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Printheads: Small press friendly stores (UK centric)

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  1.  (6659.1)
    Hello, hello,

    So I'm sitting here trying to think of stores to enquire about selling my small press stuff and I've hit a bit of a wall, as I can only really think of the following, lovely, brilliant shops...

    Page 45, Nottingham
    OK Comics, Leeds
    Dave's Comics, Brighton
    Gosh, London
    Orbital, London
    Travelling Man, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, York
    Nostalgia & Comics, Birmingham

    That's not a bad selection thinking about the state of the industry but I'm starting to question if that's really it in terms of Small Press friendly stores. I can't keep selling the same stock to the same customers so I need to think of other places to hit up. Have I missed anyone?

    Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly recieved.

    Marc Ellerby
    Comics and shop!
    Ellerbisms webcomic!
  2.  (6659.2)
    Dave from FutureQuake has mentioned that one of the Forbidden Planet's sell their stuff. They've even done a couple of write ups on their blog.
    It might be worth trying them.
  3.  (6659.3)
    If you're wanting to approach a new audience have you thought about submitting your work to Magma and getting distribution with all their UK stores? I think they would be interested in your comics and it certainly seems, to me, that you'd be reaching a different reader that way.

    Similarly, music shops like Rough Trade or The Chain With No Name? They might be worth a go.

    How about galleries too? Have you tried the ICA? I know they take some comics there (like Le Gun and Sturgeon White Moss).

    Also - Avalon Comics in Norwich are worth contacting. Small Press friendly and nice store.
  4.  (6659.4)
    Hey Tom,

    Magma have refused me in the past, so reluctant to try again. May try them once I get the Ellerbisms book collection sorted.

    Haven't tried Rough Trade, though I know Sheret has had some success there, might be worth popping in. I sorta want to try the Here Galleries but have heard mediocre things about them from one or two people..

    Will try and hit up Avalon, too. Thanks man!
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      CommentAuthortexture
    • CommentTimeAug 24th 2009
     (6659.5)
    Up in Edinburgh, it would be worth sending some copies to Deadhead Comics, on Candlemaker Row - the owner's name is Gav. It's a small store but has a dedicated clientele, and a special section for small press stuff. Also worth finding out about whether Analogue would take some... they have a few comics in the shop, and lots of zines. Best of luck Marc - I will buy one!
  6.  (6659.6)
    Much the same as texture here - Aberdeen, Asylum, a small store, owners name is Mike, dedicated clientele etc... I'm stopping by this evening, it's no trouble to ask - the answer will almost certainly be yes, though, as he stocks a selection of small print and indie books already. I suppose Plan 9 is a likely option too, on Rosemount Viaduct.

    How much help two names in Aberdeen are going to be, however, I don't know. Still, I'll buy anything that I don't already have. Good luck.
  7.  (6659.7)
    How much help two names in Aberdeen are going to be, however, I don't know.

    Anything helps, man. I used to hang around Aberdeen a few years back when I was dating a girl from there and the few comic shops that were up there were pretty decent. I'll certainly give them an email, much appreciated.

    Texture: Analogue seems really cool, and the sort of place I'd like to expand to, again I'll send them a mail, but first, ach, gotta draw some more Chloe Noonan...
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      CommentAuthorindysleaze
    • CommentTimeAug 24th 2009
     (6659.8)
    Close Encounters in Northampton are very receptive - just don't tell them you buy your comics off the web :)
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      CommentAuthorGekko
    • CommentTimeAug 24th 2009
     (6659.9)
    Hello British Whitechapelers. I'm taking my dad to Portsmouth tomorrow in search of an ancestor named Dorothy Patterson, but that's another story.
    That said, I wonder if you would recommend a comic shop in the vein of the ones you're talking about in this very thread.
    I'm leaving in 8 hours so I'd be glad to get a quick answer.
    In any case, thank you very much for your attention.
    • CommentAuthorPrestwick
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009 edited
     (6659.10)
    @Encephalo Ray:

    I can vouch for Asylum as well. 'Twas them and the tiny Forbidden Planet who helped scratch my itch when student loan payday came a knockin'!

    Buy your fix first and then retire to the Prince of Wales for a deserved pint of a Trade Winds. Bliss...
  11.  (6659.11)
    @Prestwick - Ah, the Prince of Wales... Best macaroni cheese in the city, I'd say. Apparently he's an old Navy cook, the guy who makes it all.

    That tiny Forbidden Planet is soon to be closed, it seems. Bloody shame, but a blessing at the same time - means the only comic stores in town are independents.
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      CommentAuthorLucifal
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
     (6659.12)
    My experiences of small press outlets? Take a look at the Murky Depths Stockists page.

    Page 45, Nottingham. Steve doesn't want to know Murky Depths - not for his clientèle. Strangely when Travelling Man were in Nottingham they used to sell their stock of Murky Depths every issue
    OK Comics, Leeds. They've been a great supporter of Murky Depths.
    Dave's Comics, Brighton. Haven't tried them yet.
    Gosh, London. They've changed their policy and don't do sale or return any more. They used to take Murky Depths but I rarely saw it on the shelves (it does help).
    Orbital, London. Probably the biggest supporter of small press in London that I know of. They not only take the latest issue of Murky Depths but always stock up on back issues too.
    Travelling Man, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, York. They all take Murky Depths.
    Nostalgia & Comics, Birmingham. Haven't tried them.

    The ICA wouldn't stock Murky Depths.

    Rough Trade and the like are good places to try.

    As for distribution companies they'll only take you when you're a success . . . but of course without them you don't get the coverage. Plus you'll only ever make money from a distribution company when your sales figures are soaring.

    And now for something completely different: I'm on the Bizarre Breasts panel at the next Eastercon.
    • CommentAuthorPrestwick
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
     (6659.13)
    @ Encephalo Ray: Awwww yeah, Prince of Wales, RGU Network Engineer's official bolthole. You want to find a Network Engineering student? You'll find him at the PoW.

    While I am gutted at the loss of Lonely Planet, as I found when I moved back home to Essex, LP isn't London's only place and thank god for GOSH! and Orbital.
    • CommentAuthorEmperor
    • CommentTimeAug 29th 2009
     (6659.14)
    It would be worth taking up the Nostalgia & Comics offer - as far as I'm aware this similar to the deal that the FutureQuake boys had with Forbidden Planet (who own N&C). It sounds like if there is enough interest (from creators and buyers) then they could make a small press section and one would imagine FP taking an interest too, so who knows?

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