A bit of stressin'
What a week! A lot of random stressful things happened but I think we’re all ahead of it now, but gosho!
First of all: I should be doing some more CRT work - I’m in big bills season. I had to pay a big tax bill, a big printing bill and a big design bill - yikes! I’ve CRT’d, I think, 7 days this month, and probably should have done 10-11, but there’s only one more day in February I can teach (tomorrow). In March I’ll need to get to 12-14 if I can swing it.
One big issue with publishing is that it is inconsistent AND involves significant outlay upfront. It can also be tricky to work out final costs - for example I never quite know the shipping/import fees until they come, and it’s easy to be $500-$1000 off, for me at least.
THEN as I said I’ve had this awesome news that I’ll be in a few fairs in May, but for those I have to pay an exhibiting fee ($500-1200), book flights and accommodation. All of that before seeing any new sales.
My workshops have been selling, but they haven’t all sold out. Which is fine - there’s always a gap when one changes something, there’s a lag as I learn what works and people flock to and what isn’t as popular, or is only popular at a cheaper price.
It’s so easy for me to start getting anxious and hoping it’ll all work out. However, there isn’t always CRT work to do. Today, for example, only one opportunity came through and was snapped up by another CRT as I was making a coffee.
It’s important that I remember this is still an experiment. I am just taking this year, and there will be a lot to learn, which means there will be high highs and some things not quite working out.
Last year, when my day job wrapped up I went back on anti-depressants which really help keep me steady during these ups and downs. Makes a huge difference!
I don’t want to sound doom and gloom - if I step back and look at the spreadsheets and numbers things are going in the right direction, but I do get sticker shock when the bills come in!
However, there is also good news.
We launched the pre-order for our first book of the year and it has already pre-sold like 32 copies which, for us, is really good! I hope to get to 50 or so by the end of the week.
It looks like basically all of the design work for this year’s books is done. That is a HUGE amount of work basically finished. Apart from one book the other 4 are locked in. I’m actually quite impressed with myself as I have often found it hard to get things done well ahead of time, a bit of urgency goes a long way, but here we are! All done!
Next week I am in my first exhibition of the year. I still need to build some plinths for the exhibition but that’s Friday’s task, today’s too damn hot for that.
In my workshop on Saturday I saw some incredible work and hope to publish that work some day.
A number of folks reached out to offer to work the Tall Poppy stall at the Melbourne Art Book Fair and I’m stoked to have that sorted. I really appreciate the people who offered, it’s so kind of you.
I am making decent coffee at home! I wanted to learn how to make good coffee by the end of the year and I’m now at a place where, sometimes, I think ‘mine is better than this’ when I grab a coffee out and about. Lots more to learn but it’s quite fun.
I had a really successful meeting with a large photography institution yesterday and they are going to be really helpful in the promotion of our second book. How awesome is that?
Anyway, a few things to let you all know:
a) All old Tall Poppy titles are available for $50 with the code NIFTYFIFTY ! If you use that code at checkout, every book but the latest one will have a nice discount.
b) I’d love to see you at the launch of Milk Teeth - March 29th, 4.30-6.30pm at 46 Trafford Street, Brunswick. There’ll be food, art work and a lot of fun. It’s been a few months since a photo event has happened in Melbourne so come scratch the itch! The bar will be open too, chairs will be out so come relax and have a chat.
Until next week :)
Matt