Cathedral book launch concern
Mr Bentham claims I criticised the publicity surrounding Capturing Lincoln Cathedral. I did not. My concern was the unsuitable venue used for the book launch, especially when there were more suitable venues, and the lack of availability of the book.
I could not find the book anywhere, and it was not for lack of looking. It was not in bookshops, not in Tourist Information Centres, not in the museum gift shop, not even in the cathedral's own gift shop.
Mr Bentham claims good sales figures. A meaningless statement when no figures are provided. I wish to see the number of books sold and net profit after all costs have been accounted for.
Lincoln sees many visitors, attracted by the castle, cathedral and historic parts. Pause and reflect how many copies of Capturing Lincoln Cathedral would have been sold had visitors been able to come across the book in all the obvious places one would have expected to find it.
No explanation was given by Mr Bentham as to why the book has been withdrawn from sale, or why it is restricted to selected Co-ops – not the obvious place to find or look for a book on the cathedral. Or as to why it will not be available even in these selected locations until March.
I said the book was stylish, not the product, by which I assume he means the gift pack, which was anything but stylish.
The presentation gift pack leaves much to be desired. It is not at all obvious what the pack contains, it could be a tea towel. A book of this calibre does not need the gimmick of a gift pack. The book would sell on its own merit.
Mr Bentham speaks of building a relationship with the Co-op. I would have hoped the objective was to raise money for the cathedral and to make as widely available as possible an excellent book on the building.
This is a book that would sell and sell and sell for years to come, and go through many print runs, if it was handled properly.
KEITH PARKINS Farnborough, Hants.
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