Happy bookday to me, happy bookday to me...: seanan

Happy bookday to me, happy bookday to me...

As of today, Midnight Blue-Light Special is officially available from bookstores all over North America, and from import stores all over the world. It's been spotted in the wild from California to New York, with several points between also chiming in to let me know that they've got copies. Hooray!

Since it's release day, I figured it was time to once again answer the wonderful people asking how they can help. So here are a few dos and don'ts for making this book launch awesome.

DO buy the book as soon as you can. Sales during the first week are very important—think of it as "opening weekend" for a movie—but they're not the end-all be-all. If you can get the book today, get the book; if you can get it at my book release party, get it at my book release party. Whatever works for you. Brick-and-mortar store purchases are best, as they encourage reordering. If you've already bought the book, consider buying the book again, as a single copy might get lonely. They make great gifts!

DON'T yell at other people who haven't bought the book yet. I know, that's sort of a "why are you saying this?" statement, but I got a very sad email from a teenager who'd been yelled at for not buying A Local Habitation the week that it came out. So just be chill. Unless you want to buy books for people who don't have them, in which case, don't yell, just buy.

DO ask your local bookstore if they have it on order. If your local store is part of a large chain, such as Barnes and Noble, the odds are good that the answer will be "yes," and that they'll be more than happy to hold one for you. If your local store is small, and does not focus specifically on science fiction/fantasy, they may have been waiting to see signs of interest before placing an order. Get interested! Interest is awesome!

DON'T berate your local bookseller if they say "no." Telling people they're overlooking something awesome doesn't make them go "gosh, I see the error of my ways." It makes them go "well, I guess it can be awesome without me." Suggest. Ask if you can special-order a copy. But don't be nasty to people just because their shelves can't hold every book ever written.

DO post reviews on your blog or on Amazon.com. Reviews are fantastic! Reviews make everything better! Please, write and post a review, even if it's just "I liked it." Honestly, even if it's just "this wasn't really my thing." As long as you're being fair and reasoned in your commentary, I'm thrilled. (I like to think you won't all race right out to post one-star reviews, but if that's what you really think, I promise that I won't be mad.)

DON'T get nasty at people who post negative reviews. You are all people. You all have a right to the ball. That includes people who don't like my work. Please don't argue with negative reviewers on my behalf. It just makes everybody sad. If you really think someone's being unfair, why don't you post your own review, to present an alternate perspective? (Also, please don't email me my Amazon reviews. I don't read them, I don't want to read them, and I definitely don't want to be surprised with them. Please have mercy.)

DO feel free to get multiple copies. No, you probably don't need eight copies of One Salt Sea for your permanent collection, but remember that libraries, school libraries, and shelters are always in need of books. I'm donating a few of my author's copies to a local women's shelter, because they get a lot of women there who really need the escape. There are also people who just can't afford their own copies, and would be delighted. I wouldn't have had half the library I did as a teenager if it weren't for the kindness of the people around me.

DON'T feel obligated to get multiple copies, or nag other people to do so. Seriously, we're all on budgets, and too much aggressive press can actually turn people off on a good thing. Let people make their own choices. Have faith.

DO check with your local library to be sure they have a copy of on order. If they don't, you can fill out a library request form. Spread the paperback love!

DON'T forget that libraries need books. Many libraries, especially on the high school level, are really strapped for cash right now, and book donations are frequently tax deductible. If you have a few bucks to spare, you can improve the world on multiple levels by donating books to your local public and high school libraries.

DO suggest the book to bookstore employees who like urban fantasy. Nothing boosts sales like having people in the stores who really like a project. If your Cousin Danny (or Dani) works at a bookstore, say "Hey, why don't you give this a try?" It just might help.

DON'T rearrange bookstore displays. If the staff of my local bookstore is constantly being forced to deal with fixing the shelves after someone "helpfully" rearranged things to give their chosen favorites a better position, they're unlikely to feel well inclined toward that book—or author. It's not a good thing to piss off the bookstores. Let's just not.

So those are some do's and don't's. I'm sure there are lots of other things to consider; this is, at least, a start. Finally, a few things that don't help the book, but do help the me:

Please don't expect immediate email response from me for anything short of "you promised us this interview, it runs tomorrow, where are your answers?" I normally make an effort to be a semi-competent correspondent, but with a new book on shelves, final edits due on Half-Off Ragnarok, and The Winter Long in need of finishing, a lot of things are falling by the wayside. Like sleep.

Please don't ask me when book three is coming out. I may cry. Plus, the answer is March 2014.

Whee!

leighblack

March 5 2013, 17:18:52 UTC 4 years ago

New comment

So many new books today. My wallet is frowning. But I'm heading over to order this one anyways. =)

At least I snagged the Mad Scientist anthology when they had it at a special price. Every little bit helps.

seanan_mcguire

March 5 2013, 17:39:36 UTC 4 years ago

And every little bit means MORE BOOKS.

filkferengi

4 years ago

l_o_lostshadows

March 5 2013, 17:20:11 UTC 4 years ago

Congrats on the new book!

I would suggest people check with their library before donating a copy. Some have a policy of putting all donations straight into book sales.

March 5 2013, 17:40:10 UTC 4 years ago

I don't know. In those cases, you still get the tax deduction, and you're putting books straight into the reach of low-income families.

Lost_Violet

March 5 2013, 17:23:25 UTC 4 years ago

New book and a snowy day on which to read it. Yay e-book downloads. The paper copies can wait until the snow stops.

March 5 2013, 17:40:47 UTC 4 years ago

Yay!

ohari

March 5 2013, 17:44:21 UTC 4 years ago

My paper copy is "out for delivery", and the Audible version is playing in my office now!

I hope you get some sleep. :)

Liz Underwood

March 6 2013, 00:32:53 UTC 4 years ago

I totally forgot about the audio version. Must go buy...

markbernstein

March 5 2013, 17:50:01 UTC 4 years ago

I am, alas, home with bronchitis. So I've done the 21st century thing and bought an e-copy for my Nook. Which is how I'll spend my afternoon once I'm done with my online stuff. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Verity.

March 6 2013, 16:21:27 UTC 4 years ago

Feel better. :(

tylik

March 5 2013, 18:10:41 UTC 4 years ago Edited: March 5 2013, 18:47:07 UTC

...I just finished it. Spoilers would of course be wildly inappropriate....

Yay! Awesome! ...and a little heartbreaking. (I would generally say the last can't count as a spoiler to anyone who has read much of what you've written.)

(And considering I'm trying to figure out how to meet my work obligations around migraines induced by the cranky barometer installed in my spine, this was a pretty darned awesome way to spend the morning.)

[ETA: And I'd pinged my sister letting her know it was out, and she's doing some kind of snoopy dance... and starting reading it too.]

March 6 2013, 16:21:47 UTC 4 years ago

I'm so glad you liked it!

tikiera

March 5 2013, 18:14:53 UTC 4 years ago

Am having a hard time not petting my magic phone where the book now resides.

Work means can't read yet. Am being good and not starting on breaks/lunch hour because I have met me, and I know that putting it down again would be HARD.

And thanks for this reminder, so I can remember to let my friends know that this is new book week. (I am the keeper of release dates for several authors for a circle of friends that I introduced those books to - I am the evil kind of friend who introduces you to new authors with multiple book series).

March 6 2013, 16:22:03 UTC 4 years ago

I appreciate your form of keeper-dom. :)

mneme

March 5 2013, 18:24:44 UTC 4 years ago

Happy Bookday!

March 6 2013, 16:22:18 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you!

swevene

March 5 2013, 19:06:36 UTC 4 years ago Edited: March 5 2013, 19:07:24 UTC

Purchased, read, and it is FANTASTIC.

ETA: decided to change wording so it is clear that I did actually pay money for it. ;) Yay Kindle!

March 6 2013, 16:22:26 UTC 4 years ago

dejadrew

March 5 2013, 19:26:53 UTC 4 years ago

*looks out window at snow blocking roads to bookstore*

*pets gift card and waits it out*

Soon, my pretty. Soon...

March 6 2013, 17:17:55 UTC 4 years ago

Soon!

dimestore_romeo

March 5 2013, 19:30:51 UTC 4 years ago

I preordered it and got my copy in the post this morning! I'm very excited. And I love having the two constrasting covers around, and I'm hopeful of in the future being able to add another with Verity in her dancing gear with her tattooed grandmother. :D

March 6 2013, 17:18:07 UTC 4 years ago

Woo!

rymenhild

March 5 2013, 19:39:27 UTC 4 years ago

My copy showed up at my doorstep at 11 AM Eastern!

It's 2:40 PM Eastern and I may have ... finished the book?

(Hail the festival of spring break! Cheese and cake! Back to the grading now...)

March 6 2013, 17:18:15 UTC 4 years ago

Hail!

gwaihiril

March 5 2013, 19:50:48 UTC 4 years ago

Yay book day! And I found a local bookstore that carries it! (Most of the close bookstores are mostly used/rare books, so I had to look a little further to find a place.)

March 6 2013, 17:18:25 UTC 4 years ago

Hooray!

0nce_and_future

March 5 2013, 20:29:53 UTC 4 years ago

So basically...

DO: Be Awesome

DON'T: Be a chunderhead.

:)

March 6 2013, 17:18:33 UTC 4 years ago

Yup.

anne_d

March 5 2013, 20:48:32 UTC 4 years ago

Preordered a while ago. Waiting waiting waiting...

It'll be here in a bit, I'm sure.

March 6 2013, 17:18:44 UTC 4 years ago

It will!

scholarinexile

March 5 2013, 21:09:15 UTC 4 years ago

Add Pittsburgh to the list- I grabbed two copies this afternoon!

March 6 2013, 17:19:04 UTC 4 years ago

jenfullmoon

March 5 2013, 21:17:29 UTC 4 years ago

Woo hoo! I ran over there during lunch and couldn't find the book and was all, "Shit, they ordered one copy and someone else already got here and got it before I could." Nope, they just hadn't bothered to unpack the boxes yet. (Am pretty sure they had multiple copies in this geek town.) KA-CHING!

Considering that my day is chicken fried ass at work, I am happy that one thing went right.

March 6 2013, 17:19:18 UTC 4 years ago

This makes me glad for you.

groblek

March 5 2013, 21:25:43 UTC 4 years ago

Yay! I saw this post when I woke up this morning, and my local bookstore called before lunch to let me know that my preorder was ready.

Best of luck with the to-do list of doom.

March 6 2013, 17:19:28 UTC 4 years ago

Yaaaaaaaay!

fezabel

March 5 2013, 22:15:53 UTC 4 years ago

Happy bookday!! My copy is on its way!

March 6 2013, 17:19:36 UTC 4 years ago

anna_sinistra

March 5 2013, 23:07:37 UTC 4 years ago

Mine has been ordered, probably won't get it til next week!

March 6 2013, 17:19:46 UTC 4 years ago

Sadness. :(

starmalachite

March 5 2013, 23:35:35 UTC 4 years ago

Bookday joy! Heading out now to pick it up before the snowstorm arrives. And, oh yeah, catfood.

March 6 2013, 17:19:58 UTC 4 years ago

Don't get eaten by the cats!

ithiliana

March 5 2013, 23:50:11 UTC 4 years ago

*jumps up and down happily*

amazon has shipped mine (pre-ordered) with it due to arrive Saturday, March 9.

*makes note to check post office Friday*

**makes another note to go in Saturday just in case**

***dashes off to re-read first book***

March 6 2013, 17:20:11 UTC 4 years ago

phoenix_singing

March 6 2013, 00:19:20 UTC 4 years ago

I started reading it on my Nook at 4am. So excited! I think I'm enjoying it even more than Discount Armageddon, and that's saying a lot. :D

Happy Book Day!!