From readsf@readsf.com Fri Nov 1 18:09:05 2002 From: Dangerous Visions To: dv@readsf.com Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 14:41:54 -0800 Subject: Urgent Dangerous Visions news Dear Friends, Several months ago, Art and I wrote asking for your renewed support. The events of 9/11 and a declining economy were taking a terrible toll on our 21-year old bookstore. Some of you called, a few wrote, and others began frequenting DV more often. The response was less than overwhelming, but we continued to fight the good fight, determined to bring you the best science fiction, fantasy, and horror books as we had for decades. But the wave of support was fleeting and autograph party attendance took a dramatic dip. Even big name authors failed to attract a crowd. Moreover, few of those coming to get books signed bothered to visit the store in between signings. And yet, even as our walk-in clientele decreased, our on-line customer base was growing. As the writing on the wall became more pronounced, our course of action became clearer. Faced with increased operating costs and falling walk-in revenue, Art and I have decided to take Dangerous Visions to the next logical level: a purely virtual storefront. Beginning Monday November 3rd, we'll be packing up the store. It will be put into storage where it will be inventoried for listing online. (and yes, we can use all the help we can get-- especially on the following Saturday when we move the boxes and take down the cases.) Since we're not liquidating our stock, merely changing its venue, we're offering a 25% discount on all items not on consignment, on hold, on the new book cases, or in the glass cases. Payment must be made by cash, check, or credit/debit card. In store credit will be applied in the usual manner. This sale will be going on concurrently with our packing -- so get there early. Once a book's gone into box, it's off sale. On Sunday, November 10th, Dangerous Visions will close its physical doors for the last time. Although we have cancelled our autograph parties for Barbara Hambly and Harry Turtledove, we will still hold one final event on Saturday, November 24th from 2 until 4 p.m. On that day, our friend, Harlan Ellison will sign the 25th Anniversary editions of his esteemed anthology, and our namesake, Dangerous Visions. The signing will be held next door at the photography studio. It's owner, Brian Rose, has graciously offered to let us use his storefront for this event. Please prepay for your copy as space will be extremely limited and we want to insure enough books for all. We are not sure we will have access to credit/debit card sales. We can not get books signed for anyone unless you pay for shipping. Anyone who buys a copy of Dangerous Visions from us can get two additional books signed. Two copies, four books, etc. Only copies of DV bought from us will count. There can be no exceptions. After the November 10th, the real work begins. Until we get a new phone number all orders will have to be placed online. Dangerous Visions will remain open at http://www.readsf.com and you can always write to us at dv@readsf.com. Club memberships will receive an automatic 1 year extension. Credit will be honored. We will continue to sell new, used, and rare science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Consignment items will reach a newer and larger audience and, without the substantial overhead we're carrying now, will pay more promptly. We'll also continue to put out our online newsletter -- in an expanded edition. Please note that the operations of Babbage Press (a completely unique business entity) will not be affected by this at all. We've faced many obstacles over the decades -- flood, changing landlords, leaks, robbery. We overcame it all (often with your help) but we can't overcome indifference. Still, we've had a lot of fun (our Alice and Wonderland Party, the Cyber Cafe, over 700 autograph parties, book fairs, conventions) and we've made many friends. We will miss you all. We're not going anywhere -- our pets are too comfortable where we live -- but the next time you see us at a convention, or standing in line at the bank or a movie theatre, we'll be in our capacity as common citizens, fans, writers and publishers. We'll also be the owners of that great online bookstore, Dangerous Visions. Until then: Be seeing you! Best, Lydia Marano Cover and Arthur Byron Cover -- ......................DANGEROUS VISIONS.......................... 13563 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 818.986.6963 http://www.readsf.com dv@readsf.com