Purging Ponies

   If you haven't quite caught on yet... I have a lot of Ponies. In addition to collecting them because I find them sweet and fun and reminiscent of my childhood, I also gather up items to photograph for the My Little Pony Collector Inventory Series books.

   There was a time in my life when I needed every release of Pinkie Pie to feel accomplished in my little collecting bubble and I enjoyed each and every one equally. If a version came with an alternate colored accessory or a new hat, I was off on the hunt tracking it down for the joy of finally acquiring it and adding it to my collection. Nowadays, I'm still hunting just as feverishly, but it is usually for the sole purpose of photographing a particular release both in and out of package for my books. I still love Ponies and I still collect them, but I've reached a point where I'm content with one of each character in each pose. This unfortunately creates an issue of excess.

 Unlike fishing where you have the option of catch and release, my hobby requires the acquisition but I can't simply just throw the ponies back. Well, technically I suppose I could, but that wouldn't make economic sense and it really goes against the inner collector in me.

  I need to commit to an outlet to purge my seemingly unending supply of reissued Pony characters, Pony merchandise that I've decided to downsize, and other collection items that no longer fit into my collecting vision. There are a multitude of options for online selling including message boards, Ebay, Amazon, Etsy... the list goes on and on. If you had lots of Pony items to sell, which selling platform would you choose and why?

Where I've Been, What I'm Doing, and Where I'm Going

I'm finally caught up on orders for the MY LITTLE PONY Fair Online Store. This year, I tried a different selling platform, Ecwid, and I'm pretty happy with it so far. It makes orders much more organized (which I'm all for!) FYI- If you need a 2014 MLP Fair Logo Pin, go order one now since they are almost completely sold out.

My garage is still a disaster and it kind of looks like the Fair exploded in it. There are tubs strewn all about because I refuse to put everything back into storage until it is packaged correctly. Otherwise, it will make more work for me in the spring when I drag it all out again to get it ready for the 2015 event.

Speaking of the 2015 MLP Fair, I have no clue where it will be. I keep getting emails asking me if I can secretly share next year's location. The trouble is, I don't even know where we'll be setting up yet. I'm sending out some preliminary requests for proposals this week, and I might get an awesome offer that I just can't refuse. Or, the hunt will continue for the best venue for the best price because honestly folks, it all comes down to the money.

In addition to sending out my Fair RFPs this week, I will officially get back to work on my MLP Euro guide for the MY LITTLE PONY Collector's Inventory Series. It has been pushed back for far too long. I also will be working on the newest G4 guide piecemeal as well, but since we don't have a hard and fast deadline for that project, I'll be focusing on the Euro guide.

As far as events are concerned, I believe I will be attending the Michigan MY LITTLE PONY event at the end of September and I may also be going to the Lexington, Kentucky event in early September if there is enough interest to get that off the ground. I'm a bit bummed that the Cincinnati event isn't on the calendar this year, but it seems like the organizers needed a break and just didn't have the time or energy to get it up and going this year. I can definitely relate to that feeling.

Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and give some updates on what's been happening and what's to come.

My Little Pony Collector's Inventory Books are now available on Google Play!

Several of my book titles have just been released in digital form through the Google Play marketplace including the G2 guide, G3 guide, and the 2007-2008 guide. Now, you can add these book titles to your iphone, ipad, or android device and take them with you wherever you go.

Personally, I'm excited about this not only because it makes me feel all hip and technologically savvy to have copies of my books on my iPad, but because it makes them even more accessible to fans since the digital book prices are so affordable. 

If you do end up purchasing a digital copy of any of my titles through Google Play, let me know how you like it. :)

Reading information:

Smartphones and Tablets

Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone . It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.

Laptops and Computers

You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.

eReaders and other devices

To read on e-ink devices like the Sony eReader or Barnes & Noble Nook, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Please follow the detailed Help center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.

Super Secret My Little Pony Guide Sale!

If you still need one of the four My Little Pony Collector Inventory Guide books and are wanting to score an awesome deal, head on over to www.mylittleponycollecting.com ! They are offering an amazing sale on all four guides to their readers. Visit this link for details : http://mylittleponycollecting.com/whats-the-deal-with-the-super-secret-my-little-pony-guide-sale/

I can assure you that you will not find a better price on these books anywhere. The deal only runs through July 1st.

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2010!

Happy New Year! If one of your New Year's Resolutions for 2010 is to get organized and that involves inventorying your My Little Pony collection (using The My Little Pony Collector's Inventory series books- of course) you might also want to consider taking the time to insure your collection. The best option that I found is getting a policy through Collectibles Insurance Services, LLC. They recommend maintaining an Inventory of items to expedite claims in the event of a loss, so pull out your MLP Collector's Inventory books and get to work!

My Little Pony Talk Interview This Friday!

I've been asked to be a guest on My Little Pony Talk radio this Friday night at 9:00p.m. I'll be answering questions about the My Little Pony Collector's Inventory books I've written as well as anything else that is thrown my way. I've been told they'll be doing a standard interview and then will open the call lines to take questions from listeners as well as ask questions from Arena and TP members on the MLP message boards. Should be a good time as I'm almost certain to stammer and say something ridiculous.

The show will be live, but will also be available to download through itunes.

Check it out: May 22nd at 9:00 p.m. on My Little Pony Talk Radio