Torsten, I also wrote a guide on how to get girls into the shop. It was illustrated by Jake Myler, the artist for Tokyopop’s Undertown manga. I should dig it up and start handing it out again. We originally gave it out at the 2006 Diamond Retailer Summits.

I will be in LA in June! But it’s for the Los Angeles Pride Festival June 6-8 :p (Promoting Yaoi Jamboree there).

It’s hard for comicbook stores to compete on manga because most of them are not smart enough to get it on a returnable basis, thus reducing the risk.

Alternate Reality is a great store, but even they have a small selection of manga. I posted some suggestions regarding this post over on the PW Beat blog, and if you check the ICV2 archives, I posted many suggestions on how comics shops can market manga.

What it boils down to is this: clean, welcoming stores. knowledgeable staff (who will preach your gospel). excellent customer service (especially with subscriptions!). community. good location.

Hope to see you next fall! (And maybe this June in LA.) I’ll buy you a drink and we can plan how to Seduce the Innocent! And you can practice your sales pitch on me, since I’ve read little Yaoi (but always looking for good stuff.)