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PROJECT UPDATE
Shawn Speakman
CREATOR
9 days ago
Project Update: Update: Special Editions of The Dark Thorn
Hey Everyone,
Ugh, true to form, a Shawn Speakman project doesn't go how it should.
What have I been dealing with? Not only did the printer forget to fold tip-ins before they were sent to the bindery and they had to be sent back to get that done, wasting two weeks; not only did the printer not emboss the limited edition dust jackets, wasting two more weeks; then not only did the printer finally emboss those dust jackets but do so incorrectly wasting two more weeks. Yeah, it's been a series of two-week screw-ups -- one after the next -- until this project has become even more late than I ever wanted.
I was supposed to get special editions of The Dark Thorn July 30th. And here I am, still waiting for the bindery to finish the job. Because the printer couldn't do their job correctly.
My grandfather used to say he, "I'm so mad I could spit nails." Not sure what that means but that's how I feel right now.
Anyway, supposedly, the newly-embossed dust jackets arrived at the bindery this last Monday. I'm hoping the bindery can finish the job and get the books sent to me next week. I'll post an update when they let me know they've shipped.
Meanwhile, I've been writing a lot. Which is good. Chapter 10 of Wyrmbane is what I'm working on. I outlined the book to be 15 chapters, so getting close and hope September will see it finished.
More news soon!
Shawn
Ugh, true to form, a Shawn Speakman project doesn't go how it should.
What have I been dealing with? Not only did the printer forget to fold tip-ins before they were sent to the bindery and they had to be sent back to get that done, wasting two weeks; not only did the printer not emboss the limited edition dust jackets, wasting two more weeks; then not only did the printer finally emboss those dust jackets but do so incorrectly wasting two more weeks. Yeah, it's been a series of two-week screw-ups -- one after the next -- until this project has become even more late than I ever wanted.
I was supposed to get special editions of The Dark Thorn July 30th. And here I am, still waiting for the bindery to finish the job. Because the printer couldn't do their job correctly.
My grandfather used to say he, "I'm so mad I could spit nails." Not sure what that means but that's how I feel right now.
Anyway, supposedly, the newly-embossed dust jackets arrived at the bindery this last Monday. I'm hoping the bindery can finish the job and get the books sent to me next week. I'll post an update when they let me know they've shipped.
Meanwhile, I've been writing a lot. Which is good. Chapter 10 of Wyrmbane is what I'm working on. I outlined the book to be 15 chapters, so getting close and hope September will see it finished.
More news soon!
Shawn
PROJECT UPDATE
Shawn Speakman
CREATOR
about 2 months ago
Project Update: Update: Slipcases & Clamshells Have Arrived
Hey Everyone,
Yesterday, the warehouse received slipcases and clamshells for The Dark Thorn!
Early next week, I will begin shipping the trade hardcover of The Dark Thorn for people who also ordered the slipcase with their book. And by week's end next week, I hope to have received the Signed & Numbered, the Signed & Lettered, and the Signed & Rare editions of the book from the bindery. Then I'll begin shipping those out too. When I receive them, I'll post pictures of them here too.
Thank you for your patience. Excited to fulfill these!
With Magic,
Shawn
Yesterday, the warehouse received slipcases and clamshells for The Dark Thorn!
Early next week, I will begin shipping the trade hardcover of The Dark Thorn for people who also ordered the slipcase with their book. And by week's end next week, I hope to have received the Signed & Numbered, the Signed & Lettered, and the Signed & Rare editions of the book from the bindery. Then I'll begin shipping those out too. When I receive them, I'll post pictures of them here too.
Thank you for your patience. Excited to fulfill these!
With Magic,
Shawn
PROJECT UPDATE
Shawn Speakman
CREATOR
3 months ago
Project Update: Update: The Dark Thorn Trade Hardcover Has Shipped
Hi Everyone,
Just a short update to share that orders with the trade hardcover of The Preferred Dark Thorn and NOT containing special editions or a slipcase have shipped. It was about 700 orders. But after shipping about 8500 Matt Dinniman books last week, the 700 books this week felt like a simple breeze. haha
The bindery has the materials for those special editions. The slipcases and clamshells are being made right now, so that's good. Just gotta wait on both of those companies to finish and ship the items to me. Then I'll get the rest of the orders out! No idea how long that will be but hopefully sometime in July.
Okay, off to write for a change! Yeah!
Shawn
Just a short update to share that orders with the trade hardcover of The Preferred Dark Thorn and NOT containing special editions or a slipcase have shipped. It was about 700 orders. But after shipping about 8500 Matt Dinniman books last week, the 700 books this week felt like a simple breeze. haha
The bindery has the materials for those special editions. The slipcases and clamshells are being made right now, so that's good. Just gotta wait on both of those companies to finish and ship the items to me. Then I'll get the rest of the orders out! No idea how long that will be but hopefully sometime in July.
Okay, off to write for a change! Yeah!
Shawn
PROJECT UPDATE
Shawn Speakman
CREATOR
3 months ago
Project Update: Update: Trade Hardcover Has Arrived In The Warehouse & Personalizations
Hey Everyone,
The printer sure took their time -- I approved proofs way back on February 5th, if I recall -- but I received two editions of The Preferred Dark Thorn in the warehouse this last week. I received the trade hardcover, as well as about 250 trade paperback copies that I also had produced.
What does this mean? First, the "bad" news: the Signed & Numbered, Signed and Lettered, and Rare editions of The Preferred Dark Thorn are not done yet. Their elements have been printed, and those materials were shipped to the bindery who then puts the book together. This is something the printer can't do up to my standards, so I use a bindery to add the bells & whistles. In short, I'm still waiting on those editions to arrive in the warehouse. I'd imagine they might be finished by the end of July though. Fingers crossed on that.
The "good" news: I will start shipping orders that only have the trade hardcover of The Preferred Dark Thorn. This will help when the special editions arrive as I will be able to just jump in and begin shipping them out.
If you are one of those people who only ordered the trade hardcover, I need you to look at this:
1. Mailing Address: If you have moved, this is your chance to change it. I imported orders yesterday into my shipping software, so whatever address is locked on your Backerkit order right now is the one I'm shipping to. Send updates to [email protected].
2. Personalizations: In one of the updates, I offered everyone personalizations. If you want me to personalize your trade hardcover copy, do send me an email at [email protected] with the name on the order and the personalization that you are requesting and I'll make that happen.
I'll be sure to share an update when the Signed & Numbered, Signed & Lettered, and Rare editions get the warehouse.
And as always, thanks for your patience!
With Magic,
Shawn Speakman
The printer sure took their time -- I approved proofs way back on February 5th, if I recall -- but I received two editions of The Preferred Dark Thorn in the warehouse this last week. I received the trade hardcover, as well as about 250 trade paperback copies that I also had produced.
What does this mean? First, the "bad" news: the Signed & Numbered, Signed and Lettered, and Rare editions of The Preferred Dark Thorn are not done yet. Their elements have been printed, and those materials were shipped to the bindery who then puts the book together. This is something the printer can't do up to my standards, so I use a bindery to add the bells & whistles. In short, I'm still waiting on those editions to arrive in the warehouse. I'd imagine they might be finished by the end of July though. Fingers crossed on that.
The "good" news: I will start shipping orders that only have the trade hardcover of The Preferred Dark Thorn. This will help when the special editions arrive as I will be able to just jump in and begin shipping them out.
If you are one of those people who only ordered the trade hardcover, I need you to look at this:
1. Mailing Address: If you have moved, this is your chance to change it. I imported orders yesterday into my shipping software, so whatever address is locked on your Backerkit order right now is the one I'm shipping to. Send updates to [email protected].
2. Personalizations: In one of the updates, I offered everyone personalizations. If you want me to personalize your trade hardcover copy, do send me an email at [email protected] with the name on the order and the personalization that you are requesting and I'll make that happen.
I'll be sure to share an update when the Signed & Numbered, Signed & Lettered, and Rare editions get the warehouse.
And as always, thanks for your patience!
With Magic,
Shawn Speakman
PROJECT UPDATE
Shawn Speakman
CREATOR
5 months ago
Project Update: Update: The Dark Thorn Proofs Arrived & News About UNBROKEN
Hi Everyone,
A quick note today because it is going to be a crazy week. More on that in a bit.
But I thought I'd share that I received proofs for The Dark Thorn. The printer is a bit behind on this but I received them, I approved them, and now the project can move forward at the printer. Below, there are two pictures so you can see what proofs look like. I'm especially excited about the Map of Annwn being folded and placed into upper tier books in a unique way. More on that when I receive copies.
Some of you have been buying my tarot card series. The first tarot card came about because I was at lunch with author Robin Hobb and her daughter Kat, and they asked the title of the book I was writing. I told him "The King-Killing Queen," and Kat immediately said, "Wow, that's a tarot card right there." I thought it such a good idea, I've done 8 of them so far! The last three on this Backerkit, actually.
Well, tarot card IX -- Master Librarian -- will be part of the Unbroken anthology Kickstarter which launches tomorrow at 8AM PT! If you pledge to a physical tier in the first 48 hours, you get the tarot card for free. So definitely keep that mind. The Master Librarian tarot card is based on my Sir Bevalor short story series and it features a man who may or may not be Mr. Terry Brooks. Ha.
Author line-up for Unbroken is below as well. The book is finished and we just need quantities from the Kickstarter to put it into production. I'm not ashamed to say it will be the SF&F anthology of the year.
If you have questions about any of this, do let me know! Have a great week, everyone!
With Magic,
Shawn Speakman
A quick note today because it is going to be a crazy week. More on that in a bit.
But I thought I'd share that I received proofs for The Dark Thorn. The printer is a bit behind on this but I received them, I approved them, and now the project can move forward at the printer. Below, there are two pictures so you can see what proofs look like. I'm especially excited about the Map of Annwn being folded and placed into upper tier books in a unique way. More on that when I receive copies.
Some of you have been buying my tarot card series. The first tarot card came about because I was at lunch with author Robin Hobb and her daughter Kat, and they asked the title of the book I was writing. I told him "The King-Killing Queen," and Kat immediately said, "Wow, that's a tarot card right there." I thought it such a good idea, I've done 8 of them so far! The last three on this Backerkit, actually.
Well, tarot card IX -- Master Librarian -- will be part of the Unbroken anthology Kickstarter which launches tomorrow at 8AM PT! If you pledge to a physical tier in the first 48 hours, you get the tarot card for free. So definitely keep that mind. The Master Librarian tarot card is based on my Sir Bevalor short story series and it features a man who may or may not be Mr. Terry Brooks. Ha.
Author line-up for Unbroken is below as well. The book is finished and we just need quantities from the Kickstarter to put it into production. I'm not ashamed to say it will be the SF&F anthology of the year.
If you have questions about any of this, do let me know! Have a great week, everyone!
With Magic,
Shawn Speakman
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