An awkward situation, and a plea.: seanan

An awkward situation, and a plea.

All right: here's the thing. Discount Armageddon is officially released March 6th. That's the date we've been talking about for months, that's the date you should be able to obtain the book, that's the date when sales begin counting against my first week numbers. Any books which escape into the wild before then count against my overall sales, but do not count for that all-important first week. Also, because I am number-based OCD, any books which escape into the wild before then make me feel sick, cry hysterically, and basically become non-functional with stress. It's THE BEST THING.

As of midnight Monday/the very beginning of Tuesday, Amazon has been shipping copies of Discount Armageddon. Consequentially, Barnes & Noble is doing the same thing. I haven't been saying anything because DAW is trying frantically to fix it, and I didn't want to drive sales to the sites which have chosen to release my book early. (I don't blame B&N for reacting when they saw that the book was on sale; they're a business, after all. But it's not helping my stress level any.) Please, please, do not buy my book early. I know it's hard. I know that the urge to have the shiny thing now is strong within us. I've ordered dolls from Japan and Australia, and DVD sets from Canada and the UK, for just this reason. But those things were legitimately released in the regions where I was ordering them, and Discount Armageddon has not been legitimately released anywhere at all. Please wait until March 6th. Don't punish independent bookstores, and local brick and mortar stores, for some computer's hard-to-fix mistake. Please. I am literally begging you here.

It doesn't help that so much of a book's success is measured by their first week. I've basically thrown up every time I thought about my week one numbers (including just now), because these early sales could mean the difference between a series and an accidental duology. It's unlikely—DAW is very loyal, and they stand by me—but it could happen, and I am very much worst-case-scenario girl when I'm this flipped out. So please. Do not buy early. Wait until March 6th.

And then there are the ebooks.

Both Amazon and B&N have put the physical edition of Discount Armageddon on sale, but are still holding the electronic edition for the actual release date. People who receive their physical books early are reaping the benefits of a fortuitous, author-breaking error. People who have to wait for their electronic books are not being denied anything; they're doing what was supposed to happen in the first place. This has not stopped the exciting emails from rolling in. They mostly stopped after the first day, but on that first day, I was called...

See, apparently, the ebooks are being withheld because I, personally, am trying to force everyone to buy my preferred format (physical). So sexual threats and relentless abuse are totally acceptable, because it just shows me the error of my ways.

I have nothing to do with the books being available early. I wish they weren't.

I have no control over whether the electronic editions are available early. I'm glad they're not, but it's not because I'm a greedy bitch; it's because I don't want any editions available early.

I am literally sick with stress, and this is not in any way helping. Please, don't buy my books before their actual release date. Please, don't place an order with a site which is offering my books before their actual release date. Please, don't call me horrible names because you can't have what you want the second that you want it.

Please.

(Because it must be said...comment amnesty. I'm already crying hard enough.)

angelofsith

February 24 2012, 16:04:44 UTC 5 years ago

New comment

*sends more tea and hugs* I saw the link on Rachel Caine's twitter and I think the way these idiots have been treating you is just horrible. I would consider reporting some of them to the police. I want to do something nice but the best I can offer is this amusing icon which I hope will make you smile, if only a little.

seanan_mcguire

February 24 2012, 16:11:53 UTC 5 years ago

Your icon has made me snicker. Thank you!

bunsen_h

5 years ago

otherdeb

Michael Scheuerman

February 24 2012, 16:06:25 UTC 5 years ago

Adding my voice to the many, this makes me sad, and I will not be purchasing until the actual release date.

February 24 2012, 16:11:31 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you.

Ali Trotta

February 24 2012, 16:20:13 UTC 5 years ago

Wow, I'm so sorry that you're going through this. People can be crappy, especially so when a person's in the public eye. It's like Lord of the Flies and humanity goes out the window. That kind of behavior (the bitching and name-calling) is completely unacceptable. You deserve more respect than the Crazy.

That said, I will be buying your book during the first week of its release. <3

May 15 2012, 01:02:06 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you!

jedigirl

February 24 2012, 16:22:20 UTC 5 years ago

Wow that's just awful. I don't even know what's going on that's so terrible.

Chin up, there are lots of people who love you and your books. Ignore the haters

<3

February 24 2012, 17:04:14 UTC 5 years ago

I am trying very hard.

jenjen4280

February 24 2012, 16:32:57 UTC 5 years ago

Because of what you've said about sales, I wait to buy books from all of my favorite authors (you're on that list) until the day that book is released and then I buy it from a brick & mortar store.

I'm sorry that people have been so horrible to you. Totally unacceptable behaviour.

Hang in there!

February 24 2012, 17:03:41 UTC 5 years ago

Doing my very best!

hasufin

February 24 2012, 16:51:12 UTC 5 years ago

Well, I wouldn't have thought to not order, because as a general rule Amazon is good about not releasing books until their release date, but I'll hold off a bit. And inform my friends, who were otherwise lamenting that you didn't have any new books out (they had to be educated about your writing schedule and why, yes, there will be more books and soon.)

So, *hugs*. Take a few deep breaths. Be well. People will buy your book on the release date.

February 24 2012, 17:03:21 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you. I hope so.

Deleted comment

May 15 2012, 01:01:43 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you so much.

liari

February 24 2012, 17:38:41 UTC 5 years ago

I haven't read any of your books, but after a link sent me here and I read that...honey, I will buy both the physical copy and an ebook on the ACTUAL DATE OF RELEASE just in support. And hey, maybe I'll have a whole new author to love all over! <3

Compulsions and stress are hard, and when compounded by things out of your control can be literally crippling. I'm so sorry this happened to you, but I hope you can take at least a little comfort in the fact that you have thousands of people who want to crush those who've hurt you like this. They are a vocal minority of assholes, and the majority of decent people has your back.

May 15 2012, 16:34:34 UTC 5 years ago

It's amazing how hard I take it when poked in the OCD. Thank you for understanding, and for being awesome.

May 15 2012, 01:02:32 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, honey.

May 14 2012, 20:19:33 UTC 5 years ago

springfield40

February 24 2012, 17:45:51 UTC 5 years ago

I cant have the ebook for DA until March 6--this is ok. I can be patient. I love your books and characters and this books sounds like so much fun.
I am eagarly awaiting this book.

May 14 2012, 20:19:09 UTC 5 years ago

Yay!

zillah975

February 24 2012, 17:46:37 UTC 5 years ago

D:

People can be horrible. I'm so, so sorry you're having to deal with this. I'm sending you all the best thoughts, and will be buying your book after it's officially released, and not before. *ALL the hugs*

May 14 2012, 20:18:44 UTC 5 years ago

beable

February 24 2012, 18:26:13 UTC 5 years ago

I'm so sorry that people have been acting like rabid douchecanoes, NOTHING excuses that sort of behaviour. Hell, even if you did somehow have omnipotent controls over the whole thing it would STILL not excuse their behaviour.

I am looking forward to purchasing Discount Argamaddon when it comes out. I'm not sure if it's really my sort of book, but I've been really impressed with the Newsflesh books despite not being overly interested in zombies, and I've loved the Incryptid mice when they have popped up elsewhere, so I'm expecting that I'll enjoy it.

September 25 2012, 00:57:14 UTC 4 years ago

booniverse

February 24 2012, 18:47:56 UTC 5 years ago

Yikes, that kind of name calling and threats is way above and beyond being an entitled douchecanoe. I am sorry that you had to go through that because crybaby bobby couldn't get what s/he wanted right then and had to wa-ait. If I could direct karma, I'd totally send a heaping pile of backlash to each and every one of the people who got up in your grill for something you had no part in doing. I can't so here's my happiest icon which cheers me up on low days.

I wasn't planning on buying Discount Armageddon the first week, as I have plenty of other unread books in a big stack on the floor (and should really get to reading those before buying new ones to go in the pile) but I really enjoyed Feed and Deadline and I feel like sticking it to...whoever needs sticking I guess. Ergo, I've marked March 6th for buzzing by the local brick and mortar to pick up a first week copy.

September 25 2012, 00:57:26 UTC 4 years ago

September 25 2012, 00:57:46 UTC 4 years ago

I don't get people sometimes. But thank you so much for coming by and being supportive.

floatingpencil

February 24 2012, 19:49:47 UTC 5 years ago

Probably doesn't help much, but I hadn't come across your books until a friend alerted me to this particular example of the general arseholiness of certain sections of humanity. As it happens, sounds like they're just my kind of thing, so I'll be getting a copy for my Kindle when it's available.

And screw the people calling you names. You're not on this earth to grant their every wish, you'd think they'd have learned about not being complete brats when Santa Claus never did bring that pony.

September 25 2012, 00:57:56 UTC 4 years ago

ruthless1

February 24 2012, 20:52:35 UTC 5 years ago

Your post means that I am now marking my calendar for March 6th and then marching over to my local indie store and grabbing a copy. I am appalled and disgusted that you have gotten this reaction. If they were within reach of me I would slap them upside the north pole. And then down again.

September 25 2012, 00:58:04 UTC 4 years ago

sini74

February 24 2012, 21:01:26 UTC 5 years ago

I have to confess that this was the first time I saw your name and heard of your books (read about this in Elizabeth Moon's blog). But it brought you a new reader, because I am definately going to buy and read some of them.

So if you lost a few stupid people ranting to you, this has also brought you some new readers. Silver lining? I hope you can see this that way, once there is a bit of a perspective.

September 25 2012, 00:58:21 UTC 4 years ago

Silver linings are beautiful things.

And thank you.

September 25 2012, 00:58:30 UTC 4 years ago

Agreed.

kilbia

February 24 2012, 22:04:02 UTC 5 years ago

Hug-availability, and whatever other support you're willing to accept from a total stranger right now.

September 25 2012, 00:58:37 UTC 4 years ago

weasel_of_d00m

February 24 2012, 22:26:19 UTC 5 years ago

Oh dear god. *lots of hugs* I am so sorry some idiots are blaming you for something you have absolutely no control over.

September 25 2012, 00:58:44 UTC 4 years ago

tsubaki_ny

February 24 2012, 23:11:02 UTC 5 years ago

They are vile misogynistic horrors, all, and I'm so sorry you had to see, read, or even know about such things. I don't know how people think it's okay or that they are entitled to act that way, I really don't. And they are worse to women. Absolutely unbelievable.

I haven't bought your books before (I'm sorry) but I sure as freaking hell will now, under both names.

So, so sorry you're going through this.

February 25 2012, 02:29:12 UTC 5 years ago

(And yes, I will do this at the appropriate time.)

4 years ago

brightlotusmoon

February 24 2012, 23:37:00 UTC 5 years ago

:(

Reading that made me stress-sick. I cannot even imagine.

What I decided to do was call my local Barnes & Noble and tell them that your book would be officially coming out on March 6, and then I asked that when they got copies in could they please hold a copy for me. After the fiascos with Amazon.com and BN.com I have decided that physical stores are so much better for this sort of thing...

September 25 2012, 00:59:13 UTC 4 years ago

February 25 2012, 00:36:24 UTC 5 years ago

Oh. God.

*hugs*

Definitely not gonna buy before 6 March.

* makes stabby motions at retailers with size 0000 lace needles*

February 25 2012, 21:26:16 UTC 5 years ago

eral375

February 25 2012, 01:09:01 UTC 5 years ago

We got our pre-order from Amazon early but will be purchasing two extra copies from the local Barnes and Noble on the 6th as gifts. Your real fans always have your back. :)

September 25 2012, 00:59:21 UTC 4 years ago

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An awkward situation, and a plea.

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