The Increasingly Inaccurately Dated, Formerly-Commemorative Hoodies are
back!
We unfortunately can't reserve them, so come get 'em, or call & we can ship one to you.
These are good quality, black, full-zip hooded sweatshirts with our logo and the dates "1997 - 2015" printed in red on both the front left breast and full size on the back.
We have sizes S - 2XL (we're sorry -- the 3XLs didn't ship this time). Sizes small through extra large are $50 each, 2XL are $55 each. Shipping west of the Rockies is $8, east of the Rockies is $10.
We expect and hope these will become collectors' items, like those postage stamps with the upside-down airplane.
February 27, 2015
February 21, 2015
Made It
by Jude Feldman
Hoo-kay. Y'all are challenging my heavily-ingrained cynicism here, people. And I have never, ever in my life been happier to have been dead wrong, so THANK YOU.
I don't even know where to start. Since we came to the conclusion that we would not be able to keep the bookstore open last November, I have been through all the stages of grief, and I had finally hit acceptance. And then, just three days ago, we thought that maybe, just maybe, if the stars were right and crazy miracles occurred, we might not have to close. I didn't want to hope too hard and be disappointed; it would be too awful. I have said before in my editorial pieces that this is the best job I have ever had and the best I could have hoped for. The idea that I wouldn't be able to do it any more was frankly breaking my heart, but I'm a realist as well as a dreamer, and I do understand that when things are inevitable, it's better to just deal with them. It's my mantra when stuck in traffic: "I can be late and upset, or I can just be late".
Still, I felt like a part of me was dying. And on top of all of the other changes and losses in this city, I felt helpless and angry. I moved here because San Francisco was WEIRD. It's meant to be for the dreamers and the poets and the artists and the people who think it's a great idea to unicycle naked down the street, or dress up as foliage and scare the tourists. It's meant to champion diversity and the little guy and the crazy people who have big ideas. Emperor Norton's city -- that's MY San Francisco, and that's Borderlands' San Francisco. I felt like it was slipping away, and there wasn't anything I could do except try to remember the good times, accept it with grace, and to ensure that our employees landed on their feet.
And then all of you spoke up. Borderlands has always been more than just a store, or just a job, for me; I've poured heart and soul and time and even a bit of blood into it - OF COURSE it's vital to me. But I didn't understand how vital it was to other people, too. I didn't understand that it represented the same (or similar) things to you. And I apologize for underestimating you.
I'm a mess right now, in the best way I can be. The last three weeks have been literally unbelievable - if you'd described them to me in advance, I would have laughed at you. I am extremely under-slept and hyper-emotional and thoroughly dazed. I was joking with Alan that "The next time we're going to hit the national media, let's not, okay?" (And I _wasn't_ the one who had to talk to all the reporters, and out-fence Fox News, who were asking "Have you stopped beating your wife?" - style questions.)
I'm having a tough time being linear, let alone eloquent, right now. I'm crying all over the keyboard. But thank you. Thank you so much for letting me keep doing what I love best in the world; thank you for doing your part to help keep San Francisco weird; and thank you for helping to preserve space for the dreamers. I have never before thought that loving something as hard as you could was enough to change anything -- that sounds like something that only happens in stories -- in fantasy. But you proved me wrong. So thank you for letting us continue to champion imagination, because as you've proved conclusively, it really can change the world.
(Note - As of approximately 2:30pm today we reached our goal of 300 sponsors. Borderlands will remain open until at least March 31st, 2016. Thank you all and please feel free to keep signing up for sponsorships - there is no maximum number of sponsors. -- A.B.)
Hoo-kay. Y'all are challenging my heavily-ingrained cynicism here, people. And I have never, ever in my life been happier to have been dead wrong, so THANK YOU.
I don't even know where to start. Since we came to the conclusion that we would not be able to keep the bookstore open last November, I have been through all the stages of grief, and I had finally hit acceptance. And then, just three days ago, we thought that maybe, just maybe, if the stars were right and crazy miracles occurred, we might not have to close. I didn't want to hope too hard and be disappointed; it would be too awful. I have said before in my editorial pieces that this is the best job I have ever had and the best I could have hoped for. The idea that I wouldn't be able to do it any more was frankly breaking my heart, but I'm a realist as well as a dreamer, and I do understand that when things are inevitable, it's better to just deal with them. It's my mantra when stuck in traffic: "I can be late and upset, or I can just be late".
Still, I felt like a part of me was dying. And on top of all of the other changes and losses in this city, I felt helpless and angry. I moved here because San Francisco was WEIRD. It's meant to be for the dreamers and the poets and the artists and the people who think it's a great idea to unicycle naked down the street, or dress up as foliage and scare the tourists. It's meant to champion diversity and the little guy and the crazy people who have big ideas. Emperor Norton's city -- that's MY San Francisco, and that's Borderlands' San Francisco. I felt like it was slipping away, and there wasn't anything I could do except try to remember the good times, accept it with grace, and to ensure that our employees landed on their feet.
And then all of you spoke up. Borderlands has always been more than just a store, or just a job, for me; I've poured heart and soul and time and even a bit of blood into it - OF COURSE it's vital to me. But I didn't understand how vital it was to other people, too. I didn't understand that it represented the same (or similar) things to you. And I apologize for underestimating you.
I'm a mess right now, in the best way I can be. The last three weeks have been literally unbelievable - if you'd described them to me in advance, I would have laughed at you. I am extremely under-slept and hyper-emotional and thoroughly dazed. I was joking with Alan that "The next time we're going to hit the national media, let's not, okay?" (And I _wasn't_ the one who had to talk to all the reporters, and out-fence Fox News, who were asking "Have you stopped beating your wife?" - style questions.)
I'm having a tough time being linear, let alone eloquent, right now. I'm crying all over the keyboard. But thank you. Thank you so much for letting me keep doing what I love best in the world; thank you for doing your part to help keep San Francisco weird; and thank you for helping to preserve space for the dreamers. I have never before thought that loving something as hard as you could was enough to change anything -- that sounds like something that only happens in stories -- in fantasy. But you proved me wrong. So thank you for letting us continue to champion imagination, because as you've proved conclusively, it really can change the world.
(Note - As of approximately 2:30pm today we reached our goal of 300 sponsors. Borderlands will remain open until at least March 31st, 2016. Thank you all and please feel free to keep signing up for sponsorships - there is no maximum number of sponsors. -- A.B.)
February 20, 2015
Getting There
Wow.
I'm pretty much speechless. Which, if you know me, is a strange, strange thing. I want to write something beautiful, clever and emotive. Something to make strong men weep and crying babes start to grin and giggle.
What I've got to offer is just this -- the last 26 hours have been some of the best and most remarkable hours that I've spent in my life. The news about our sponsorship program went out at six yesterday evening. By eight that evening we had over 60 people signed up. One of them was calling from New Zealand. Another had been married at the store. At one point last night, Borderlands was one of the top five trending topics on Twitter.
When I woke up this morning, my email was filled with notes from people saying things like, "I'll call as soon as you open", "Mailed the check this morning" and "I knew you'd come up with something".
I knew that people liked the store and even loved it. But I never, in my wildest dreams, would have imagined that so many people liked it so much.
So, from me, Jude, and all the rest of the staff, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your comments and actions over the past three weeks have truly made us feel like we've done something good and worthwhile here.
As I write this, we have already signed up over 230 sponsors.
I think we're going do this thing. And it's all because of you.
Thank you,
Alan, Jude, Jeremy, Cary, Naamen and Scott.
I'm pretty much speechless. Which, if you know me, is a strange, strange thing. I want to write something beautiful, clever and emotive. Something to make strong men weep and crying babes start to grin and giggle.
What I've got to offer is just this -- the last 26 hours have been some of the best and most remarkable hours that I've spent in my life. The news about our sponsorship program went out at six yesterday evening. By eight that evening we had over 60 people signed up. One of them was calling from New Zealand. Another had been married at the store. At one point last night, Borderlands was one of the top five trending topics on Twitter.
When I woke up this morning, my email was filled with notes from people saying things like, "I'll call as soon as you open", "Mailed the check this morning" and "I knew you'd come up with something".
I knew that people liked the store and even loved it. But I never, in my wildest dreams, would have imagined that so many people liked it so much.
So, from me, Jude, and all the rest of the staff, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your comments and actions over the past three weeks have truly made us feel like we've done something good and worthwhile here.
As I write this, we have already signed up over 230 sponsors.
I think we're going do this thing. And it's all because of you.
Thank you,
Alan, Jude, Jeremy, Cary, Naamen and Scott.
February 19, 2015
An Opportunity for Borderlands to Stay Open
by Alan Beatts
Updated 2/19/15 at 9:56 pm
Note - For those of you who are hearing about all this now, here are two links to fill in the background. http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2015/02/borderlands-books-to-close-in-march.html
http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2015/02/how-could-borderlands-stay-open.html
As a result of the ideas suggested at the meeting we hosted last Thursday, and the emails that have been pouring in, the staff and I have come up with a plan to keep Borderlands open. Below you'll find the details of it and following that, you'll find my reasoning behind it and some Q&A. If it is to succeed, we will need your support -- not just right now, but every year moving forwards. So, if you want Borderlands to continue, it is in your hands.
Prior to the events of the last two weeks, I would never have imagined that something like what follows would ever be possible. The outpouring of affection and emotion that started the moment we announced that we were closing has changed forever the way the I and the rest of the staff see Borderlands. This place has always meant the world to us -- that's why we work here -- but we never imagined that it meant so much to so many people. Win or lose, open or close, we are all more grateful that we can express for your kind words, sincere compliments, and the belief that what we do matters.
The Short Version
Starting immediately we will be offering paid sponsorships of the store. Each sponsorship will cost $100 for the year and will need to be renewed every year. If we get 300 sponsors before March 31st, we will stay open for the remainder of 2015.
Updated 2/19/15 at 9:56 pm
Note - For those of you who are hearing about all this now, here are two links to fill in the background. http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2015/02/borderlands-books-to-close-in-march.html
http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2015/02/how-could-borderlands-stay-open.html
As a result of the ideas suggested at the meeting we hosted last Thursday, and the emails that have been pouring in, the staff and I have come up with a plan to keep Borderlands open. Below you'll find the details of it and following that, you'll find my reasoning behind it and some Q&A. If it is to succeed, we will need your support -- not just right now, but every year moving forwards. So, if you want Borderlands to continue, it is in your hands.
Prior to the events of the last two weeks, I would never have imagined that something like what follows would ever be possible. The outpouring of affection and emotion that started the moment we announced that we were closing has changed forever the way the I and the rest of the staff see Borderlands. This place has always meant the world to us -- that's why we work here -- but we never imagined that it meant so much to so many people. Win or lose, open or close, we are all more grateful that we can express for your kind words, sincere compliments, and the belief that what we do matters.
The Short Version
Starting immediately we will be offering paid sponsorships of the store. Each sponsorship will cost $100 for the year and will need to be renewed every year. If we get 300 sponsors before March 31st, we will stay open for the remainder of 2015.
February 17, 2015
February News Roundup
* It's the 5th year of local Bay Area convention FOGCon: March 6th - 8th, 2015 at the Walnut Creek Mariott with Guests of Honor Kim Stanley Robinson and Catherynne M. Valente. The theme this year is The Traveler and the Chair is once again Guy W. Thomas. For more information, go to their website here: http://fogcon.org/
* R.I.P. Colleen McCullough. The author of THE THORN BIRDS, which sold over 30 million copies has passed away at age 77. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-29/australian-author-colleen-mccullough-dies/6055952
* The non-profit We Need Diverse Books is having a short story contest for unpublished authors. The winner will receive $1000 and publication in a upcoming anthology from Crown books. Go here for their definition of unpublished and for more information. http://weneeddiversebooks.org/short-story-contest/
* Treehugger.com provides three good reasons why you should be reading paper books. http://www.treehugger.com/culture/3-good-reasons-read-paper-books-year.html
* Author Jack McDevitt has won the 2015 Robert A. Heinlein Award for inspiring human exploration of space. http://www.bsfs.org/bsfsheinlein.htm
* The Edgars have announced their nominees for 2015 awards and several of them have speculative elements. http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html
* For the GAME OF THRONES fans out there, visit beautifuldeath.com for gorgeous posters commemorating all of the deaths over the course of the show. (Spoiler alert, of course, if you haven't watched the series or read the books.)
* See the shortlisted works for the inaugural James Herbert Award for Horror Writing here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/29/james-herbert-award-horror-writing-shortlist
* Perfect for that person you've always wanted to turn into an alien incubator! (Warning: this is GROSS. It's cool but it's gross.) http://boingboing.net/2015/01/20/chest-burster-creme-egg.html
* Behind-the-scenes photos of some of the most gruesome monster movie make-up being applied. http://www.viralnova.com/how-monsters-are-made/
* Elon Musk's SpaceX names its Drone ships in honor of ships from Iain M. Banks' Culture novels. Which, while really awesome, doesn't seem like the smartest thing, considering the personalities of some of those ships. http://www.tor.com/blogs/2015/01/elon-musk-iain-m-banks-just-read-the-instructions
* Another attempt to adapt RED MARS is being set into motion. (I think this is attempt number four.) This time Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski has been tapped to adapt it for Spike TV. http://deadline.com/2015/01/j-michael-straczynski-red-mars-series-spike-1201354875/
* Zen Cho's collection SPIRITS ABROAD and Stephanie Feldman's novel THE ANGEL OF LOSSES have tied for the William L. Crawford Fantasy Award. Congratulations to them both! http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/01/cho-and-feldman-win-crawford-award/
* The Horror Writers Association has revealed the preliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards. http://horror.org/2014-bram-stoker-awards-preliminary-ballot-announced/
* R.I.P. Colleen McCullough. The author of THE THORN BIRDS, which sold over 30 million copies has passed away at age 77. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-29/australian-author-colleen-mccullough-dies/6055952
* The non-profit We Need Diverse Books is having a short story contest for unpublished authors. The winner will receive $1000 and publication in a upcoming anthology from Crown books. Go here for their definition of unpublished and for more information. http://weneeddiversebooks.org/short-story-contest/
* Treehugger.com provides three good reasons why you should be reading paper books. http://www.treehugger.com/culture/3-good-reasons-read-paper-books-year.html
* Author Jack McDevitt has won the 2015 Robert A. Heinlein Award for inspiring human exploration of space. http://www.bsfs.org/bsfsheinlein.htm
* The Edgars have announced their nominees for 2015 awards and several of them have speculative elements. http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html
* For the GAME OF THRONES fans out there, visit beautifuldeath.com for gorgeous posters commemorating all of the deaths over the course of the show. (Spoiler alert, of course, if you haven't watched the series or read the books.)
* See the shortlisted works for the inaugural James Herbert Award for Horror Writing here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/29/james-herbert-award-horror-writing-shortlist
* Perfect for that person you've always wanted to turn into an alien incubator! (Warning: this is GROSS. It's cool but it's gross.) http://boingboing.net/2015/01/20/chest-burster-creme-egg.html
* Behind-the-scenes photos of some of the most gruesome monster movie make-up being applied. http://www.viralnova.com/how-monsters-are-made/
* Elon Musk's SpaceX names its Drone ships in honor of ships from Iain M. Banks' Culture novels. Which, while really awesome, doesn't seem like the smartest thing, considering the personalities of some of those ships. http://www.tor.com/blogs/2015/01/elon-musk-iain-m-banks-just-read-the-instructions
* Another attempt to adapt RED MARS is being set into motion. (I think this is attempt number four.) This time Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski has been tapped to adapt it for Spike TV. http://deadline.com/2015/01/j-michael-straczynski-red-mars-series-spike-1201354875/
* Zen Cho's collection SPIRITS ABROAD and Stephanie Feldman's novel THE ANGEL OF LOSSES have tied for the William L. Crawford Fantasy Award. Congratulations to them both! http://www.locusmag.com/News/2015/01/cho-and-feldman-win-crawford-award/
* The Horror Writers Association has revealed the preliminary ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards. http://horror.org/2014-bram-stoker-awards-preliminary-ballot-announced/
January Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
2. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
3. THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu translated by Ken Liu
4. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
5. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
6. WAISTCOATS AND WEAPONRY by Gail Carriger
7. THE GETAWAY GOD by Richard Kadrey
8. SYMBIONT by Mira Grant
9. THE ABYSS BEYOND DREAMS by Peter F. Hamilton
10. COMING HOME by Jack McDevitt
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. FOXGLOVE SUMMER by Ben Aaronovitch
2. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
3. NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss
4. GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin
5. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
6. A DANCE WITH DRAGONS by George R.R. Martin
7. CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT by Seanan McGuire
8. KEEPER OF THE CASTLE by Juliet Blackwell
9. 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson
10. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK by Amber Benson
2. OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS by Shannon Page & Jay Lake
3. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
1. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
2. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
3. THE THREE BODY PROBLEM by Cixin Liu translated by Ken Liu
4. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
5. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
6. WAISTCOATS AND WEAPONRY by Gail Carriger
7. THE GETAWAY GOD by Richard Kadrey
8. SYMBIONT by Mira Grant
9. THE ABYSS BEYOND DREAMS by Peter F. Hamilton
10. COMING HOME by Jack McDevitt
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. FOXGLOVE SUMMER by Ben Aaronovitch
2. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
3. NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss
4. GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin
5. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
6. A DANCE WITH DRAGONS by George R.R. Martin
7. CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT by Seanan McGuire
8. KEEPER OF THE CASTLE by Juliet Blackwell
9. 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson
10. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
Trade Paperbacks
1. THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK by Amber Benson
2. OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS by Shannon Page & Jay Lake
3. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
4. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
5. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
Upcoming Events
Randy Henderson, FINN FANCY NECROMANCY (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Sunday, February 22nd at 3:00 pm
Seanan McGuire, POCKET APOCALYPSE (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Friday, March 13th at 6:00 pm
Gail Carriger, PRUDENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $20.00) Sunday, March 22nd at 3:00 pm
Seanan McGuire, POCKET APOCALYPSE (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Friday, March 13th at 6:00 pm
Gail Carriger, PRUDENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $20.00) Sunday, March 22nd at 3:00 pm
February 11, 2015
Commemorative Hooded Sweatshirts
After several delays, our commemorative hoodies are here, and we think they came out great! They are black, with our logo in red on the front left breast and the back, and they read "1997 - 2015" underneath. We have sizes from Small to 3XL. The cost for sizes S - XL is $50, and 2XL and 3XL are $55. You can pick them up in the store or we're happy to ship them anywhere you'd like. Shipping within the US (west of the Rockies) is $8, and within the US (east of the Rockies) is $10. Shipping to Canada will be $15, and shipping to the UK $22. If you're located elsewhere, just call or email us and we'll get you a quote. To order by mail, drop us a line at office@borderlands-books.com and we'll get you set up.
Petition to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors
One of Borderlands' former employees has started a petition over at Change.org, asking the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to explore possibilities that will help support small businesses in San Francisco. While we didn't author this petition, we do agree with it. While we unfortunately don't believe that this petition will change the outcome for Borderlands Books, it could potentially be invaluable to other small businesses that contribute to San Francisco's diversity, quirkiness, and charm. If you wish to add your signature, you can do that here: https://www.change.org/p/san-francisco-board-of-supervisors-mayor-ed-lee-save-our-small-businesses
February 08, 2015
All the Media
To our great surprise Borderlands has gotten a lot of media attention over the past week. Much of it has just been retreads of what you've read here already (or, worse, retreads of other news stories that were retreads themselves -- oh, the state of journalism). But there have been a few articles that add depth to the story and so we thought you might like to see them.
The New Yorker -- http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/minimum-wage-dilemma-san-francisco
San Francisco Magazine -
http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/the-15-minimum-wage-just-claimed-another-victim-borderlands-books
and
http://ny.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/does-borderlands-books-closing-mean-the-minimum-wage-raise-backfired
Finally, if you'd like to see Alan live on a network morning show, you can see it here - http://mediaoneservices.com/alan-beatts-2515/ . If he seems really stern, it is just because he was terrified and it was 4:20 am at the time. And, does it seem that the hosts are bad at math?
The New Yorker -- http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/minimum-wage-dilemma-san-francisco
San Francisco Magazine -
http://www.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/the-15-minimum-wage-just-claimed-another-victim-borderlands-books
and
http://ny.modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/does-borderlands-books-closing-mean-the-minimum-wage-raise-backfired
Finally, if you'd like to see Alan live on a network morning show, you can see it here - http://mediaoneservices.com/alan-beatts-2515/ . If he seems really stern, it is just because he was terrified and it was 4:20 am at the time. And, does it seem that the hosts are bad at math?
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