Those in Utah: Collecting Smiles book

[Rain]

One of my daughter's favorite books is "Collecting Smiles" by Melody Burris. It is out of print and she can't find it anywhere.  I suspect it will be easier to find in Utah. If you see it somewhere will you please let me know where so I can get it for her?

Also there is a second book called "Earning Smiles" that she is looking for, but hasn't read. 

[rpn]

https://bookreadfree.com/book/26001

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7475510.Melody_Burris

[Calm]

If she wants an actual copy, maybe calling the used bookstores and leaving a request is the best chance.

[Rain]

7 hours ago, rpn said:

https://bookreadfree.com/book/26001

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7475510.Melody_Burris

Thank you. She is wanting an actual copy though.

[Emily]

 

It looks like the book was on a "Print on Demand" service. (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform) This particular service was bought out by Amazon and doesn't exist anymore. 

I would say your best bet is to try to track down the author and see if she is offering it on another print on demand service or is willing to offer it on another service, or happens to have spare copies around. 

She seems to be a talented but not particularly ambitious writer.  I wasn't able to locate an author's Facebook page, or any other attempts at self-promotion. Maybe you can find a member in Western Iowa who can use the LDS grapevine to help you track her down.

https://lit.mormonartist.net/2016/01/numbers/

About the Author: Melody Burris is located in western Iowa. She manages a complex household of distracted adults, moody adolescents, and hyperactive children. She likes to escape into the realities she creates in her stories. Aside from writing, her hobbies include Korean dramas, exercising, avoiding laundry, reading, and spending time with family.

 

 

[Calm]

Whitepages.com has a Melody D Burris who used to live in Provo and Iowa and is now in Nebraska and it even has a phone number listed, so it looks to be public. 

Edited September 1, 2024 by Calm

[Emily]

35 minutes ago, Calm said:

Whitepages.com has a Melody D Burris who used to live in Provo and Iowa and is now in Nebraska and it even has a phone number listed, so it looks to be public. 

After I made my post, I told my husband I could probably track her down, but I'm teaching Gospel Doctrine today and shouldn't have spent the time I did looking for her. 

He replied, "Calm will probably do it "😄

[Calm]

3 minutes ago, Emily said:

After I made my post, I told my husband I could probably track her down, but I'm teaching Gospel Doctrine today and shouldn't have spent the time I did looking for her. 

He replied, "Calm will probably do it "😄

lol, you triggered the detective in me this time. For some reason that part of my brain was dormant until your post kicked it into gear. 
 

And I was thinking you were kin in how you described your research as delving and dabbling and then your efforts here.

[Emily]

I have a friend who runs a business that tracks down rare books (games, music, all types of media) and asked him to keep an eye out for it. He got back with me with this response:

"Neither book has been sold on eBay in the last 3 years, so waiting for it to be sold is unlikely to be fruitful. But the author may have a case of old copies, or could be prompted to reactivate it on CreateSpace."

I had already checked on CreateSpace with the results mentioned previously. He uses eBay as a fairly reliable indicator of availability before he deep dives into a search for an item. So essentially agrees with me that reaching out to the author is your best hope.

If she happens to have a box of books to sell, let me know. I've got a friend who might be interested in making a deal with her. 😄

 

 

 

[Emily]

Okay, I activated my friend's bulldog instincts and he's tracked down some phone numbers and an address which may or may not be current. I'm not going to post them on an open forum but if you want to give them a try, send me a private message Rain. 

[Calm]

52 minutes ago, Emily said:

Okay, I activated my friend's bulldog instincts and he's tracked down some phone numbers and an address which may or may not be current. I'm not going to post them on an open forum but if you want to give them a try, send me a private message Rain. 

I found some as well off of white pages and some reverse searching on numbers and privately passed them on.  If mine don’t work, hopefully your friend’s are not the same and will work.

There is also at least one LDS writers’ association out there, that might be an option as maybe they have contact info and can reach out to her.

Edited September 1, 2024 by Calm

[Rain]

@Emily @Calm

Calm also shared what she found with me (I mesaged Emily in case she found different info).  My daughter emailed the author. Her husband emailed back and was really touched (Melody was touched as well). He sent her an epub version. 

 

Thank you!

Edited

Edited September 1, 2024 by Rain

[Emily]

You have me interested in the books now. I wouldn't mind getting a epub copy of they are on offer.