Full Velocity Distro

 I always carry 5 copies of RS#8 with me just in case I come across a distribution opportunity. You never know when you might stumble on a comics/book/record shop that carries small press comix. When I am traveling I also research places to check out, with the added bonus of leading me to cool places and people and sometimes, a new home for my stuff. VELOCITY COMICS is one such place and is a fabulous (not just saying that because they now carry RS, I thought that a long time ago) comic book store in Richmond, Virginia that has been on my list of places to check out as I had bought small press stuff there before, particularly BUBBLES Magazine, so I figured I might have a receptive audience. I found that Patrick, the owner, is an enthusiastic supporter of small press/indie/underground comics and was happy to take a minute to look through my comix and quickly agreed to take five copies wholesale. VELOCITY COMICS is my second North American distro point behind Thomas Campbell’s THE COMICS BLOGGER, which is primarily online, but Thomas also has been tabling at various comix/zines shows too. I am pursuing other venues, like the legendary QUIMBY’S in Chicago, which has an open submission policy and ATOMIC COMICS in Baltimore, Maryland, so fingers crossed. I’m always on the look-out for more, so if you have a shop or know of one looking for comix/zines, then drop me a line. hello@weaverwerx.com

After some early, awkward attempts at approaching shops to carry RS, I have developed an approach that has helped me save my and the owners’ time. I literally “case the joint”, walk in as a customer, and survey the wares, particularly checking out the small press offerings, if there are any, before I bring up RS. I do some browsing and observe how the staff interacts, are they friendly and helpful? I had one experience in a comic shop in Edinburgh, Scotland were the shop owner was so hilariously rude, not only did I not bring up my comix, but I put things down that I had intended on buying. I would have been embarrassed to have my work in such an unfriendly place. Thankfully, that is the rare exception and the vast majority of shop owners are well-socialized and a pleasure to work with. Sometimes a shop doesn’t carry any small press stuff, or it’s strictly classic superhero stuff, which I have no problem with, but I understand that my little, weird, black & white comix is not a good fit for their place and move on. Besides comic book shops, don’t forget to check indie book or record stores and art centers/co-ops, as they may be more receptive to your work if it’s not mainstream. Back to the process, my browsing always yields a few items to buy; I am also a fan after all, so after completing the purchase and a bit of chit chat, I’ll bring out my comix and inquiry if they would like to take some. A bit of advice, if it’s a busy day in the shop and you have a line behind you of waiting customers while you’re trying to chat-up the owner, be patient, step aside and let them make those sales. Shop owners are in hand-to-hand combat with Amazon/Barnes & Noble every day and need to make hay when the sun is shining. If the shop owner takes on your publication, congratulations! Take an online bow on the socials and do your best to promote that shop and point potential readers/buyers to the real world location where they can actually hold a copy of your work in their hands.

Here is the official RELUCTANT SADIST Distro List of places around the world (well, Europe and North America) where you can buy a copy of RS#8. If you are ever in Richmond, Helsinki, Athens or Riga; pay those lovely places a visit and support those shops!

OK HW