Signed Copies For a Limited Time

Now playing: Nine Inch Nails - Non-Entity (version)

When A Life Transparent was first published (almost a full year ago), it was only available on Lulu, and for a period of about five months I took orders of signed copies. While that proved to be exhausting at times and a little annoying, I’ve decided to do it again for the holidays.

I understand that I’m a bit late with this (real life comes first), so to make up for it, I’m going to take orders until the end of January. Yes, starting right now, until midnight January 31st, I will be taking orders for signed copies of my novel, A Life Transparent.

Here’s how it works: the book is print-on-demand. Yeah, even when you order it from Amazon or the other venues, it still has to be printed first (unless they’re keeping a small stock of books - I honestly have no idea). This normally takes about a week, after which they ship it to me, which takes a couple of days (I always get priority shipping). After that, I take the book, personalize it per your specifications, pack it up again and ship it home to you. The bulk of the cost absorbs the ridiculous cost of shipping which, due to the nature of print-on-demand, has to be paid not once, but twice. Sucks, but that’s life.

Your shipping options are as follows:

Domestic US only – USPS Priority Mail – 3 to 5 business day turnaround
$27.00 US – Includes insurance “just in case.”
International Priority Mail Flat-Rate – 6 to 10 business day turnaround
$30.00 US – Includes tracking to major destinations. Does not include insurance.
International Express Mail Flat-Rate – 5 business day turnaround
$45.00 US – Automatically insured up to $100 and includes package tracking.

Please understand that I don’t like those prices. And before you jump to conclusions and say I’m jacking up the price to reap a higher royalty, think again. All I get out of those shipping charges is about $5, which is roughly what I get every time someone orders a book from Lulu (when it’s from Amazon or any of the others, it’s far less). Like I said before, those costs are calculated by shipping charges and the cost of the book. I simply tack on my royalty, which is what I’d be making if you bought the book yourself.

Also, be aware that Lulu’s cut-off date for Christmas orders is 12/12/07, and the USPS cut-off date is 12/20/07. There’s a slight chance that, if you order now, your book would arrive before Christmas, but I am not guaranteeing Christmas delivery. I hate to be a Scrooge about it (did I really just type that?), but as someone who’s done his fair share of shipping around the holidays, I know the only absolute is there are no absolutes, and cut-off dates don’t mean anything when it comes to sheer volume.

So, if you really want a signed copy of the book, that’s what it would cost you. I’ll personalize your book to your specifications, and sometimes I’ll toss in something else, like flyers or a CD full of promo goodies and whatnot. I’d send more if I could, but I don’t have the revenue of Chuck Palahniuk to devote to just “fan gags.” But believe me – I would if I could.

Just click on the appropriate PayPal button and follow the instructions. You don’t even have to have a credit card – PayPal accepts check cards from your bank, too (so long as it’s branded by a major credit card company, or some such nonsense). Be sure and include to whom you want the book signed, and I’ll be in touch to confirm with you via email.

Speaking of which, if you have any questions about the process, or anything else for that matter, don’t hesitate to email me.

I think that’s about it. Let me know if you have any questions.

Later, folks.

Tags: A+Life+Transparent, ALT, signed+copies, insane+holidays