Shocklines
I’ve received many e-mails today about the closing of Shocklines and what will happen to the Delirium titles formerly allocated to the store. I’ll be working with Matt Schwartz for Shocklines customers to buy direct from Delirium Books. In fact, all copies of Shocklines’ standing order will now be sold through Delirium Books for titles to be announced from this day forward.
I have great pride in Delirium’s customer service. And I’ve put a great deal of time and money into making Delirium online a great place to buy titles. With free media mail shipping, an easy to use online storefront, and up-to-date news via the Insider, anyone who wants to keep buying our titles can do so by purchasing direct. And your direct patronage greatly helps the success and cash flow of this business, which, in turn, helps Delirium publish more authors.
For the past few years, I’ve noticed the writing on the wall, and have pushed direct sales. And by doing this, I feel I’ve alleviated any hardship that would come about with a major bookseller like Shocklines going out of business. Delirium now has more than 750 direct customers who are active buyers. More than 75% of those are repeat buyers, which I feel says something about the customer service we provide.
My outlook has been to sell direct, and increase Delirium’s direct customer base, and rely less on outside sellers. And this will continue as it has for the last couple of years.
I’d like to take a moment and wish Matt Schwartz of Shocklines the best in life and his future endeavors and thank him for all the support he’s given to Delirium and its authors over the past several years. His impact on this genre and especially the small press has been next to none.
I’ve already been in touch with Matt personally, and assured him that I’ll work with him and make sure that all of his customers who want to buy direct through Delirium will find it an easy transition.
Good luck Matt and I hope you’ll find the happiness you so richly deserve.
Comment by kresby on 9 June 2007:
I also wish Matt the best.
Shane - I pre-ordered UGLY HEAVEN BEAUTIFUL HELL paperback from shocklines because it will be signed. WIll you be able to provide these signed copies?
Comment by gguthrie on 9 June 2007:
This is a sad day to hear that Shocklines is closing.
The store opened my eyes to some small publishers I never knew existed. Delirium Books is self sufficient, but some newer or smaller publishers really were helped by a seller like Shocklines. First Clarkesworld and now Shocklines, closing. Shit!
Comment by Shocklines on 9 June 2007:
All books already preordered through Shocklines will be filled by Shocklines. None of that will change. This only refers to books that haven’t been announced yet.
Comment by Shane Staley on 9 June 2007:
Yes, this is for future books to be announced.
Comment by kresby on 9 June 2007:
thank you Matt and Shane. You guys rock.
Comment by Justin Case on 14 June 2007:
Hi Shane,
I’ve been buying every Delium limited edition from Shocklines (as well as Corrosion h/c, some lettered and some Ultra’s awhile back). I want to transfer my buying to you directly but am worried I’ll get lost in the shuffle. Will I still be able to get all the limiteds of all the books as I did with Matt? Will there be any opportunity to get lettered editions going forward? I’m looking forward to doing direct business with you.
Sincerely,
Comment by Shane Staley on 14 June 2007:
Justin,
Sure, that would be great. Loved to have you as a direct customer. What I plan to do is to contact Matt about all Delirium series and new books and work together to get all of the Delirium customers to be transferred direct. The best tip I could give would be to stay in touch with Matt during the process and check out the Delirium Insider for announcements, that way you can be covered on both fronts.
But to answer your question: there should be no problem for you to get everything you’ve purchased through Shocklines directly through Delirium.