Your advice is appreciated

In response to a recent query regarding Fanderson's upcoming UFO soundtrack CD, details will be published on our club website www.fanderson.org.uk just as soon as they are confirmed. As was mentioned the other day, this is all done in our spare time, and we don't want to raise anyone's hopes by quoting a deadline that we then have to miss. At the moment it looks likely that the CD will be delayed until early in 2003, as the editor has been working on Silva Screen's upcoming Thunderbirds CD album.

While I'm here, I'd appreciate your advice on our recent "UFO Script Book". Sales have been slower than we anticipated which, as with all club merchandise, means that if we don't sell enough future volumes are unlikely. But we'd like to understand why sales may be slow, and who better to ask than the SHADO group? We know that scripts are popular, but as they're mostly available on the internet is a book pointless? Or is there some other reason?

On the subject of books, as already announced our next title will be a reprint of EC Tubb's "Earthfall" Space:1999 novel which, again if sales are healthy enough, will be followed by an all-new "Earthbound" novel by Tubb. Now, another respected science fiction author has approached us with the idea of writing new UFO fiction for us to publish. My question to you all is whether this would be popular with you and, if so, what kind of stories would you be interested in? Please note that our brief to the author will be to remain within the confies of the series premise, so stories would appear as 'episodes' rather than spin-offs such as Ellis and Foster getting married etc.

As there are 447 members on this list, many of whom are club members, I look forward to receiving many replies!

Nick Williams, Fanderson secretary and treasurer


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- "Nick Williams" wrote:

> As there are 447 members on this list, many of whom
> are club members, I look forward to receiving many replies!
>
> Nick Williams, Fanderson secretary and treasurer

Nick,

as far as it concerns myself I can say that I'm eager to own the UFO
CD, I own the first UFO script book and will buy the "complete
series", if I may say so and I'm also interested in new UFO fiction
if it is within the confies of the series premise.

Christian
UFO fan and Fanderson member

>But we'd like to understand why sales may be slow, and who better to
>ask than the SHADO group? We know that scripts are popular, but as
>they're mostly available on the internet is a book pointless? Or is
>there some other reason?

There's certainly a point to have the scripts made available, as only
12 of the 26 UFO scripts are available on my UFO website. I'm not
sure why this script book would be less popular than previous script
books. I suppose it could be that 3 of the 4 scripts are already
freely available online, but I would think that a fan would still
like to have a book and read the previously unavailable script. I
know I bought one!

As for fan fiction, I think I'd be more interested in buying script
books than buying fan fiction, but that's just me.

And if no more UFO script books are published, I need to find a way
to get the missing scripts so I can put them on my website! It'd be
a shame if these scripts were only ever seen by a few folks.

The UFO scripts on my website have had tens of thousands of hits, but
I suspect that most of these hits are from the search engines... :-)

Marc

I agree with Marc about scripts being made available.  
That would be great! And if they put a book together
inclusive of all scripts, I'd certainly buy!

Mary

At 03:22 PM 11/1/02 +0000, you wrote:


Hi Nick!

>While I'm here, I'd appreciate your advice on our recent "UFO Script
>Book". Sales have been slower than we anticipated which, as with all club
>merchandise, means that if we don't sell enough future volumes are
>unlikely. But we'd like to understand why sales may be slow, and who
>better to ask than the SHADO group? We know that scripts are popular, but
>as they're mostly available on the internet is a book pointless? Or is
>there some other reason?

Well, I ordered this book in my recent order but perhaps it's not the sort
of thing for everyone? Looking at the Fanderson site to refresh my memory
I like the extras offered in the book and I like the cover a lot. As for
enjoying reading it, I look at this item more as a collectable or a
reference instead of something I want to sit down with and read. Maybe the
other Fanderson members are less collectors than I am and wanted a book
easier to sit and read?

That being said, I have to say I really enjoyed Chris Bently's complete
book of Thunderbirds. The format and writing was pretty cool. I am also
enjoying reading the revised Gerry Anderson Bio, "What made Thunderbirds
Go!" I think I'm enjoying it more than the previous version but in this
case I am reading the new book Backwards! I started at a chapter I was
most interested in (Space 1999 and later) and read to the end. Then I read
each previous chapter, I am now right at the Thunderbirds chapter.

Also, I found the article in the recent FAB magazine, "who pulled your
string" by the late Christine Glanville very interesting reading. Reading
about her through Fanderson I've found her to be a fascinating
person. Maybe someday you can take this material collected by Christine
and put it into a book about her??? Along with other interviews and
convention talks from her? I'd be interested in a project like that.

>On the subject of books, as already announced our next title will be a
>reprint of EC Tubb's "Earthfall" Space:1999 novel which, again if sales
>are healthy enough, will be followed by an all-new "Earthbound" novel by Tubb.

I think it's a good idea to reprint Earthfall since it's been OP for so
long. I've never been a fan of Tubb's writing though and I had a tough
time reading Earthfall. To tried to convince myself that maybe my dislike
was limited to Earthfall as it was a media tie in and Tie In's from the
1970's were never that great to begin with so I read through two of Tubb's
Dumarest books. Same result. So I'll get Earthfall, because it will be a
limited new edition. If Tubb revises the text I'll check it out and see
where he went with it. I'd be interested to read Earthbound expanded into
a novel, perhaps more information on where Simmonds was for those earlier
episodes?

> Now, another respected science fiction author has approached us with the
> idea of writing new UFO fiction for us to publish. My question to you all
> is whether this would be popular with you and, if so, what kind of
> stories would you be interested in?

I'm not a reader of much fan fiction, but I loved the new Space 1999 novel
by POWYS media. The POWYS book is not "fan-fiction" it's a wonderfully done
novel in the style of the show . To me, that book accomplished many
things. It captured the sense of the show it was based on, set the premise
of the show in poetic terms and it also was a good suspenseful story in
it's own right.

I trust your author is a published writer and knows UFO very well. It
would be important for the book to be well edited, as the POWYS book
was. This was something missing from the earlier original Space novels
from the 1970's. Today there are so many more resources for the writer so
hopefully these won't be ignored.

> Please note that our brief to the author will be to remain within the
> confies of the series premise, so stories would appear as 'episodes'
> rather than spin-offs such as Ellis and Foster getting married etc.

Most important of all, the UFO novel would have to be a good story, a
premise that can stand on it's own and keep it's reader, with or without
the UFO connection. It's not enough for the book to be a Tie in with the
show....it HAS to be a good, well written story. And it ought to be edited
by someone who really knows the show and perhaps sent out to several test
readers before publication.

>As there are 447 members on this list, many of whom are club members, I
>look forward to receiving many replies!
>
>Nick Williams, Fanderson secretary and treasurer

Thanks again Nick for all the hard work!

I became a member of Fanderson just to get The UFO Script Books. My
membership is up and I am renewing. I was looking forward to the rest of the
set. It is a nicely made , Volume 1 with the four scripts. I collect UFO
memorabilia and Ed Bishop movies.Have one with George Sewell. In the
States I can find nothing, so EBAY is my best friend, they know me by
name??? I enjoy all the news I get from this group. Glad I found you. Elaine


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, Where are these book located on the Internet. I thought you could only
buy then from Fanderson, and you must be a member. If there is another
place to buy , please let me know. Thank s Elaine


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>Hi, Where are these book located on the Internet. I thought you could only
>buy then from Fanderson, and you must be a member.

The UFO script books *are* only available through Fanderson, and you
do have to be a member to buy them. However, I have text files of 12
UFO scripts on my UFO website at:

http://ufoseries.com/scripts

Marc

marc, I have been a steady visitor too you web..I enjoy it a lot. Thanks
for doing it for us. Thanks also from me. Elaine


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I bought the first script book and if the remaining scripts are published in
books by Fanderson, I will purchase them.

I look forward to the CD of music from UFO also.



Ron

Nick:

I'm not sure why the UFO script book didn't sell well -- it might have to do
with the DVD release -- I know if I had to choose between the two, I'd choose
the DVDs. I personally wouldn't mind picking up the script book, but I'm
holding out to see if any Space:1999 stuff is coming out (and also the UFO CD)
first. :)

I do have an idea though - would it be possible to scan a page or two of the
UFO book for the Web site? Amazon.com has several books where you can "browse"
selected pages -- it gives you an idea of what the book looks like, etc.
Perhaps a script page and a photo page just to see how the book is laid out?

While I have your ear, I have three more suggestions:

1) The Sales section of the Web site is currently broken down by merchandise
type (CDs, books, videos, etc). I think if the items were also grouped by
SERIES, it would be great! I think newcomers (and even oldcomers) are looking
for items for the show(s) they love first and foremost.

2) Pre-production surveys might be helpful in determining what kind of
merchandise (potential/current) members would like to see. I'm sure that CDs
are fairly popular, but maybe not mugs. Also, you might implement a
"pre-order" so that something only gets produced if you get so many orders up
front (and perhaps payment?) before you actually produce the item.

3) PayPal Memberships -- I think you should offer a PayPal button on your Web
site that can accept cash and credit cards for "instant" memberships.

Just some thoughts. Hope they help!

Anthony
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nick Williams" <[hidden email]>
To: "SHADO" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, November 01, 2002 10:22 AM
Subject: [SHADO] Your advice is appreciated


> In response to a recent query regarding Fanderson's upcoming UFO soundtrack
CD, details will be published on our club website www.fanderson.org.uk just as
soon as they are confirmed. As was mentioned the other day, this is all done
in our spare time, and we don't want to raise anyone's hopes by quoting a
deadline that we then have to miss. At the moment it looks likely that the CD
will be delayed until early in 2003, as the editor has been working on Silva
Screen's upcoming Thunderbirds CD album.
>
> While I'm here, I'd appreciate your advice on our recent "UFO Script Book".
Sales have been slower than we anticipated which, as with all club
merchandise, means that if we don't sell enough future volumes are unlikely.
But we'd like to understand why sales may be slow, and who better to ask than
the SHADO group? We know that scripts are popular, but as they're mostly
available on the internet is a book pointless? Or is there some other reason?
>
> On the subject of books, as already announced our next title will be a
reprint of EC Tubb's "Earthfall" Space:1999 novel which, again if sales are
healthy enough, will be followed by an all-new "Earthbound" novel by Tubb.
Now, another respected science fiction author has approached us with the idea
of writing new UFO fiction for us to publish. My question to you all is
whether this would be popular with you and, if so, what kind of stories would
you be interested in? Please note that our brief to the author will be to
remain within the confies of the series premise, so stories would appear as
'episodes' rather than spin-offs such as Ellis and Foster getting married etc.
>
> As there are 447 members on this list, many of whom are club members, I look
forward to receiving many replies!
>
> Nick Williams, Fanderson secretary and treasurer

Nick:

One question I forgot to include in my previous post -- any chance that the
current UFO and 1999 doc videos will be put on DVD? I would figure they could
be combined onto one DVD with some nice extras. :-)

Anthony
http://www.tony-island.com

On line ordering I sure would assist.

Marty......






--- In SHADO@y..., "Anthony D" <atd1999@n...> wrote:
> Nick:
>
> I'm not sure why the UFO script book didn't sell well -- it might
have to do
> with the DVD release -- I know if I had to choose between the two,
I'd choose
> the DVDs. I personally wouldn't mind picking up the script book, but
I'm
> holding out to see if any Space:1999 stuff is coming out (and also
the UFO CD)
> first. :)
>
> I do have an idea though - would it be possible to scan a page or
two of the
> UFO book for the Web site? Amazon.com has several books where you
can "browse"
> selected pages -- it gives you an idea of what the book looks like,
etc.
> Perhaps a script page and a photo page just to see how the book is
laid out?
>
> While I have your ear, I have three more suggestions:
>
> 1) The Sales section of the Web site is currently broken down by
merchandise
> type (CDs, books, videos, etc). I think if the items were also
grouped by
> SERIES, it would be great! I think newcomers (and even oldcomers)
are looking
> for items for the show(s) they love first and foremost.
>
> 2) Pre-production surveys might be helpful in determining what kind
of
> merchandise (potential/current) members would like to see. I'm sure
that CDs
> are fairly popular, but maybe not mugs. Also, you might implement a
> "pre-order" so that something only gets produced if you get so many
orders up
> front (and perhaps payment?) before you actually produce the item.
>
> 3) PayPal Memberships -- I think you should offer a PayPal button on
your Web
> site that can accept cash and credit cards for "instant"
memberships. soundtrack
> CD, details will be published on our club website
www.fanderson.org.uk just as
> soon as they are confirmed. As was mentioned the other day, this is
all done
> in our spare time, and we don't want to raise anyone's hopes by
quoting a
> deadline that we then have to miss. At the moment it looks likely
that the CD
> will be delayed until early in 2003, as the editor has been working
on Silva
> Screen's upcoming Thunderbirds CD album.
> >
> > While I'm here, I'd appreciate your advice on our recent "UFO
Script Book".
> Sales have been slower than we anticipated which, as with all club
> merchandise, means that if we don't sell enough future volumes are
unlikely.
> But we'd like to understand why sales may be slow, and who better to
ask than
> the SHADO group? We know that scripts are popular, but as they're
mostly
> available on the internet is a book pointless? Or is there some
other reason?
> >
> > On the subject of books, as already announced our next title will
be a
> reprint of EC Tubb's "Earthfall" Space:1999 novel which, again if
sales are
> healthy enough, will be followed by an all-new "Earthbound" novel by
Tubb.
> Now, another respected science fiction author has approached us with
the idea
> of writing new UFO fiction for us to publish. My question to you all
is
> whether this would be popular with you and, if so, what kind of
stories would
> you be interested in? Please note that our brief to the author will
be to
> remain within the confies of the series premise, so stories would
appear as
> 'episodes' rather than spin-offs such as Ellis and Foster getting
married etc.
> >
> > As there are 447 members on this list, many of whom are club
members, I look
> forward to receiving many replies!
> >
> > Nick Williams, Fanderson secretary and treasurer

I know eBay is not a good barometer at times for the worth of items.
But I'm staggered at the prices that are seemingly being realised for
the Konami figures a set of seven is currently at $150.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1783048848

The starting price for a set of 7 is $100, the price for indivdual
pieces is a little spotty, but for the 'righ't items it seems $20 up.

The frightening part these guys appear to be getting these prices, not
a bad investment of what probably cost them less $30 a box [taking
post into consideration]

Talk about instant collectibles.

Marty.......

>I do have an idea though - would it be possible to scan a page or two of the
>UFO book for the Web site? Amazon.com has several books where you can "browse"
>selected pages -- it gives you an idea of what the book looks like, etc.
>Perhaps a script page and a photo page just to see how the book is laid out?

This is something that I would have normally added to my website
(under the "books" section), but this past year has been so busy for
me that the only things I've even attempted to keep up with on the
UFO website are the DVD releases...

Marc

Just wait....the fever will die off fairly quickly, and they will drop
dramatically in price.

Ken

Yes and an emphatic No.

I think if U.F.O. would have merchandised to death like
say Thunderbirds i would totally agree.

I think the price will come down a little.
But these are limited run toys.
So i think they will appreciate considerably.
Especially if sets aside a complete Set of 7 toys.


----- Original Message -----
From: <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 11:59 AM
Subject: Re: [SHADO] Konami figures and eBay

We'll see...because of the dock strikes on west coast many specialized toy
retailers in the US haven't even recieved their shipments yet. I plan to buy
them retail in a month.

Ken

What retailers would those be?

It might help some who have not got theirs yet.


----- Original Message -----
From: <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2002 12:15 PM
Subject: Re: [SHADO] Konami figures and eBay


> We'll see...because of the dock strikes on west coast many specialized toy
> retailers in the US haven't even recieved their shipments yet. I plan to
buy

I have to agree with Marty; ordering anything from Fanderson is a giant
hassle. It seems odd to me that a group that exists for fans of futuristic
television series would have such an archaic and ineffectual system for
buying merchandise. This is "Century 21", fellows... time to join it!
AT

Original Message:
-----------------
From: hopkirkmarty [hidden email]
Date: Sat, 02 Nov 2002 08:15:25 -0000
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SHADO] Re: Your advice is appreciated



On line ordering I sure would assist.

Marty......






--- In SHADO@y..., "Anthony D" <atd1999@n...> wrote:
> Nick:
>
> I'm not sure why the UFO script book didn't sell well -- it might
have to do
> with the DVD release -- I know if I had to choose between the two,
I'd choose
> the DVDs. I personally wouldn't mind picking up the script book, but
I'm
> holding out to see if any Space:1999 stuff is coming out (and also
the UFO CD)
> first. :)
>
> I do have an idea though - would it be possible to scan a page or
two of the
> UFO book for the Web site? Amazon.com has several books where you
can "browse"
> selected pages -- it gives you an idea of what the book looks like,
etc.
> Perhaps a script page and a photo page just to see how the book is
laid out?
>
> While I have your ear, I have three more suggestions:
>
> 1) The Sales section of the Web site is currently broken down by
merchandise
> type (CDs, books, videos, etc). I think if the items were also
grouped by
> SERIES, it would be great! I think newcomers (and even oldcomers)
are looking
> for items for the show(s) they love first and foremost.
>
> 2) Pre-production surveys might be helpful in determining what kind
of
> merchandise (potential/current) members would like to see. I'm sure
that CDs
> are fairly popular, but maybe not mugs. Also, you might implement a
> "pre-order" so that something only gets produced if you get so many
orders up
> front (and perhaps payment?) before you actually produce the item.
>
> 3) PayPal Memberships -- I think you should offer a PayPal button on
your Web
> site that can accept cash and credit cards for "instant"
memberships. soundtrack
> CD, details will be published on our club website
www.fanderson.org.uk just as
> soon as they are confirmed. As was mentioned the other day, this is
all done
> in our spare time, and we don't want to raise anyone's hopes by
quoting a
> deadline that we then have to miss. At the moment it looks likely
that the CD
> will be delayed until early in 2003, as the editor has been working
on Silva
> Screen's upcoming Thunderbirds CD album.
> >
> > While I'm here, I'd appreciate your advice on our recent "UFO
Script Book".
> Sales have been slower than we anticipated which, as with all club
> merchandise, means that if we don't sell enough future volumes are
unlikely.
> But we'd like to understand why sales may be slow, and who better to
ask than
> the SHADO group? We know that scripts are popular, but as they're
mostly
> available on the internet is a book pointless? Or is there some
other reason?
> >
> > On the subject of books, as already announced our next title will
be a
> reprint of EC Tubb's "Earthfall" Space:1999 novel which, again if
sales are
> healthy enough, will be followed by an all-new "Earthbound" novel by
Tubb.
> Now, another respected science fiction author has approached us with
the idea
> of writing new UFO fiction for us to publish. My question to you all
is
> whether this would be popular with you and, if so, what kind of
stories would
> you be interested in? Please note that our brief to the author will
be to
> remain within the confies of the series premise, so stories would
appear as
> 'episodes' rather than spin-offs such as Ellis and Foster getting
married etc.
> >
> > As there are 447 members on this list, many of whom are club
members, I look
> forward to receiving many replies!
> >
> > Nick Williams, Fanderson secretary and treasurer


 

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