I saw this on the list in question and found it very interesting.
I don't know why sales are dropping off, but I'd say that your reasons about multi-fandom folk, fanfic easily available elsewhere, etc. etc. are valid.
Personally I'm a bibliomaniac, I love books and zines, and can't have enough of them. Also, yes, I know I can print stuff off that I like, and bind it, but for *me* it isn't the same. Plus, it's not free when you do that, you're still paying for paper, ink, binding stuff, etc. etc.
Also, am I the only person in fandom who doesn't think that zines are expensive per se? After all, people spend £100 even £1,000s per year on going to football matches, pop concerts, the gym, out for meals, expensive wine, jewellry, etc. etc., so why not spend money on books or zines instead? I'm medially retired, thus on a fixed income, but even so if I want a zine, I'll buy it. I don't think they are overly expensive. Outside of books and reading, fandom is my main hobby (it pretty much has to be), so I choose to spend what money I have on this. I expect to pay for enjoyment.
To be honest and fair though, I haven't bought a new anthology zine for several years now, new as in newly published, because I trib to all of those, but I've certainly bought lots of zines from my fandoms as I get into them. Even if the stuff is on-line, if it's a story I really like I'll buy the zine. For me there is nothing quite like a 'real' zine (or book).
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carisma_sensei
no subject
Date: 2005-08-13 08:17 am (UTC)I saw this on the list in question and found it very interesting.
I don't know why sales are dropping off, but I'd say that your reasons about multi-fandom folk, fanfic easily available elsewhere, etc. etc. are valid.
Personally I'm a bibliomaniac, I love books and zines, and can't have enough of them. Also, yes, I know I can print stuff off that I like, and bind it, but for *me* it isn't the same. Plus, it's not free when you do that, you're still paying for paper, ink, binding stuff, etc. etc.
Also, am I the only person in fandom who doesn't think that zines are expensive per se? After all, people spend £100 even £1,000s per year on going to football matches, pop concerts, the gym, out for meals, expensive wine, jewellry, etc. etc., so why not spend money on books or zines instead? I'm medially retired, thus on a fixed income, but even so if I want a zine, I'll buy it. I don't think they are overly expensive. Outside of books and reading, fandom is my main hobby (it pretty much has to be), so I choose to spend what money I have on this. I expect to pay for enjoyment.
To be honest and fair though, I haven't bought a new anthology zine for several years now, new as in newly published, because I trib to all of those, but I've certainly bought lots of zines from my fandoms as I get into them. Even if the stuff is on-line, if it's a story I really like I'll buy the zine. For me there is nothing quite like a 'real' zine (or book).