After quite a while resting on my more or less laurels (past listings) it's time to get a move on and put up some more listings. My goal is five books every day from now on. This should be achievable, but not according to my past performance.

These books get listed in three places: on Amazon, Biblio, and Half. Books without ISBNs (older books) generally will not be listed on half. My prices might vary between these three places. Amazon and Half tell me competing prices, so I peg mine on them. Thus, if the lowest price for Deadly Percheron is $98 on Amazon, I might peg mine at $95. If it weren't my only copy maybe I'd be more reasonable. In fact, I think my Biblio listing is more reasonable.

Going forward (and possibly backward), links to titles of books will send you to the main Amazon listing. My listing will be somewhere amidst the other maybe 237 listings. This is where my photo of the book can be seen, which will probably be a better one than the one Amazon features. Half doesn't let me attach my own photo—at least I don't think it does. Photos are also at biblio. Lots of older listings still don't have photos. Nor updated prices.

I've been lousy at selling direct via email. Sorry about that, if you've tried me. Listing through the major portals keeps me honest—also prompt and reliable.

Monday, September 29, 2003

09/29/03 MON:
---Hopefully my guilty conscience about all the things in my line-up of things to do will spur me to become diligent starting today. I just threw up shell postings for the past week. I do have material to fill in with, but that will have to wait, at least for now.


09/28/03 SUN:
---Picked up three heavy boxes of books on half-price day at the big Planned Parenthood book sale last day. Not much I could have said I was looking for, but lots of finds. About 40% to go in the catalog, the rest are things that looked like they would otherwise be of interest. Usually I take such books and put them away in boxes, to be re-found again at some future date. Lots of those boxes in storage now, but the ones here for supposed consignment sales claim greater priority.


09/27/03 SAT:
---Text to follow?

09/26/03 FRI:
---Text to follow?

09/25/03 THU:
---Books from Ash-Tree now here:
Hodgson, William Hope THE GHOST PIRATES, Ash-Tree Paperbacks Classic Macabre '03, (A.F. Kidd intro), new 21.00

Quinn, Seabury NIGHT CREATURES, Ash-Tree '03, 1st, (stories), new in dj 46.50

09/24/03 WED:
---Text to follow?

09/23/03 TUE:
---Text to follow?

Monday, September 22, 2003

09/22/03 MON:
---CD COMP 8:
You Dropped A Bomb On Me 5:13 Gap Band 20th Century Masters Collection R&B
I'm Just Me 2:22 Charley Pride Country Legends Country 2000
Fool For Your Love 3:20 Neil Young Road Rock, Vol. 1: Friends & Relatives Rock 2000
Why Is That? 3:56 Krs-One(Bdp) A Retrospective Hip Hop/Rap 2000
It's So Fine 2:12 Jackie Wilson Magic Collection R&B
Scrapple From The Apple 2:57 Charlie Parker Ken Burns Jazz Jazz 2000
Booty 4:04 Erykah Badu Mama's Gun R&B 2001
Kool G. Rap & M.O.P. 4:27 Various Artists Lyricist Lounge 2 Hip Hop/Rap 2000
Telephone Road 3:52 Rodney Crowell The Houston Kid Country 2001
Mass Romantic 4:04 New Pornographers Mass Romantic Alternative & Punk 2000
Brutal 4:07 The Itals Itals-Brutal Out Deh World 1981
Don't Be Light 6:19 AIR 10,000 Hz Legend Electronica/Dance 2001
What A Little Moonlight Can Do 2:59 Billie Holiday Ken Burns Jazz Jazz 2000
Warriorz 4:43 M.O.P. Warriorz Hip Hop/Rap 2000
What Cheer Road 3:53 Roger Lasley WHAT CHEER ROAD
Shiny Stockings 3:32 Ella Fitzgerald Ken Burns Jazz: Ella Fitzgerald Jazz 2000
Dragging My Own Tombstone 3:44 Waco Brothers Electric Waco Chair Country
I Get The Job Done 5:29 Big Daddy Kane 2001-The Very Best Of Hip Hop/Rap
King Of All The World 2:52 Old 97's Satellite Rides (Disc 1) Alternative & Punk 2001
09/21/03 SUN:
---Interesting to see Neil’s picture on the Howard Dean Blog for America website. Good to get an inkling what all that all-night keyboard clatter was all about all summer. The sympatico programming crew profiled there makes me feel bad his on-line meetings were frequently stymied by our puny dial-up AOL internet connection; and by how hot it would get in his upstairs room, where despite central air in the house, it would be more like an attic sauna after days on end in the upper nineties. Unfit for computers and people trying to write code, but great to see how it may have been worthwhile. I just hope he doesn’t crash and burn thinking he can continue to usurp the basic principles of human sleep need.

09/20/03 SAT:
---Text to follow?
09/19/03 FRI:
---Emailing from Night Shade on status of their doings:
“Howdy all!

Busy season is upon us, and we've got a whole pile of goodies for you.

We're currently shipping three news titles:

Midnight Sun - Karl Edward Wagner. Our long-overdue collection of Kane stories is now shipping. The trade is available now, and the limited (which is sold out) should start shipping in a couple of weeks.

The Empress of Mars - Kage Baker. A cool novella set in and around a bar on Mars, with a cool afterword by Kage. The limited is shipping now (and is selling quickly), the lettered will probably be a couple of weeks.

IN & OZ - Steve Tomasula. A Ministry of Whimsy title, and the first hardcover title from the Ministry. IN & OZ is a novel of art, love, auto mechanics, and two places: the actualities of the here and now and the desire for somewhere better. You can't go wrong for $25!

And we're not done yet! We've got several more titles coming very soon:

The Stormwatcher - Graham Joyce. A Graham Joyce novel, what else needs saying? Starts shipping around the 25th.

The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric and Discredited Diseases - ed. by Jeff VanderMeer and Mark Roberts, with contributions by Alan Moore, China Mieville, Michael Moorcock, Neil Gaiman, Jeff Ford, Kage Baker, Steve Rasnic Tem, and about 60 other people. The trade starts shipping the first week of October. The limited is still waiting on signatures, so probably won't ship until November.

Bubba Ho-Tep - Joe R. Lansdale & Don Coscarelli. Bubba will start shipping around the 15th of October, and is selling *very* well. It probably won't be sold out on publication, but it's looking like it'll be sold out very shortly thereafter.

Red World of Polaris - Clark Ashton Smith. This is finally at the printer, and should ship not too long after Bubba. We haven't got a ship date yet, but should have one shortly. This one is already out of print, so contact one of the dealers on our Links page and get your order in soon!

After that, we're taking a break for a few weeks, but look for the second Hodgson volume in November.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we'll start revealing the 2004 schedule, so keep an eye on the site.

That's it for now,

Jason Williams
Night Shade Books
www.nightshadebooks.com”

---Disc Log:
- Handel CONCERTO GROSSI Op. 6 (3CD)
- Air 10,000 Hz LEGEND
- Etta James/Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson THE LATE SHOW (Xgau: B Plus)
- Neil Young ARE YOU PASSIONATE? (Xgau: HM***)

Thursday, September 18, 2003

09/18/03 THU:
---Text to follow?
09/17/03 WED:
---Getting ready to send an order to Gauntlet for IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE by Ray Bradbury and perhaps some other books. And to Meisha Merlin for KEDRIGERN CHRONICLES vol. 2 by John Morressy, along with other titles. Also, I need to get an order to NESFA Press.

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

09/16/03 TUE:
---I just googled myself and see this weblog atop the second screenful of findings. Also, I find a college tennis player who is my namesake. I hope he doesn’t go into the book business, unless he wants to take over this one. My old AOL website which I am scared to visit is up there as the top finding. It must be growing hair. I should do something else with it. It should at least have my correct email address, if anyone wants to contact me.


09/15/03 MON:
---Here today:
Tomasula, Steve IN & OZ, Ministry of Whimsy/Night Shade '03, new in dj 25.00

Wagner, Karl Edward MIDNIGHT SUN: The Complete Stories of Kane, Night Shade '03, 1st edn, (companion to Gods In Darkness, which collects the novels), new in dj 35.00

---My 54th birthday is today. I celebrated by running eight miles. I started out thinking it would be the usual five-miler, but I got an early start and the morning was cooler and crisper than it has been in a long time, so I decided to stretch it to my current longer run of 6.5 miles, turning around at the quarter-mile marker by the Saylorville-Lake marina. And coming back I decided to bypass the turnoff for home and run three more quarter-mile markers, adding yet another 1.5 miles. I figured I better try to stretch out the run so I would be sure to take a day off tomorrow. These nice fall days it is hard to go down into the cellar to work. Much easier to go for a run.

---Disc Log:
- Cedell Davis and Friends WHEN LIGHTNIN’ STRUCK THE PINE (Xgau: B Plus)
- Duke Ellington and Ray Brown THIS ONE’S FOR BLANTON (Xgau: A Minus)
09/14/03 SUN:
---Rec’d an email from Gauntlet soliciting orders for:
“RICHARD MATHESON'S KOLCHAK SCRIPTS NOW AT THE PRINTER
FOR LATE-NOVEMBER PUBLICATION

We are now taking orders for Richard Matheson's Kolchak Scripts which is at the printers for a late-November release. The 408 page 8 x 11 book includes three never before published Kolchak scripts penned by Matheson: "The Night Stalker" and "The Night Strangler" ABC-TV Movies of the Week which led to the Kolchak series, and "The Night Killers" which was to be a third Movie of the Week and remains optioned by Dan Curtis. Acclaimed Kolchak chronicler Mark Dawidziak edited the book and spoke with, among others, Matheson, Dan Curtis, Kolchak creator Jeff Rice and co-author of "The Night Killers" William F. Nolan. X-Files creator Chris Carter provides an afterword. The book includes over 30 illustrations (many of them never-before published from the archives of Dan Curtis and private collectors). The lettered edition contains an additional 8 never-before published illustrations.

The book comes in two states:

500 copy signed numbered edition (signed by Matheson)
52 copy lettered edition (signed by Matheson, Dan Curtis, William F. Nolan and editor Mark Dawidziak). The book will be housed in a lavish tri-fold traycase (similar to that used for PRIDE) and will contain a copy of a page from "The Night Killers" script signed by Matheson. Each lettered edition will contain a DIFFERENT page from the script, adding to its collectibility.

We had to negotiate the rights to publish this book with ABC-TV (among others) and can publish no more than the 500 numbered and 52 lettered copies. Kolchak fans have already purchased a portio of our print run.”

---Cost of the numbered edition is $150 or $125 if pre-ordered. The lettered edition is $750 (get from publisher, or try me with a $25 discount).

---Disc Log:
- Purcell SONNATAS OF III PARTS Volumes 2 & 3 (2CD)
- Johannes Ockeghem MISSA AU TRAVAIL SUIS

09/13/03 SAT:
---Rec’d an email solicitation from Delirium Books, which I have not been carrying very much:
“Dear Bookseller,

As of this year, Delirium Books has become one of the leading specialty
press publishers in the horror genre. I've just announced that Delirium
Books will no longer deal with BN.com and Amazon.com, or any other corporate
chain bookstores. Instead, 100% of Delirium's focus is sales through
independent booksellers like yourself. As now is the prime time to invest
in stocking Delirium titles and an important time for Delirium to make new
connections with independent booksellers, like yourself, I ask that you
please look over the information below and let me know your stance on
possibly stocking some of Delirium titles.

I have listed below a number of reasons why you, as a bookseller, could
benefit from stocking these titles:

Shipping is free for all media mail shipments. Delirium now packages its
books in custom-made re-inforced boxes, wrapping books in bubble wrap for
safe shipping. Delirium assumes all expenses on damaged books in freight
and will replace them free of charge.

Delirium Books no longer deals direct with the corporate chain
bookstores such as Borders, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com. So the
majority of books are sold through indie booksellers. Furthermore, Delirium
promotes sales through indie booksellers first and foremost, placing lists
of active booksellers in all ads placed in magazines. The Delirium Books'
website also has an extensive listing of booksellers, their web address and
other contact information for ordering direct. Each month, we put out a
newsletter that goes out to over 1200 subscribers which we include a
featured bookseller's section (one different bookseller gets the spotlight
here and on the main page of the website).

Collectibility. Delirium titles are of the highest in collectibility,
due to both smaller print runs (generally from 300-500 limited editions), as
well as having a cast of authors who have become both rising stars and
mainstays in the genre. These talents include Brian Lumley, Douglas Clegg,
William F. Nolan, Jack Ketchum, Brian Keene, Tom Piccirilli, Charlee Jacob,
Jeffrey Thomas, David B. Silva and others. Each limited edition is signed
and numbered.

Product. Delirium Books' prides itself on producing its books at one of
the highest quality standards in the small press. Each regular limited
edition hardcover has acid-free pages and end papers, includes full color
dust jackets which are laminated and also acid-free. The binding to these
limited HCs is top-grade vellum stock, ultra-bound with the spine notched
and co-polynmer threaded through the spine to strengthen the binding.
Deluxe books are printed with acid-free papers and end papers, the binding
is made of genuine soft black leather which is manually over-sewn to insure
attractiveness and also durability. Foil stamp designs grace both editions
(lim. HC and deluxe leather-bound). More on the product we offer can be
found at: http://www.deliriumbooks.com/bindspecs.htm.

Delirium works with each individual bookseller to help them sell books.
From creating custom fliers to posters to providing actual upright diplays
for physical bookstores, we work for the bookseller to help you move our
titles more effectively.

Please take a minute and check out Delirium's website at:
http://www.deliriumbooks.com. Forthcoming titles in the hardcover book line
include The Attraction by Douglas Clegg, All the Lonely People by David B.
Silva, Honey Is Sweeter Than Blood by Jeffrey Thomas and Brian Keene's Fear
of Gravity
.

We also publish one of the most successful book collectors' series called
The Ultra Line. Each book in this series is limited to 26-52 copies only,
the books bound in genuine leather, encased in a beautiful genuine leather
hinged box. Titles are available to customers on a reservation period of 90
days. Optional inscriptions are included with orders and customer's names
get placed directly on the special thanks page, bound in these editions.
The current title up for reservation is Sixteen Sucking Stories by Brian
Lumley. Future titles will include works by Douglas Clegg, James Morrow,
William F. Nolan and many more.

Lots more on the website, including the Dark Essentials Series and the Dark
Homage
Series.

Sincerely,
Shane Staley
Editor-in-Chief
Delirium Books”

---Disc Log:
- THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL HIP-HOP (Xgau: A Minus)
- ELECTRIC HIGHLIFE: Sessions From the Bokoor Studios (Xgau: A)

Friday, September 12, 2003

09/12/03 FRI:
---Am posting entry for 08/26/03 now, and will try "Post Options" to see if I can make it look like it was actually posted on that day.

---On second thought, since I get the choice of organizing by date posted and date created I better not fool with the Post Options just yet, so things won't get out of order. Realize that posts for days may not have actually been put up until a few day later, even the stopgap "Text later?".

09/11/03 THU:
---Text to follow?
09/10/03 WED:
---Text to follow?

Tuesday, September 9, 2003

09/09/03 TUE:
---I am now posting a measly entry for 08/01/03 (with newly-then-arrived Bison and PS Publishing books).
09/08/03 MON:
---Text to follow?
09/07/03 SUN:
---Text to follow?
09/06/03 SAT:
---Text to follow?

Friday, September 5, 2003

09/05/03 FRI:
---Text to follow?
09/04/03 THU:
---Text to follow?
09/03/03 WED:
---Catalogued today:
Gaiman, Neil AMERICAN GODS, Perennial ‘03, (winner of the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and Bram Stoker Awards), {hc in dj still avail. @ $26}, new 14.95

Haldeman, Joe THE FOREVER WAR, Eos '03, 1st thus, (author's preferred edn), new 13.95

Henderson, C.J. THE OCCULT DETECTIVES OF…, Marietta ('03), 1st, new 15.99

Priest, Cherie FOUR AND TWENTY BLACKBIRDS, Marietta ('03), 1st, (novel plus bonus short story: "Horror at Snodgrass Hill"; author's first), new 13.99

Tepper, Sheri S. THE COMPANIONS, Eos '03, 1st edn, new in dj 25.95

Webb, Wendy LAST RESORT: A Beluga Stein Mystery, Marietta ('03), 1st, new 13.99

---Back in stock:
DARK DIXIE ANTHOLOGY III, Marietta ('97), 1st, (Tales of SF & Horror), new 5.00

Gehweiler, Bruce R. (ed) FRONTIERS OF TERROR, Marietta '02, 1st edn, (ride along on cutting edge of dark fantasy with today's most exciting authors), new 17.99
---(ed) NEW MYTHOS LEGENDS, Marietta ('02), {hc in dj available @ $25}, new 17.99

Price, Robert M. (ed) LIN CARTER'S ANTON ZARNAK: Supernatural Sleuth, Marietta ('02), 1st, (all of Carter's Zarnak stories plus all of those tales written by others), new 19.99

---Just received a well-deserved chew-out call from someone I need to send some books to, but first I need to catalogue a consignment-box of books he sent way too long ago. This kind of secondary-to-cash transaction continually gets sent to the back seat. There is always a full load in the passenger seat, so I never seem to get around to it. Certainly I could do it if I would watch fewer DVDs or read fewer magazines or spent less time in otherwise foolish pursuits.

---Disc Log:
- François-Joseph Gossec SYMPHONIES
- COLOMBIA (Xgau: A Minus)
- Rodney Crowell THE HOUSTON KID (Xgau: A Minus)

09/02/03 TUE:
---Text to follow?
09/01/03 MON:
---Text to follow?
08/31/03 SUN:
---Text to follow?

Blog Archive

Chris Drumm Books notes

Locus Online Blinks

Used books, out-of-print books, rare books at Biblio