Atomic Novelettes

Here is my version of the Vest-Pocket books. This is a pint-sized reprint of a Robert E. Howard classic. Hopefully, this will be the first in a line of books called Atomic Novelettes. They will be between 11,000 & 20,000 words and will have a weird/horror/science-fictiony bent. The first bunch will probably be reprints, but I hope to have some new original stories sprinkled in as well.

Vest-Pocket Books

I stumbled across these innocently enough (no, really). I was checking out some vintage crime covers and discovered this cool format from a publisher called Vest-Pocket Books. To the best of my knowledge, these are the only four titles they ever produced. I am now on the hunt for this set. I have seen a few offered online, but they are all too expensive. Someday.

I found a physical description of the books–3.125″ tall by 4″ wide. These were inserted in a cardboard sleeve, stacked one on top of the other, to make them the size of a paperback book. I have been experimenting with this format and should have a few samples completed soon. I will post them when they are done. I really dig these little things. They are true pocket books.

A Flea Market Junkie

I love touring the flea markets and finding all sorts of useful junk that I never knew I needed. I’ve found tools, knives, furniture, toys, you name it. My most recent find was this saddle stitcher from Swingline. It cost me five bucks and sells online for $89+. A sweet find for a binding geek like me. I’m sure dozens of people passed this up and said, “What the hell would I do with a stupid stapler like that?”

Five dollars…I am savoring the memory. It makes me forget–if only for a few moments–about all of the crap in life I have paid too much for. The only thing I love more than finding good deals is bragging about them.

I use this to put together the Atomic Binding Machine starter guides. This goofy looking thing works like a charm. It replaces my deep-throated stapler (no off-color jokes, please) that was almost impossible to line up correctly and has been relegated to my pile of junk that includes a comb binder and a spiral binder, and other relics of my pre-Atomic Binding Machine days.

You don’t have to buy your binding machine tools new. Give the flea markets a try. And even if you don’t find the tools you’re looking for, you might find a cool crocheted beer can hat.

The Atomic Glue Gun Kit

We are now offering a glue gun kit for those of you who would like a fancy whiz-bang case that holds the Atomic Glue Gun, as well as a smaller glue gun for those frantic I-didn’t-get-enough-glue-on-the-spine-and-I’ve-just-ruined-my-beautiful-book moments. That may be the longest hyphenated word in the history of the English language.

The kit also includes the modified tip as well as an assortment of glue sticks. Anybody can buy this kit. You don’t even have to own or use and Atomic Binding Machine. Scrapbookers or crafters who just need a hot glue gun that can lay down some serious glue will find this a useful addition to your arsenal. Check around to see how much guns with interchangeable tips cost and you will discover that this is a really good deal.

Remember, the Original Atomic Binding Machine and the Personal Edition already come with the larger gun and the tips. So unless you would like the case and the smaller gun, you probably don’t need this kit. And if you feel you do, contact us for a special price when ordering either of these machines.

The New Glue Gun

Happy days! We have just finished up the new Atomic Glue Gun with interchangeable tips. The new glue gun ships with a wide tip as well as a standard tip. Its unique two-part thread design makes it compatible with a number of professional tips. Or you can make your own custom tips to fit the gun from readily available parts. And the best news of all? It comes standard with The Original and The Personal Edition!

New Personal Edition Video

A new video is posted on You Tube for the Atomic Binding Machine Personal Edition–and it includes an exciting view of my near-sighted head! It is also embedded on the website (the video, not my head). This is a real-time look at the Personal Edition in action. Not quite as easy to use at The Original, but not quite as expensive either.

The NEW Fan Binding Machine

I have just updated the Atomic Fan Binding Machine. It is now smaller, easier (and cheaper) to ship and takes up less room to store when not in use. The swiveling clamps are exactly the same. Only the stand has changed. Its function is essentially the same. The only real difference is that it now hangs over the edge of the clamping surface rather than on top.

Nostradumbass

Well, I just read on liliputing.com that Asus may be coming out with a dual screen e-book reader. Looks like my crystal ball is viewing the future more clearly than I thought. Not really a binding topic. I just wanted to blow my own horn.

The Personal Edition

The Atomic Binding Machine Personal Edition is ready to roll.
As promised, the cost is $59 + shipping. Check out the website for more information.
I hope to have some videos online in the next few weeks.

The new Kindle

Amazon just introduced a new lower-priced Kindle, though at $299 it doesn’t seem like much of a bargain to me. I’m a print guy, but I’m also a tech nut. Sometimes this is a bit of a conundrum for me. What would Amazon have to do to entice me to buy a Kindle?

First, there’s the price. If the specs were right, I could be convinced to drop $199 on one. And I don’t want the big, clunky thing they have now. Why not go with something that seems to have caught on over the course of a couple hundred years? Make the Kindle more like a paperback book–two opposing screens that occupy most of the surface of the device. And make it fold up to the size of a paperback book. And it should be no more than 3/4″ thick when closed. And it should have a Mountain Dew dispenser (though I could live without this bell/whistle if it proved unworkable). I’m imagining something like my quick Photoshop facelift below.

Are you listening, Amazon engineers? Snap to it.

(I am available as a consultant for an ungodly rate as well)