Timewaster's Guide Archive

General => Everything Else => Topic started by: Jelly_Belly on August 09, 2006, 06:59:35 PM

Title: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Jelly_Belly on August 09, 2006, 06:59:35 PM
So one of the other editors at TLE contacted some bookstores about selling the mag in their stores. Many seem interested, but want a proposal. We really don't want to come off as unprofessional, but we don't know what should be in such a proposal. We're going to do some research to figure this out (by talking with Mel Thorne and the BYU Bookstore and whatnot), but if any of you (*Jelly turns to Stacer) have any thoughts or knowledge on the subject, we could really use your help.

I know Stacer used to work at a bookstore (Barnes and Noble, was it?). But anyone who knows what would go in a good proposal, we could really use your advice.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Skar on August 09, 2006, 07:13:58 PM
You really want to get in contact with Diamante.  He works at a Waldens in Provo right now.  He's the one that arranged the pre-release signing with Brandon.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Nessa on August 09, 2006, 07:44:28 PM
Way back when we used to be able to get MediaPlay to take issues. You might consider contacting F.Y.E. too.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: stacer on August 09, 2006, 08:09:51 PM
Yeah, I wouldn't be your best contact in this case, but I'd definitely ask Mel and Diamante. You definitely want to do it on a store-by-store basis. B&N does allow the manager to do some local-interest kind of stuff locally, rather than being controlled by the national buyer, as far as I know, but when you get your proposal together, you'll want to talk to each manager individually.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Jelly_Belly on August 10, 2006, 11:57:46 AM
We've already talked to people at different bookstores and they said to draft a proposal and present it, so we're just wondering what we should include.

Diamante, help! Do you have any ideas of what should be in the proposal?
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Spriggan on August 10, 2006, 06:58:32 PM
It would probably be best to ask EUOL for his e-mail since I've never noticed him posting much outsite EUOL's forum.  

edit: I can see his e-mail in his profile, so check it, but I'm an admin I can see all e-mails so it could be hidden.  If it's hidden I'll PM you it.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Eric James Stone on August 10, 2006, 07:27:42 PM
It's not hidden -- that was how he had people contact him to reserve Mistborn copies.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: EUOL on August 10, 2006, 08:28:19 PM
I've seen the thread--I just don't know if I can offer anything useful to the discussion.  I don't know how to get books into bookstores--Tor does that for me.  
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Fellfrosch on August 11, 2006, 12:41:02 PM
What a braggart.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Shrain on August 14, 2006, 12:42:14 PM
Yeah. Do they cut off the crusts of your toast too??
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers on August 14, 2006, 01:11:50 PM
They do. It's in the contract. And it makes him frickin' AWESOME.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Shrain on August 14, 2006, 01:35:10 PM
Oh, I get it, heheh. That's *code* isn't it!
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Jelly_Belly on August 14, 2006, 02:26:22 PM
So I have another question. Covenant wants either an ISBN or UPC for us to sell through them.

Anyway, that reminded me of how previous staff members (some who may be here) tried to get an ISBN by changing the magazine to an anthology and I can't remember all the details of what they tried and why it didn't work out. That way, we don't have to go through that all over again--we'll know why it didn't work and what other avenues haven't been tried. Thanks.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Nessa on August 14, 2006, 02:41:56 PM
You'll want to talk to Ookla about that. He'd know. Here's a thread (http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=rantage;action=display;num=1129747589) with a little info.
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: stacer on August 14, 2006, 04:27:15 PM
Why would you need to change it to an anthology? Shouldn't it already have whatever ISBN-ish sort of number a magazine would have?
Title: Re: Proposals to Bookstores
Post by: Spriggan on August 14, 2006, 04:29:20 PM
As far as I was aware all you have to do is purchase the ISBN numbers, it didn't matter if you were an anthology.