Oct 11 2006
The Ghost Brigades Currently Sold Out on Amazon
It’s been brought to my attention that at the moment Amazon appears to be fresh out of The Ghost Brigades, and folks are wondering if that means it’s out of print.
The answer: Not as far as I know. The paperback isn’t going to be out until next May, so that’s kind of a long time not to have the book out there, and I know Tor does like making money with those books of mine (and I for one heartily endorse this sentiment). And also, you know, if the book had gone out of print, I expect Tor would have told me.
What it means is probably that Amazon went through its stock and is in the process of reordering, and in all likelihood will have the book back on the virtual shelves within a day or so. So don’t panic. It’s not there now, but it will be back soon. Really.
Also remember that unless you’re absolutely dead-set on ordering from Amazon, there are lots of other places to buy the book online: Borderlands Books, Clarkesworld Books (both of which may still have signed copies in their inventories), any other number of specialized SF bookstores, Barnes and Noble, Powell’s, Booksense and so on and so forth. Hell, you can even get it from Wal-Mart online, if’n you really wanted, or Tower, while it lasts. Point is, there are lots of places online to buy the book (and indeed, any of my books — and, indeed, almost any book) that aren’t named for a South American river. And while purchasing them elsewhere does not give me the tiny ego bump of watching my Amazon sales rank uptick, it still will show up on my royalty statement, and honestly, that’s the number that matters.
I'm the Creative Consultant for this television show, appearing Fridays on Syfy. Miss a week? For US residents, 
I heard a comment from a Big Time Editor(tm) at a certain publishing house near and dear, that Amazon’s book orders are on the order of about three brick-and-mortar largish bookstores. So that they’ve run out of stock of a happily successful book is no surprise.
I heard a comment from a Big Time Editor(tm) at a certain publishing house near and dear, that Amazon’s book orders are on the order of about three brick-and-mortar largish bookstores. So that they’ve run out of stock of a happily successful book is no surprise.
For what it’s worth, my book ’sells out’ on Amazon just before Father’s Day, and is usually re-stocked within a week.
For what it’s worth, my book ’sells out’ on Amazon just before Father’s Day, and is usually re-stocked within a week.
John:
In exchange for the pimpage above, I posted a link to The Android’s Dream review on my blog.
Better get your server ready, you may get TWO DOZEN unique visitors!
You need to learn the art of embellishment…
“Due to overwhelming demand for this book, they actually finished off the rain forest trees in South America. Tor Books is currently negotiating to purchase Siberia to keep up with the American people’s genital-aching need for this f*cking masterpiece.”
You need to learn the art of embellishment…
“Due to overwhelming demand for this book, they actually finished off the rain forest trees in South America. Tor Books is currently negotiating to purchase Siberia to keep up with the American people’s genital-aching need for this f*cking masterpiece.”
Smurf, only because Steven King has dibs on Canada’s standing wood and most of Maine’s Northwoods, right?
Smurf, only because Steven King has dibs on Canada’s standing wood and most of Maine’s Northwoods, right?
Smurf, only because Steven King has dibs on Canada’s standing wood and most of Maine’s Northwoods, right?
You mean if I buy Scalzi’s book, that nagging pain in the ‘ol teabag will vanish? Hell yeah!
Wal-Mart’s controlled by Satan. For God’s sake, don’t buy anything there.
Maybe coincidence, but I Andrew Sullivan says Amazon’s also out of his book. Maybe there a problem at Amazon?
Hey John, you said the paperback is coming out in May, is that a bigger trade paperback or the mass market kind or both?
Mass market, James.
You’re such a sell-out.
Are there plans for a trade paperback? That is what I have Old Man’s War in and my OCD likes me to have matched sets.
Are there plans for a trade paperback? That is what I have Old Man’s War in and my OCD likes me to have matched sets.
Lars:
Yes, I am! Bwa ha ha ha ha hah!
James:
I imagine that it’ll get to trade paperback at some point. It usually goes hardcover —> mass market —> trade PB.
Back in stock. I’m guessing it was an Amazon glitch. (But you can still be a sellout.)
Dear Mr. Moeller:
It has come to our attention that you are representing me and my person as an unsavory character involving in national retail management dedicating to wiping out local competition, lowering wages and hiring people to greet you at the door so you can feel like you’re not really about to drop some dough in a comglomerate’s pocket.
Rest assured that my role in corporate American is a clear indication that I have worked diligently to employ myself in a legitimate, legal business after rehabilitation in an ice pit.
As far as the competition goes, you would do well to remember that other guy only ever gave you one book, poorly translated, with dubious authorship. I, however, have employed myself in a business arena providing you with many, many books, bought at the publisher’s most extreme discount thereby denying the author full royalty. In a nutshell, I give you choice and cheap.
I have all Scalzi’s books in my office. Please feel free to drop by any time and we can discuss price and availability.
Sincerely,
Lu Wormwood
VP
Customer Satisfaction
WalMart
never heard of “The Ghost Brigades,” however, would you by coincidence be the Scalzi that wrote “You’re Not Fooling Anyone When You Take Your Laptop to a Coffee Shop: Scalzi on Writing“, which I order from Amazon in April of this year, and have still to receive it? Eh, purely a rhetorical question.
I have no idea what you’re talking about, RonW.
Also, that book’s been moved back to February. I made an entry about it a while back.
It shows as “in stock” when I log on to Amazon.
Maine is a myth.
Maine is a myth.
Take note of who is ordering appletinis. ,