Spectral Press

[Gary Compton]

I know a lot of you have been watching the Spectral Wars on Facebook. The press was in a mess, mainly caused by Simon's health issues, Berforts, his printer going into administration, and him over extending himself and making bad business decisions.

I stepped in to help a mate with advice. After looking at it I recommended he came out and admitted the company as it was then had ceased trading. I gave him an idea for a plan to repay his debts (they aren't insurmountable) and it involved Tickety Boo taking the brand (not the debts) under it's wing and to hopeful bring over some of the good books from which authors/editors would be paid back out of Simon's share of the imprint which he will co-own with TBP.

All payments and paperwork will be looked after by the TBP back office.

Well the new Spectral has ended up with the Spectral Book of Horrors 1 and 2 and Dark Terrrors by the legendary editors, Stephen Jones, and David Sutton and Ricochet by Tim Dry. The ebook of which should be ready tomorrow.

So, basically profits from these titles will reduce the debt. There is also a Go Fund Me campaign to help ease the pressure. At the end of it, we have a very good and very niche imprint

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Did I want this - definitely no! But having experienced financial meltdown myself and how friends stop calling and family come round less, I had no choice but to help. With his depression I think he would have killed himself.

So, going forward only positivity. Simon has apologised several times and he has also acknowledged that the authors who are very protective of their work and need paying. Four good books in the fold and the Spectral Book of Horror 3 being planned. And I am minded to just invite Chronners to write for it as well as some outside who have been very supportive. I feel safe here.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Those are very inviting covers.

I presume you're managing the ebooks on Amazon as well?

 

[Gary Compton]

Yes Brian. Three of them are up already and Dark Terrors (which the first 6 volumes was done by Gollanz with Stephen Jones and David Sutton as editors)

Gollanz dropped it and Spectral got it. So I think we have fell on our feet there. If we keep them happy, we may get the next ones.

 

[Gary Compton]

Just a heads up on where we are at.

I have reduced Spectral's debt to under £1000. The largest creditor was taken over by Tickety Boo Press but it's setup in a beneficial way to the press.

60% of the Spectral Book of Horror Stories authors have agreed to take Spectral books stock in lieu of their fees. Other authors have agreed to take stock in lieu of royalties. The rest partly make up the one thousand pounds and they will be paid back over time, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Most customers are receiving refunds via Paypal and/or their orders are being posted out. The Gofund me monies facilitated the postage so thanks for that. If you guys are feeling more positive about the situation, any further pledges will help finalise this completely.

Simon is feeling alot better and is looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

At the new Spectral imprint we will never do "pre-orders." Books will only be on sale when they are in stock which makes it much easier to monitor.

If there is anyone who hasn't been in touch, use spectral@ticketyboopress.co.uk

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