downthetubes is undergoing some main site refurbishment...

This blog is no longer being updated

The downthetubes news blog was assimilated into our main site back in 2013.

Hop over to www.downthetubes.net for other British comics news, comic creating guides, interviews and much more!

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

Nostalgia and Comics Opens Doors to Small Press

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

3 comments:

Mark Roberts said...

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.

I 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.

Kenny Penman said...

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.
Anyone who is a regular customer please pass along any suggestions you might have for improvements.

thanks
Kenny

Mark Roberts said...

Hi Kenny,

Not 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

Latest News on downthetubes.net

Contact downthetubes

• Got a British Comics News Story? E-mail downthetubes!

• Publishers: please contact for information on where to post review copies and other materials: editor@downthetubes.net

Click here to subscribe to our RSS NewsFeed

Powered by  FeedBurner