Test run of my 89 brand
Last year, when I was regrouping over the loss my promised publishing contract, I took a day off and went to Mt. Pleasant to see my friend Reed Thomas‘s ranch in the winter. I made some photos that day, one of which we used for the Cowboy Expo and another that made it into the book. He also helped me commission a brand from his brand-maker, Dan Oldroyd. I did not, however, show the brand Dan made for me: 89, of course. The idea was to create a limited edition cover for a small run of books. That didn’t happen (yet), and I learned anyway that what I need is an electric brand. What Dan made for me is known as a “wall-hanger” and I proudly hang it near my fireplace. I don’t have any cattle to brand, but I probably ought to register the brand, just in case, now that I own a micro-ranch in southern Utah.
The word on the book has been getting out:
- Guy Tal wrote a review that made me swoon;
- Patti Digh said some really nice things too
- I recorded the Adorama TechTock podcast. That was really fun. Jack Howard and I talked about my take as a new publisher on the future of photobooks in the digital age.
The week since the pallets arrived has been crazy. I had wanted the books to arrive a lot earlier, so I could get my well-laid marketing plans activated in time for the holidays. But there’s a saying that you can have two out of three: quality, speed and price. I chose to compromise on speed, and it was the right decision. The books will sell at the various tourist destinations this summer, and I’ve been busy enough shipping the (many!) direct sales that have come in.
I started a list of retailers who are carrying the book on the Sagebrush Press page. A note about Amazon: they have not yet ordered a stock of copies for their warehouse, and have it listed as “out of stock.” When you order from them, they order from me and I fulfill their wholesale order promptly so they can ship it to you. Once the book gets a track record, they will keep a couple copies on hand. I’m not sure how they measure the value of their warehouse space, but it’s probably in millimeters on the shelf.
In 2010 I will be ramping up the wholesale to tourism retailers part of my marketing plan, and doing some book signings. If you have contacts at retailers on Highway 89, please put them in touch with me. I am so excited about getting back out on the road to share the stories I found on this great highway.
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2 Comments
Yeah, I *totally* want one of the limited edition cover books (should you make them).
Oh, yeah! Put me on the list for the limited edition cover books. Absolutely a must-have!