Working

So. Things have calmed down a bit, believe it or not.

We did  four signings in a row, which some people thought was a Bad Thing, since they were all in the same town, but since different people showed up (for the most part) and bought books, I don't think there is any serious cause for complaint.

The big news is that the first edition of Agatha H and the Airship City is sold out. Whereas you might be able to find a copy at your local book or comic shop, the distributors and wholesalers and the publisher have sold everything they had. This is kind of frustrating, as we had this momentum going on Amazon, and had just got a great review from the Library Journal. (Do not belittle the library market. There are thousands of libraries out there, and if only half of them only buy one copy, we're still talking thousands of books. Do the math.). However the publisher said, "If you have to have a problem with a book, this is the problem you want to have."

Said beloved publisher, Night Shade, said that they are getting enough back orders, that they are committing to a second printing. The thing everyone in publishing fears are "late returns". This is where a store orders hundreds of copies, and then returns them expecting full credit 6 months later. Then they "generously" offer to take the same books at Remainder rates. This is a "deal", as the publisher doesn't have to pay for all that extra shipping. There is a reason a lot of small publishers have really mixed emotions about big chains like Borders dying. So back orders are a really good sign. If a store is making back orders, they probably won't hit you with late returns.

Apparently, these days, doing a hardcover reprint is pretty rare. Yay us. It is also good because now we can  actually sell it on our website. We sold so many at our various signings, that we didn't have enough books left to feel comfortable offering them for sale. The publisher gave us a concrete print date of February 28, so we're offering the books for pre-sale, and we'll have them shipped directly from the printer. Thus we'll be able to guarantee having copies for our customers.

If we have a goal at this point, it is to pre-sell so many copies that the publisher has to do a third printing. Yes, yes, I know, but I can dream, yes? The paperback doesn't come out until August.