Another Update on TRAFFORD

So, the quality of the books was sub-par.  The covers were printed MUCH darker than our proofs and previous orders.  I couldn’t sell them.  Disappointing.   $187?   I think…  20 books and S&H.  I had been wrapped up enough with other things that I didn’t think too much about it.

But then a marketing rep from Trafford called, trying to get me to BUY a marketing plan from Trafford.  I told him why I wasn’t interested: 1) I do all the marketing and press for the books because we don’t have a budget for it right now.  2) Why would I trust Trafford to be successful with this when they can’t even get the consistency in print?  They don’t have a great track record for the last two years.  I told him about the last print.  He suggested that I talk to Lisa (who I ordered from) and try to get another print.  He checked to see if she if she was available.  Lisa had already gone home.  So, then he tries to sell me the marketing plan again.  I do mention to him that we have been with Trafford for 9 years now…that we were one of the first to publish with them.  We don’t have it in the budget.   He was very young and sounded like a very nice kid, but when he suggested that I re-write my budget to include marketing…well, I told him all my problems with Trafford.  Poor kid was so overwhelmed he laughed…like, for a while.  Then he offered me the marketing plan. 

So, I called Lisa on Friday.  She didn’t apologize.  She told me that she would have me talk to customer service.  On hold for a while.  CS has gone home.  Okay.  She suggested that I write her an email describing the issue, then she would contact customer service and they would get in touch.  So, I wrote the email and enclosed photographs of the new printing in contrast to new books we still had from the last printing.  And the receipt.   Well, it’s Tuesday and 7:48pm in Toronto….I think they are still in Toronto.  I haven’t heard from anyone.  I would like a reprint, because I can’t sell these and have any integrity with the product.  It seems a shame to spend nearly 200 on something you can’t use. 

So, at the opening, one of the C4 workspace office managers asked me about the self-publishing process.   He said he may go with Amazon.  Well.   I couldn’t argue.

Suffering from PED

That’s Post-Exhibit Depression.  As it turns out, there was zero need for nervousness.  Especially regarding the anticipation of claustrophobia. 

The opening show was 19 days ago, and I’m just now sitting down to write about it because I was ultimately disappointed with the turn out.  I know I shouldn’t be,…but I am.

We worked hard for the opening.  To set up the show we rented a U-haul to move everything.  It was one long and crazy night getting the carousel horse and the huge paintings padded and placed and secured.  We moved everything the next morning and Gordon spent the rest of the afternoon setting it up.  Meanwhile, my Dad and I prepped food for the show.  I have mentioned before on this blog that it’s not common for shows to serve food.  I wanted this to be a huge exception.  Two types of handmade Baklava.  Two cheese and fruit trays.  Veges.   Greek Feta Skewers.  Stuffed Dates.  Do you see a theme here?  Anyway, we worked the day prior and the day of the show, fixing food.  Without Gordon and Dad’s help, I wouldn’t have been able to do it….they really came to my rescue in the thick of it.  7 trays total. 

It all made for really good leftovers.

I’m glad that we had the opportunity and I don’t know why we expected anything different than we had seen in San Antonio.  I’m glad that C4 likes to live with the work and Gordon is so happy to see it all up together.  If I wasn’t disappointed though, I wouldn’t be doing my job. 

After all that, we are doing a closing reception on the 28th.  NO FOOD!  Maybe I’ll finally get a chance for Gordon and I to have our picture taken together.  Throughout the night, I was the photographer.  Here are a few.  If there is anybody out there reading this that wants to see more photos, you can find them at the FB page.