Like my writing, good ideas are rattling around up in the hollow thing behind my glasses, but the execution is... ambiguously successful.
Here's the first idea: Buy the EP and PP compilation discs and donate them to the local library. Win-win, because Escape Artists profts (you do, right, Steve?) and the library gets in on something cool. Win-win-win-win, actually, because library patrons get the stories, and EP gets more exposure.
Ah, BUT, can the library handle the format (mp3, on CD or DVD)? And will they accept a donation like that? And what about ALL the libraries in my area? Don't they deserve the love, too?
So, here's the second idea: I went in and asked the librarian to buy the discs. (I'm a patron; we're always asking for stuff that we want them to buy.) The manager, a Mr. W, wasn't really clear on what I was trying to get him to do. I explained that there is a collection of science fiction short stories on CD, but they are in mp3 format. He was willing to put in an order, but they aren't sold on Amazon (at least, we couldn't find them there...) so he couldn't find an ISBN. He was willing to go to poddisc.com, but the page wouldn't load, and he kind of started squirming when he saw that this weeks story on the EP page was "rated X" (he was semi-mollified by my assurance that it was really good). Mr. W. ended up having me fill out a form they have for requesting unusual (or self-published) books. We'll see what happens, and I'll try again next time Steve runs Squonk or a Pooh-story.
Now, I still plan on doing the original idea, but the experience moved me to post my tale here and ask if anyone else has tried this (successfully or otherwise). I live in
one large county,
work in another, and would be more than happy to drive to
one or two others nearby if I thought I could get them to add Escape Pod to their catalogues. Is it possible to get the compilations in Audio CD format? Would it be legally awkward to at least offer them on Amazon, so a librarian can order them?
Damn... I just realized I could have asked about the bookmarks, too. Next trip!