Wednesday, October 30, 2013

World Wide Distribution


A few weeks ago I got some really good news. My English language ebooks will now be available worldwide.  It has been an ongoing frustration for me, and my readers over the past two years, especially those people from countries like Thailand and other parts of the far east.

What made matters even worse, is that when I was self-published they had no problems getting the books. Signing with a publisher generally results in greater distribution (and it certainly did with respects to paper books) but I lost distribution in several key parts of the world just after going with Orbit. 

Here's the deal.  When self-published, I control the countries where the books are sold - and of course I selected them all.  When I sold my rights to Orbit I gave something called "World English" which means Orbit, and only Orbit can distribute the books. But territories and rights is still an area that publishers struggle with and as such there were certain countries that were not serviced.  

I even got a few angry letters from readers who accused me of "not caring" about readers in their part of the world. I assure you this was not the case...both myself and Orbit wanted to sell the books everywhere, it was an infrastructure issue that was preventing them, and this is now fixed.

The letter I received from Orbit on October 7th indicated that:

Ebooks will go on sale immediately in the UK, Europe, Australia, India and Africa (through HUK’s ebook retail partners) and in South America, the Caribbean, and Asia in the coming weeks (through HBG’s ebook retail partners). The map below shows the division of territories.  

So, I'm hoping that they are now available everywhere.  If not, please let me know and I'll check into it. The map indicates which country is serviced by which part of Orbit so if you live in Africa - I would look at UK site of Amazon but if in Thailand I would look at Amazon's US site.

This is a big relief to me. As soon as I found out about the black out countries I immediately contacted Orbit who said they were working on it. It has taken awhile, but given the complexity of the situation I understand why it took so long...I'm just happy that it is fixed now - and those people who started Revelations "back in the day" can now finish the series because Percepliquis and Heir of Novron is now available for purchase.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

New York Comic Con Schedule for Thursday & Friday


It's that time of year again, soon New York will be inundated with a horde of fans of multiple genres from movies, comics, and books.  I'm going to be a guest and will be in the city on Thursday and Friday so if you want to catch a signature, lift a glass, or just say, "Hi" here is where I'll be.  For times not scheduled, I'm free (or at least inexpensive) so if you want to meet up, just let me know.

Thursday

  • 09:10 - 12:45  Leave Wahshington DC Union Station and arrive at New York's Penn Station
  • 01:15 - 02:30  Lunch with fellow author Django Wexler
  • 04:30 - 05:30  Audio book introduction recording at Recorded Books
  • 05:30 - on       Nothing currently scheduled


Friday
  • 11:00 - 12:00 Epic Fantasy Panel (1A17) w/Scott Lynch, Elizabeth Bear, Brian Staveley & Drew Karpyshyn
  • 12:15 - ??:?? Signing at Table #21 (Comic Con hasn't said how long this will last)
  • 02:00 - 03:00  Signing at the Orbit Booth (#2218)
  • 06:30 - 08:00  Dinner with readers in Washington Square
  • 09:15 - 12:45  Leave Penn Station and arrive in Washington DC
Hope to see some of you there!

Also, in other news, Hachette has finally gotten the World English ebook rights distribution sorted out and ebooks will be available everywhere VERY soon.  When I get back from NYCC I'll post full details but for those who have been patiently (and not so patiently) waiting for this...there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it'snot a train.

Monday, October 7, 2013

There was some exciting news yesterday about the top rated epic fantasy books, and I'm hijacking Michael's blog to mention it. It's Robin (Michael's wife), because he is busy with the final edits of Rhune (trying to finish it off before going to NYCC on Thursday/Friday). Anyway I'm not as clever or entertaining as Michael, so instead I'll post some good news. Yesterday  Heir of Novron became the #1 Top Rated Epic Fantasy title on Amazon:


We both would like to thank everyone for posting such great reviews. This is great exposure for Michael's books and it should help to get more people to give them a try.  But it's not just Heir of Novron that has been getting good ratings.  Here is another screen shot for the Men's Adventure list.  Actually all five books are on it the other two are in the 20's.



So thanks again, for all the support. It means a great deal to both of us. I guess with some hard work, and the support of others anything is possible.