this is what I just emailed out to all the contributors. I want to put it up here too, so we can keep straight. Its a big step, I think, and at this point it feels right to just go ahead and lead the mass production attempt myself. If there is an unforseeable problem that mamaphiles #3 doesn't make it to printing, I will send everyone back there money. I will keep our collective money in my savings account, away from my other money, and can hopefully raise it quickly, then send it out to the printers. We have had a seperate treasurer in the past, but I think this makes sense. As alway, if someone has a different idea, please feel free to chime in! Or discuss! Or get the collective juices going again!
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Dear Mamas,

As you may or may not know, we have been looking for new printing solutions with Mamaphiles #3, to make it economical feasable to print. Mamaphiles #1 and #2 was printed for free by Vikki and #3 by Connie (as well as out of pocket, at times, by Corbin and China)- but its a big mama to zerox and we need a new way. To take this baby to kinkos is about 4 dollars to print, I think its like $3.50 a piece.

I've talked with Amy of 1984 Printing; got quotes; and actually will be touring the facility with her on March 21 when I go to California for the Anarchist Bookfair. I am very excited to find a printer I really like and trust and feel comfortable working with, if you would like to see the quality of her work look for Doris zine (it looks great!)

Mamaphiles #3 - is 80 half sized pages, including cover (20 8.5" x 11" pages)

To print 500 copies (with 1984 Printing quote) would be 800 dollars, making each copy come out to be $1.60. As Mamaphiles #3 sells for 4 dollars, and 2 dollars resale (when sold to bookstores and distros) - this is self-substaining and cost efficient - our goal being just to break even! (Mamaphiles is a not for profit collective and profits made have gone into cost such as shipping costs. If we ever actually made profit we could discuss then what to do with it, like a zine sponsorship for low income mama zine makers or something.)

I am excited to see how further we can grow as a collective, how by all working together, in as small or large or whatever way they can or want - we can be so much more than we could alone. If each of our 25 Mamaphile members contributes $32 dollars we can raise 800 dollars and make 500 copies! This is more copies then we ever had before (previous runs have been aprox. 200-300). As any zinester knows, its hard to only spent 32 dollars when getting their zine nationally distributed to this extent.

This will be in fact paying for 20 copies of Mamaphiles each. (zerox value of aprox. $80)

IF you want 20 or less copies send to you, to distribute yourself - tell me
Otherwise we will distribute them as a group.
IF you can contribute more than $32 (for example, an extra 5 to 10 dollars) to help cover contributors who can not spare that alotment; and to help with postage from printers and to fill orders - that would be much apreciated. (Or perhaps we could hold Mamaphiles fundraisers to get outside donations?) As I gather moneys I will report back to the group and keep all informed; and transparent. (not naming names but telling how much money we have raised and how many contributors pitched in) We understand not everyone can afford to spare this money at this time and there is nothing wrong with that. Mamphiles is a volunteer association meant to be supportive for mama zinesters. We each give in our own ways and your contribution is always apreciated, no matter what it is.

To each what they can; and together we can do it!

Also at this time, would be a good time to take further stock in promotion. Are there local bookstores in your area you could take Mamaphiles to and see if they will sell? Do you have ideas where we could send them for review or to distribute?

Any ideas and input, as always, apreciated. The organization of this project is an informal collective process by who-ever pitches in, volunteers, speaks up, and is co-ordinated over at mamaphonic.com. I've been searching for printing solutions for a while and would like to co-ordinate this effort. Is this OK with everyone?

If it is I would like to start gathering money ASAP for a printing at the end of march/beginning of april - send to:

China Martens
P.O. Box 4803
Baltimore MD 2121

MAKE CHECKS OUT TO MY LEGAL NAME (email me for that)

here is the printers info:

Amy Watson
1984 PRINTING/PM PRESS
674 23rd Street
Oakland, CA 94612
510.435.8338
amy@1984printing.com
amy@pmpress.org
www.1984printing.com