Mark (Kronquist), I am glad you posted...I'll contact you offlist with some questions.
(beware, long post)
Mark (Nelson) tell Dick I'm sorry for him :(
You can also tell Dick to consult Bang Printing in Brainerd Minn for a bid to reprint--not a quick printing place as Mark's, below, though. My Tutti Nudi was printed there by Midmarch Arts (when I got a box of the books back in 2000 I was shocked to see it from Bang, because that press is only 20 miles from where I spend my summers and Midmarch is in NY!), and I am pretty sure Judy Siegel published her book there as well.
On second thought, what is quick? I think Bang takes a month or two. I bet Mark Kronquist you are talking a week or two?
Bang has an Akiyama press (a room size press) and if Dick is willing to outlay the initial bucks for a press run it is comparatively reasonable. Comparatively is an operative word. He could send a copy of the book to them and get a bid at least.
The problem is (aside from having a lump sum of cash laying around) he would have to have it in PDF or In Design and the layout done but maybe he has retained that even though Focal published it? Tell me yes please... What I am saying here all applies to his signed contract, and we all know where WIlliam Crawford got with HIS signed contract and Keepers of Light.
Bang also has a service where they will do the mailing out for you. I toured the whole facility this summer and was very impressed.
This is a good reason/plug for publishing one's own book--you're not at the mercy of a publisher. Alt is a niche market but if you find the niches you're good to go. Today what works in our favor is 1) the web and 2) the fact that it doesn't matter how many color images you have in a book--cost is per page, not per image. Maybe GISI is different but that is true of Bang and other presses I have consulted/worked with. It is not true of who prints my Alternative Processes Condensed and Experimental Photography Workbook though. That is why I have to put the color insert pages in there separate from the text. Color pages are hugely expensive, and when I added the 9 or 10 color pages to each book due to buyer demand, it was right out of profit, but at least cheaper than having to run the whole book 4 color. So it pays to go with a 4-color press or whatever the term is--Mark Kronquist can fill in the details.
We do exist in a niche market, and I have heard that part of Focal has not been doing well.
Speaking of niche markets, I had one anonymous reviewer of my gum book proposal say that the market for my gum book would be only 200 or less. I think this was an exaggeration of the niche market we live in. Certainly a press run of only 2000-5000 is in order (it's not like we are Robert Frank), but I have sold close to 500 of my books on Malin Fabbri's website alone--the power of the web (and Malin's visibility!) for authors. I would definitely recommend Malin's site as one with huge visibility in our niche.
But, gum compared to platinum, Dick would have a WAY bigger market out there as my guess is there are more platinum printers than gummists worldwide, even though gum is growing.
Sounds to me like Dick should just update the book, put out a call for images, hire a graphic designer to do the layout for him, and self-publish a small press run. Just what he wants to do in his retirement phase, right?
Then again, Dick could store up a selection of his book, wait for it to go sky high on Abebooks, and sell it and make $$. I bought Peter Frederick's out of print book on there for $75 back in 2003! People who are into platinum collect platinum books, etc. etc. I have all the out of print books I can find, and on platinum, too. Sometimes if you're lucky you can get a real deal! And maybe now the word is out his book is out of print, its value will instantly increase.
Chris
On Nov 20, 2009, at 7:53 PM, Mark Kronquist wrote:
We are GISI (those of you in Portland know us as LAZERQUICK or Michaels Printing) we are happy to do short runs for high quality alt process or photo books we also provide a mailing and fufilment service so we can mail upon payment
We are one of the 10 largest commercial quick printers in North America and we are passionate about photography
Mark Kronquist
503 582 5222
On Nov 20, 2009, at 5:48 PM, Susan Huber wrote:
Hi All,
I had a hard time getting Dick's book in the last 2 months- it took 2 months of delay to finally get it shipped. I was told by the bookseller that the book was going out of print...
thank for the e-mail- will email the person and let him know that the world does not revolve around digital processes and yes; I even saw a person in the street of my small island reading a "kindle" and the small book stores are needing all the business they can get- fortunately we are a big library goers and readers here.
Susan
On 2009-11-20, at 5:03 PM, ender100 wrote:
It seems like every day we are faced with the disappearance of photography resources that we have depended for many years. Recently the Copper Plate Photogravure Practitioners were notified of the loss of the carbon tissue that they have used for many many years. Now it seems that resource books are also disappearing!
Dick Arentz has just told me that his wonderful book on Platinum/Palladium printing is no longer going to remain in print. Focal Press has decided to discontinue it because sales have fallen off. Dick was told by one of the executives that it was probably because it was about "old-style film-based photography" — well, that's sort of the point with alt photo texts, isn't it? Anyway, I told Dick I would mention this to the list and if anyone would care to email this "gentleman" and let him know you feelings regarding this, it would be appreciated. The email address and name at Focal Press is below.
Here is a note that Dick has sent to his friends and students:
"When I returned from doing a workshop, I attempted to order more of my Pt/Pd books from Focal Press. I was told that they were "out of print". This book has sold steadily for the last 10 years. The decision was made, without prior notification, by a bean counter in London, who previously had told me that my book was about "old-style film-based photography. His name is David Albon and apparently has the power to ax authors. I am asking that you and any colleagues and students e-mail him. d.albon@elsevier.com/
• The book, Platinum & Palladium Printing, 2nd edition has been the definitive text in the field for 10 years.
• I would suggest that alt photo is a linked community having thousands of members, as well as photo academia, consisting of 100's of faculty and 1000's of students.
• Of these, there are potential buyers of other Focal Press books and prospective authors, who would likely steer away from Focal Press.
• I think that the letters should be respectful. Insults can come later. The guy is an idiot who does not know beans about photography. He just counts them.
• Pass this on to your contacts in the alt photo community.
Thanks,
Dick"
Thanks for listening!
--
Best Wishes,
Mark Nelson