Post by Tomoran on Aug 25, 2010 10:16:14 GMT -6
I’ve been meaning to touch on this for quite a while and, with three new books shipping in the next week, I figured it would be a good time to bring up the topic. Although Billie does everything possible to make sure that people get their correct numbers, we’ve had some confusion about how the process works. This stresses Billie out, and when Billie is stressed, Tom is stressed. 
When we made the transition from the old Horror Mall set up (when we sold through Larry Roberts) to having our own store, things got confusing really fast. Mistakes were made and Billie and I were grateful that everyone was very understanding when there were some mix-ups with the numbers.
Now that we’ve had several months and things have calmed down, there still seem to be some questions about how numbers are saved and kept. Here are a few things to remember when trying to get a number.
1. We currently have several different imprints:
Although some people have jumped onto the various imprints early, thus securing the same number in all the imprints, most have not. Your number in the Lettered Series might not be the same as your number in First Cut. If you have a number in one of these imprints, and you decide to start buying books from another, that’s fantastic! Just don’t expect to get the same number in the other series (although we’ll try our best). The current imprints are:
Lettered: (DIFFERENT SEASONS, HALF-SICK, SECRETS, SIDESHOW EXHIBITS)
First Cut: (BOOGALOOS, THE COMPANION, POSTCARDS FROM PURGATORY)
Chapbook: (LAYMON KIND OF NIGHT, BLACK BUTTERFLIES, THE AVIAN, THE CYESOLAGNIAC, THE REVEREND’S POWDER, FIONA AND GRAMS)
Dark Canvas: (DUST OF THE DEAD)
2. You’re only guaranteed a number if you have the previous book in the series.
For example, we are currently releasing the hardcover version of POSTCARDS FROM PURGATORY. Those who purchased the last book in the First Cut series, THE COMPANION, will have first dibs on securing their numbers. Once those orders are filled, then we can look at any requests.
So, if the last book you bought in the Lettered Series was HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS, you are not guaranteed that number for THE BRAINPAN CONCERTO.
3. We can’t hold numbers forever:
Believe me, Billie and I are very aware of who our loyal customers are, and we sometimes quietly keep certain numbers out of circulation for a while just in case someone missed a notice. Unfortunately, we can’t hold them forever. The best way to guarantee a number is to secure your copy during pre-orders. If we don’t have a pre-order, our general rule of thumb is to hold numbers for a week. After that, we need to get books back into circulation. If something comes up and you’re afraid that it might be more than a week before you can buy a book, always feel free to drop us a line.
4. We don’t match numbers from other publishers.
Please don’t tell us that your number for Cemetery Dance is 14, and you’d like that number. If we have it available, awesome. If we don’t, we’ll assign you another. Amazingly, we’ve actually had people miffed that we didn’t have “their” number. We try our best!
Anyhow, the vast majority of readers have been great, and even when there was some confusion, most were very understanding. We’d just like to avoid any future issues. And, as usual, never hesitate to contact us if you have a question.
Thanks!
T
When we made the transition from the old Horror Mall set up (when we sold through Larry Roberts) to having our own store, things got confusing really fast. Mistakes were made and Billie and I were grateful that everyone was very understanding when there were some mix-ups with the numbers.Now that we’ve had several months and things have calmed down, there still seem to be some questions about how numbers are saved and kept. Here are a few things to remember when trying to get a number.
1. We currently have several different imprints:
Although some people have jumped onto the various imprints early, thus securing the same number in all the imprints, most have not. Your number in the Lettered Series might not be the same as your number in First Cut. If you have a number in one of these imprints, and you decide to start buying books from another, that’s fantastic! Just don’t expect to get the same number in the other series (although we’ll try our best). The current imprints are:
Lettered: (DIFFERENT SEASONS, HALF-SICK, SECRETS, SIDESHOW EXHIBITS)
First Cut: (BOOGALOOS, THE COMPANION, POSTCARDS FROM PURGATORY)
Chapbook: (LAYMON KIND OF NIGHT, BLACK BUTTERFLIES, THE AVIAN, THE CYESOLAGNIAC, THE REVEREND’S POWDER, FIONA AND GRAMS)
Dark Canvas: (DUST OF THE DEAD)
2. You’re only guaranteed a number if you have the previous book in the series.
For example, we are currently releasing the hardcover version of POSTCARDS FROM PURGATORY. Those who purchased the last book in the First Cut series, THE COMPANION, will have first dibs on securing their numbers. Once those orders are filled, then we can look at any requests.
So, if the last book you bought in the Lettered Series was HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS, you are not guaranteed that number for THE BRAINPAN CONCERTO.
3. We can’t hold numbers forever:
Believe me, Billie and I are very aware of who our loyal customers are, and we sometimes quietly keep certain numbers out of circulation for a while just in case someone missed a notice. Unfortunately, we can’t hold them forever. The best way to guarantee a number is to secure your copy during pre-orders. If we don’t have a pre-order, our general rule of thumb is to hold numbers for a week. After that, we need to get books back into circulation. If something comes up and you’re afraid that it might be more than a week before you can buy a book, always feel free to drop us a line.
4. We don’t match numbers from other publishers.
Please don’t tell us that your number for Cemetery Dance is 14, and you’d like that number. If we have it available, awesome. If we don’t, we’ll assign you another. Amazingly, we’ve actually had people miffed that we didn’t have “their” number. We try our best!
Anyhow, the vast majority of readers have been great, and even when there was some confusion, most were very understanding. We’d just like to avoid any future issues. And, as usual, never hesitate to contact us if you have a question.
Thanks!
T
