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.)

mysterysquid

February 25 2012, 02:32:47 UTC 5 years ago

New comment

Just horrendous. The web really can bring out the worst in people. :(

Waiting til the sixth...

seanan_mcguire

September 24 2012, 18:01:15 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you for this.

ttamsen

February 25 2012, 16:36:16 UTC 5 years ago

Hi, a note from Terra here, using Tamsen's accnt.

Seanan, you are the best! We will be buying your book on March 6. And our friends too. You are so talented and hard working, it makes me cry too that jerks made you sad. Forget them, they don't deserve to read the book anyway. I am happy to fill the time till then reading Feed for the third time. Love that book! And I read all May Day's car chase scenes to my ten year old at bedtime, to his delight. Thank you for your words you've written and shared with us. I wish I could send my fluffy flock of pet chickens with hugs for you, five minutes watching them care for each other, hunt out food together and enjoy a spot of sun together rescues my day.

Love your songwriting and your strong, beautiful voice for years. Totally a fan of your books. Thank you. -from Terra

May 14 2012, 17:01:05 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, so much. <3

CHICKEN HUGS!!!!!

Heather Dryer

February 25 2012, 17:37:14 UTC 5 years ago

OMG, I came to your blog from a post on Doranna Durgin's FB page. I'm truly horrified at what has happened to you. That people who want to read your book could react that way with the name calling just floors me. I'll admit, I've not previously read your books, but I think it's time I start. I'll wait until the release date though before placing any orders.

HUGS.

Heather D
Tampa, Florida

September 24 2012, 18:01:24 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you.

Deleted comment

Rie Sheridan Rose

February 25 2012, 18:50:30 UTC 5 years ago

Rosemary and Rue is a good place to start...

5 years ago

Jim Reader

February 25 2012, 17:51:45 UTC 5 years ago

Mistakes happen, it is in no way your fault, people can be assholes, I will gladly wait 'til March 6 to buy it, thank you for writing such wonderful stories, you're in my prayers. Cheer up - in ten years this will hopefully be a hilarious story to tell at conventions.

February 25 2012, 21:11:52 UTC 5 years ago

Or at least a story that doesn't make me cry hysterically.

February 25 2012, 18:49:33 UTC 5 years ago

I am so sorry that people are reacting this way, Seanan. It is stories like this that sometimes make me grateful just to be a little fish in the writing pond. Your books are so wonderful that it is truly a shame people have to behave like this. I (unfortunately) gave up buying books for Lent, or I would be getting my copy on March 6th. And -- for you -- I might just cheat.

September 24 2012, 18:01:38 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you for this. :)

corycides

February 25 2012, 19:42:07 UTC 5 years ago

I am so sorry to hear that. I hope you are ok. People seem to think they own authors sometimes.

February 25 2012, 21:11:06 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you. I am holding up.

pernwebgoddess

February 25 2012, 23:23:41 UTC 5 years ago

If it helps, before this debacle, I had not heard of you, but I will now be buying your books to support you, the writing community, and stick a rude finger in the nose of the asshats who abused you. From one writer to another, (albeit an unpublished one in my case) I'm appalled and wouldn't wish t hat on my worst enemy.

I think you may end up with more net sales in the end, because you got a good bit of signal boost from this... so let's hope that in the end, it results in better sales and more attention-- the GOOD kind!

May 11 2012, 15:04:45 UTC 5 years ago

Marsha Barnes

February 25 2012, 23:41:45 UTC 5 years ago

I have not read any of your books - I hadn't actually heard of you before.
I am deeply sorry that people suck!! *hugs*
I don't know your work, so I won't promise to buy a copy on March 6th, but I will go look at your new book and see if it is something that interests me. I will also refer your book to any friends that read books like it.
I am very sad that this happened to you. :(
Good luck!!!

gingerlatte

February 26 2012, 01:37:30 UTC 5 years ago

I've heard nothing but great things about her work, though so far I've only read the ones published under the pseudonym Mira Grant. There are zombies, but that's not the main focus. Whether you like zombie books or not, they're fantastic!

kaath9

4 years ago

February 26 2012, 01:33:04 UTC 5 years ago

People never cease to appall me. So sorry hun. :-( I've only read your Mira Grant work so far (fantastic!) and am looking forward to reading your other books, both those that are already published and those to come - on their proper release dates. *hugs*

September 24 2012, 18:02:06 UTC 4 years ago

batyatoon

February 26 2012, 23:19:35 UTC 5 years ago

Oh god, why are people terrible.

*hugs you very very gently*

September 24 2012, 18:02:22 UTC 4 years ago

I do not know, but I love you so.

sami.dreamwidth.org

February 27 2012, 03:33:08 UTC 5 years ago

Hi there.

I don't know if you'll read this, what with, you know, all of this.

I just got linked to this post, and before that, I'd never heard of you - I don't really keep up with stuff that comes out, these days, because I'm sort of picky and I have ADHD-induced difficulty getting into long-form fiction at the best of times, etc.

But you seem like a nice enough person, to whom something tremendously shitty is happening.

So I thought I'd let you know that as a result, I am going to buy your book... when it comes out.

Good luck, and take care.

Best wishes,
Sami

February 29 2012, 19:27:34 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, very much.

I do read everything, it just...takes a while, sometimes. :)

sonnlich

las

February 27 2012, 05:54:22 UTC 5 years ago

I'm really sorry this happened. :(

February 27 2012, 18:48:29 UTC 5 years ago

Thanks, honey.

amandapillar

February 27 2012, 08:37:11 UTC 5 years ago

Oh my, I am so sorry to hear this is happening; and while it is, there are such horrible people out there. NOTHING gives anyone the right to threaten you about a product you create for other people's enjoyment.

*hugs*

February 27 2012, 17:42:10 UTC 5 years ago

Hugs, and thank you.

February 27 2012, 19:32:42 UTC 5 years ago

You see, my dear? There are a number of people who are now going to be reading your books BECAUSE this happened. Silver linings are real. Or maybe, for us, it's pumpkin linings. :)

February 28 2012, 16:51:35 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, honey.

February 27 2012, 19:34:44 UTC 5 years ago

Oh, and if any of the people who sent narsty emails to Seanan are monitoring this journal—SHAME ON YOU! You know who you are. Send a note of abject apology. It will make you feel better.

September 24 2012, 18:02:36 UTC 4 years ago

jeffreycwells

February 27 2012, 21:06:35 UTC 5 years ago

Argh, I go away from LJ for a few days and *this* happens. I wish I would have been there for bucking-up purposes a few days ago. Looks like you had no shortage, but still.

Much love, Seanan.

February 29 2012, 19:26:21 UTC 5 years ago

Love to you, too, honey.

rowanholly

February 29 2012, 01:12:46 UTC 5 years ago

Wait a second while I pick my jaw up off of the floor. What on EARTH is wrong with people?! What happened to kindness and manners? Of compassion? Why does it seem like the vast majority of humanity is mean-spirited? I don't know what to say except I'm so very sorry that this happened to you. Personally, I adore your work, I respect and admire you, and I appreciate that you take the time to write about writing for us aspiring novelists out here. Wow. Here I am daydreaming about the possibility of publishing my work someday. It should be so exciting. Instead I'm sitting here terrified by the possibility that I might be treated that way. Jeesh. I might have to be a recluse and maybe a friend will try and publish my stuff when I'm dead. That takes care of that. But I shouldn't have to worry about that, and neither should you. It really makes me angry and sad. Of course, the internet is implicated. People become very bold--and nasty--when they can hide behind the internet. Anyway, you're a masterful writer, and I'm sorry that this is hurting you. PLEASE keep the stories coming. You will always have devoted readers.

February 29 2012, 19:20:47 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you so much, and you should absolutely try anyway, because every person who says things like this is worth ten assholes in the shadows.

nojh

February 29 2012, 15:30:14 UTC 5 years ago

I'm so sorry those people were horrible to you over email. I'm actually rather astonished. If they care enough to want to read your book, of a new series, why are they sending such hate towards the creator?

No worries. I'll be purchasing a copy of your book on release day. If I do pick up a book early, I also make a point of picking it up on release day if I'm made aware of it. You've probably answered this before but does it matter if the purchase is an eBook or not for first week sales?

February 29 2012, 18:33:07 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, very much, and no, it doesn't matter; ebooks are counted alongside physical ones. :)

wfw_sj

March 4 2012, 23:15:09 UTC 5 years ago

Comment amnesty understood, but even so, I send you hugs. (I hadn't read this yet when I saw you this weekend.)

September 24 2012, 18:02:48 UTC 4 years ago

kimbacaffeinate

March 5 2012, 17:32:23 UTC 5 years ago

First I love your books under all your names..and I am deeply ashamed of other's behaviors..I will happily wait for my ebook :)

March 7 2012, 16:15:03 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you so much.

March 7 2012, 16:41:35 UTC 5 years ago

Thanks, sweetie.

Warren Urbik

April 1 2012, 02:27:54 UTC 5 years ago

Ms. Mcguire. My wife, Betsy, within the last day or so bought you book, Discount Armageddon. She praised it to the sky and really pressured me to read it . I originally thought to myself " Another chick-lit item", but I know enough to obey her ( She who MUST be obeyed !!)..I want to tell you that I, also, could not put the story down until I had read the last page. Then I read it again and concentrated on the mice. I've copied down every utterance they made and find myself pronouncing " All hail! declamations all over the place Even when not appropriate. ( I'm learning). I want to thank you for enriching my life with your story and its characters. I think that t-shirts and sweat shirts with "All Hail" logos with mice running around with banners would look terrific! Again thank you. I await further Verity Price adventures. Please don't disappoint. Can we see you at Wiscon this year? Or Windycon? Warren Urbik (paulus.rednose@gmail.com)

April 1 2012, 05:52:22 UTC 5 years ago

I won't be at Wiscon, but I will be at Windycon, and the next Verity book will be out next March!

eral375

September 25 2012, 02:57:37 UTC 4 years ago

OMG... People are horrible.

Charles Kovacs

October 3 2016, 23:21:22 UTC 9 months ago

Wow Seanan, how can people who are fans call you this...
WTF....

I know this thread is stale as hell, but I ran across it in a google and read it...
WOW.. OMG...

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An awkward situation, and a plea.

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OMG... People are horrible.