The Kickstart Newsletter #193 - August 25th, 2008

SPA Roadmap...    by Ian Shires

So, a good plan for the future is always important, when looking at a group. The SPA started out with a simple plan, and did a pretty good job of following through on it, for a good while. The roadblocks and detours we've taken, have left us a little bruised and battered, but as a group, there is still large and solid interest in the SPA Mission. A mission that we haven't had posted online for people to see for a while. But I'm going to fix that this week. The rest of the SPA Documentation, and set up, will be back up, as well as info on some of our major ongoing projects - such as Mysterious Visions Anthology guidelines, and the rekindled Printing Service. SEE HERE for more information on that!

Another new development is that we've gotten some new inroads towards getting the long-wanted and sought after Webcomics Section going for the SPA. So we're now looking forward to being able to open up new ways for creators and publishers to get their stuff seen, build audience, and otherwise have fun being in the SPA. Watch for development in THIS THREAD of the forum.

But, above all that, what we're REALLY looking for, is the thoughts and ideas of those of you who don't USUALLY give your thoughts and ideas about what the SPA is up to. We want to map out a better road map for things we want to accomplish, and how to accomplish them, and in this kind of group, you're not going to get what you want, unless you speak up! So, read THIS THREAD and speak up! Seriously!

DIMESTORE COMMUNITY

The SPA Membership Drive is still being planned. We have a couple new site surprises to get worked up before it'll really become clear and you'll see how it'll all work. It's going to include a points system for people to be able to earn free advertising, if you're a publisher, or other things, like free issues of SP! Magazine, or other swag as we develop. We'll be letting other publishers in on the fun, and offer things to the SPA Members. It will really make the community fun and able to focus on the things that matter. You'll be able to spend points on certain things directly in the Distro! Meanwhile, while we're waiting for a few more things to fall into place for it, make sure you're on THE MAP. You can place your pointer on THE MAP in your profile page. Then, you can see what other members of the SPA are in your area on the MAP page. Soon, we'll have Local Chapters identified so you can find your local group, and attend local activities in your area.

We have gotten together some support for the AD BOOK format that we've used successfully in the past to raise awareness of member books. You can CLICK HERE to get your page or pages in the AD BOOK. And you can also read more/ask more about the project in This Forum Thread. Our hope is to grow the concept into support for a full Catalog for the Distro. Your participation will help build and grow the SPA's strength and reach in comics stores everywhere. It is our hope by next IDOL season, we'll be able to have retailers on board to take the show to it's next level of participation.

DIMESTORE DISTRO

With our moving now complete, I will be beginning to address the Distro Backlog, and getting new stuff into the Distro as fast as possible. I thank everyone who has been patient with us as we have faced our growing pains and otherwise refocused so we can get moving. Watch for action, it is coming!

SPA COMICS

With IDOL 08 over, and Idol 07 Winner SWAT, back in action, and 06 winner The Squirrel - ready to put out his 3rd issue, and Dungar stuff getting moving, the SPA Comics site is ready to start presenting some really cool stuff to support some really cool titles. People will note that we're going to put up the Mysterious Visions Anthology info and linking it over directly from the main Dimestore SPA info, further integrating the family of sites that make up our SPA Playground. We should be getting some really cool, interesting stuff, up shortly!

SELF PUBLISHER! MAGAZINE

Getting a new issue of SP! out every single month is going to become hugely important to us all. It is my hope that the staff built for it, and new people alike, will be ready to get behind a magazine covering Small Press and Indies, and we can really start making a difference.

We have made it so that ANYONE, ANYWHERE can submit news, and then we have a team set up to review what people post, and adjust/approve it as needed. If you want to be on this team (set to be lead by ThePerfessor, Rob Sodoro) please let us know!

INDYFEST USA

All looks to be fine for a September 21st launching to the Indyfest concept! The show is set, and guests lined up to be there, and we're going to do everything we can to make the first ever Indyfest show everything it can be. If you're still looking to get in on this at $25 for half a table, $40 for a full table, contact us right away!

Remember, you can now place BANNER ads right here in the Kick Start, and get your word out to thousands of enthusiasts both in their in-box and on the front page for a week! for just $5.00! See here: http://www.dimestoredistro.com/kickstartad-p-315.html

Dimestore Productions is at: P.O. Box 214, Madison, OH 44057