May 2021

Updates:

Shipping: The books arrived in 6 boxes yesterday, and the Canadian mod team started dismantling, inspecting, and preparing, beginning with the first printing batch and the contributor copies. We’ll have some photographs tomorrow, just ensuring that names and addresses do not appear in the photos we’ve taken. One box had some damaged books, with moderate-to-severe cover folds, and some form of oil damage on three books, likely from the printing press. We’re checking to see if the printer provided a few extra copies beyond our print order, and will alert them once we have a final tally of damages. This will not impact the shipment of the first printing, and from our rough estimate, it shouldn’t impact any of the existing purchases for the second printing. Again, we’ll have an update on that as soon as we’ve finalized a careful examination of the remaining boxes. The books should go out on their journey Monday/Tuesday.

Second Printing: As indicated in the shipping section, we’re going to take a good count and quality inspection of the remaining unopened boxes to ensure we have enough copies to fulfill our 100-copy reprint. We will adjust numbers on the site if we do not have enough to satisfy, and we will be checking in with the printer to at least give them a heads-up. Deluxe editions are awaiting the arrival of our locally-printed vinyl stickers, which should only take a few more days. They should be prepared for shipment by the end of shipping First Printing.

Contributor Applications: We received so many applications that we will need to continue sending out acceptances, deferrals, or rejections into tomorrow. Mod Egon made a big push on those, and we have about 16 more emails to send out. For applicants who receive a rejection email, we’re also making a point of indicating strengths, encouragements, and areas we’d like to see focus on for future portfolios. While this makes sending out the emails a little slower than a typical form letter, we want to make sure that each applicant is treated like a person throughout all this, that they aren’t disheartened by the decision, and that they reapply with enthusiasm and growth.

That wraps up our updates for this evening, but I look forward to sharing some photos and progress updates for the last push of this volume. Soon, we’ll announce our list of Vol 2 contributors, and we’ll begin readying the presses for another amazing edition of this labour of love!

Updates:

themagnuscollection:

Shipping: The books arrived in 6 boxes yesterday, and the Canadian mod team started dismantling, inspecting, and preparing, beginning with the first printing batch and the contributor copies. We’ll have some photographs tomorrow, just ensuring that names and addresses do not appear in the photos we’ve taken. One box had some damaged books, with moderate-to-severe cover folds, and some form of oil damage on three books, likely from the printing press. We’re checking to see if the printer provided a few extra copies beyond our print order, and will alert them once we have a final tally of damages. This will not impact the shipment of the first printing, and from our rough estimate, it shouldn’t impact any of the existing purchases for the second printing. Again, we’ll have an update on that as soon as we’ve finalized a careful examination of the remaining boxes. The books should go out on their journey Monday/Tuesday.

Second Printing: As indicated in the shipping section, we’re going to take a good count and quality inspection of the remaining unopened boxes to ensure we have enough copies to fulfill our 100-copy reprint. We will adjust numbers on the site if we do not have enough to satisfy, and we will be checking in with the printer to at least give them a heads-up. Deluxe editions are awaiting the arrival of our locally-printed vinyl stickers, which should only take a few more days. They should be prepared for shipment by the end of shipping First Printing.

Contributor Applications: We received so many applications that we will need to continue sending out acceptances, deferrals, or rejections into tomorrow. Mod Egon made a big push on those, and we have about 16 more emails to send out. For applicants who receive a rejection email, we’re also making a point of indicating strengths, encouragements, and areas we’d like to see focus on for future portfolios. While this makes sending out the emails a little slower than a typical form letter, we want to make sure that each applicant is treated like a person throughout all this, that they aren’t disheartened by the decision, and that they reapply with enthusiasm and growth.

That wraps up our updates for this evening, but I look forward to sharing some photos and progress updates for the last push of this volume. Soon, we’ll announce our list of Vol 2 contributors, and we’ll begin readying the presses for another amazing edition of this labour of love!

Morning reblog, just to say we’re back to work at clearing through boxes and applications alike. 

sinister-monologue:

Came home to a surprise! @themagnuscollection

I’m so glad yours arrived alright! We haven’t even made a post about it yet, we’re so busy packing and shipping away! Please feel free to leave a review with how you enjoy it, and look forward to some exciting announcements regarding Volume 2!

sinister-monologue:

@themagnuscollection

A spoiler free preview of the physical zine. Heavy paperweight and glossy full-color illustrations, solid binding. My hasty photos don’t do it justice.

And the content is incredible! The contributor bios include social media handles, so you can track down the creators of each piece.

Hello I was just wondering are you still selling zines ?

Hello!

We still have some copies of the second printing remaining. After a quick check of the storefront, it looks like we have 35 copies of the Deluxe Edition remaining, and 3 copies left of the Standard Edition. There are unlimited copies of the PDF, distributed by Pulley.

We are also considering selling some of the damaged copies and the incorrectly-printed posters at a discount. These books have some cover damage, or cast-off from the printing machines, and will be photographed carefully so buyers understand what they’re getting. The posters are printed slightly larger and slightly darker than the first printing, and while they’re still an excellent piece of our cover artist’s work, they aren’t 100% what we’ve represented in promotional materials. I should have some more information on that soon.

Thank you for asking, and I hope you have a wonderful afternoon!

Hello I was just wondering are you still selling zines ?

themagnuscollection:

Hello!

We still have some copies of the second printing remaining. After a quick check of the storefront, it looks like we have 35 copies of the Deluxe Edition remaining, and 3 copies left of the Standard Edition. There are unlimited copies of the PDF, distributed by Pulley.

We are also considering selling some of the damaged copies and the incorrectly-printed posters at a discount. These books have some cover damage, or cast-off from the printing machines, and will be photographed carefully so buyers understand what they’re getting. The posters are printed slightly larger and slightly darker than the first printing, and while they’re still an excellent piece of our cover artist’s work, they aren’t 100% what we’ve represented in promotional materials. I should have some more information on that soon.

Thank you for asking, and I hope you have a wonderful afternoon!

This should probably have been where we posted the link to where you could buy the zines. That would have been smart, wouldn’t it.

Pretend we posted this link up there so you, your friends, your family, your loved ones, and your nemeses can all fight over the few remaining physical copies of this perfect and beautiful book.

PRODUCTION UPDATE: 

This update has been long-coming as the team has been putting together shipments and sending them out in batches. As of right now, 79 shipments out of 144 in total (as of last count) have been sent out to their happy homes, and we have another 18 prepared for tomorrow. Our goal is to have everything cleared out by end of May so we can devote ourselves entirely to Vol 2!

Shipments have been separated into four categories to assist in batch preparations: standard (single copy), deluxe (single copy), Canadian shipment of either, and multiple-copy shipment. Because we have to fill out customs information for every international post, this batch arrangement allows us to fill in item weights and contents quickly. This also means that multiple copies, while getting additional attention, will take longer to send out to the post office. Beyond that, we are operating in a rough order of purchase, which means that if yours is more recent, it may still be awaiting postage taped onto it. 

Postage is paid out of pocket and reimbursed from the Paypal funds, which again delays additional postage, but also forces heightened accountability. We’re ensuring that every penny is accounted for, and we will be putting together an end-of-zine infographic detailing what the money was spent on, an estimate of price-per-book, the amount of money going to charity, as well as non-identifiable demographics on our audience.

Out of the 230 copies we received, approximately 8 of them are considered “seconds” or unsellable at the prices we’ve provided. We will be putting up a ‘damaged discount’ option with photographs of the injuries. These include folded cover corners, a dinged cover top, an additional interior cover goof, and slight oil damage from the printing machines. These pieces are uniquely touched by the fears, and if you purchase one, we’ll make them further unique for your viewing pleasures.

As mentioned in a previous post, we have encountered an issue in our poster reprints, which we will provide a visual update on in the following post. When we expanded our print run in response to the popularity of the volume, we also had to buy an additional print run of the posters, and they didn’t turn out 100% up to our standards of quality. This may be a case of our art director being nitpicky, but we’ll also leave it up to you to decide. We’ve contacted the print shop to see if they’ll reprint the second print run of the posters for us, and we’ll see if we can do a ‘seconds’ sale on these posters. However, if the print shop is unwilling to reprint free or at discount, we’ll send out an ask if you’d like them reprinted at-cost or are happy with the ones we have. We’ll reiterate this in the following post too.

If you’ve purchased a copy of the book, keep an eye out on the email you used to purchase, and you should get an update on the shipping there! Do let us know when they arrive and if you’re happy with the quality of the copy. We’re considering running a review raffle for a copy of Vol 2, so stay tuned for more on that in a bit!

Thank you for all of your support as we bring Volume 1 to a completion, and we look forward to seeing you all again on Volume 2!

Reprint (below, underneath) has darker windows

Reprint (right) is much darker in direct comparison

Reprint (below) printed much larger than the original, with limited margin to sign

Reprint (top, underneath) does not have as vivid a sunset

POSTER UPDATE:

This is not the way we wanted to show off our amazing poster, but this should explain some of the delays we’ve been having in bringing the second printing grouping to completion. Our original print-run was brought to completion under the eagle eye of our art director, to their satisfaction. When it came time to print them again for the second edition, we thought our print shop could handle doing the same thing all over again. The second printing has come out much darker compared to the original, and also, weirdly, larger. Please review the captions on each of these comparative images to see what we mean.

We have contacted the printer to try and get the second run reprinted free or at discount, but are prepared to utilize a portion of the funding for a better reprint. These communications have delayed sending out the creator copies and the second printing deluxe editions, which is so unbelievably frustrating with how close we are to the end. If we do get a reprinting, the “90% right” prints will go in-store at a discounted price to help us recoup costs on them.

However, if our art director is too nitpicky, and you’d love having this on your wall as-is, please leave us a comment in the notes below, and we’ll take it under advisement. Our team strives to give you the best quality product we can, and to make sure that the artists’ work is brought to you with as true-to-colour as possible. Either way, we look forward to sending the last of Vol 1 out and moving forward to some of the amazing items in store for Vol 2!

are physical copies of the zine still abatible for sale

As of this evening’s count, we’ve got 29 Deluxe Editions left in stock, 2 Standard Editions, and 8 “Corrupted Copies” that we’ll have up on the market soon!

You can find copies here at https://themagnuscollection.bigcartel.com. Have a super great evening!

bfuzine:

👻 ZINE GIVEAWAY 👻

Surprise! We’re doing a giveaway! Stand a chance to win the full Ghoul Gang bundle, the physical copies of the Connect the Dots zine or the Treat Yourself mini-zine, or a digital copy of the CtD zine!!

🔥 TO ENTER: 

1. Must be following us! @bfuzine
2. Reblog this post + comment (+1 entry) 
3. Tag a friend for a bonus entry! 

Good luck! 4 winners will be drawn from across all our social media platforms on May 23. Head on over to our giveaway posts on Twitter or Instagram for extra entries! 

👻 PRE-ORDER NOW | connectthedotszine.bigcartel.com 👻

This zine has some wonderful people running it, and the proceeds will be going to another extremely worthy cause. While it may not be TMA-related, What the Ghost? and Ghost Hunt UK have enough in common with the Ghoul Gang to make the Connect the Dots zine a sister in spirit. 

Reprint (below, underneath) has darker windows

Reprint (right) is much darker in direct comparison

Reprint (below) printed much larger than the original, with limited margin to sign

Reprint (top, underneath) does not have as vivid a sunset

themagnuscollection:

POSTER UPDATE:

This is not the way we wanted to show off our amazing poster, but this should explain some of the delays we’ve been having in bringing the second printing grouping to completion. Our original print-run was brought to completion under the eagle eye of our art director, to their satisfaction. When it came time to print them again for the second edition, we thought our print shop could handle doing the same thing all over again. The second printing has come out much darker compared to the original, and also, weirdly, larger. Please review the captions on each of these comparative images to see what we mean.

We have contacted the printer to try and get the second run reprinted free or at discount, but are prepared to utilize a portion of the funding for a better reprint. These communications have delayed sending out the creator copies and the second printing deluxe editions, which is so unbelievably frustrating with how close we are to the end. If we do get a reprinting, the “90% right” prints will go in-store at a discounted price to help us recoup costs on them.

However, if our art director is too nitpicky, and you’d love having this on your wall as-is, please leave us a comment in the notes below, and we’ll take it under advisement. Our team strives to give you the best quality product we can, and to make sure that the artists’ work is brought to you with as true-to-colour as possible. Either way, we look forward to sending the last of Vol 1 out and moving forward to some of the amazing items in store for Vol 2!

We’ve got a poll running on twitter for the next 6 days. Come give a response here: https://twitter.com/TMCZine/status/1394527135637807107?s=20

themagnuscollection:

PRODUCTION UPDATE: 

This update has been long-coming as the team has been putting together shipments and sending them out in batches. As of right now, 79 shipments out of 144 in total (as of last count) have been sent out to their happy homes, and we have another 18 prepared for tomorrow. Our goal is to have everything cleared out by end of May so we can devote ourselves entirely to Vol 2!

Shipments have been separated into four categories to assist in batch preparations: standard (single copy), deluxe (single copy), Canadian shipment of either, and multiple-copy shipment. Because we have to fill out customs information for every international post, this batch arrangement allows us to fill in item weights and contents quickly. This also means that multiple copies, while getting additional attention, will take longer to send out to the post office. Beyond that, we are operating in a rough order of purchase, which means that if yours is more recent, it may still be awaiting postage taped onto it. 

Postage is paid out of pocket and reimbursed from the Paypal funds, which again delays additional postage, but also forces heightened accountability. We’re ensuring that every penny is accounted for, and we will be putting together an end-of-zine infographic detailing what the money was spent on, an estimate of price-per-book, the amount of money going to charity, as well as non-identifiable demographics on our audience.

Out of the 230 copies we received, approximately 8 of them are considered “seconds” or unsellable at the prices we’ve provided. We will be putting up a ‘damaged discount’ option with photographs of the injuries. These include folded cover corners, a dinged cover top, an additional interior cover goof, and slight oil damage from the printing machines. These pieces are uniquely touched by the fears, and if you purchase one, we’ll make them further unique for your viewing pleasures.

As mentioned in a previous post, we have encountered an issue in our poster reprints, which we will provide a visual update on in the following post. When we expanded our print run in response to the popularity of the volume, we also had to buy an additional print run of the posters, and they didn’t turn out 100% up to our standards of quality. This may be a case of our art director being nitpicky, but we’ll also leave it up to you to decide. We’ve contacted the print shop to see if they’ll reprint the second print run of the posters for us, and we’ll see if we can do a ‘seconds’ sale on these posters. However, if the print shop is unwilling to reprint free or at discount, we’ll send out an ask if you’d like them reprinted at-cost or are happy with the ones we have. We’ll reiterate this in the following post too.

If you’ve purchased a copy of the book, keep an eye out on the email you used to purchase, and you should get an update on the shipping there! Do let us know when they arrive and if you’re happy with the quality of the copy. We’re considering running a review raffle for a copy of Vol 2, so stay tuned for more on that in a bit!

Thank you for all of your support as we bring Volume 1 to a completion, and we look forward to seeing you all again on Volume 2!

Morning Reblog!

Typically how long does it take you guys to get a shipment to Canada?

Since we’re based in Canada, we’re sending via lettermail. My hope is that they come within the week, but COVID has definitely imparted delays along all aspects of the production and delivery chain. It should be no longer than 14 days.

If you’ve already ordered a book, we’ll send you an email letting you know when we’ve shipped your copy off, and if you’re thinking of buying, we’ve still got copies left!

hello! are you going to be having guest artists on the second zine installment?

I have to admit I’m unsure of the distinction in what makes an artist “guest” versus “contributor”. We’ll have spreads and comics, and so many fun new merch contributions, and in preparation for Vol 2-4, I made up a list of artists I’d love to work with. But aside from making sure that everyone gets their art highlighted as best as possible in the print form of choice, and again here in their artist promos, I don’t know if I’d highlight certain artists above other artists, regardless of whether they participated on the first volume, were invited to attend, or applied with portfolio review.

We have so much amazing talent involved, at different levels of experience. For some, this might be their first zine, and their social media might cap at 100 followers. For others, they may have run several zines before. Our cover artist does comic conventions; some of our members have hotly-anticipated commission streams, or make adoptables, or create gorgeous merchandise. My enthusiasm and my desire to promote is equal for all of our contributors. I hope that those who are more established find our keen desire to display their artwork in the best fashion possible, and our newcomers will gain more attention because they’ve participated in something this special.

Hopefully, you’ll see some names you’re excited for, and find some new faves off our contributor lists, and you’ll stick around to see the amazing things we’ve got in store!

do you guys send out an email once a package has been sent?

As soon as a package has been taken to the post office, we mark the shipment as sent with Big Cartel, and Big Cartel should send you an email with information on your shipment. At this time, we do not have tracked packages, but we are working on calculating that as an option for the upcoming volume. Please check your email carefully, as we have 26 packages remaining to ship out before we are current. If you do not see an email in your inbox, it may be in your spam folder, or you should either receive one tomorrow. The delays we’ve had with getting things out have been a frustrating experience for us, and the team is already implementing new policy to streamline shipping for Volume 2.