This Picture Has Got Everything You Need, or, Hey! My Book is Out!
Posted on October 31, 2006 Posted by John Scalzi 14 Comments
Look! A copy of The Android’s Dream AND Bacon taped to a cat! It doesn’t get any better than that.
Christian sent this in. I think Christian had probably better sleep with his head under the covers tonight; that cat does not look altogether pleased.
In other news, it is now Halloween, October 31, 2006, which means that The Android’s Dream is now officially and irrevocably out! Yes, yes, go down to your local purveyor of fine readables and request — nay, demand — your very own copy. I have it on good authority that the first printing of this particular book is my largest so far, so no longer will you have to shove, fight and eyegouge to get your own copy. There is plenty for all. And if there isn’t plenty for all, you’ll have made my publisher very happy while they crank out a second printing. And you’ll have paid for Athena’s college education, provided she goes somewhere in state, and she doesn’t go to Oberlin. We’ll need four printings for that.
Actually, here’s the cool thing about The Android’s Dream for me, other than, you know, the fact I really like this book and I think it’s the most fun book I’ve written so far: The book has already earned out its advance. This happened because the book was part of the two book deal I got when Tor bought Old Man’s War; OMW was the first book, and this was the second. The way the contract was structured, I wouldn’t start collecting royalties on either book until the advances for both books were earned out. But, apparently, I could earn out both advances from what I made off OMW, and that’s what happened. So with Android, I earn royalties from the very first book sold.
In other words, this book is nothing but pure profit for me. That’s a nice place for an author to be with a book. So, naturally, I hope the book is freakin’ huge. Of course, thanks to six-month royalty cycles and reserves against returns and so on and so forth, I’m not actually likely to see royalties from this until sometime next year or so. But it’s the thought that counts, at least until the checks arrive.
More seriously, I hope you guys enjoy this book. It’s different from the “Old Man” books — a bit looser, absurd but not surreal, and with a lot more attitude. It’s closer to the voice I use around here, actually. I’m really excited to share it with you. I hope you’ll let me know what you think of it.
John-
Congrats on the earn-back.
I’m close to doing the same…they’ve gone back to press three times on my humor book and it’s on track to break even this Christmas. Not a bad first year, I reckon.
Also, with three sons under foot, I feel your tuition pain, brother.
Looking forward to scouring shelves for it today or tomorrow. As I did with TGB, I’ll put a review up on my site once I’m done. Of course, I’ll tell you too. ;)
Wow…I am actually in the top 10 comments for a change! I bought my copy on Sunday off Amazon. Hope that’s ok. With a new baby and a 4 year old, I don’t get out to the brick and mortar stores very often.
It’s on my Christmas list. Maybe that’ll add up sales in December, just when stores would be looking at returns or re-orders. Congrats on the earn back. So “reserve on returns” for royalty checks is like FICA on paychecks (Who is this FICA and why are they getting all my money)?
Becky:
“I bought my copy on Sunday off Amazon. Hope that’s ok.”
Heh. However one wants to buy my book is fine with me, Becky.
Steve Buchheit:
“So ‘reserve on returns’ for royalty checks is like FICA on paychecks?”
Well, you get it back, eventually.
Read the first chapter last night, and I’m already hooked! For those of you who don’t have a copy yet, run – don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore and snag a copy.
Big Sur (the pictured cat), did in fact recover from his bacon-taping.
I’m back in books (Cody’s SF), so I was able to A) grab an ARC, and B) put in an order for the book so that we will be able to sell it. All the Sci-Fi geeks here loved OMW, so we’ll be talking up Android’s dream. Still though: did you _have_ to start it off with a fart joke? I mean, really John?
*sigh* yes, I’m enjoying the first 100 pages…
Andrew Cory:
“did you _have_ to start it off with a fart joke? I mean, really John?”
Yes. Yes I did.
Isn’t “The prince will start off with the fart joke” one of Machiavelli’s lessons?
I went to my local Borders today to pick up the new book and was dismayed to learn they hadn’t got it in yet. I’d go to B&N, but I haven’t a Personal Shopping Day at Borders… (which is a terrible enabler, they knew what they were doing when they created the whole Borders Rewards program).
The UPS guy delivered my copy from Amazon on Wednesday afternoon. Much better service than the last time I pre-ordered one of your books from them.
“We met in a mall,” Robin said, deadpan. “We ran into each other. There were parcels everywhere.”
I am glad to see I’m not the only man whose wife insists on watching Green Card so often that it imprints itself on our brains.
If it weren’t for this pesky day job, I’d be in a coffee shop right now, finishing the book, so thank you. It’s been very fun.
Excellent blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option?
There are so many choices out there that I’m totally confused ..
Any tips? Cheers!
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