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3/7

Friday 8 March 1968

Ember Day 68th day - 298 days to come

Called Fabio about my reservations about the book being brought out as part of the juvenile line.
Fabio did not try to sell me but told me the following:- Their sales approach when a game is listed as a juvenile is through the libraries and school libraries. In general a book in this line does not have as large a first and second year sale but lasts much longer. They will try to get me on TV, since this free advertising, and because of the novelty of the subject it will probably be easily arranged. They will not, normally, put ads in the Times book section.
If, when the book is finished he thinks it is more suitable for adult promotion he will try to have it published by "Random House." Present plans are for publication by "Pantheon".
Listing as a juvenile will not stop them from trying to get it into book stores, but he can't promise that my neighborhood bookstore will stock it.
[Word crossed out.] He doesn't want me to "write down" at all and wants me to go along with the outline I pre- sented. I brought up the matter of the listing of "games in print" and what happens when they go out of print. He said that new editions are brought out every 5 years or so and that in the meantime it wasn't a serious problem. Current history books are not revised every year. He definitely likes the idea of a listing of games on the market.
He wants me to talk to Martin Gardner and write to Alex before making up my mind.

Had lunch in park with Claude. He has always felt that libraries were the best markets for books on games.

Called Martin Gardner to ask about the book. He thinks that publication in the juvenile listing is fine. Many of his books are done that way. It is important, however, that the jacket doesn't identify it for boys and girls since that would keep it out of many outlets. He thinks it is even possible that the science Library, a book club, might take it. He thinks the contract, with the reduction in royalty for the first 10,000 copies for art work and the advance, is a fair one. In some cases he had to share 50-50 with the artist for all copies. When I get the contract I should call him and he'll discuss the terms with me. An "out-of- print" clause reverting the book to me is very important.
I told him about the game MATE, also about BAZAAR going national. He said that when the book is a- bout 6 months from publication I should contact him and we'll arrange a part of a column on possibly a full one to coincide with the publication of the book. I didn't have
(cont. on 3/7)