Some good news for British small press publishers - another store wants your comics. The Manchester Comix Collective reports that part of a major makeover for the Nostalgia and Comics shop in Birmingham - which is owned by Forbidden Planet International - is to include more space for small press titles.
Kenny Penman, director of Forbidden Planet International (and Blank Slate publisher) has recently been overseeing the refurbishmet of Nostalgia & Comics and is fired up with his aim to make the store one of the best comic shops in the country with a stock range second to none.
Part of the re-development will include greater emphasis on British comics. "Small Press, self-published, call it what you like, the British scene is vibrant and interesting and really adds another dimension to a comic shop," says Forbidden Planet International staffer Richard Bruton.
To that end, FPI is now contacting small press publishers about getting their comics into Nostalgia & Comics.
The trading terms being offered to small publishers are as follows: N&C will take 30% of cover price, whatever is set by the publisher; N&C will get full Sale or Return on any comics that are not sold; and publishers must meet the incoming post costs (FPI/N&C will meet the return postage).
Payments will be 30 days end on month terms - in effect that will mean 60 days. Publishers can ask for info on their sales once a month on the 1st - via Kenny and by e-mail.
"If [publishers] are local I'd encourage them to go in and make pals with [manager] Dave Hopkins," Kenny Penman suggests.
If enough publishers respond, Kenny plans to devote a specific section to the material
• More info on this project on the Forbidden Planet International blog
• Publishers wanting more information should contact Kenny Penman's via MANPEN AT aol.com.
• Nostalgia & Comics can be found at Nostalgia & Comics, 14-16 Smallbrook, Queensway B5 4EN. Phone: 0121 643 0143. E-mail: noscomic@noscomic.plus.com
This is really good news. The more outlets for small press in the UK, the better. And a store the size of Nostalgia & Collectibles is a great place to showcase.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Nostalgia & Comics was owned by FPI, though. What with there already being a Forbidden Planet (owned by the other side of the chain) in Birmingham. You learn a new thing every day.
We've owned it for about 10 years. I think it's a very good comics shop - especially now i've started to expand the Fant/D&Q side of things and now we hope with decent numbers of small pressers coming on board. A ways to go before it becomes great though.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who is a regular customer please pass along any suggestions you might have for improvements.
thanks
Kenny
Hi Kenny,
ReplyDeleteNot a Birmingham resident (I live out in Leamington Spa) but I'm in the City a fair few times a year, ans always drop by Nostalgia and Comics when I do.
Always prefered it to FP Birmingham, if I'm honest. A great store. Keep up the good work.
Mark