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.)

princejvstin

February 23 2012, 19:55:55 UTC 5 years ago

New comment

As per our twitter conversation, I will comply. And spread the word.

seanan_mcguire

February 24 2012, 15:53:45 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you.

ebartley

February 23 2012, 19:56:43 UTC 5 years ago

I have cancelled my Kindle pre-order to make *certain* I get a physical copy first week.

I'll probably buy a Kindle version in spite of Amazon's behavior, I'm afraid, because I do want both.

February 24 2012, 15:54:17 UTC 5 years ago

Heck, the Kindle copy is the only one that's currently respecting the release date! Buy away!

gwynnega

February 23 2012, 19:57:25 UTC 5 years ago

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.

RE: people sending you abusive emails over ebook availability...WTF is wrong with these people? I can't fathom a mental process that goes from "I can't wait to read Seanan's book!" to "Must insult/harangue/abuse Seanan because I can't get her book yet." UGH.

February 24 2012, 15:54:31 UTC 5 years ago

I can't, either. :(

ravnsdaughter

February 23 2012, 19:57:53 UTC 5 years ago

I'm so sorry that people are acting like such utter assholes. I will be buying myself a copy in a brick-and-mortar store during the first week of release, and pimping it to all of my SF&F loving friends on Twitter and Facebook. :) I love the Toby series so much that I can't imagine not loving this series too.

February 24 2012, 15:54:40 UTC 5 years ago

Frank Tuttle

February 23 2012, 19:58:47 UTC 5 years ago

Seanan, on behalf of your thousands and thousands of fans who are NOT psychotic asshats, please let me say:

* We love you.
* We love your books.
* We understand you do not personally control the Great Publishing and Distribution Engine.
* Did I mention that we love you, and your books? 'Cause we do.

Please don't cry!

mrs_norris_mous

February 23 2012, 20:49:33 UTC 5 years ago Edited: February 23 2012, 20:52:46 UTC

This is a good comment for me to reply to as it says what I want to say better than I could.

I have asked borderland books if I can buy two physical copies of your book on or after the 6th of March.

Comment amnesty recognized and accepted. No response expected or desired. *hug*

adelheid_p

5 years ago

More Expand

ckd

February 23 2012, 19:59:10 UTC 5 years ago

Argh argh argh. It's not enough for you to get run over by Amazon, so some of your so-called fans are being entitled douchecanoes to make sure you have an extra bad time?

I'll make sure to pick it up at my friendly local specialty store at the proper time. (It's not like I'd have time to read it earlier than that anyway; work is crazypants right now.)

September 27 2012, 16:06:41 UTC 4 years ago

vettecat

February 23 2012, 20:02:02 UTC 5 years ago

I am so sorry you're having to deal with this stress - I wish I could do something to fix it.

As for the scumbag... if he hates you so much, why does he want to buy your book? Argh!

September 27 2012, 16:06:57 UTC 4 years ago

I don't even know.

evaleastaristev

February 23 2012, 20:02:09 UTC 5 years ago

It's not often I see red for someone who's not my close friend. But I'm seeing it now that I read what people have been saying to you. Please, don't ever tell me who they are. I might end up in prison.

tiferet

February 23 2012, 20:15:31 UTC 5 years ago

I actually do want to know who these people are, because it disturbs the fuck out of me to think that I might ever acknowledge their existence politely, or even offer them a kind word or a favour, simply because I have no idea who they are and they happen to be at a con that I'm at. The cops are legitimately often too busy to deal with people who are statistically highly unlikely to make good on threats of this nature (nobody who hasn't got the patience to wait 2 weeks for an ebook is going to be planning a crime and succeed) but honestly, I think a good old-fashioned shunning by the entirety of fandom would be thoroughly justified.

mephron

phoenixdreaming

4 years ago

effervescent

February 23 2012, 20:03:41 UTC 5 years ago

D: Oh, Seanan.... I am so sorry that all of this crap is happening to you in the first place, let alone that your readers are apparently feeling free to fling misogynistic, hurtful insults at you over a situation that you have none of the blame for. This is so not right and I am so angry on your behalf.

I hope things sort themselves out and that people realise just how hateful they've been to you. That's disgusting and ridiculous.

queenoftheskies

February 23 2012, 20:05:00 UTC 5 years ago

::HUGS:: I'm very sorry people treat you in such a horrible fashion.

reedrover

February 23 2012, 20:05:29 UTC 5 years ago

Oh I'm so sorry. And enraged. And sick to my stomach.

Books are things to be celebrated. Why can't people be nice? patient? rational? understanding?

You've started me on a quest to find any independent bookstores around me at all... Dammit, I need to be better than this.

Deleted comment

catsittingstill

February 23 2012, 20:15:26 UTC 5 years ago

*raises right hand to sky*

I pledge I will not buy your book early. Or late.

And I wasn't going to buy e-book anyway, or from Amazon, because I had the impression those didn't count toward the first week.

I realize it isn't much, but it's what I can do right now. I just got off the phone with the Knoxville bookstore. *hug* Also I will mention this in my LJ; I doubt I have many readers who don't also read your LJ but just in case.

Interestingly enough March 6 is the date when several books I covet come out. It's like all the chicks hatch that day or something. But your book sounds like the very best one so I will get it first.

Comment amnesty recognized and accepted. No response expected or desired. *hug*

celtic_catgirl

February 23 2012, 20:16:08 UTC 5 years ago

Dude. Not Cool. Seriously.

Also I have set a calendar reminder for the 6th to take a walk to my local bookstore and buy a copy of Discount Armageddon. I'm pretty excited.

madtom_o_bedlam

February 23 2012, 20:17:01 UTC 5 years ago

I'm sorry that some people are stupid and mean. Many of us love you and are horrified that anybody would say such things to you. I wish I could make you feel better but that was all I had. I'm looking forward to the 6th when I may walk into my store and purchase several copies of your latest book.

Be as well as you can be! Know that the stupids aren't even the majority of us...and the rest of us are appalled by their behavior.

hug

February 23 2012, 20:21:30 UTC 5 years ago

September 27 2012, 16:06:06 UTC 4 years ago

GoddessTriad

February 23 2012, 20:23:41 UTC 5 years ago

I am so sorry you have to go through this. Again. Please try to remember they are cowards and trolls who hide behind a computer screen, deliberately trying to get a rise out of you. Some people have to abuse others in order to feel self-worth. Others are just bored bullies, again hiding behind an email address. There are also people out there jealous of someone else's hard won success.

And you know what? They are going to buy your book anyway. They just want to piss and moan and blame someone who they think has control over distribution. You're just the writer.

As a former bookseller and inventory controller, customers buying books before the release of a street date brought penalties down on not just the book store. Book stores who repeatedly sold stuff before street date were denied new stock in future shipments. (Publishers had power then it seems. I'd be furious when booksellers would sneak into my back store room and pilfer boxes that had street dates printed right there on the box.)

Publishers denying new stock to a book store also meant the author wasn't selling as many titles. If an author doesn't sell, the publisher can drop them. I'm guessing times have changed or the last of the big giants now have the power to sell as they please.

Awaiting street date.

September 27 2012, 16:05:49 UTC 4 years ago

Street dates make me happy when they're obeyed.

Thank you.

ravynwitch

February 23 2012, 20:26:08 UTC 5 years ago

Oh holy cow :(
I'm so sorry to hear this. Shame on the publishers, and shame on the people sending you nasty emails. *gives you encouraging hug*

February 23 2012, 20:27:08 UTC 5 years ago

The publishers have done nothing wrong. It's some of the online sales outlets that are causing all this.

faecat

vixyish

iuliamentis

February 23 2012, 20:26:49 UTC 5 years ago

I am so sorry to hear about such abominable behavior all around. I'll be buying a physical copy on the 6th, and I wish you all the rest and peace you can get in between now and the end of that first week of sales.

September 27 2012, 15:30:05 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you.

ABED ICON!

wendigomountain

February 23 2012, 20:27:30 UTC 5 years ago

Who has the balls to call someone names like that when they are enough of a fan to read their work in the first place? Reminds me of those jacktards that throw batteries at their hometeam baseball players from the stands. People just have no upbringing anymore.

September 27 2012, 15:29:28 UTC 4 years ago

I think it's less actual fans, and more people who saw the opportunity for a dogpile.

jane_dark

February 23 2012, 20:27:37 UTC 5 years ago

Oh,gods,that is fucked, and I am not buying my copies till March 6th. And I'm so sorry that people are so shitty.

September 27 2012, 15:28:32 UTC 4 years ago

joyce

And several stated that they would now be pirating all my books, because I had given up my right to their money (I had a right to their money?).

That makes me resolved to buy them all (I'm a library fiend). Assholes.

bookblather

February 23 2012, 20:38:22 UTC 5 years ago

Ooh, yes, I could buy some extra copies and donate them places. Thanks! I was trying to figure out how to give Seanan more money to help make up for the evil people who pull this shit.

tigrkittn

February 23 2012, 20:27:48 UTC 5 years ago

*whimpers and stomps feet* This post makes me sad and angry!!! And I wish you were my friend, instead of "this person I follow on LJ" so I could hug you and make you tea and offer to do mean things to the asshats who were mean to you, so you can take the high road but they still get what they deserve.

That first-week thing is ridiculous, but I promise to be at B&N on release day and grab my copy. Every little bit helps, I hope.

September 27 2012, 15:29:49 UTC 4 years ago

Every little bit ABSOLUTELY helps.

Thank you.

dungeonwriter

February 23 2012, 20:34:21 UTC 5 years ago

Hugs, you are so lovely and amazing and you deserve only happiness!

September 27 2012, 14:43:40 UTC 4 years ago

jess_faraday

February 23 2012, 20:35:48 UTC 5 years ago

Ugh. People can be awful, especially when they think they deserve something they're not getting.

I'm still catching up with your righteously awesome backlist, so I won't be ready for the new one before March 6. Even if I were, I'd still wait.

Sorry you're dealing with such crap. Plagues and boils to them.

September 27 2012, 14:42:45 UTC 4 years ago

Plagues and boils for EVERYBODY!

Post a new comment
743 comments

Log in

An awkward situation, and a plea.

Error