Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Just one book: save Salt. And an offer

Although they have worked wonders in the present climate, Salt Publishing are facing a financial crisis, and have put out an appeal asking for people to buy just one Salt book. If enough people do that - just buy one book - the crisis can be averted.

Go on, you know you want one of those wonderful, beautifully produced, superbly written Salt books, or even two...

And if you buy one Salt book today from anywhere I'll send you a free copy of the now defunct but acclaimed and collectable short story magazine metropolitan. Just email me at e dot baines at zen dot co dot uk.

Here's the message which Salt director Chris Hamilton-Emery put out on Facebook yesterday:
As many of you will know, Jen and I have been struggling to keep Salt moving since June last year when the economic downturn began to affect our press. Our three year funding ends this year: we've £4,000 due from Arts Council England in a final payment, but cannot apply through Grants for the Arts for further funding for Salt's operations. Spring sales were down nearly 80% on the previous year, and despite April's much improved trading, the past twelve months has left us with a budget deficit of over £55,000. It's proving to be a very big hole and we're having to take some drastic measures to save our business.

Here's how you can help us to save Salt and all our work with hundreds of authors around the world.

JUST ONE BOOK

1. Please buy just one book, right now. We don't mind from where, you can buy it from us or from Amazon, your local shop or megastore, online or offline. If you buy just one book now, you'll help to save Salt. Timing is absolutely everything here. We need cash now to stay afloat. If you love literature, help keep it alive. All it takes is just one book sale. Go to our online store and help us keep going.

2. Share this note on your profile. Tell your friends. If we can spread the word about our cash crisis, we can hopefully find more sales and save our literary publishing. Remember it's just one book, that's all it takes to save us. Please do it now.

With my best wishes to everyone
Chris
Director
Salt Publishing
http://www.saltpublishing.com

12 comments:

Group 8 said...

Hi Elizabeth,
I've blogged this too. If we all do our wee bit, it'll work, eh? Finges crossed for lots of sales.
N x

Elizabeth Baines said...

Hi Nuala, it should do, shouldn't it?
E x

Juxtabook said...

Just blogged about Salt with a link back to your post. Be a shame to loose them.

Elizabeth Baines said...

Thank you, Juxtabook!

Rob said...

I've picked up a book, and started a hashtag #saltbooks on Twitter. Come and tell us about their best titles if you get the chance!

Elizabeth Baines said...

Great, Rob!

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Off to buy a book now.

Hope Salt is saved, it would be such a shame for them not to be.

Elizabeth Baines said...

Briliant, Debs! Thank you so much. And if you'd like a free copy of metropolitan do email me.

CL Taylor said...

I've bought a Salt book - and just twittered about it. It would be TERRIBLE if one of the very few publishers who publish short stories were to close.

Elizabeth Baines said...

That's wonderful, Calistro. Don't forget, email me if you'd like a free copy of metropolitan

Valerie O'Riordan said...

Hi Elizabeth,

I've just got home from a brief trip away to find both Metropolitan and The White Road waiting for me. Can't wait to get stuck in. Thanks again - and fingers crossed the Salt sales continue apace.

Valerie

Elizabeth Baines said...

Hi Valerie - sorry not to respond earlier, I've been away and my internet connection has been a bit chaotic. So glad you received metropolitan - I hope you enjoy it. And I'm sure you'll love the White Road.

Thanks so much for supporting Salt!