The following is taken directly from the Notions Unlimited Bookshop‘s website:

Since the day we opened our doors, just 20 months ago, the staff and management of Notions Unlimited Bookshop have worked hard to create something more than just a specialist bookstore, and we feel genuinely proud of much that we’ve achieved during that time, such as:

# Continuing to offer a great range of publications, including the best of Australian small-press, rare and hard-to-get titles, genre classics, and latest new releases.

# Building and maintaining a reputation for friendly and knowledgeable service.

# Keeping our prices reasonable – no mean task in these days of Internet shopping and global economic downturn.

# Becoming accepted as part of the local community, plus creating an ever-growing community of our own, bringing together fans of SF, fantasy, horror, graphic novels, gaming, manga, esoteric interests and more – something we’re especially proud of, and that we hope to continue doing for a long time to come.

In order for us to reach that last goal, however, we really do need the assistance of our customers, general supporters, and Facebook subscribers at this time.

Currently, Notions Unlimited Bookshop is looking at the very real possibility of closure – if not by Christmas, then perhaps just afterwards – with the chief cause being the ever-rising cost of running the business. It’s not definite at this point, but the writing is on the wall, and this appeal is an attempt to reverse matters before it’s too late.

Our aim, therefore, is not just to increase our daily sales, but to substantially increase the number of potential customers. Previously, we have tried to boost customer numbers through signage, social media and print advertising – yet almost 80% of our customers tell us they discovered us through referral from friends, family or colleagues.

So this is exactly what we’re asking our friends and customers to do for us now – refer us!

In a nutshell, while we’d love you to pop into our shop over the next few weeks and purchase a book (or two) to help keep us afloat, what we really want you to do is tell other people about us. Jump on Twitter and Facebook, tell your friends, family, workmates, and anybody else you know who loves SF, fantasy, horror, graphic novels, manga, media tie-ins, gaming, esoteric subjects, and other such related genres, to come and check us out in person (and then tell all of their peeps!). We’re not looking for handouts – just introductions to potential customers who may help to keep us in business. And do be sure to mention to everyone you refer us to that this is all in aid of keeping Notions Unlimited Bookshop operating.

Finally, I just want to make it absolutely clear that this is a genuine appeal, not some fake ‘going out of business’ sale or marketing trick. If things don’t improve markedly for us over the next month, we will almost certainly be forced to close our doors forever. No business owner ever wants to admit that a business is failing, but there comes a time when that owner has to either quietly slide towards the inevitable, or step into the spotlight and ask for assistance. So, if you feel you can assist, and will do so, you will have the absolute gratitude of myself and my staff – as well as, hopefully, a future in which we may continue to provide you with the range, service and community you deserve.

In the meantime, a massive and heartfelt ‘thank-you’ to all of our customers, regular and casual, who have supported us already since we opened. We couldn’t have survived thus far without you.

With Thanks,

Chuck McKenzie (Chief Zombologist)
Notions Unlimited Bookshop
facebook.com/pages/Notions-Unlimited-Bookshop/
@notionsun
info@notionsunlimitedbookshop.com

Bookshops are an endangered entity in this day and age, and whenever one closes its doors for good, we are all a little poorer for it. Don’t let this happen to Notions Unlimited Bookshop. Please help in any way you can.

AHWA and JournalStone Publishing (JSP) have entered into an exclusive joint marketing agreement. AHWA and Midnight Echo magazine will be the exclusive Australian distributor of the quarterly magazine, Dark Discoveries, while JSP and Dark Discoveries Magazine will become the exclusive USA distributor of Midnight Echo. This means the pre-existing high premium that potential readers of each respective magazine have had to pay to receive the other periodical in their respective countries will be eliminated, making both magazines much more affordable and accessible/available for all. Look for availability on both the JSP and Midnight Echo websites soon, where you will be able to purchase the magazines individually or in a bundled offering that includes both Dark Discoveries and Midnight Echo.

The Giveaways:-

Midnight Echo is holding a subscription drive in the lead up to the much anticipated release of issue #8, with a swag of prizes to be won. Just take out a 1- or 2-year print subscription between now and November 30 and you will go into the draw to win the following:-

• ‘The Woman’ signed by Jack Ketchum and Lucky McKee
• ‘Edge of Dark Water’ signed by Joe R Lansdale
• Original ME8 artwork by Glenn Chadbourne (signed)
• A copy of ‘Tolerance’ plus 3 signed lithographs, by ME8 cover artist Chris Mars
• 1-year print subscription to Cemetery Dance magazine
• Original Allure of the Ancients artwork, signed by creators Mark Farrugia and Greg Chapman
• 1-year print subscription bundle to Midnight Echo and Dark Discoveries magazines

The winners will be announced on December 1. Go here for more details or to subscribe.

Edited by Liz Grzyb and Talie Helene, these two exquisitely handsome volumes collect 65 fantastic tales – the best from 2010 and 2011. There is simply no better primer on current local talent working in horror and fantasy genre in Australia.

Order any Ticonderoga Publications title at Indie Books Online this month, to go in the running to win the hardcover editions of both Year’s Best volumes.

All the details and links are over at Talie Helene’s blog here.

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• Commode by Shaun Hamilton
• Driven by Anthony Ferguson
• Saturday Night at the Milk Bar by Gary Kemble
• Symmetry Fades by Rick McQuiston
• The Hunting Room by Kia Groom
• Brand New Day by G. N. Braun
• Dead Inertia by Eric Blair
• Just Some Good Old Boys Sitting Around the Fire Talking Shit by A.J Brown
• Parlour Party by Michael Penkas
• The Case of the Kissing Corpse by Jack Skelter
• My First Horror Show by Ed Higgins
• I Like to Share by Ron Jon
• Ghosts of You by Lee Battersby
• See Jane Mesmerised! by Tom McLaughlin
• The Final Degustation of Doctor Ernest Blenheim by Andrew J. McKiernan
• What the Dark Does by Graham Masterton
• A Slice of Life – A Spot of Liver by Paul Haines
• (comic) Allure of the Ancients – The Key to His Kingdom by Mark Farrugia and Greg Chapman (not available in MOBI or EPUB formats)
• (poetry) Cat by Michelle Scalise
• (poetry) Pain and Pin Me Sweetly, My Love by Kurt Newton
• (poetry) Pleasure Me by Bec Mirr
• (art) Greg Hughes
• (art) Jason Paulos
• (art) Joshua Hoffine
• (interview) Graham Masterton
• (interview) Joe R Lansdale
• (Interview) Joshua Hoffine

To take away the giveaway copy, just comment below with the last thing you’d like to hear echo in a quiet house at midnight. Creep us out and we’ll pick one lucky recipient. (Sorry, but this is open to Australian residents only.)

Haven, Maine appears to be just another lively, New England seaside town, complete with quaint shops, scenic beaches and a busy harbor. But when FBI Agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) first arrived on a routine case, she encountered the mysterious underside of Haven. Her investigation lead her to discover that Haven has a secret: it’s home to a number of people suffering from supernatural afflictions.

Audrey found that she is uniquely qualified to handle these supernatural events – referred to in local legend as “the Troubles” – and after discovering that Haven might hold clues about her own mysterious past, she chooses to stay in the town to do so.

Haven, based on the Stephen King novella “The Colorado Kid”, is the story of Audrey’s entry into this seemingly normal town. Across the seasons, Audrey’s quest to understand herself and the great mysteries of Haven will drive her ever deeper down the rabbit hole.

Do you want a copy? If so, just leave a comment and tell us you want in and we’ll randomly pick three winners in a week or two. We’ll have a full review of Season 2 up here soon.

PLESE NOTE! This offer is only open to Australian residents.

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