Ingram Content/Fulton Books; The BBB and the Back and Forth

Last night I decided to contact the Better Business Bureau, and I asked them to investigate why Ingram Content is not reporting my book sales from the beginning of this year to my publishing company, Fulton Books.

Fulton Books responded to me by email this morning, and this the back and forth email exchange between us.

I don’t understand why or how this has gotten to this level. It’s very simple. You self-publish with Fulton Books and Ingram Content handles all sales.

When your book is purchased, the sale registers first with Ingram Content, Ingram then, is supposed to update the sale with Fulton Books so the author can get paid.

I know of at least 3 sales for fact (Between March 5th and June 3rd, 2022) that were not updated-meaning Ingram Content did not report them to Fulton Books. I would like to know why, and I would like Fulton Books to contact Ingram Content for the answer.

We’ve been going back and forth since the summer on this issue.

Email 1:

Thu, Oct 27 at 10:31 AM

Hi Francis,

We already received your BBB complaint. We will respond appropriately through them as they require us to do so. You will get the same reports from us as you have received in the past. We have never treated you as a liar. We have repeatedly let you know the process of our reports and how Ingram reports them to us, but you are unsatisfied with our answers and treat us as the liars. We have been truthful with you since day one and will remain truthful with the BBB.

Please expect Fulton’s/BBB’s response within the BBB’s standard 15-day period.

Thank you.

-Author Support

Email 2: My response:

Thu, Oct 27 at 12:36 PM

Dear Support Staff:

My sales from the beginning of this year (March 5 to June 3rd 2022) are not updating on your Fulton Books sales report. I asked you why that was during the summer and you told me it was because the sales were actually old and that Amazon purchased a bulk order in 2021.

I asked to see some type of proof of sales, a receipt, or a sales report that shows that information and you still haven’t provided it.

I asked over and over again for you to contact Ingram Content and ask them why they’re not reporting my sales to you, and you still haven’t done that.

XXXXXX told me my amazon author account was a projection of possible future sales, when that was incorrect. It’s an accurate description of paper back sales through Amazon and it updates weekly. It’s not a sales projection chart. It’s proof that my paperbacks have been selling.

I sent you a snap shot of my author amazon sales page towards the end of the summer, and you asked me to send it again yesterday. I work a full time job, I maintain a blog, and I write. I don’t have the time to do things two and three times. At some point you have to meet me half way. I’ve been kind, fair, professional, and patient.

I didn’t know what else to do, so yes, I contacted the BBB to investigate.

Again, my sales from the beginning of this year didn’t update on your site’s sales report, which means I won’t get paid for those sales.

How long is this going to go on for? All I asked was for you to call Ingram Content and ask them why.

Yesterday, I asked you for your name and you still haven’t provided it. I don’t understand the secrecy. It’s like you don’t listen to a word I’m saying, you let me talk and your response is never specific. You keep reading the script over and over and telling me what I already know.

At some point you have to respond directly to what’s being asked. After all the money I’ve spent with Fulton Books, I expect to be treated fairly and dealt with accordingly.

Again, Please call Ingram Content and ask them why they aren’t providing you with an updated report of my book sales. You’re making this an issue between me and Fulton Books and it shouldn’t be.

Sincerely,

Francis Joseph LaManna

Is That There Way Of Censoring Me?

With all this stuff going with Ingram Content not updating my sales reports with Fulton Books, which means I won’t get paid even though my books are selling, I have to wonder, is this their way of censoring me? Is this their way of discouraging me?

Well, they’re probably not going to come out and censor me, but I guess they figure if they stop paying me I’ll stop publishing with them.

I don’t know, why else would this be happening? I brought my concerns to Fulton Books in June or July, and it will be November next week.

That means for the last five months I had go on with my normal day to day and work activities while this issue weighed heavy on my mind. And the sad thing is that no one rushed to take care of it or get back to me with an answer.

Yesterday, I aired my thoughts out in the post, “Book 4 Coming Up,” because I have to. Publishing and writing and any type of artistic creation should be a pleasant experience.

I like to mention something else. Why aren’t self-published authors able to track their sales in their entirety, e-books and paperbacks across all platforms, websites and stores?

Ingram Content, What’s Going On?

https://videopress.com/v/KDbwAQje?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

October 26, 2022

I’m making this video because my book sales stopped showing up on my sales report on my Fulton Books author webpage. This issue about sales from the beginning of this year, 2022, and I’m not upset but I’m growing impatient.

I feel like when I brought this issue to the attention of the right people during the summer, it should’ve been resolved then, but here we are three months later and I’m resubmitting proof I already submitted in August.

I’m going to be persistent and I’m not going to let this issue go unresolved.

Book 4 Coming Up..

You would think people would be happy for you for authoring a book. You would think. I mean, it’s quite an accomplishment.

I can’t stand an envious person. I can’t stand a jealous person, and for the life of me, I don’t understand jealousy. If some of you put half as much energy into worrying about what you have going on in your own life, you wouldn’t have the time to worry about what other people are doing.

I’m passionate about the topics I research and I love writing. I know some of you are making it real difficult for me to live the life I’m supposed to be living, but I’m in this for the long hall, and I’m not giving up.

I wrote three books in two years and published almost half a million words right here on this blog since 2018. I’m starting book four this week, and I’m going to keep writing. Eventually, I’ll succeed, but you know what; I’ve already succeeded.

You have people out here talking about spirituality, good vibes, positivity, good auras, and they’re the first ones trying to take what I’ve accomplished.

Is it that hard to be happy for someone?

To the people who do support my blog, and to the people who do buy my books, I love and appreciate all of you. Thank you.

I encourage everyone to listen to their hearts and pursue their passions. I didn’t find my passion until I was thirty, and eight years later an outlet opened up for me. Be patient, be persistent, and don’t give up.

Have a blessed evening,

Entering Scorpio, Holding Hands

October 23, 2022

Good morning everyone, today is Sunday, October 23rd, and at 9:50 AM (eastern time) the Sun and Venus entered Scorpio together in the 11th House.

Sun conjunct Venus 0 degrees Scorpio/11th House

The 11th House, which is the home of Uranus and Aquarius, represents our hopes and wishes for the future. The 11th House is also the house of friendships and dreams and goals that are long-term, idealism, and vision.

Traditionally, Scorpio rules the 8th House, The house of death and regeneration, but this morning we found Scorpio occupying the 11th House.

Before I go any further, I would like to share a story about a friend of mine who was in surgery last week to have cancer removed. So far so good, she is in recovery, and waiting for further information. I couldn’t think of a better example of what’s going on right now astrologically with our current alignment between the Sun and Venus in Scorpio.

Because Scorpio rules the 8th House, but was in the 11th House this morning, this represents several things correlating to my friends situation. It’s a reminder of the harsh reality of life, which is that tomorrow is never guaranteed, and it reminds us that we have to put that harsh reality aside and continue living a fulfilling life of good quality. It reminds us that we need to visualize an ideal future for ourselves and plan for it.

The timing for her couldn’t be any better. The Sun is the life force and will of the zodiac, and Venus is the Goddess of love and beauty, who in Sumerian mythology was known as Inanna. Inanna was the Goddess of love, war, fertility, beauty, sex, divine justice. and political power.

I can’t even begin to believe this as Scorpio rules human reproductive organs, which is exactly the part of her body affected. In her birth chart, she has Chiron on the 27th degree of Taurus in the 8th House, and her natal Chiron is in trine with both her natal Sun and Venus. She has Libra rising with a 12th House Sun, and Jupiter is in Scorpio, the sign that occupies the majority of the 11th House. Jupiter is the most benevolent force and he bestows us with good luck, fortune, and expansion.

Last night I burned a candle for her and continue to pray for her recovery. 💕💕🙏

So, this morning…

Together, the Sun and Venus are holding hands as they enter Scorpio. Scorpio is a feminine water sign that’s fixed in quality. The conjunction is powerful, it’s a combination of life force, the will to live, and love in a future house. I can’t help but think of Jesus in this situation, because it was Jesus (the Sun/Son) who was said to be vibrating at the highest frequency level, which is pure love (Venus), and by doing so, was able to conquer death.

We must cast the inevitable aside and remember that life can be full of great things if we’re loving and maintain the will to live. Scorpio (reproduction/sex organs) in the 11th House, reminds us that although the act of sex is highly pleasurable, the ability to have children is one of our greatest gifts. Our children are the future, and the future we visualize for ourselves is one that not only includes them, but it’s one they’ll be carrying forward.

So, as the Sun enters Scorpio and Scorpio season commences, he does so with the Goddess of love by his side.

Both are in a stressful square with Pluto in Capricorn in the 2nd House.

What’s going on here?

Pluto is the planet of regeneration, he looks to eliminate anything and everything that’s no longer useful or preventing growth so we can have a fresh start.

The 2nd House deals with possessions, and Capricorn is reserved, prudent, and patient, and uses cunning instead of force. Capricorn is persistent and determined.

Pluto is creating tension between the Sun and Venus in the 11th House, because he wants a bright future for them. As we move forward with love and the will to live, the removal of anything that doesn’t support that ideal must go.

Sometimes we don’t have a choice, and Pluto shows no mercy when it comes to regeneration.

As we deal with the power of Pluto in the 2nd House, we are to do so with the qualities and characteristics of Capricorn; patient, cunning instead of force, and we must be determined and persistent.

When it comes to the use of intellect over force, we are blessed with a Grand Air Trine between Mars in Gemini, Mercury in Libra, and Saturn in Aquarius.

At the end of the day, we are not to worry. Pluto is tugging at life and love, but Pluto’s trine with Uranus in the 6th House of health and service reinforces that goodness and favorable outcomes are maintained at the highest levels.

The lucky numbers for Scorpio: 2 and 4 (Tomorrow is the 24th)

Lucky Scorpio Day: Tuesday

Lucky Colors: Burgundy and Crimson (Colors of Passion)

It’s an interesting time for sure! Now before I end this, I want to remind everyone that on Tuesday, which is the luckiest day for Scorpio, we have a brand-new moon cycle beginning!

Can you believe it?!?! A new moon in Scorpio that will partially eclipse the Sun.

Symbolically, death and resurrection is what’s on the menu. The universe is giving us an opportunity to start fresh like the legendary Phoenix, or the lotus flower that blossoms into something unbelievably beautiful and perfect after coming up through the harshest conditions.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and happy birthday to all the Scorpios out there!

♏🌞🧡

Close Encounters

Last night for the very first time, I saw the 1977 Steven Spielberg classic, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind.

Again, like Satan’s Triangle, we have another movie made in the 70s that was simply amazing.

Wow, I don’t even know where to begin. UFO sightings are becoming more frequent in the United States and across the world. So frequent in fact, that it’s impossible for the government and the military to hide it from the population.

It’s hard to write this review without giving away the entire movie, it’s just something you have to see if you have an interest in UFOs and extraterrestrials.

I’ve always believed in life elsewhere in the universe, but after watching this movie something made a whole lot of sense.

The character Richard Dreyfuss played, Roy; that trance-like obsession where you’re using art as an outlet to make sense of something. I’ve been there and I’ve experience it-drawing something over and over again.

Well, what we find out later in the movie is that all the people from all over the world who were drawing, or painting, or making that mountain image, where being called by the extraterrestrials.

The extraterrestrials were communicating with them telepathically, and what the people were actually obsessing over was a monument or a marker at the location where the UFOs were landing.

The extraterrestrials wanted these individuals, it was their calling, but the government was using the military to wall off the public from discovering the landing site.

Unbelievable!

Movie: Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind.

Release Date: 1977

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Richard Dreyfuss, Francois Truffaut, Terri Garr, and Melinda Dillion.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Clapboards 🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

An Overreaching Example; Pennsylvania Unemployment

Many of us blow off the thought of government overreach, and I guess it’s because most of us are unable to recognize it. Here’s an example.

You’re working for an employer who decides to lay off a portion of their workforce because they don’t have enough work and things are slow.

You’ve been working and paying into the unemployment system so there shouldn’t be any issues claiming a week of pay.

The key words there are shouldn’t be.

If the employees working for the Pennsylvania Unemployment system are asking for information irrelevant to the current claim, that’s government overreach and probably harassment as well.

Where did you work last year? Why did you leave? Why did you leave the other job? When did you work there? What were the dates again? What were the exact dates? And where did you work before that?

If it has no bearing on the current claim, it’s none of their business.

Hundreds of phone calls and hours and hours of conversation, and they’re asking for information irrelevant to the current claim?

And if you don’t play their game and you aren’t nice, then they’ll deny you money from an account you paid into.

Why are we being put in this position?

This type of overreach happens everyday and we don’t even recognize it as such.

Again, Wake Up People.

I wouldn’t be writing about half of the stuff I write about if it wasn’t happening to me or I wasn’t experiencing it first hand some how.

Have a good day and stay positive!

5 Left

The Divine Feminine

M O O N (13, 2, 2, 1) = 9

According to Occultus 13, my innovative system of numerology, the word MOON equals 18/9.

And if you notice, the word feminine ends with nine (9).

As interesting as all that is, I wanted to share the updated information I have concerning the divine feminine.

The divine feminine is an aspect of our personality known as “sleeping beauty” because we are not aware of it. It’s stuck in a juvenile state until we recover it and redeem it by bringing it into our consciousness (becoming aware of it).

Writing; Independent & Uncensored

It’s important for me to share this with you, my audience. I know people who are authors and who’ve written many books.

When a book is published traditionally, there’s often a list of guidelines and requirements the author must adhere to. Traditional book publishing is big business and it has been for a long time.

The problem with it is that publishing companies (traditional) often have the final say over what gets published, what gets written, how it gets written, and unbelievably, the title of the book itself sometimes.

Traditional publishing, because it’s big business, does not like to stray from what makes them money. They’ll publish a writer, but he can’t write this, and he can’t write that, and he can’t put these pictures in the book, and he can’t call the book this, etc.

Llewellyn, a huge publishing company, chose not to publish my book because it had the word Prophecy in the title. I was shocked considering the type of books Llewellyn publishes, but this is an example of what I’m talking about.

My books are self-published. I wrote them, I edited them, I titled them, and I paid to have them published. This is authorship at the grass roots level.

Two of my books have been published, while one sits next to me complete. Smorgasbord 3 Prophecy and Poverty was complete three months ago, but there’s not much I can do until I save enough money to have it published.

Not only is Smorgasbord 3 complete, but I’m working on fourth book that’s going to be about astrology.

The point I’m trying to make here, is that when you purchase my books, you’re not getting something curtailed for sales. Weather it’s short story fiction, poetry, non-fiction, personal stories, political and religious opinions, you’re getting it in its rawest form.

As a nation of sovereign and free people, this is the type of work you should want to support.

If you like what you read here, then please visit the links below. Let’s get this ball rolling again.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/francis%20joseph%20lamanna

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=francis+joseph+lamanna&crid=1Z9EMDEVIHRTE&sprefix=francis+joseph+laman%2Caps%2C985&ref=nb_sb_noss_2