Bad news, folks. 🙁 Apparently the printer of my book screwed up big time and the book is going to have to be completely re-printed by another company. According to the Editor-in-Chief at Information Today Books, John Bryans, the cover is too dark and at least 60% of advance copies have defective laminate. They are going to pick out the best of the bad batch to bring to Computers in Libraries for my book signing, but, other than that, it’s going to take another five weeks for anyone else to get the book. I’m definitely disappointed, but there’s nothing really anyone can do about it. And I apologize to everyone who has ordered books and was hoping to get them really soon. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.
I had noticed that the book cover looked darker than what they’d e-mailed to me (though I figured things often do look different on the Web) and that the plasticy stuff on the cover was kind of peeling from the edges of the book, but I didn’t know how big a problem it was until John e-mailed me about it.
It’s just been a bad few days. I’ve had the flu since last Friday night. I’m not deathly ill, but just feel systemically awful with fevers coming and going. It’s definitely nice to have a doctor in the house (my husband) when I’m feeling this way, though there isn’t too much anyone can do for the flu. I don’t know about y’all, but I have the weirdest and most stressful dreams when I’m sick. Last night, I was forced to assemble a unicycle (or maybe it was a bicycle with missing parts) underwater. And I am not good at holding my breath. The night before, I was involved in international intrigue and was running from some dastardly international organization (SPECTRE? SD-6? Cobra?) and after that, I had a dream where I was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress and was stressing about making myself presentable enough to go to the Oscars (to the point where I was actually thinking about hairstyles). Sheesh! I’ve got enough stress in real life… I don’t need it in my dreams too.
I promise, I’ll be back to my usual self soon. No more “woe is me” posts. I’ve got a pretty great life; I have a lot more to be grateful for than I do to complain about.
Meredith,
I’m really sorry to hear about this, but at least they’ll have some at CIL so your signing can go ahead. I hope you don’t let this minor snag (in the scheme of things) take the bloom off the rose of publishing your first book. It really only adds a delay, which later you will look back on as not that big a deal compared with getting it done right.
I have my own botched printing story. I had reviewed the galleys of my “XML in Libraries” book with a fine-toothed comb. Then I received the printed book I discovered to my horror that the spine said “XML in Libaries”. Wouldn’t you know it? That was the only thing I was unable to proof. Needless to say, I called up my publisher and had a cow. They had to print new covers and rebind the entire print run. Someone there did not have a good day.
Roy
WOW! That’s a pretty HUGE mistake! I’m sure someone got into a lot of trouble for that one.
Yeah, I’m not going to let this ruin my good time. I’m still excited that I have a book coming out and I’m excited about my signing and it’s definitely better for the cover to be perfect than for it to come out today.
C’est la vie.
Thanks Roy. 🙂
Meredith,
Sorry to hear that. I know I waited with considerable uncertainty for the test copy of my book–it was “under my control” (I uploaded the PDF for the wraparound cover) but with a photo-based PDF there’s a considerable range of possible outcomes. Fortunately, mine came out fine…well, the spine title’s not absolutely centered, but I knew that going in.
You know, I’ve never had the chance to proofread or see any part of the cover of any book until this one. Fortunately, I’ve never had a mistake like either of those. Just lucky, I guess.
In the long run, you’ll look back at this with amusement. As Roy says, getting it done right is what matters.
What a pain! But I’m glad they caught it and are fixing it. I want my copy to be perfect. 🙂
I hope you feel better soon. Being sick sucks.
Wow. THAT SUCKS (he shouted out in sympathy)!
The only good news is that they can reprint the cover in multiple versions. Collect ’em all!
That stinks, Meredith- but I’m glad that my copy will not have defective laminate. Get well soon.
Well, that explaines a lot. I ordered the book online from the Amazon link. Then a week later got a notice that it was delayed. I ordered it because I am writing a paper for a MLIS course and was hoping to use it as a reference. I’m sorry my copy will not be arriving until after the paper is due (May 15th). But, I look forward to reading it over the summer.
Take care of yourself. And know I will be referencing your blog in my paper: “Wikipedia and its place in the Pursuit of Knowledge”
– Lisa
Blech! So sorry. Save a copy for me at CIL? (No, as the husband of an author, I don’t expect a free one!)
Wow — special edition copies at CIL! I’m really bringing my elbow pads now!
No really, sorry to hear about this big drag for you. I am sure anyone who gets a copy will think it was definitely worth the wait.
Eep! What will do with the current copies? Hopefully they won’t pulp them – maybe you could get them donated to libraries around the world that can’t afford to buy a copy???
Hey Fiona, they’re recycling them, so I’m assuming they will become a whole new book one day — hopefully a good one!
Ack!!! I didn’t know that the cover of my 1st book was going to be this horrid orange color until I saw it. It kinda grew on me over the years, but I wonder what would have happened if I sent it back for a “redo”.
Be well and drink lots of liquids. 🙂
Bummer. Maybe the few remaining first edition copies will be worth lots of money someday…
I’m so sorry Meredith. I feel for you. I think there’s something bad in the air for library people these last few months. Much nastiness has been about. I say we call for a professional Wiccan cleansing ceremony.