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.)

capplor

February 24 2012, 05:22:47 UTC 5 years ago

New comment

Yow, kid! I'm sorry this is happening to you. I had no idea sales worked like that; it does sound like one of those "Just because the computer made thing simpler for us, doesn't mean we have to do anything different" situations. Fortunately, I caught your warning in time. Message received; book will not be bought before the 6th.

seanan_mcguire

June 15 2012, 16:47:27 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you!

meggins

February 24 2012, 05:24:58 UTC 5 years ago

{{{s_m}}}

Cuddle with the kitties. Or do something to comfort yourself. I'm sorry this is happening. Publication of a book ought to be a happy event.

I'd like to give a boot to the head to those name-callers.

June 15 2012, 16:05:48 UTC 5 years ago

Wouldn't it be nice if we were allowed to kick the stupid?

roadnotes

February 24 2012, 05:29:39 UTC 5 years ago

Breathe, be gentle with yourself, and surround yourself with people who wish you well -- and there are a lot more of us than you might think.

June 15 2012, 16:05:20 UTC 5 years ago

I am so grateful that you are in my life, even if only tangentially.

jhyanmar

February 24 2012, 05:34:08 UTC 5 years ago

You are a truly awesome woman, and you do not deserve this happening. I'm not at all surprised to see that sexist hatred made it into the abuse heaped upon you; it seems to go of a kind with the entitlement crowd. I hope things go better, and soon. I'd hope for an apology from Amazon, but that doesn't exactly seem likely.

June 15 2012, 16:04:35 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you.

everstone

February 24 2012, 05:45:22 UTC 5 years ago

I had no idea about how pre-sales could affect book stats, but now I do, I'll remember it and always buy my books in the release week.

I'm so sorry to hear about all the nasty things people have said to you. There is absolutely nothing that justifies that kind of talk/behaviour. The only thing I dislike about the internet is how people use it as shield to hide behind and say things they would never dare to say in real life. I hope they all grow up/remember how to behave like human beings and stop hassling you.

May 19 2012, 02:32:20 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you.

I hope so, too.

Also, I like your stik.

Deleted comment

June 15 2012, 16:04:54 UTC 5 years ago

More would definitely be good!

scarybaldguy

February 24 2012, 06:11:50 UTC 5 years ago

Holy shit. No, wait. UNholy shit.

First, fuck Amazon. Bullshit like this makes me want to pull my own works out of their catalog (I can't, locked in on KDP Select for another two months).

Second, fuck all those lameass douchebags. In the eye. With a needle (sewing, knitting, intracardiac - your choice). Filled/covered with ebola.

Third, you are awesome beyond awesome, both as a writer and as a person. Hang on to that.

May 22 2012, 15:18:24 UTC 5 years ago

You are awesome.

Thank you.

teddywolf

February 24 2012, 06:14:45 UTC 5 years ago

*woolfhugs*
These people... blaming you for factors beyond your control... oy.
As much as I can, I've got your back.

May 19 2012, 02:08:24 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you so much.

ladyfox7oaks

February 24 2012, 06:21:09 UTC 5 years ago

I'm sorry you've been targeted by the @$$holes. If it's any help, I went to Amazon to put the book in my wishlist until the 6th, and it has a notice across the page that says :

"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 this helps, a little?
Gentle hugs, and tea, and machetes.

May 22 2012, 15:17:17 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, darling.

groblek

February 24 2012, 06:21:14 UTC 5 years ago

*hugs*

Wow, what a terrible screwup on Amazon's part. And I'm both appalled and depressed that people think you have any control over the situation, and feel free to throw nasty insults your way. I'll still be waiting until March 6, even if I get a call from our local store that the book is there early. Since reading your explanation of how sales statistics work, I've stopped getting books early on the occasions where our local store gets their copies a few days before they're supposed to. Before, I'd just thought it was nice that the book was already there, but the last thing I want to do for an author I like is hurt the chances of more books from them because I got one early.

May 19 2012, 02:08:50 UTC 5 years ago

sheistheweather

February 24 2012, 06:35:50 UTC 5 years ago

That's deplorable of them. Wow, people.

When I saw that Amazon was going to ship my preorder early, I canceled it. I want my purchase(s) of your books to count toward your first week sales.

I'm sorry people are being asinine to you.

September 25 2012, 01:04:15 UTC 4 years ago

4 years ago

salome121

February 24 2012, 06:53:32 UTC 5 years ago

You're awesome. Be happy. It will all be okay. And if not, the zombie apocalypse is probably just around the corner, so buck up, little camper!

May 18 2012, 16:59:03 UTC 5 years ago

...that is the best. Pep talk. EVER.

hoppytoad79

February 24 2012, 06:59:03 UTC 5 years ago

That totally sucks. *****HUGS***** Of course I won't buy the book before March 6th. For you, I shall wait for the shiny.

May 18 2012, 16:57:48 UTC 5 years ago

You are wonderful.

gwaihiril

February 24 2012, 07:01:32 UTC 5 years ago

*hugs* This sounds super stressful. I emailed my local independent bookstore to see if they are planning to carry Discount Armageddon, and if not, I'll definitely go ask others now that I've heard this.

May 19 2012, 01:54:59 UTC 5 years ago

elucreh

February 24 2012, 07:05:23 UTC 5 years ago

I love you love you love you.

All will be well.

*all the snuggles ever*

May 18 2012, 16:49:57 UTC 5 years ago

Love you, too.

arcaneblades

February 24 2012, 07:08:35 UTC 5 years ago

*hugs* I'm sorry you've had to deal with reprehensible, lack-witted wastes of space. Hopefully by now you've seen a magnitude more people appalled by their uncouth and inappropriate behaviour.

That said, I intend to but the book on opening week, and twist a friend's arm into doing so as well.

May 18 2012, 16:50:17 UTC 5 years ago

fayanora

February 24 2012, 07:13:16 UTC 5 years ago

*HUGS*

May 18 2012, 15:27:20 UTC 5 years ago

*hugs*

luminare_ardua

February 24 2012, 07:20:14 UTC 5 years ago

I've not read anything of yours, but I heard about what happened on a forum, and that said, you don't deserve all those retarded comments and insults since none of what happened really had anything to do with you. If those *(&*& entitled jerks don't get that, it's no skin off your nose and they can go jump into the In Ovo. Alternately they can die in a fire. Hug the cats or whichever pet animals and/or plushies will make you feel better, munch some dark chocolate and chin up! I'll wait to see your book in my local store (even if it's going to be 3 months of waiting x_x) .

*sends hugs and virtua-chocolates*

May 22 2012, 15:17:51 UTC 5 years ago

Thank you, very much.

silveraspen

February 24 2012, 07:27:54 UTC 5 years ago

I am so sorry, both that the early release has happened and that people have been so awful to you about it. Both are absolutely inexcusable.

Sending you virtual tea and all good thoughts. I will be stopping by the local independent store on the 6th.

May 18 2012, 15:26:32 UTC 5 years ago

rocalisa

February 24 2012, 07:33:47 UTC 5 years ago

I am astounded by the mind-set of these so-called human beings that they think they have the right to call anybody such vile and outrageous things for any reason at all. Even if it *was* your fault they couldn't get their ebook (and I totally understand that it absolutely is NOT YOUR FAULT in any way at all), they still have no justification to call you (or anybody) such terrible things. I know people do it, but I simply don't understand it at all.

I'm boiling with outrage at the way people treat other people. Stuff like this makes it hard to remember there are good people out there who do and say good things.

I live in New Zealand and there is no local bricks and mortar store where I can buy US books on their release date. Is there a way I can help with sales numbers?

I hugely prefer ebooks for ease of reading and purchase from this part of the world. Is there any best way to buy the ebook that helps you (and my other favourite authors) with their sales numbers? Does buying the ebook help at all?

My only really affordable way to buy paper books is through Book Depository due to their free shipping (or otherwise I'm likely to be be paying more for the shipping than the book and I can't afford that). If I do that on release day, does that help? Because if it does, I can do that.

Can anyone reading this thread answer these questions? I realise Seanan might not be wanting to read the comments or reply to them; a feeling I totally understand. I'd really like to know the answers so I can help authors rather than hinder them, and it's hard to know the best way to do it.

P.S. If you do see this, Seanan, I absolutely love hearing you and everyone else on the Squeecast. I love it.

And more virtual hugs from another total stranger if you would like them.

September 25 2012, 01:05:12 UTC 4 years ago

eBooks always help. They don't always count against first-week numbers, but that's not a problem, honestly. Buy books in whatever way works best for you, and gets you the reading material you need.

Honestly, the fact that you care makes all the difference in the world to me.

<3

notalwaysweak

February 24 2012, 07:35:27 UTC 5 years ago

I wanted to be glib and funny to try to cheer you up and summon the resources of the Land of Poison and Flame for you -- I think this calls for chironex jellyfish in their bathtubs -- but I'm also really very angry that anyone would think this was an appropriate way to respond to this situation, and want to offer hugs and support in addition to lethal jellyfish.

May 18 2012, 15:26:56 UTC 5 years ago

JELLYFISH LOVE.

You never fail to make me happy.

rdmaughan

February 24 2012, 08:06:53 UTC 5 years ago

Really sorry to hear just how unpleasant some people are. Even if you had deliberately arranged things to boost physical sales this behaviour would be completely unjustified. Given that it is totally beyond your control some people are not just pond scum they are stupid pond scum.

Personally I buy ebooks when I can but currently DA is not available for the Kindle in the UK. If by the 6th of March it is still not out as an ebook here I will break down and buy a physical copy.

June 15 2012, 15:15:50 UTC 5 years ago

ysabetwordsmith

February 24 2012, 08:10:38 UTC 5 years ago

I'm sorry that people are being douchebags instead of appreciating all the time you took to write the book in the first place. I hope things settle down for you soon.

May 18 2012, 15:25:28 UTC 5 years ago

zero_pixel_coun

February 24 2012, 08:12:33 UTC 5 years ago

Oh, honey. *offers hugs*

May 18 2012, 15:25:14 UTC 5 years ago

kitrinlu

February 24 2012, 08:13:30 UTC 5 years ago

Some people are truly awful. *hugs*

I just preordered another copy for my sister, from a retailer who will hopefully send it out on time. With any luck, between all of your fans we can make up for what's happened.

May 18 2012, 15:25:44 UTC 5 years ago

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An awkward situation, and a plea.

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