A new online horror bookstore has opened at www.shocklines.com. Founded by Matt Schwartz, former editorial director of B&N.com, and run in conjunction with Rich Chizmar of Cemetery Dance Publications, the site has an initial focus on small press and hard-to-find publications. Limited editions, autographed copies, T-shirts, artwork and music are also for sale. The site provides a link to auctions, a section of "Guaranteed Good Reads" and e-books.
"So far, the site's been extremely successful," Schwartz told PW. He estimates customers at between 1,000 and 2,000 and expects to reach as many as 10,000 this year.
"Horror is a specialty niche market and is underserved for people who want to browse," he said. "But I was looking to do online something that would help to widen the exposure of the items I sell rather than cannibalize stores that already have sales. I want to reach those Stephen King and Dean Koontz readers who may not know these kinds of rare and collectible items exist."