The Honest Truth
I need to be upfront with you: this site contains affiliate links, and I make money when you buy things through those links.
That might sound mercenary, but here’s the reality: running a website costs money (hosting, domain, email service, tools) and writing in-depth guides about obscure 1960s paperbacks doesn’t exactly pay the bills on its own.
So, when I link to a book on Amazon, a lot on eBay, or a Blu-ray on any retailer, there’s a chance that link is an affiliate link… meaning if you click it and buy something, I earn a small commission.
Does that influence what I recommend?
No. And I mean that.
I only recommend books, films, products, or resources that I genuinely think are worth your time or money. If I link to a $4 used paperback on AbeBooks, it’s because that’s honestly the best way to get that book… not because I’m trying to maximize commissions.
I’d rather you trust me and come back than make a quick buck on a bad recommendation.
If I ever recommend something I haven’t personally read, watched, or used, I’ll tell you. And if my opinion changes (a book didn’t age well, a retailer started sucking, a product turned out to be junk), I’ll update the post or remove the link.
What Affiliate Links Are (In Plain English)
An affiliate link is a special tracking link that tells a retailer “this person came from Vintage Sci-Fi Classics.”
Here’s how it works:
- You click a link on this site to, say, Amazon
- Amazon’s system notes that you came from my site (via a cookie)
- You browse Amazon and buy something (doesn’t have to be the exact item I linked to)
- If you make a purchase within a certain time window (usually 24 hours), I earn a small commission (typically 1%–10% depending on the product and program)
Important:
- It doesn’t cost you extra. The price is the same whether you use my link or go directly to the retailer.
- I don’t see your personal information. I don’t know what you bought, your name, address, or anything like that. I just see “someone clicked this link and a purchase happened.”
- You’re not obligated to buy anything. Click the link to check it out; buy if you want; don’t if you don’t.
Which Affiliate Programs I Use
I participate in the following affiliate programs:
Amazon Associates
- The big one. Most book and film links go to Amazon because it’s convenient and familiar.
- Commission: Varies by product category (typically 3%–10%)
- I link to both new and used items, Kindle editions, Blu-rays, DVDs, and related products (storage supplies, shelving, etc.)
AbeBooks Affiliate Program
- For rare, collectible, and out-of-print books
- Commission: Varies
- AbeBooks is often the best place to find vintage paperbacks and first editions at reasonable prices
eBay Partner Network
- For used books, pulps, movie posters, lots, and collectibles
- Commission: Varies by category
- I link to specific listings, saved searches, or category pages
Biblio (if applicable)
- Another great source for used and rare books
- Commission: Varies
Other Retailers
I may occasionally link to:
- Criterion Collection (films)
- Gumroad / Payhip (for my own digital products)
- Print-on-demand services like Redbubble or Printful (if I launch merch)
- Other specialty retailers as relevant
If a link is an affiliate link, it’s covered by this disclosure.
What About Non-Affiliate Links?
Not every link on this site is an affiliate link.
Sometimes I link to:
- Free resources
- Articles and blog posts
- Author websites
- Reference materials
- Tools and services I use (with no affiliate program)
If there’s no affiliate relationship, I just link because it’s useful.
How I Decide What to Recommend
Here’s my process:
Books & Films:
- I’ve read/watched it myself, or
- It’s a widely acknowledged classic I’m confident recommending, or
- I clearly state “I haven’t read/seen this yet, but here’s why it’s on my radar”
Products (storage supplies, shelving, etc.):
- I’ve used it myself, or
- It’s a standard, well-reviewed product in the category, or
- I clearly note “I haven’t tested this, but based on research/reviews, it seems solid”
Retailers & Marketplaces:
- I recommend them because they’re genuinely good sources for vintage sci-fi—not because they pay the highest commissions
If something sucks, I’ll tell you. Or I just won’t link to it.
FTC Compliance
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that I disclose affiliate relationships.
Here’s the official language:
Vintage Sci-Fi Classics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
This site also participates in other affiliate programs (including AbeBooks, eBay Partner Network, and others as noted) and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.
In addition to this disclosure page:
- Posts with affiliate links may include a short disclosure at the top or bottom (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links.”)
- Some links may be marked with a † or * to indicate they’re affiliate links (though not always – assume most product/retailer links are affiliate unless stated otherwise)
Bottom line: If I link to a product or retailer, assume it’s an affiliate link unless it’s clearly a reference/educational link.
What This Means for You
Zero obligation.
You can:
- Read the site for free
- Use my recommendations without clicking links
- Search for products yourself if you prefer
- Click links and not buy anything
- Click links, buy, and help support the site
All of those are fine.
Price is the same.
Affiliate links don’t increase the price. If a book is $12 on Amazon, it’s $12 whether you use my link or search for it yourself.
You’re helping keep the site running.
If you do use affiliate links and make purchases, thank you. That income helps cover:
- Hosting and domain costs
- Email service
- Tools and software
- Time spent researching and writing
It’s what allows me to keep doing this without plastering the site in ads or paywalling content.
Products I Create & Sell
In addition to affiliate income, I create and sell my own digital products, such as:
- The Vintage Sci-Fi Collector’s Starter Guide (paid PDF)
- Other guides, checklists, or resources I develop
These are not affiliate links – they’re direct sales, and I keep 100% of the revenue (minus payment processor fees).
I’ll always be clear about what’s mine vs. what I’m recommending from third parties.
Display Ads (Future)
At some point, if the site grows enough, I may add display advertising through networks like:
- Ezoic
- Mediavine
- AdThrive
- Google AdSense
These networks serve ads based on your browsing behavior (via cookies) and pay me based on impressions or clicks.
If/when I add ads, I’ll update this disclosure and the Privacy Policy.
My Promise
I’ll always prioritize honesty and usefulness over commissions.
If a book isn’t worth reading, I won’t recommend it.
If a retailer starts screwing people over, I’ll stop linking to them.
If I find a better (even non-affiliate) source for something, I’ll share it.
This site exists because I love vintage science fiction and want to help people discover it. The affiliate income is what makes it sustainable… but it’s not why I do this.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for trusting me.