Distribution has always been the main problem for small presses.
In an attempt to solve this the Arts Council set up Password,
who have changed their name to Signature in recent years, to
didtribute small press poetry books. But Password soon turned
bolshy insisting on only handling the 'large' small presses
which they defined as having a turnover of at least 25,000 pounds
a year. I dont know what turnover they are currently requiring
but they seem to want out of the poetry business altogether
and by yesterdays report they have gone bankrupt leaving people
like Rupert at Stride high-and-dry. They are based in Manchester.
The 'large' small presses will now face major problems in the
current climate of book-selling. And reports have been that
their sales (even Faber) are very sparse indeed.
Douglas Clark, Bath, England mailto: [log in to unmask]
Lynx: Poetry from Bath .......... http://www.bath.ac.uk/~exxdgdc/lynx.html
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