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.)

wendyzski

February 24 2012, 00:56:34 UTC 5 years ago

New comment

FYI, when I just went to look at Amazon, they physical edition is now listed as:
"While this item is available from other marketplace sellers on this page, it is not currently offered by Amazon.com because customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it's described here. (Thanks for the tip!)

We're working to fix the problem as quickly as possible."

So perhaps people's comments did help.

seanan_mcguire

August 3 2012, 16:33:13 UTC 4 years ago

One hopes.

smoooom

February 24 2012, 00:57:10 UTC 5 years ago

I wish that virtual hugs from someone you barely know would help. I really wish there was something I could do. Besides waiting till March 6th to buy the book. Which I will have to do twice because well I far prefer to read on my iPad and it sucks that ebooks don't count towards first weeks sales. Hugs.

August 7 2012, 21:18:48 UTC 4 years ago

Hugs.

And thank you.

ttamsen

February 24 2012, 01:00:46 UTC 5 years ago

I have no idea how anyone who identifies as "human" could condone any such behaviour. Maybe I'm isolated up here, but I just don't get how anybody's brain could possibly work that way. Please get someone to killfile the whole nasty slew of them for you, and never hear from them again. I'm profoundly sorry that you've had to experience that, and I'm totally waiting for the March 6th release with anticipation. Your Canadian fans are with you!

August 7 2012, 21:19:59 UTC 4 years ago

I don't get it either, and I'm glad.

If we got it, we might think it was okay.

the_gwenzilliad

February 24 2012, 01:04:49 UTC 5 years ago

I cannot wait to hug you next week. <3

August 3 2012, 15:46:00 UTC 4 years ago

<3

Love you.

ldwheeler

February 24 2012, 01:14:27 UTC 5 years ago

This is why humanity apparently can't have nice things.

Though I will be purchasing one particularly Nice Thing. The week of March 6, from a brick & mortar.

I originally was going to hold off a couple months (because my list of Books Waiting To Be Read is, like, whoa). But now, whatever little thing I can do to help you, I shall.

August 22 2012, 20:12:12 UTC 4 years ago

Humanity is not good at playing nicely with its toys.

orlacarey

February 24 2012, 01:14:48 UTC 5 years ago

Grrr!!!! I'm seriously ready to start looking at individual publisher's websites to see if, like Baen, they sell e-copies of their books. Or find other places to download Kindle format books (I know they exist).

Rest assured I WILL buy a hard copy of your book from an actual bookstore during it's actual release date.

August 3 2012, 16:00:43 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you, very much.

deakat

February 24 2012, 01:17:32 UTC 5 years ago Edited: February 24 2012, 02:13:42 UTC

Oh, my dear. I am so, so sorry this is happening. I've already pre-ordered mine, but I'll be sure to buy another copy in the first week just to take the place of one of those people who probably, I hope, has no idea that they're hurting you.

Edited to add: Just placed a pre-order (for a pair) with my local bricks & mortar, so that I can pick them up on release day. I know more than one person who will love this book.

August 3 2012, 15:45:35 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you very much.

janicu

February 24 2012, 01:22:15 UTC 5 years ago

I was wondering when I went to Amazon and saw your book without a preorder button and it's not March 6th. (I did not buy). Those emails you got are very messed up.

August 3 2012, 15:44:14 UTC 4 years ago

Yeah, seriously.

Deb Kasouf

February 24 2012, 01:23:05 UTC 5 years ago

holy crap! i became aware of your horrible situation via a FB post by kristen britain. i hope you regain your peace of mind soon. and please investigate putting a filter on your emails - something of the sort that if it contains the following words....delete the email immediately. it's a shame it's you that has to do anything, but given the anon of the internet and the bottom feeders who use it to abuse others...

frankly, i'm not familiar with any of your work. but now you are on the top of my list of authors to read. press on!

August 22 2012, 20:11:49 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you so much.

glinda_w

February 24 2012, 01:23:18 UTC 5 years ago

Jesus wept.

I... cannot believe the *idiocy* of the people saying those things to you. (Well, I sort of can, but... dear ghods.)

The friend who gave me a Kindle last year, and whose family account I share, will be buying it. On the 6th.

(Otherwise, I end up, alas, reading your books from the library. Fixed income, etc. But they've got all the Toby Daye books; I think I may have helped with that, as they had the first but not second and I put in a request for them to buy it. I suspect circulation figures have caused them to get all the rest. *grin*)

(Also, have recommended Feed to several people, and it got bought for that Kindle account, also. And I utterly loathe zombie books. Never before managed to finish one. And yours? I recommend.)

(Also, also - take extra good care of yourself, hug the kittehs, plan vengeance upon the deserving...)

September 17 2012, 18:34:12 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you.

kyrielle

February 24 2012, 01:23:20 UTC 5 years ago

Oh. My. GOD. *hugs* I am so sorry. The early release is crap enough (but at least Daw is aware of it and hopefully they'll take into account those books somehow).

People are ABUSING you because of something that isn't in your control in the first place? Oh my GOD. I am so sorry. I am so, SO sorry you are having to deal with it. EVEN IF they were releasing the physical book ahead of the eBook, as I understand it you'd have no control over that, but in this case it's not even anything your publisher did, it's just a f***up of royal proportions. :(

February 24 2012, 02:25:15 UTC 5 years ago

People are very passionate when they're entitled. :(

gorgeousgary

February 24 2012, 01:32:06 UTC 5 years ago

**HUGS**

Marie Britt

February 24 2012, 01:33:32 UTC 5 years ago

Hey there- I heard about this from a follower of yours (Wendy Z) and I have to tell you this- Any insult anyone can throw at you...is a compliment in many ways..First it means, you are standing up for what you believe, secondly it means, YOU must be doing things right because that's the only time people complain that way, and three, they are just jealous and anything they say at you is just kindling for the fire of sales that are bound to come your way. People can be miserable little jealously vain, inconsiderate, soul-less asses.

As for those who physically threaten you, those are the cowards of the world, and surely karma will be a bitch to anyone so cruel to anyone, ever.

Don't let anyone ever make you cry, scare you or make you feel like you did something wrong just because you want what everyone else wants, pay for the hard work you've done- you've done nothing wrong, and no one gets the power to tell you otherwise.

If they want your book, they can pay for it, just like I will, on March the 6th.

Cheers,

Marie

August 22 2012, 20:15:32 UTC 4 years ago

Jeremy Linden

February 24 2012, 01:35:32 UTC 5 years ago

I haven't even heard of you, but will now be checking out your books because that sucks. People are asshats.

August 3 2012, 15:24:40 UTC 4 years ago

Deleted comment

August 3 2012, 15:24:22 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you.

Love your icon!

sveethot

February 24 2012, 01:40:30 UTC 5 years ago

Sweetie, I don't know you from Adam's house cat, but I just wanted to send a little hug. I'm sorry that you've been treated in such a shabby manner.

August 3 2012, 15:24:01 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you.

And Adam's house cat is quite nice, but don't touch his belly.

vincentursus

February 24 2012, 01:54:34 UTC 5 years ago

I'm not sure when I first learned about how the publishing industry worked. Age 8 maybe? But it was long enough ago that it just seems bizarre that people believe that authors control these things.

*hugs*

Support thoughts and well wishing.

February 24 2012, 02:01:15 UTC 5 years ago

February 24 2012, 02:00:50 UTC 5 years ago

johnpalmer

February 24 2012, 01:59:29 UTC 5 years ago

Ah, if life were fair, a magical force would sweep your pains away and transfer them to the people who've been such awful people about this. But life isn't fair, and I hope you're feeling better soon. If I could do something for you, I would - I make a mean hot cocoa and good popcorn, but the _Send_Comfort_Food api calls have been malfunctioning.

(I do find myself puzzled by the kind of people who feel they must be nasty to an author over book availability. If one hates the author so much, why is one so eager for their books? I suppose we should console ourselves with the awareness that evil has not stopped being stupid. And yes, attacking authors with venomous words for no good reason *is* evil, even if it is rather low on the evil scale.)

February 24 2012, 02:00:27 UTC 5 years ago

Sadly, I think it's an excuse to be awful and feel justified. "Oh, I told that greedy bitch! I SURE TOLD HER!"

I wish you were here for cocoa and popcorn, too.

paradisacorbasi

February 24 2012, 02:03:45 UTC 5 years ago Edited: February 24 2012, 05:19:03 UTC

I want to be able to generate an anti-awful-people forcefield and wrap you up in it with as much Jamba Juice as you want.

I hate that people are so self-centered they automatically believe anything that is to their displeasure is automatically an intentional move to make their lives miserable.

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

You know if I had names and locations I'd be showing up with cookies and a chainsaw to make the point that verbal abuse is just not on.

That's my cute angry icon. I want to use my serious broccoli-people-searing-rage one, but I don't want an angry icon to make things worse for you in case triggery.

And in case it was not obvious, I will not buy your book before march 6, no matter how many rave reviews I read (and I am reading them). Because I love you and I don't want you to have more stress. Ever.

August 3 2012, 15:23:36 UTC 4 years ago

I love you.

Very much.

bzarcher

February 24 2012, 02:06:26 UTC 5 years ago

This sucks, Amazon & BN suck, and you deserve far better than this.

I hope you feel better soon. :/

February 24 2012, 02:24:48 UTC 5 years ago

August 3 2012, 15:16:06 UTC 4 years ago

Eric Francis

February 24 2012, 02:17:35 UTC 5 years ago

Hi, Seanan!

A friend of mine told me about your Twitter post earlier today, which resulted in me finding and reading your blog. Holy monkey, people can be maroons.

Even though I don't know what kind of stuff you write or whether I'll enjoy it or not (though "Discount Armageddon" is a freaking AWESOME title), I've set a reminder on my phone to buy your book on the day of release. Just my modest effort to push the bullies into the mud for you.

Cheers!

Eric

August 3 2012, 15:15:22 UTC 4 years ago

hms42

February 24 2012, 02:19:51 UTC 5 years ago

I was already planning on purchasing your new book from an independent book seller at Lunacon (Larry Smith Books), but now I will make a trip over to a B&N and use a gift certificate to grab a few give away copies.

I will make an effort to get a copy release week so I can see your name on the NYTimes best seller list again.

February 24 2012, 03:18:36 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, honey.

avahgdu

February 24 2012, 02:22:13 UTC 5 years ago

That people call you names or are nasty to you, really upsets me.
But anytime they threaten you...it sets off an anger in me that I assure you makes them lucky I have cancer. When healthy, my 6 foot 3, 350 lb, MASS OF PSYCHO would be on them like white on rice.

Now that I have taken ten deep breaths, I am sending Reiki to you and lighting candles on the altar for peaceful calming energy for you.

Remember how loved you are, and let that be your wall of light.

August 3 2012, 15:08:19 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you.

For everything.

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An awkward situation, and a plea.

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