[Leica] LUG Book Update, and a Question for the Contributors

[jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman)]

Hoppy,

Here's the story:
Blurb.com bases their business model on print partners who use the equipment
that produces the book.  There are several companies in the US that have
this equipment, and (from what I've heard) there may be one coming on line
in Europe.  A European print partner will allow local shipping in the EEC,
and thus much lower shipping prices.

So, as soon as they can bring on a print partner in Australia, the shipping
prices should drop there as well.

While I've been as frustrated as you about the problems with their shipping
scheme, I've also been reminded that a) we're using the Beta version of
their product and b) they've been in business less than a year.  With any
luck, this should be a moot issue by the 2007 yearbook.

As for a swelled head, it would only catch up with the rest of my figure
<g>.

Best,
Jim Shulman
Bryn Mawr, PA

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+jshul=comcast.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of G
Hopkinson
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 6:42 PM
To: 'Leica Users Group'
Subject: RE: [Leica] LUG Book Update, and a Question for the Contributors

Jim, a great idea. Will you still talk to us once your fame is spread afar?
My copy is close to arriving, having made it over the pond. Now gently
suggest to those Blurb folk, that, if they provide some more
reasonable freight options the sales may well increase. Other books arriving
here from Amazon, for example have come from Europe or
USA for a fraction of what Blurb has required, using UPS.
I bought one, who could resist seeing their pics in company with the talents
on that list? However, even with the very generous
pooling of copies for Australia, facilitated by Alastair, the landed cost is
near doubled here. Personally I would have bought extra
copies for family members, but not with the steep rates quoted for UPS.

Cheers and thanks once more, I can't wait to see my copy.

Hoppy

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+hoppyman=bigpond.net.au@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Jim Shulman
Sent: Saturday, 27 January 2007 07:26
To: 'Leica Users Group'
Subject: [Leica] LUG Book Update, and a Question for the Contributors

Evidently the success of the LUG book continues, according to blurb.com.
It's one of their all-time successes, but what they find most interesting is
the concept of a collective book effort from a diverse (and widely
dispersed) group.

Today I was asked by blurb.com if I would like to be interviewed by NPR
(National Public Radio) about the LUG blurb.com project.  I said I'd be
thrilled to describe the group, the project, and the confluence of
technologies (high-speed web, digital imaging, and digital color printing).


Blurb.com noted that there would likely be a spike of interest in the book
and, "you might have a lot more people buying the book, which would make you
more money."

Ah, there's the rub.  The whole project has only been intended to be a
non-profit activity.  I mentioned that to blurb.com (and think that they
were a bit surprised.)

So, I have a suggestion for the group.  For the past week or so we've been
discussing the ethics of photographing the homeless.  If there's an
opportunity to sell books, why not donate the proceeds for homeless
services? 

Looking at this optimistically, we might be able to raise a few hundred
dollars from book sales (fifty more copies would probably be VERY
optimistic).  For that reason, the donation would have the greatest impact
going to one organization. 

My suggestion is that the profits go to Project H.O.M.E., a Philadelphia
organization that's been providing housing, medical and vocational
assistance to homeless women since 1989.  You can see more information about
Project H.O.M.E. at http://www.projecthome.org/  

If there are no objections about this from the book's photographers, I will
change the retail price to $60 hardcover/$50 paperback on February 1, with
profits going to Project H.O.M.E. That gives anyone on the LUG who hasn't
ordered a copy a few days to do so for at-cost rates.  I will also ask
blurb.com to donate their profits from the book sale for this as well (the
PR alone should more than compensate them for the loss of LUG book profits.)

And again, apologies to all who had to suffer through blurb.com's
still-creaky fulfillment process. Evidently the finished product was worth
the wait.

Best,
Jim Shulman
Bryn Mawr, PA