SALES FRENZY

It’s already the end of summer (hard to believe) and it’s back to full time here at Delirium. As I come back, looking forward to what is expected to be one of the biggest periods in Delirium’s history, I find that for the first time Delirium Books has no in-stock limited hardcovers. In the past few weeks, the following titles have sold out:

Hacks by Brian Knight (on publication)
Vestal by Charlee Jacob
Excavation by Steve Rasnic Tem (pre-publication)
Untcigahunk by Rick Hautala (pre-publication)
The Rising: Death in Four Colors by Brian Keene (within hours of announcement)

Looking at the Future Titles page, there’s only one title that’s been announced that has not sold out and that very title is on the brink of being gone as well.

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Expect this trend to continue. As a publisher, I’ve always believed that the small press limited edition should be exclusive and valuable to its buyers. I’ve always believed there’s two kinds of publishers: ones that mass produce (big press) and ones that don’t (small press). When I started Delirium Books in 1999, I wanted to fill a niche. At that time, most small presses were dreaming of being big presses, oftentimes leaving their commitment to collectors behind in exchange for higher print runs which lowered the value of their books. Now there’s nothing wrong with a publisher wanting to progress into something bigger, but the problem with this is that the small press ultimately cannot fill the shoes of a mass market publisher. Especially when considering that most are still trying to sell hardcovers which just aren’t attractive to the common reader due to the cover prices (even with trade HCs).

Seven years later, Delirium has had major growth as a small press thanks to collectors and readers interested in discovering the genre’s greatest undiscovered talents first. I feel I’ve accomplished a great deal in that time period, offering quality talent and providing books of increasing value. A look into the future will see Delirium growing even more, but maintaining itself as a true small press. I have no intention of becoming a small press with grandiose plans of mass production. You readers and collectors have made Delirium what it is today and my biggest thanks to you would be to continue what I’ve been doing for the past seven years. Of course, I’ll always strive to become better as a publisher and editor, and offer new projects that I feel transcend the product or concepts being offered in the small press today.

PAPERBACKING

Slowly, Delirium has been testing the grounds to maintain a paperback line. This was started to help better promote certain authors I felt needed a wider exposure, authors who have yet to make the jump to the mass markets. The reason for this current sluggish pace can actually be chalked up to success. Deep Night by Greg F. Gifune was just released, becoming Delirium’s biggest (total qty., units) selling title to date, thanks in part to some major reviews in Library Journal and elsewhere. While this is a positive thing, the time it has taken to process purchase orders from retailers and distributors has been extremely time-consuming and costly (as most of the books are shipped at Delirium’s expense and billed on a 90-day net at a greater discount). As Delirium remains a one-man operation, you can imagine why things are slow in generating the paperback line. I’m now selling in the thousands of copies instead of hundreds. At this stage, I expect Delirium to release paperbacks quarterly or perhaps only three times a year. The next paperback to be released will be The Bleeding Season by Greg F. Gifune sometime in 2007. Of course, the limited edition hardcover line will remain the focus here.

DELIRIUM FANATICS UNITE

Over the course of the next several months, I’ll be announcing a plethora of major titles. Most will sell out pre-publication, even some within hours. I’ve been asked one recurring question by many new Delirium enthusiasts lately: How can I make sure I secure a copy of all new titles? I can provide you with a few tips to improve your chances: