I sent you an order and I did not get an email back saying you received it or it had been posted.
You can track your order online by the date I received it and the date I posted it at www.livejournal.com/users/distractions I do not send confirmation e-mails unless I have a query. All orders are posted within 1-3 business days days of me receiving them - barring sickness, holidays, or personal matters - which I would make note of on the website if applicable.
Can I trade you one/some of my zines for those in the SK catalogue?
I do not accept trades for Smitten Kitten stock. However I do accept selective trades on my own personal zine when available (currently I have nothing available).
I sent you my zine for distro consideration and I haven’t heard back yet.
Firstly, please be patient. My priorities are filling orders, updating the website and order tracking, and reordering stock. I also work Mon-Fri and have other responsibilities besides the distro. However, I do try to be timely and if I decide to stock your zine, you will usually hear from me within a month. You will not hear from me if I do not want to stock your zine. I used to reply to all the submissions but it takes a lot of time. I do feel very sorry that I can no longer reply to everyone anymore but I need to focus the small amount of spare time I do have on maintaining orders, the website, and working with those whose zines I do stock. Thanks for your understanding.
How come you don‘t stock music or poetry zines?
I am not really a fan of either of those types of zines. However, I don’t mind if a zine features a small amount of poetry or the random band interview. And I’m definitely interested in music zines/comics that are well written, with a personal take on music itself - not just reviews and interviews.
I’d really like to start my own distro. How do I go about it?
I receive quite a few e-mails from those interested in starting their own distro. If you do want some information, please be specific about what exactly you want to know. I'm still continually learning and I'm happy to help. Primarily I would say that you need to be a certain kind of person to run a distro, one who is super organised, reliable and has a decent grasp on zine culture and distro operations. You’ll also need to sacrifice a bit of your social life because running a distro is pretty time consuming. Order from other distro’s and see how they work, discover what you felt about the transaction and their distro setup and what does and doesn't work well within their framework. Plan the structure of your distro. How will it be different to all the others? What kinds of zines will you stock? How will you promote it? Will you pay cash up front or on consignment? You’ll also need to be able to write and edit passably, own or have access to a decent computer and scanner, have a secure mailing address, regular internet access to check your e-mails, and know basic html.
I sent you an order and I never received it?
First, check the track you order page. If you see no record of the order having been received then you either didn‘t address it properly or the order has been lost or stolen in transit. The postal service is out of my hands and I cannot be held responsible for missing orders lost in the postal system. However, this is a very rare occurrence and has only happened to me when people did not conceal their cash well enough. If you’re unsure send it by registered post, use Paypal, or use a money order or cheque made out to Kristy Sullivan (Australian orders only).
How do you conceal cash well?
Only send coins if you absolutely have to. Place notes inside a coloured piece of paper or card inside the envelope. Do not use very thin white envelopes. If you do send coins they should not be noticeable when you feel the envelope. Tape them with thick tape to a thick piece of card and fold over. They must be between card - not just taped to one side.
I run a distro/am starting a distro and would like to stock zine x, which is currently in your catalogue.
You’d need to contact the editor directly. I do not do wholesale to other outlets and it’s also up to the editors who sells their work. I’m happy to pass on an e-mail address so that you can contact the zinester.
Do you really love cats so much that you had to name your distro Smitten Kitten?
Actually I don’t even own a cat! I have a pet Chihuahua named Ziggy. Although, he is probably smaller than most cats. He has a pirate outfit.