Category: Publishing

So, thanks to a tip from Albuquerque gadabout, man-about-town, and fan extraordinaire Craig Chrissenger, I spent some time corresponding with my editor at Tor today.

Bitter Seeds is currently out of stock at the warehouse, because all copies from the intial print run have been shipped to fulfill bookstore orders.  This doesn’t mean the book has sold out — not by a long shot — but it does mean the first batch of orders exceeded expectations.   Speaking verrrry cautiously here, that’s good news. 

The real question is how many of those copies shipped to bookstores actually sell, and how many get returned to the publisher.  It’s possible of course that the entire stock of reprinted copies will end up moldering at the bottom of the Hudson River.  (I’m told my optimistic outlook will serve me well in the world of publishing.)

Got some terrific news from my agent this afternoon:  we’ve sold the audiobook rights to the entire Milkweed Triptych: Bitter Seeds (which is out right now!), The Coldest War (coming in hardcover in February, 2011), and Necessary Evil. 

My agent, Kay, describes this as “quite a coup”, coming as it does so soon after the release of Bitter Seeds, and while I’m still an unknown quantity as authors go.  I think the deal owes far more to her negotiating savvy than to anything on my end, but I’m pleased all the same.

At long last, Bitter Seeds is officially released today.   And I am terrified.

Hello and welcome to readers from Boing Boing and John Scalzi’s Big Idea feature!  (And very sincere thank yous to Cory Doctorow and John Scalzi for kindly featuring my book on its launch day.)

Bitter Seeds has been getting great reviews.  To celebrate the release, we’re running a contest/puzzle/game called Chronicle of Sorrows.  I’ve posted about it here, here, and here.  First prize is a signed ARC of Bitter Seeds!

I’m also doing a giveaway on Goodreads right now.  One lucky winner will receive a signed hardcover of Bitter Seeds.  So far, over 500 600 700 800 900 people have entered the contest.  Wow!

I’ve posted a list of online retailers here, should my poor little book strike your fancy.

Okay.  So, it appears, for the moment, that Amazon has replaced the pre-order button for Bitter Seeds.

But, you know… I’m not feeling super great about this.  “This” being the whole thing where Amazon decided a viable “negotiation” tactic in its disagreement with Macmillan was to hold hostage the sales of hundreds and hundreds of authors.  In fact, when you get right down to it, I’m feeling just the tiniest bit pissed off about it.  (My Milkweed novels—Bitter Seeds, The Coldest War, and Necessary Evil—are to be published by Tor, which is part of Macmillan.)

Because that’s exactly what any debut author wants to see—a spectacular corporate hissy-fit that removes his or her book from the largest online bookseller in the world.

So.  Below the cut, I’ve posted a long list of booksellers, from chains to small independents, both in the USA and overseas, where Bitter Seeds can be pre-ordered (now) or purchased (when April 13 rolls around). 

And hey, if you don’t feel like buying my novel, that’s cool.  But please consider buying something from a Macmillan author whose work does strike your fancy.  Many, many people lost sales during Amazon’s public display of ass-hattery.  Sales they need to make a living.   John Scalzi said it best here.

Update, 8 February 2010: Here’s a cool service from the Author’s Guild: Who Moved My Buy Button?

Sometimes silence is good, right?

Because it means I’ve been working hard.  (No, really.)  Not that it justifies another two months without updating the blog, but, well…  At least I have something (several  somethings) to show for my latest disappearance.