), then the publisher is entitled to very small portion of the profits.

So, to me, it doesn't make much sense that the author pays for most of the costs, and yet the publisher takes most of the profit. That's because if the author pays for most of the costs, he does not need a publisher: he can publish the book himself.

Like any other business, the publisher is only entitled to part of the profits if the publisher provides a valuable service. Otherwise, the author goes to a printing press and prints the book himself - for a fee, of course.

This is how I understand that the printing business works - more risk = more profit potential. Less risk = less profit.

If it was true that the publisher takes most of the profit for no risk at all (= all costs are covered by others), then the publishing business would be a dream comes true for every enterpreneur: free money, for no costs at all. I find that hard to believe, since most of the publishers are struggling to survive, in these days of the Internet era.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

There are two main types of cost in publishing: the cost of printing (editing, paper, labor, etc), and the cost of distribution (whatever the bookstores or other distributors charge).
The more risk a publisher takes on, the more potential is for profit (the risk is that none of the books stells, and the publisher is stuck with all of the costs, and therefore loses a lot of money).

If the publisher chooses to take on no, or very little risk - all, or part of the costs are covered by others (author or other sponsors) - then the publisher is entitled to very small portion of the profits.

So, to me, it doesn't make much sense that the author pays for most of the costs, and yet the publisher takes most of the profit. That's because if the author pays for most of the costs, he does not need a publisher: he can publish the book himself.

Like any other business, the publisher is only entitled to part of the profits if the publisher provides a valuable service. Otherwise, the author goes to a printing press and prints the book himself - for a fee, of course.

This is how I understand that the printing business works - more risk = more profit potential. Less risk = less profit.

My previous post was a real example for publishing a book... this was bearing in mind the publisher making direct sales... the wholesale 20% discount does come from the publisher's 60%... so in that case it does become more fair.

Lets say you wrote a book and paid to have it printed... say 1500 copies to start.. as the author who payed for the printing you would need to sell 1000 books before covering your cost... only after that can you make an actual profit on the last 500 books... assuming you did not incurr any other expenses while writing the book.

 

[greerhw]

This is a ghastly concept:

13) Purchasing ICHIBAN you can enter the ICHIBAN CLUB, a site created to communicate all the ICHIBAN owners all over the world and receive useful news, updates and advice from Marco Invernizzi in person.

Klytus( or kk ) dude, you probably have never been accused of being a people person. You need to lighten up a tad bit and not let the little things in life spoil your day.

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Attila Soos]

My point is that the author has two choices: either go with a publisher, or publish the book himself.

If he chooses to publish on his own, he then can keep 100% of the profit. This, of course, means that he first need to pay for everything upfront (editing, design, and printing costs). Once the 1500 books are printed, paid for, and delivered to his garage, he then can start selling them and keep 100%of the retail price.

The other option is to go with a publisher, and accept the terms imposed by the publisher.

So, the question is, which is the most profitable choice for the author? He should be able to determine that and choose accordingly. He is not "forced" to go into any kind of arrangement with the publisher.

The problem, of course, is that bonsai books have a very small niche market, so the publishers are not exactly fighting with each other, for getting these books published. So, the authors need to find innovative ways to publish these books, by keeping the costs to a minimum. They also need to realize, that there is very little chance that real money can be made from writing bonsai books. But we know that already.

 

[Klytus]

So what happened to Kong,did he sling his hook?

 

[greerhw]

damnit... I was hoping you would have a vision for it.... or OMG shock and awe... have someone else in the massive list of bonsai artists in the world, let alone the US, work on it. But you aren't biased or anything...

No one can ask more of a friend than loyalty, just as you do with your friend Dan..........

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Klytus]

I used to enjoy reading Kong's erudite postings.

 

[greerhw]

You seem to have filled in quite nicely............

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Ang3lfir3]

They also need to realize, that there is very little chance that real money can be made from writing bonsai books. But we know that already.

very true.... and I haven't ever met anyone who thought otherwise... sometimes a book is simply written because it needs writing. And that of course is enough of a reason.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

No one can ask more of a friend than loyalty, just as you do with your friend Dan..........

keep it green,
Harry

I would never dream of accusing you of being disloyal... and as long as you are happy that is all the matters. Once again we agree to disagree... without differing view points how can we as humans know what it is that we truly believe.

 

[greerhw]

I watched a master use this tool for 5 days and hardly ever lay it down, I was amazed at how many things he did with it and all the money I had already invested in 5 other tools that did the same thing, even though I don't use them much......... Anyone want 5 good Japanese tools at a reasonable price, almost like new...... Like Paladin, "Have Ichiban will travel"

keep it green,
Harry

http://www.hgwt.com/hgwt0.htm

 

[Smoke]

Jim Gremel sells some great quality Chinese pots. I bought a few of the larger ones this year, they look absolutely gorgeous, and the price was incredible.
I learned a few things about Jim, and one is that he never sells crap.

Wrongo.....you should have bought some of the first import pots he sold three years ago. The two toned dark edge rubbed right off after about 2 months of watering. I agree the newer pots are better but not perfect. They are great for the price, but certainly not highest quality.

Both of these pots I bought from Jim at a BIB exhibit. The first one that had a huge vendor room. I bought for these two C. junipers and repotted two years ago. I sold the pots last year at a bonsai swapmeet for 20.00 a piece. The black edging just washed right off.

 

[Smoke]

Hey, that cascade is due for some work and an update.

 

[greerhw]

Hey, that cascade is due for some work and an update.

Want me to come out and give you a hand.........

keep it green,
Harry

 

[Anonymous User]

In reference to contributing to the community, and making money... If you want to talk about absurd try writing a book... bonsai book publishers cull the lions share of the money with no risk, and minimal effort. That's a tragedy... irritates me everytime I think about it. But then again, I imagine it's the publishing business at large... I digress... my apologies.

I do have some experoience in dealing with publishers.

The publisher takes all the risk, they have to pay upfront for the printing and shipping and then hope that enough books sell to at least cover their cost and what they pay per book sold to the author. The same can be said on a smaller scale for magazine publishers as well.

There is also a huge amount of effort in promotion, advertising, and shipping the books to the buyers.

This is why book publishers are picky and why most authors have reams of rejection slips wallpapering their dens.

That being said, there would be no possibility of profit without the talent of the author, publishers would be extinct without them. Too many publishers take unfair advantage of authors and pay too small of a percentage of sales. Research and references will reveal the gougers as well as the honest publishers.

The publisher will only publish the book if the Author or someone OTHER than the publisher pays to have the book printed. THEN the publisher takes 60% of the profits for publishing the book leaving a mere 40% for the author(s). From this 40% the author makes NOTHING until the cost of the printing has been covered.... the publisher however is already in the profit making business from book #1.

I am speaking of only one particular option in publishing however it is the most common scenario..... especially in bonsai books.

Huh?

You are speaking of self publishing or vanity publishing, this is not common at all in the bonsai world, in fact it is not common at all in the real world.. Haskill Creek and Stone Lantern, two bonsai book publishers do not operate this way and I strongly recommend that, unless you just want a few books for your family, to stay away from vanity publishers, there are very few good ones and even these should be a last resort..

Publishers want books that will sell, they will pay you for them, do not be fooled into thinking you must pay to have a book or an article published, this is just not the case.



Will

 

[TheSteve]

I used to enjoy reading Kong's erudite postings.

Funny, he was banned before you showed up

 

[Ang3lfir3]

You are speaking of self publishing or vanity publishing, this is not common at all in the bonsai world, in fact it is not common at all in the real world.. Haskill Creek and Stone Lantern, two bonsai book publishers do not operate this way and I strongly recommend that, unless you just want a few books for your family, to stay away from vanity publishers, there are very few good ones and even these should be a last resort..

Publishers want books that will sell, they will pay you for them, do not be fooled into thinking you must pay to have a book or an article published, this is just not the case.

Will

Apperantly you don't know as much as you think you do. I am not speaking from speculation but from actual experience... and NOT from a vanity publisher but instead a respected bonsai publisher. That is all I have to say further on the matter as I don't want to point fingers or name names.