Boskone 42 Hucksters' Room

Dear Dealer:

This is the first Boskone 42 Hucksters' Room mailing. If you wish to remain on our mailing list, please fill out the top of the attached form (PDF Format) and return it to us.

As always, the room will be non-smoking, and all dealers and staff are required to buy memberships in the convention. Memberships are not included in the table fees, and are $42 until January 24, 2005. Children's memberships (ages 2-12) include kids' programming; kids-in-tow are free. If you do not receive table space, memberships will be refunded on written request. You can now use our Online Registration to buy your memberships.

As last year, the Hucksters' Room will be located in the Back Bay Ballroom, which will also contain the Art Show. There will be separate access doors for each area.

The Boskone Hucksters' Room is "balanced" through a careful review of the merchandise you list on the attached table reservation forms. No space will be allocated to you unless you specify the merchandise you will be selling. You are not allowed to sub-let to or share your assigned space with anyone else unless you have permission from me.

Fire codes will be strictly enforced. We cannot allow obstructions in the main aisles or the aisles between tables. Violations may result in a fine from Boston Fire Department inspectors.

Boskone is put on by NESFA, a literary organization, so you might wish to consider our literary science fiction and fantasy focus when signing up for our Hucksters' Room. Boskone's program also includes filking, gaming, and a video program along with our varied programming and the Art Show. More information about Boskone 42 is available at www.nesfa.org/boskone. (A list of expected program participants will be included in your confirmation letter.)

The 3-tiered rate structure used in previous years has been retained. All tables are 6 feet long and 30 inches deep. Two chairs are included with each table.

Tier 1: Low-priced (no more than 1/2 cover price or $2) books, magazines, fanzines

Tier 2: All other SF/F books, magazines, fan publications, filk, and related art (prints)

Tier 3: Everything else (jewelry, clothing, sculpture, buttons, video, games, etc.)

If you have mixed merchandise (i.e., shirts and books), calculate how much space you'll be using for each type of merchandise per table. Each type should be priced separately, using the lowest-priced tier first. For example if you sell 1/3 used books, 1/3 new books, and 1/3 t-shirts and you want 3 tables, you would buy your first table in Tier 1, the second in Tier 2, and the third in Tier 3 ($25 + $75 + $125 = $225). If you have only a very small amount of merchandise in a particular item, you do not need to include it when pricing (but do mention it on the reservation form). If you have a dizzying variety of merchandise, price it all as Tier 3. If your situation is incredibly complex, write (or e-mail) me with your telephone number for advice (contact information is at the end of this letter).

Table assignments are subject to space availability and the best over-all balance of merchandise for the convention, at our discretion. Promptness is a contributing factor. We deposit all checks and process all charges when they are received; this does not guarantee a table assignment. Please note that you may be asked to take a smaller space than you requested (with a refund) or that you might be placed on our waiting list.

Please keep in mind that your space allocation and price are based on your description of your merchandise to us. If the merchandise you bring to Boskone 42 doesn't match your form description, we may adjust your table costs or refuse to allow you to sell at Boskone, without a refund, at our discretion.

On the second page of the reservation form is a space for special requests, including:

1. Electricity (please specify what for and how much power it draws);
2. Location requests, such as walls, corners, islands, or straight spaces;
3. Space that you use that is not on the surface of your table(s) such as backdrops, ceiling hangings, displays, raised bookcases, etc.; and
4. Any other special information we ought to know.

We reserve the right to restrict any display as deemed necessary by us.

We keep a short waiting list after all tables have been assigned. If you are willing to be wait-listed, please note this in the section just above the special requests area; otherwise we will refund your table fees (and memberships, if you so request). If you prefer to have an immediate refund, please note this on the check-off line. The deadline for registration for the Hucksters' Room is December 14, 2004. Confirmations will be sent out shortly thereafter but not necessarily all at the same time.

Please make your hotel reservations directly with the Sheraton Boston Hotel by calling them at 800-325-3535 (you'll also have to tell them whether you want to be in the "Boskone 2005 Party Block" or the "Boskone 2005 Non-Party Block"). Table space does not guarantee a hotel room. The Sheraton does not control the parking garage attached to the hotel; the garage's current rate is $35/day for parking for registered guests. (Vehicle height is limited to 6 feet.) The Sheraton's loading docks can handle large trucks.

Scheduling will probably be similar to last year's: set-up Friday noon to 5pm; open on Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 10am-3pm; and teardown Sunday 3-6pm. Exact information will be in your confirmation letter. We may be able to offer Thursday night move-in to a limited number of hucksters (list it in special requests and we will advise you if it becomes available).

Massachusetts has a 5% sales tax on all items except clothing, dated material (magazines), and food, which you must collect, report and pay directly to the state. For state sales tax reporting, you must register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on-line at www.mass.gov/dor (click on the "WebFile for Business" quicklink in the right-side menu bar) or call 617-887-6367 for telefile instructions.

Please read the attached reservation request form (PDF Format) carefully and be sure to complete both pages. If you are not interested in this Boskone, but wish to stay on the mailing list, fill out only the top part of page 1, and return that page to us. Remember to add memberships to your table fees, and we need a name and address for each membership. Look for your table confirmation at the end of December or early January. If you wish to contact us, or if you sent in your form but did not receive anything back by mid-January, feel free to contact me:

Bonnie & Ted Atwood
Boskone 42 Hucksters' Room
PO Box 809
Framingham MA 01701

e-mail: hucksters@boskone.org

Thank you for your interest in Boskone 42.