In a message dated 97-11-20 16:00:10 EST, you write:

<< A store orders 20 copies of your book and sells 14.
 So they order 14 copies of your next book, and sell 8.
 So they order 8 copies of your next book, and sell 5.
 So they order 5 copies of your next book, and sell 3.
  >>

   Better they should order 20 of your fourth book, and end up with 17 unsold
copies?  Well, better for you, I suppose. <g>
                                                        -Mac Hume