Comments on: New Diamond policies expected to have massive effects http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:01:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: safe and sunday « under the haystack http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3546820 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:21:42 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3546820 [...] ○ little mocca’s all growed up, and there were growing pains to be sure, as well as a perceivable decline in the impulsive homespun energy that has characterized its youth.  but in its place was something else, a compelling sense that the institution of alternative comics is a stabler, more solid one than we’d previously thought it; that, despite tough times all around and diamond douchebaggery, our little corner of the world is secure. [...] […] ○ little mocca’s all growed up, and there were growing pains to be sure, as well as a perceivable decline in the impulsive homespun energy that has characterized its youth.  but in its place was something else, a compelling sense that the institution of alternative comics is a stabler, more solid one than we’d previously thought it; that, despite tough times all around and diamond douchebaggery, our little corner of the world is secure. […]

]]> by: Previews Reviews: August 2009 | Big Shiny Robot! http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3535590 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:02:19 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3535590 [...] Remember, no retailer can afford to order everything that is solicited every month, so letting your favored store know that you’re interested in a certain title will go a long way toward ensuring that it recieves the appropriate attention. Otherwise, it might not get ordered, and, thanks to Diamond’s new cut-off policies, it might never come out at all. [...] […] Remember, no retailer can afford to order everything that is solicited every month, so letting your favored store know that you’re interested in a certain title will go a long way toward ensuring that it recieves the appropriate attention. Otherwise, it might not get ordered, and, thanks to Diamond’s new cut-off policies, it might never come out at all. […]

]]> by: selling your small press comic | ventedspleen blog http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3346533 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:39:17 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3346533 [...] Most comic stores will probably take your comics on a sale-or-return basis and take somewhere between 20-30%. I can’t speak for the rest of the UK but in London, with McForbidden Planet generally only taking comics distributed through Diamond (which is an entirely different headache) and places like Comicana focusing more on back issue trade, the only viable, centrally located shops are Gosh! and Orbital Comics. Here, in my experience, is how they treat small press material: [...] […] Most comic stores will probably take your comics on a sale-or-return basis and take somewhere between 20-30%. I can’t speak for the rest of the UK but in London, with McForbidden Planet generally only taking comics distributed through Diamond (which is an entirely different headache) and places like Comicana focusing more on back issue trade, the only viable, centrally located shops are Gosh! and Orbital Comics. Here, in my experience, is how they treat small press material: […]

]]> by: boy blue productions :: news http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3342431 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:17:08 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3342431 [...] :: little mocca’s all growed up, and there were growing pains to be sure, as well as a perceivable decline in the impulsive homespun energy that has characterized its youth.  but in its place there was something else, a compelling sense that the institution of alternative comics is a stabler, more solid one than we’d previously thought it; that, despite tough times all around and diamand douchebaggery, our little corner of the world is secure. [...] […] :: little mocca’s all growed up, and there were growing pains to be sure, as well as a perceivable decline in the impulsive homespun energy that has characterized its youth.  but in its place there was something else, a compelling sense that the institution of alternative comics is a stabler, more solid one than we’d previously thought it; that, despite tough times all around and diamand douchebaggery, our little corner of the world is secure. […]

]]> by: Comics Should Be Good! @ Comic Book Resources » Is Diamond Comics the Devil? http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3213948 Wed, 06 May 2009 03:50:27 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3213948 [...] That’s the numbers part of it (although, as noted, I can’t find how much Diamond pays the publishers). Back when the new benchmark was announced, several people had apocalyptic things to say about the new policy. Heidi McDonald and Johanna Draper Carlson brought it up, while Tom Spurgeon published a letter sent to him by Dan Vado, the owner of SLG (ironically, SLG will be important later in this post). Vado predicts that Marvel and DC, which have a different relationship with Diamond due to their size, might be the only publishers to survive. He also points out that books don’t have to hit the benchmark every time, but if they consistently fall short, Diamond will kick them to the curb. Initial orders are given a lower threshold, but Diamond insists that the book move more copies or it will drop it from the catalog. Simon Jones breaks it down pretty well: Comic Ace issue #1 has a cover price of $5, and retailers order 1000 copies, putting its retail value at $5000. It surpasses both the sales threshhold and the purchase order minimum. A purchase order for 1000 copies is issued by Diamond, and Comic Ace issue #2 appears in the next Previews catalog. [...] […] That’s the numbers part of it (although, as noted, I can’t find how much Diamond pays the publishers). Back when the new benchmark was announced, several people had apocalyptic things to say about the new policy. Heidi McDonald and Johanna Draper Carlson brought it up, while Tom Spurgeon published a letter sent to him by Dan Vado, the owner of SLG (ironically, SLG will be important later in this post). Vado predicts that Marvel and DC, which have a different relationship with Diamond due to their size, might be the only publishers to survive. He also points out that books don’t have to hit the benchmark every time, but if they consistently fall short, Diamond will kick them to the curb. Initial orders are given a lower threshold, but Diamond insists that the book move more copies or it will drop it from the catalog. Simon Jones breaks it down pretty well: Comic Ace issue #1 has a cover price of $5, and retailers order 1000 copies, putting its retail value at $5000. It surpasses both the sales threshhold and the purchase order minimum. A purchase order for 1000 copies is issued by Diamond, and Comic Ace issue #2 appears in the next Previews catalog. […]

]]> by: COLD HEAT 5/6 by Ben Jones & Frank Santoro | ARTHUR MAGAZINE - WE FOUND THE OTHERS http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3125731 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:26:38 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3125731 [...] Did you hear the news earlier this year?  Comic books are dead.  But the the first rule of comics, if there are any rules at all, is that no one stays dead in comics.  So no one really expected comics to stay dead for long did they? [...] […] Did you hear the news earlier this year?  Comic books are dead.  But the the first rule of comics, if there are any rules at all, is that no one stays dead in comics.  So no one really expected comics to stay dead for long did they? […]

]]> by: Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Interview: Box Brown’s Excellent Adventure http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3116205 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:51:58 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3116205 [...] Just to give a little context, as all of us swimming in comics are aware, Diamond is the one big distributor of comics which handles all the big publishers as well as smaller publishers. What’s happened is that, due to the recession, Diamond needs to cut back on what books it will distribute and so has set a pretty high benchmark on pre-orders from comics retailers. If a comic doesn’t get enough pre-orders, it won’t be distributed. Not a problem for big publishers. A problem for everyone else. You can get the full story on Diamond from Heidi MacDonald over at The Beat. [...] […] Just to give a little context, as all of us swimming in comics are aware, Diamond is the one big distributor of comics which handles all the big publishers as well as smaller publishers. What’s happened is that, due to the recession, Diamond needs to cut back on what books it will distribute and so has set a pretty high benchmark on pre-orders from comics retailers. If a comic doesn’t get enough pre-orders, it won’t be distributed. Not a problem for big publishers. A problem for everyone else. You can get the full story on Diamond from Heidi MacDonald over at The Beat. […]

]]> by: Print Cartoonists declare Armageddon; Microsoft opens up Infinite Canvas | applications | http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3078388 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:34:34 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3078388 [...] And add this to the recent news of Diamond Distribution raising the entry bar for niche comics — from $1500 minimum sales to retain a place in their catalogue, to $2500 minimum, per issue (wholesale!) This “new threshold” will — wait for it… “annihilate many of the smallest publishers and keep a lot of new ones out of Previews [...] the single biggest event since Diamond became the monopoly that ruled comics“. [...] […] And add this to the recent news of Diamond Distribution raising the entry bar for niche comics — from $1500 minimum sales to retain a place in their catalogue, to $2500 minimum, per issue (wholesale!) This “new threshold” will — wait for it… “annihilate many of the smallest publishers and keep a lot of new ones out of Previews […] the single biggest event since Diamond became the monopoly that ruled comics“. […]

]]> by: Print Cartoonists declare Armageddon; Microsoft opens up Infinite Canvas | iphones | http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3078377 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:28:00 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3078377 [...] And add this to the recent news of Diamond Distribution raising the entry bar for niche comics — from $1500 minimum sales to retain a place in their catalogue, to $2500 minimum, per issue (wholesale!) This “new threshold” will — wait for it… “annihilate many of the smallest publishers and keep a lot of new ones out of Previews [...] the single biggest event since Diamond became the monopoly that ruled comics“. [...] […] And add this to the recent news of Diamond Distribution raising the entry bar for niche comics — from $1500 minimum sales to retain a place in their catalogue, to $2500 minimum, per issue (wholesale!) This “new threshold” will — wait for it… “annihilate many of the smallest publishers and keep a lot of new ones out of Previews […] the single biggest event since Diamond became the monopoly that ruled comics“. […]

]]> by: Diamond’s changes to affect comics publishers http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3072419 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:35:01 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-3072419 [...] changes to affect comics publishers Commenta 20th January , 2009 main storyhere [...] […] changes to affect comics publishers Commenta 20th January , 2009 main storyhere […]

]]> by: comiccorey http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2992091 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:15:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2992091 Why doesn't Diamond just list the comics that don't meet the benchmark online on their site or just list everything online. That way they wouldn't have to publish a huge book every month. Why doesn’t Diamond just list the comics that don’t meet the benchmark online on their site or just list everything online. That way they wouldn’t have to publish a huge book every month.

]]> by: rob allan falls http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2986905 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 04:01:26 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2986905 why haven't you mentioned the mysterious woodsman-another independent? why haven’t you mentioned the mysterious woodsman-another independent?

]]> by: boomvavavoom http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2977181 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:17:03 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2977181 well...that is one creepy look at the future! a] I do wish that a delegation from Indie publishers would go into the office of Diamond and have an intensive talk about this b] I wish someone would go to Diamond with this BEAT-article and let them respond intensively about that situation c] I think and hope that HAVEN will get bigger and bigger and then Diamond can have DC/Marvel and Haven all the others! What I am personally am afraid of is loosing my current reader stuff. I am one that likes Marvel over DC, but mainly stick with Indie-titles like (duh) Nocs, Vampirella, Cavewoman, Witchblade, She-Buccaneer, Hotwire, Hack/Slash, Tarot witch of the black rose, Terry Moore's Echo, Fathom, Red Sonja, Elephantmen, Beyond Wonderland... I am worried about the fact that my retailer most likely (here in the Netherlands) will not order via Haven and thus I won't be able to get future issues of my beloved titles. Aside from my personal loss, I think this eventually will make the comic industry pretty "gray" with all those happy Independent colors, and that will eventually also affect the Big Houses I think. well…that is one creepy look at the future!

a] I do wish that a delegation from Indie publishers would go into the office of Diamond and have an intensive talk about this
b] I wish someone would go to Diamond with this BEAT-article and let them respond intensively about that situation
c] I think and hope that HAVEN will get bigger and bigger and then Diamond can have DC/Marvel and Haven all the others!

What I am personally am afraid of is loosing my current reader stuff.
I am one that likes Marvel over DC, but mainly stick with Indie-titles like (duh) Nocs, Vampirella, Cavewoman, Witchblade, She-Buccaneer, Hotwire, Hack/Slash, Tarot witch of the black rose, Terry Moore’s Echo, Fathom, Red Sonja, Elephantmen, Beyond Wonderland…

I am worried about the fact that my retailer most likely (here in the Netherlands) will not order via Haven and thus I won’t be able to get future issues of my beloved titles.

Aside from my personal loss, I think this eventually will make the comic industry pretty “gray” with all those happy Independent colors, and that will eventually also affect the Big Houses I think.

]]> by: mr bean http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2969725 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:11:15 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2969725 Fools : Don't you see that Diamond is doing this (under the guise of economics) for a very simple reason : mind control. If the independents with alternative views on life (think Planetary, gee what happened to that?) are squelched, then the consumer will just have to graze at the same old d.c marvel smorgous board with the same uniform messages. DC and Marvel are run by big corporations that take their orders from their illuminati reptilian shifting puppet masters. Fools : Don’t you see that Diamond is doing this (under the guise of economics) for a very simple reason : mind control. If the independents with alternative views on life (think Planetary, gee what happened to that?) are squelched, then the consumer will just have to graze at the same old d.c marvel smorgous board with the same uniform messages. DC and Marvel are run by big corporations that take their orders from their illuminati reptilian shifting puppet masters.

]]> by: mr bean http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2969724 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:10:25 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2969724 Fools : Don't you see that Diamond is doing this (under the guise of economics) for a very simple reason : mind control. If the independents with alternative views on life (think Planetary, gee what happened to that?) are squelched, then the consumer will just have to graze at the same old d.c marvel smorgous board with the same uniform messages. DC and Marvel are run by big corporations that take their orders from their illuminati reptilian shifting puppet masters. Fools : Don’t you see that Diamond is doing this (under the guise of economics) for a very simple reason : mind control. If the independents with alternative views on life (think Planetary, gee what happened to that?) are squelched, then the consumer will just have to graze at the same old d.c marvel smorgous board with the same uniform messages. DC and Marvel are run by big corporations that take their orders from their illuminati reptilian shifting puppet masters.

]]> by: Jeff Lafferty http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2965405 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:34:33 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2965405 I like how the first response immediately blames the economy. It seems to be the "be all, end all" excuse to treat people badly and lookout for number one these days. I have no love for Diamond and they are hurting the industry that actually supports them. I would love to see another option emerge that would give them a run for their money. Jeff I like how the first response immediately blames the economy. It seems to be the “be all, end all” excuse to treat people badly and lookout for number one these days. I have no love for Diamond and they are hurting the industry that actually supports them. I would love to see another option emerge that would give them a run for their money.

Jeff

]]> by: Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources - Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment » Diamond raises order threshold for publishers [Update] http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2958878 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:54:55 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2958878 [...] More coverage: • Simon Jones (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) • David Welsh • Tom Spurgeon’s initial report • Johanna Draper-Carlson • Heidi MacDonald [...] […] More coverage: • Simon Jones (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) • David Welsh • Tom Spurgeon’s initial report • Johanna Draper-Carlson • Heidi MacDonald […]

]]> by: rgbFilter » Print Cartoonists declare Armageddon; Microsoft opens up Infinite Canvas http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2903160 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:51:10 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2903160 [...] And add this to the recent news of Diamond Distribution raising the entry bar for niche comics — from $1500 minimum sales to retain a place in their catalogue, to $2500 minimum, per issue (wholesale!) This “new threshold” will — wait for it… “annihilate many of the smallest publishers and keep a lot of new ones out of Previews […] the single biggest event since Diamond became the monopoly that ruled comics“. [...] […] And add this to the recent news of Diamond Distribution raising the entry bar for niche comics — from $1500 minimum sales to retain a place in their catalogue, to $2500 minimum, per issue (wholesale!) This “new threshold” will — wait for it… “annihilate many of the smallest publishers and keep a lot of new ones out of Previews […] the single biggest event since Diamond became the monopoly that ruled comics“. […]

]]> by: The Pull List: last wk Jan 2009 « BW Media Spotlight http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2894537 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:31:12 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2894537 [...] Hopefully there’s an order form so I can get issue #1. With recent reports that Diamond is going to increase the required number of ordered comics, I fear this comic’s future chances of becoming a regular series. Sad to think a comic based on one of my favorite shows won’t get past the miniseries route, but even sadder that I may miss out on a first issue of another series. (The list of series I have that starts with #2 is short, but annoying.) [...] […] Hopefully there’s an order form so I can get issue #1. With recent reports that Diamond is going to increase the required number of ordered comics, I fear this comic’s future chances of becoming a regular series. Sad to think a comic based on one of my favorite shows won’t get past the miniseries route, but even sadder that I may miss out on a first issue of another series. (The list of series I have that starts with #2 is short, but annoying.) […]

]]> by: Gasping Like A Chub » Floating World Comics http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2888542 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:53:55 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2888542 [...] It’s ironic, just a few days after I sent my CATERER submission package to Diamond, to see if they would carry it in Previews, they made their announcement about raising sales benchmarks for indy publishers. But good reviews keep coming in. If that leads customers to ask their comic shops about it, and if those retailers then ask Diamond about it… then there’s a good chance Diamond will decide to carry it. [...] […] It’s ironic, just a few days after I sent my CATERER submission package to Diamond, to see if they would carry it in Previews, they made their announcement about raising sales benchmarks for indy publishers. But good reviews keep coming in. If that leads customers to ask their comic shops about it, and if those retailers then ask Diamond about it… then there’s a good chance Diamond will decide to carry it. […]

]]> by: Black and White Indie Filth | Web News Directory http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2888443 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:49:01 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2888443 [...] “It is going to be rough for us Top 20 publishers. It will be epic for anyone smaller. Lots of folks will vanish due to this, even some bigger guys.” - Hard times ahead for indie comics: Diamond Distribution, which has an effective monopoly on American comics distribution, will be raising it’s wholesale benchmark, meaning many of the comiocs currently available in comics stores will soon be dropped. In a further blow to the adult comics market Diamond will be dropping that section from the print version of Previews, in favour of a PDF only available to retailers. Comics are about to get a whole lot blander. [...] […] “It is going to be rough for us Top 20 publishers. It will be epic for anyone smaller. Lots of folks will vanish due to this, even some bigger guys.” - Hard times ahead for indie comics: Diamond Distribution, which has an effective monopoly on American comics distribution, will be raising it’s wholesale benchmark, meaning many of the comiocs currently available in comics stores will soon be dropped. In a further blow to the adult comics market Diamond will be dropping that section from the print version of Previews, in favour of a PDF only available to retailers. Comics are about to get a whole lot blander. […]

]]> by: The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log » Comic Economics: Diamond change their order threshold. The comic industry shudders…. http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2886025 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:51:12 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2886025 [...] The Beat: here, here, here, Comics Reporter: here, here, here. Rich Johnston: here. Newsarama: here, here. Comics Worth Reading: here. Comics Chronicle: here. And all of those have enough outward links to keep you reading all day on this subject. [...] […] The Beat: here, here, here, Comics Reporter: here, here, here. Rich Johnston: here. Newsarama: here, here. Comics Worth Reading: here. Comics Chronicle: here. And all of those have enough outward links to keep you reading all day on this subject. […]

]]> by: Strip News 1-23-09 — ArtPatient.com http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2881017 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:13:51 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2881017 [...] Moving day: Colleen Doran’s blog (with all of its information on agents and such) is changing location. Mark Waid now blogs from new digs and Kevin & Kell moves back in. Also, Google is migrating Feedburner accounts over to Google but at a Feedburner address. Confused? Here’s a post that explains what to do and what other folks have done when they ran into problems. We have until February 28th before accounts get deleted, so I’m going to hope that my Feedburner plugin updates itself before then. Another impactful moving is Diamond’s new policy - there’s more discussion than I can link to but try here, here, here, here, here, here and here for starters. And the Diamond response can be seen here. Nicely, Dreamchilde echoes my (now deleted) thoughts and adds some good ideas to them,too. But… Say Diamond implodes in the next few years, what hurdles are there in comics going direct from publisher to reader? And what other options are there for distributing your comic? Or finding a way to profit from the work that goes into them? Sure, you might think I am crazy for wanting to try something besides the tshirt-print-plush merchandising plan, but maybe you’ll consider this guy’s efforts before you dismiss the idea of looking elsewhere. [...] […] Moving day: Colleen Doran’s blog (with all of its information on agents and such) is changing location. Mark Waid now blogs from new digs and Kevin & Kell moves back in. Also, Google is migrating Feedburner accounts over to Google but at a Feedburner address. Confused? Here’s a post that explains what to do and what other folks have done when they ran into problems. We have until February 28th before accounts get deleted, so I’m going to hope that my Feedburner plugin updates itself before then. Another impactful moving is Diamond’s new policy - there’s more discussion than I can link to but try here, here, here, here, here, here and here for starters. And the Diamond response can be seen here. Nicely, Dreamchilde echoes my (now deleted) thoughts and adds some good ideas to them,too. But… Say Diamond implodes in the next few years, what hurdles are there in comics going direct from publisher to reader? And what other options are there for distributing your comic? Or finding a way to profit from the work that goes into them? Sure, you might think I am crazy for wanting to try something besides the tshirt-print-plush merchandising plan, but maybe you’ll consider this guy’s efforts before you dismiss the idea of looking elsewhere. […]

]]> by: Pop Culture News Roundup 01.23.09 | Face Rockery http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2880547 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:59:25 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2880547 [...] ITEM! Diamond Distribution adjusts its benchmark for products it will carry! I haven’t read all the blog posts that talk about this issue, but I did read some articles that explain the issue clearly. As far as I can tell, this will mostly affect the small press guys. I’m a mainstream whore so, yeah. It’s not the end of the world for me. [...] […] ITEM! Diamond Distribution adjusts its benchmark for products it will carry! I haven’t read all the blog posts that talk about this issue, but I did read some articles that explain the issue clearly. As far as I can tell, this will mostly affect the small press guys. I’m a mainstream whore so, yeah. It’s not the end of the world for me. […]

]]> by: Eva Hopkins http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2879118 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:23:44 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2879118 ..yeah, & it was damned nice to get a phone call from Diamond, as opposed to hearing about this after the fact. That much is true. ..yeah, & it was damned nice to get a phone call from Diamond, as opposed to hearing about this after the fact. That much is true.

]]> by: ComicNerd: Comic Book Reviews http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2878455 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:56:19 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2878455 [...] Is the title a little dramatic? Maybe, but today it has been ‘leaked’ from PublisherWeekly that Diamond is making some pretty serious changes to how they do business that will have a very serious impact on publishers, retailers and consumers. They did not issue an official statement, but have instead been phoning several publishers to inform them of the changes. [...] […] Is the title a little dramatic? Maybe, but today it has been ‘leaked’ from PublisherWeekly that Diamond is making some pretty serious changes to how they do business that will have a very serious impact on publishers, retailers and consumers. They did not issue an official statement, but have instead been phoning several publishers to inform them of the changes. […]

]]> by: SS Crompton http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2876992 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:26:30 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2876992 Many great comments up above. As the publisher of Carnal and artist for Demi the Demoness, we see this as a double punch for our adult comics line. Not only do we have to sell more comics to get Diamond to ship our books, (which they have been carrying for over 15 years) but they have taken away the only thing that let adult comic readers know what was coming out. Very few customers are going to go through the bother of asking the store clerk if they can log on and print out the Adult Previews pdf. I just have one question that have never been answered to my satisfaction: How will Diamond make more money by refusing to ship orders that don't reach their minimum? Suppose Walmart said that it was too much bother to sell anything that cost less than $2.99? So they take all the products out of Wal-mart that cost less than $2.99. Will Wal-mart make more money or less? I don't understand how not selling comics to people that want them (even in low quantities) makes Diamond more solvent. If they were well run, they ought to be able to sell one single comic to a store and make a profit. Tons of other distribution companies in other industries do this all the time (lcar parts for example) - why can't Diamond? Many great comments up above.
As the publisher of Carnal and artist for Demi the Demoness, we see this as a double punch for our adult comics line. Not only do we have to sell more comics to get Diamond to ship our books, (which they have been carrying for over 15 years) but they have taken away the only thing that let adult comic readers know what was coming out. Very few customers are going to go through the bother of asking the store clerk if they can log on and print out the Adult Previews pdf.

I just have one question that have never been answered to my satisfaction: How will Diamond make more money by refusing to ship orders that don’t reach their minimum?

Suppose Walmart said that it was too much bother to sell anything that cost less than $2.99? So they take all the products out of Wal-mart that cost less than $2.99. Will Wal-mart make more money or less? I don’t understand how not selling comics to people that want them (even in low quantities) makes Diamond more solvent.

If they were well run, they ought to be able to sell one single comic to a store and make a profit. Tons of other distribution companies in other industries do this all the time (lcar parts for example) - why can’t Diamond?

]]> by: Cary Coatney http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2876681 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:11:26 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2876681 One reason behind my outburst earlier in this post other than spousing the kneejerk reaction is that I'm really sick and tired of Diamond sending their pet monkeys at small indie shows such as APE to butter you up ( with complements and kudos on the great job you've done with the new issue, etc, etc ) for a sample copy of your book so that they can take it to their secret cabal AND have a committee decide on whether or not it gets inclusion in PREVIEWs or not. Two times in the past have I submitted the Deposit Man and twice I get the same bullshit answer of why they can't carry it because "we don't what genre to market it in or don't know how to explain it. But excuse me, isn't that my job to explain it to the buying public - to write the solicitation? I tell them it's simple: "The Deposit Man is the landlord of the afterlife. He evicts miscreants and misfits through the bad filing of paperwork. You could compare it to Spawn if he had starred in a situation comedy." I fail to see what's so hard to understand? I mean, if Harlan Ellison can read it, comprehend it and say nice things about it - shouldn't that alone be a shoo-in for the average consumer to make a informed decision to buy it or not?? And in a small useless conclusion, may Steve Geppi's scrotum contract Somalia poisoning and THEN rot and fall off. Thank you - you've been a great audience. ~ Coat One reason behind my outburst earlier in this post other than spousing the kneejerk reaction is that I’m really sick and tired of Diamond sending their pet monkeys at small indie shows such as APE to butter you up ( with complements and kudos on the great job you’ve done with the new issue, etc, etc ) for a sample copy of your book so that they can take it to their secret cabal AND have a committee decide on whether or not it gets inclusion in PREVIEWs or not. Two times in the past have I submitted the Deposit Man and twice I get the same bullshit answer of why they can’t carry it because “we don’t what genre to market it in or don’t know how to explain it.

But excuse me, isn’t that my job to explain it to the buying public - to write the solicitation?

I tell them it’s simple: “The Deposit Man is the landlord of the afterlife. He evicts miscreants and misfits through the bad filing of paperwork. You could compare it to Spawn if he had starred in a situation comedy.”

I fail to see what’s so hard to understand? I mean, if Harlan Ellison can read it, comprehend it and say nice things about it - shouldn’t that alone be a shoo-in for the average consumer to make a informed decision to buy it or not??

And in a small useless conclusion, may Steve Geppi’s scrotum contract Somalia poisoning and THEN rot and fall off.

Thank you - you’ve been a great audience.

~

Coat

]]> by: Will West http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2875406 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:15:32 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2875406 JM Ringuet: "Good" is subjective. Perhaps that's not the best word to use here. Maybe "familiar" or "tested" work better. You pointed out that retailers don't want to order after #1. That's the magic answer. Diamond serves *retailers*. If retailers are juggling orders based on speculator whim or word of mouth, Diamond is just filling orders accordingly. If your book doesn't sell, it's not because of Diamond (unless they lost a shipment, as you mention - accidents happen). If they decide not to carry your book, it's because it's too much of a financial risk. My argument, honestly, has nothing to do with the quality of the book itself. Yes, there is a lot of crap out there, but spun properly, it can still be mistaken for a rose. A lot of this is simply in the numbers. If you create a superhero comic, and you're not Marvel or DC, you're going to need to charge a higher price just to stay viable, due to lower print runs, limited budget, etc. Now, that brings the retailer/customer argument of "Why should I spend extra money on Superhero X when I know what I'm getting from Superman?" Sure, it's tired and it's limiting, but Superman is tried and tested. A retailer has an idea of how many Superman books he can push, and a customer pretty much knows what his investment is going to get him as well. Yes, this is sad and it's safe, but it's how the model works. I'll agree, most of the innovation has come from the small press. Everyone loves to use the TMNT example, but it's a good example. The problem is that surge left the door open, and the imitators screwed the pooch. It only takes a few bad apples to spoil the bunch, and that's what happened over time to the general image of newer publishers in the small press. Your book might be good, but retailers are wary because they took a chance on a similar book in the past and it didn't pay off. These are all just symptoms of the real problem. As grassroots as people love to be, until recently many people didn't seem to treat this as what it is: a *business*. Now, there are textbooks and college courses, but the deal with fewer newer publishers getting into Previews is that they really just don't always know what they're doing, be it a case of marketing, or having enough issues in the pipeline, or even understanding a publishing cycle. Honestly, it rarely has much to do with the comic itself, so it's not even a case of whether it's "good". Diamond may not have done the best job conveying all of that, but some might say that it's not Diamond's job to educate those who aren't in the know. You wouldn't take a test without studying, would you? Keep in mind, this argument pertains to newer publishers who are lamenting the barrier to entry. There are successful, tried & true independent publishers who are doing well, and they seem to have something in common - Diamond is a portion of their business and not *all* of their business. JM Ringuet: “Good” is subjective. Perhaps that’s not the best word to use here. Maybe “familiar” or “tested” work better. You pointed out that retailers don’t want to order after #1. That’s the magic answer. Diamond serves *retailers*. If retailers are juggling orders based on speculator whim or word of mouth, Diamond is just filling orders accordingly. If your book doesn’t sell, it’s not because of Diamond (unless they lost a shipment, as you mention - accidents happen). If they decide not to carry your book, it’s because it’s too much of a financial risk. My argument, honestly, has nothing to do with the quality of the book itself. Yes, there is a lot of crap out there, but spun properly, it can still be mistaken for a rose.

A lot of this is simply in the numbers. If you create a superhero comic, and you’re not Marvel or DC, you’re going to need to charge a higher price just to stay viable, due to lower print runs, limited budget, etc. Now, that brings the retailer/customer argument of “Why should I spend extra money on Superhero X when I know what I’m getting from Superman?” Sure, it’s tired and it’s limiting, but Superman is tried and tested. A retailer has an idea of how many Superman books he can push, and a customer pretty much knows what his investment is going to get him as well. Yes, this is sad and it’s safe, but it’s how the model works.

I’ll agree, most of the innovation has come from the small press. Everyone loves to use the TMNT example, but it’s a good example. The problem is that surge left the door open, and the imitators screwed the pooch. It only takes a few bad apples to spoil the bunch, and that’s what happened over time to the general image of newer publishers in the small press. Your book might be good, but retailers are wary because they took a chance on a similar book in the past and it didn’t pay off.

These are all just symptoms of the real problem. As grassroots as people love to be, until recently many people didn’t seem to treat this as what it is: a *business*. Now, there are textbooks and college courses, but the deal with fewer newer publishers getting into Previews is that they really just don’t always know what they’re doing, be it a case of marketing, or having enough issues in the pipeline, or even understanding a publishing cycle. Honestly, it rarely has much to do with the comic itself, so it’s not even a case of whether it’s “good”. Diamond may not have done the best job conveying all of that, but some might say that it’s not Diamond’s job to educate those who aren’t in the know. You wouldn’t take a test without studying, would you?

Keep in mind, this argument pertains to newer publishers who are lamenting the barrier to entry. There are successful, tried & true independent publishers who are doing well, and they seem to have something in common - Diamond is a portion of their business and not *all* of their business.

]]> by: Scott Nicholson http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2875286 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:42:29 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/01/19/new-diamond-policies-expected-to-have-massive-effect/#comment-2875286 As a novelist who has turned to comics creation, I'm still learning about the different distribution systems, but I agree there are great opportunities here--if the cost of printing a catalog is one reason for the trim, why can't someone come up with an online indie catalog available to retailers only? And exactly what is a retailer these days anyway? Almost every writer or creator I know sells their own stuff personally at some level, unless they are rich enough to simply hand out free copies. And with digital comics, it's backward to have a print catalog. Even in my limited knowledge, I don't see this having much to do with the decade ahead, when people are wanting content for their iPods, cell phones and whatever pops up. As a novelist who has turned to comics creation, I’m still learning about the different distribution systems, but I agree there are great opportunities here–if the cost of printing a catalog is one reason for the trim, why can’t someone come up with an online indie catalog available to retailers only? And exactly what is a retailer these days anyway? Almost every writer or creator I know sells their own stuff personally at some level, unless they are rich enough to simply hand out free copies. And with digital comics, it’s backward to have a print catalog. Even in my limited knowledge, I don’t see this having much to do with the decade ahead, when people are wanting content for their iPods, cell phones and whatever pops up.

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