Books arrived… let the busy begin!

Posted September 19th, 2008 by Howard Tayler

Books arrived four days early. Nothing alters daily schedules quite like the arrival of 9,453 pounds of dead tree in one’s driveway.

No pictures yet. We took a bunch, though. The lift-gate had me convinced we’d be sending at least one picture to FailBlog, but it held out to the end.

Note: this means I WILL have Teraport Wars books with me tomorrow evening at MountainCon, and unsketched books will be available at Dragons Keep immediately. I’m not waiting for a launch party to put them in people’s hands.

Explore posts in the same categories: Site News, Merchandise

18 Comments on “Books arrived… let the busy begin!”

  1. cwearl Says:

    Howard:

    When and where are you planning on being at MountainCon? While I am sure I will enjoy the rest of the con if I go, the trip will be to see you (and drool over but not on the new books). The trip to Layton will not be worth it otherwise.

    Chris

  2. Sandra Tayler Says:

    Howard’s schedule as I know it: he has to do some coloring in the morning and so he won’t be at the convention until after noon. He’s not on any panels, but he is podcasting with Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells around 5ish (I think). After the podcast is over, he hang out and talk with people, then pack up and come home. It is kind of a drive-by convention attendance, not a full appearance like Howard usually does.

    Howard may post further details later tonight, but right now he’s scrambling to finish another week of buffer so he can start drawing in books.

  3. Greyscribe Says:

    I am in possession of an advance copy of The Teraport Wars. I am currently one of only a few entities on the entire planet who can read this book. I am a happy cat.

    –GS

    P.S. Sorry about the gloating. Oh, wait–no, I’m not.

  4. Dev Dot Nul Says:

    @Greyscribe: Thanks SO much for sharing.

    D.

  5. Austin Shackles Says:

    4 days early !? that must be some kind of record…

    Take it steady, guys, don’t bust a gut. I for one won’t cry or complain if the books take a day or so longer to arrive.

  6. Ranger Says:

    Well, at least this time there is no snow on the ground……

    (Remembering the pictures from last time)

  7. WEKM Says:

    You should have seen the pile of snow I scraped up in Howard’s culdesac. It was there for a few months before it finished melting.

    I was instructed that the use of the trebuchet in city limits requires a permit and for some reason they are reluctant to issue me one, even after I promised not to hurl anything larger than a fridge.
    Stuffy bureaucrats. I guess I will have to resort to the forks on the skidsteer and the truck again.
    If it rains though, you will hear me launching into a tirade of Mormon curses so vial that they will make a toddler wet them self, (eventually, after all, they are always wetting themselves).

  8. Ranger Says:

    Well, I drive a forklift for a living, and the transport company that I work for has a big account with a book distributer, so I feel your pain since I know how heavy paper is (some skids require breaking down and sorting, which is a real pain)

    I would offer to help with moving the skids at least, but I am in another country, so…

  9. Greyscribe Says:

    @Dev Dot Nul: My pleasure. No, really.

    –GS, still gloating but aware that karma now moves at Internet speeds

  10. Sam Says:

    1) So… will the books get to the rest of us any earlier than they otherwise would have?

    2) The feed only shows the top part of today’s comic.

    WEKM: Yeah, bureaucrats always worry about collateral damage from stray shots. Just ask the sergeant.

    Ranger: My favourite anecdote about heavy paper involves a removalist, carrying a fridge over his shoulder, telling the customer that he wasn’t going to lift the box of books.

    Oh, yeah, speaking of heavy books:

    3) For those of us who count in base ten:

    Nothing alters daily schedules quite like the arrival of 4,288 kg of dead tree in one’s driveway.

  11. Ranger Says:

    Sam; Well, it depends on the size of said box. If it is about the size that printer paper comes in, it is one thing, although due to different grades of paper, and hardcovers, it might still be heavier then when the printer paper was in it. But if it is, say, a storage tote, if might just be heavier then the fridge.

  12. DarkSunRise Says:

    Got my copy on Friday… Best way to get over being operated on, sitting back with #42 and an awesome sketch of Petey. Thanks Howard!

  13. WEKM Says:

    Books moved, now Howard is killing his hand. I felt bad about get a Petey drawn in it.
    The first person I hear complaining about how long it takes for him to get your book to you, I am going to set a rabid gerbil on you. Then I well get really nasty.

  14. mightyix Says:

    @ WEKM:

    Instead of gerbils, I recommend Giant Space Hamsters. You’ve got quite a variety to choose from - the two headed lenearnian bombadier giant space hamster, the fire breathing phase doppleganger giant space hamster, tyranohamsterous rex, and the dread “Wooly Rupert”, AKA The Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen.

    If you can’t get your hands on them, feel free to head to a local pet store and search for the miniature giant space hamster infiltrating the more mundane variety of hamsters.

  15. zurk Says:

    so when are we getting the books again ? theyve arrived - so ship em out ASAP already.
    i dont see why this process has to take so long - draw and ship. git er move on, slowpokes.

  16. WEKM Says:

    I’m not sure why, but your comment totally caught me off guard and now I have milk all over my screen. Thanks heaps, tyranohamsterous rex indeed. ;>

  17. Howard Tayler Says:

    @zurk: There are two limiting factors.
    1) Correct printing, sorting, and filing of all postage and invoices. This allows for mass mailing, which is set to occur on October 9th and 10th.
    2) Sketching in the books is quite hard on my hand and arm, and I’m now no longer allowed to take Advil and just push on through the pain. I did permanent damage to myself last time. SO… I signed 1500 books yesterday, and will begin sketching in books about 200 at a time, leaving at least a day between sessions so my hand has time to heal.

  18. Bookworm Says:

    mightyix,

    You forgot about the Radioactive Hamsters from a Planet Near Mars

Comment:

You must be logged in to post a comment.