LATEST NEWS (8/21/06):

     The "Clatterbaugh Curse" has struck again! I got the new issue of MFTV on Friday afternoon (8/18) and immediately noticed that while the front cover looked great, the text was a little light, one photo and an ad on each copy had some botches (I'm told from low spots on the printing plates), more hickeys showed up than usual (which really upsets me because I spend a lot of time cleaning up the photos to remove dust and scratches), and the trim is off on each copy I've looked at so far (especially noticeable on the back cover, some much worse than others). I had to search through several boxes just to get some acceptable copies to take to FANEX and give to some of the subscribers and contributors to save some postage. I also sold a few copies, even though I didn't have a table. However, on Sunday while preparing to do my subscription mailing, I began to notice more quality issues (bad lamination, ink smudges on front and back covers). I picked out the best copies I could find and sent them to our contributors, about 20 subscribers, and Creepy Classics. Also, Diamond Comics received theirs directly from my new printer, so they should be in comic shops this week or next. Unfortunately, I'm sure there are many quality issues with those as well, and I'll probably be hearing from Diamond soon about replacing unsaleable copies. I've contacted my printer, and I'm now in the process of hand-checking each issue I received (which will take several days due to my work schedule for my "real" job) to identify the problems and how many copies are affected (probably all in one way or another). Once I give my printer this info, we'll try to agree on a solution, which usually means some type of discount (never very much), since they never want to reprint the job. When I published the SHOCK! THEATER book, my bill for 2,000 copies was $13,000. Almost 1,000 of the books were defective for numerous reasons and were returned to the printer, who offered to deduct $300 from my bill---$300 for 1,000 books (half of a $13,000 job). I got a lawyer, went "round and round" with the printer, and was advised to settle out of court for a $1,000 credit. After paying legal fees, I ended up paying the full $13,000 for half the books. That's why I won't be doing a second printing out of my pocket, but that's another story. So until I can spot-check each issue, no more copies will be mailed. To top it off, my postage meter was locked out by Pitney Bowes because I hadn't used it since mailing the last issue and now a visual inspection must be done, which won't happen until at least Thursday or Friday. My other option is to stick 5 stamps on each issue I mail. So as I said earlier, some subscribers will receive a copy in the next couple of days (if I have an actual name that I recognized); others will have to wait. I'll post again when the remainder of the subscription copies ship. For those lucky enough to receive their copy this week, I'd love to get some feedback on the contents and printing.