Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/118656
DaviD Bull PuBlishing Article by JAy Gillotti Many of our members are familiar with the fine offerings from David Bull Publishing. Founded in 1995, DBP has produced some of the finest books ever done on motorsport and automotive history. Their catalog includes numerous entries specific to Porsche and their Publisher's editions go over the top for die-hard fans. These editions typically include special packaging along with signatures of drivers, designers and other key figures related to the book's topic. The David Bull tent is a familiar site at major motorsport events and they sponsor in-person book signings at events such as the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Jay: What made you decide to focus on motorsport history? David: Racing has always interested me. Growing up in Massachusetts, I spent a lot of weekends at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut and for years went to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. From a business standpoint the motorsport histories are an important niche because they're both exciting to read and also serve as important reference sources. My experience has been that sportscar and F1 enthusiasts tend to have a deeper interest in history than do NASCAR fans, and I think their interests are wider. Someone who buys our Daytona 24 Hour book is also The publisher himself agreed to answer likely to buy "Porsche 917 X 17", Jurgen some questions and give us some insight to Barth's three-volume set, "The Porsche Book", the world of automotive book publishing. a memoir such as John Horsman's "Racing in Jay: How did Bull Publishing get started? the Rain", or a driver biography such as "Vic Elford" or "The Brothers Rodriguez". For this David: I started my company in April, reason it's very important to develop comple1995 after working at Robert Bentley in Cam- mentary titles, and it's fantastic to have so bridge for nearly eight years. I was interested many regular customers who really enjoy our in producing high-quality, four-color books books and look forward to receiving the new on a range of subjects beyond the scope of catalog. When we published NASCAR books what Bentley was focused on at the time. As we were often disappointed when readers I considered making the change I also interdidn't "cross over". viewed in New York to explore working with Jay: How many copies will a successful a large publishers in trade fiction (another motorsports book typically sell? interest of mine), but ultimately decided to try to do my own thing in a niche I underDavid: The success of a project is really stood well. determined by the balance between the MAC'S 5015 15th Ave. NW, Seattle WA 98107 (206) 783-1696 SUNMARK 800 118th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98005 (425) 821-2400 • Convertible Tops & Interiors • Leather & Headliners • Sunroof Install & Repair • Water Leak Repair • Seat Heaters & Tinting • Marine Canvas & Interiors • Custom Motorcycle Seats • Home & Commercial Recovering / Upholstering FREE ESTIMATES Insurance Claims Specialists • Porsche Experts • www.mactops.com 18 February 2011 retail price and the number or copies printed. We've produced some books in limited numbers and sold them at a fairly high retail price, such as the Nicholas Watts art book, which was produced in an edition of 1,500 and sold for $125. One of my first books was the biography of NASCAR star Mark Martin, which sold more than 60,000 copies at $24.95. The trick is trying to figure out the right balance between the print quantity and the retail price, while being mindful of delivering good value to our readers. Jay: There is a great feeling of nostalgia for racing in the golden age ('50s, '60s, and early '70s). Do you think readers will take the same interest in the drivers, cars and events of the '90s or 2000s?