Prices are going up!

The golden age is over. This Tuesday, the 7th of December, the price of autographed books on this site is going to go up from $17.99 AUD to $19.99.

I thought long and hard about whether or not to write this article - the sensible thing would probably be to change my prices without calling any attention to it. But I figured I owed my loyal customers an explanation.

It’s partly because demand is up (thanks to Xmas), supply is down (I have less time to keep running back and forth from the post office, again thanks to Xmas), and because the US postal service has just changed their security screening procedures and imposed a $9 fee on all international imports (only $5 of which is factored into my shipping rates at the moment.)

Cavity searching the delivery people is expensive.

But once Xmas is over and less people want books and I’m less busy, prices will fall again, right?

Well, no. Probably not. When the US postal service drops the fee, my shipping rates will fall, but the books will probably stay at $19.99. People will say that I’m a greedy sellout (and that’s completely true. You may recall that when I wrote the screenplay for The Lab, I agreed to cut out mission 1, mission 4, and the helicopter ride at the beginning of mission 3 just so as the movie would be cheaper to make). But that’s not the reason.

The truth is that I owe a debt to the booksellers. My books have been available in the USA and Canada for a while now at the recommended retail price of $20 USD, and they’ll be released in the UK next July for a price to be announced. The problem is that $20 USD is usually only slightly less than $17.99 AUD plus shipping. And why would someone buy a copy of Remote Control in an American bookshop for $20 if they can get an autographed, personalised copy for $21?

I can’t beg bookshops to stock my books and then undercut them on price, especially not when the industry is under so much pressure. So I’m raising my prices to cover the difference.

But I’m also indebted to my loyal readers, who not only read the books but are here, reading my blog. (Thanks!) So I figured you deserved a heads-up about the changing prices, just in case you wanted a book as an Xmas gift for a friend.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to spend the rest of this article bragging.

Every time I release a book, I worry that it’s going to be a flop. Maybe it’s not as good as the others? Maybe the plot is too ridiculous? What if everyone hates it?

Well, maybe someday that will happen, but I seem to have dodged the bullet again this year. According to the critics, Hit List is the best book I’ve ever written:

“Jack Heath’s swift-moving, high-stakes sequel to Money Run is supremely well executed - its twisting conspiratorial plot, full of high-tech gadgets and ruthless assassins, remains gripping to the final page. Perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz and Chris Morphew, this has the added bonus of an ultra-cool, tough and intelligent female lead.”
—Meredith Tate, The Sun Herald.

“Smart, slick and explosive, this is teen crime fiction at its best.”
—Booktrade.info

“Hit List is an action novel with a difference. Readers will find the page-turning narrative, dramatic escapes, close calls and thrilling adventures expected of this genre but Heath’s characters are more interesting, more believable - and more unexpected - than is usual. …like Robin Hood on steroids, Hit List is as much about the characters as their adventures, making the novel much more satisfying to read. Heath even dares to use a much broader vocabulary than is common to the action genre, with well-crafted sentences and descriptions that avoid cliché and carry a hint of humour. Hit List has the adrenaline rush that readers demand but skilful writing and a sly wit make it a story for a wider audience.”
—New South Wales Association for Gifted & Talented Children

“A book that will appeal to younger fans of Ian Fleming-style action adventure… Heath writes mean action sequences.”
—Cameron Woodhead, The Age.

“A work of art!”
—James Eracleous

“A killer thriller.”
—Natasha Rudra, The Canberra Times.

“Absolutely loved it, and literally could not put it down until I finished it… I can’t remember the last time I’ve been THAT engrossed in a book.”
—Kelly

“Wow! I’m struggling to put it down. Such a great read. Can’t wait for more. Damn good book. Everyone should read it.”
—Jessica, University of South Australia

“I got this the day before it was officially released and couldn’t help it, I stayed up till midnight reading it! I’ve read it three times since… it’s a great book.”
—katierosegirl

So if you haven’t read it yet, you should. I’m such a greedy sellout that I’m probably planning a sequel - you don’t want to be left behind.

MITIFOTIT:
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