...that distribute printed products? I can only find one, Indie Press Revolution.

Try these:

- http://studio2publishing.com/home/modules/news/

- http://key20.com/home.php

They may be able to help you.

-Oni

Quote from: Age of Fable;279247...that distribute printed products? I can only find one, Indie Press Revolution.

Erm...not sure if I am following you...

The "distributors" listed in the last post are fulfillment houses. Key20 just downsized and may be on the way out. Studio2 is still going but from what I have heard (I have not applied) they are very picky. Impressions is another one and Aldo has stated that if you do not sell $5900 in a year he is not touching you. Regardless, these are all companies that sell to distributors...

IPR is actually more like a distributor in that they sell to retailers directly but are a different animal in that they also sell to end customers and distributors. The only one who does this model other than IPR is Key20 and they do not do it nearly as effectively.

Distributors are ACD, Alliance, Centurion....Blackhawk just shut down (they were very friendly to small press). Those are probably the biggest three. They sell to retailers.

What I'm after is people who might want to take copies of my worldbook when I make it.

Quote from: Age of Fable;280067What I'm after is people who might want to take copies of my worldbook when I make it.

Wow...you picked the wrong time...

I would try IPR, Studio2 and ACD. Understand, if you go trad distribution (not IPR) you will be looking at printing at least 100 to maybe 150 books for release. I would also consider doing it yourself or getting in with a publisher who has a site set up depending on your techie-ness. Also, consider Amazon, e-bay and LULU store fronts. As small press, you really need to consider many fronts.

Thanks to both of you.

Quote from: HinterWelt;280075Wow...you picked the wrong time...

or did I?

Quote from: Age of Fable;280231or did I?

No, sales do fine. I have seen a incredible increase. However, getting into distribution at this time....well, let's just say I would love to know your secret if you get into Alliance.

Traditionally, games do well in recessions. People can afford a $12.99 book about squirrels. Yachts, vacation homes and luxury cars not so much.

OK, I stand corrected.

But if sales are going up, how come distributors are reluctant to take on new products?

Quote from: Age of Fable;280321OK, I stand corrected.

But if sales are going up, how come distributors are reluctant to take on new products?

Because sales are of tried and true products like WotC and GWS. Retailers push the stuff they know. Also, board games do well in economic downturns which are good for for retailers and distributors but bad for us. However, with that said, it is a bad time for distributors. Shipping and warehousing costs are squeezing fulfillment houses while distributors are taking it in the shorts over the changes in the market. Distributors problems are independent of the economy. Fulfillment houses are taking some hits from the distributor's problems but they also have their own which are tied tot he economy.

Now, that said, ask everyone if they can carry your product. Be prepared for different questions from different levels in the food chain. Distributors will want to know about min order, shipping costs, terms, and case lot sizes. Fulfillment houses will want to know how you plan to market your goods...and may or may not be interested in your BP.

So, sales may be up but the market is unstable (it is not up across the board). Gamers tend to think in terms of rules. Think of this in terms of trends and tendencies. So, shops in the midwest may be up while west coast is low and east coast is unchanged. This, along with the other points I mentioned, tends to put the distro into conservative mode and the first ones to take a hit are the small press companies (that would be you and me ).

OK - thanks for the advice & explanation.

QuoteFrom that linked article: The hobby gaming craze is branching into the younger crowds.

Reed says since families aren't traveling as much, they're buying games as an alternative.

"It's cheaper to stay at home, buy a board game, buy a card game.  It lasts a little longer.  You get a lot of replay out of it, versus a trip where you only get to go once," Reed said.

I mostly agree with that statement from the article.
 The store I work at did better numbers this holiday season than we did the year before - even with the bad economy.


- Ed C.

Quote from: First Oni;280000Try these:

- http://studio2publishing.com/home/modules/news/

They may be able to help you.

-Oni

Just to let people know, the address listed for Studio 2 Publishing is the same as for the defunct Knoxville Fulfillment Company and the defunct Gameboard Distributors.