FYI: Virtu

[truepenny]

[ETA For those of you who would, in fact, like to own The Virtu in hardback, sleary is the Hero of the Revolution to whom you should apply.]


Right now, The Virtu is out of print in both hardback and paperback. My editor is trying to get it into the POD program Ace is starting up, and my agent is making a formal protest on my behalf to Ace Books. But unless and until Ace changes their mind (or the rights revert to me and I figure out what to do to make the book available), you're going to have to look for it used or remaindered.

Yes, this also means the Google Book Settlement is, hello, extremely concrete and personal right at the moment, and I have to say, for a company whose motto is, "Don't be evil," Google is and has been behaving like, well, serious evil on this subject. Essentially, as I understand it, what Google's position boils down to is, We aren't going to respect your copyright and you can't make us respect your copyright. If you want ANY say in what we do with your copyrighted material, you have to agree that it's ours to begin with. [That would be opting in to the settlement. And please notice that this involves agreeing to Google's false premise that they can ignore your copyright in the first place.] And if you don't agree [i.e., if you opt out], well, we're going to do it anyway unless you sue us. And if you sue us, we can squash you like a BUG, little author, because we're Google and you're not. Neener neener. Opting out of the settlement doesn't actually protect your copyrights from Google, it just means that you don't agree with the deal the Authors Guild worked out. Which I don't, because it looks pretty much like signing away your birthright for a mess of pottage.

So, yeah. Dear Google, what happened to "Don't be evil"?

[ETA: And opting in ALSO tacitly agrees to the false assumption that the Authors Guild has the right to represent me. As someone pointed out on a mailing list I'm on, Google is not the only entity behaving like an asshat here.]

Comments

[sleary.livejournal.com]

I had noticed that The Virtu hardcovers were very well-stocked at the big remainder warehouse store at my local mall. :( If you (or anyone else reading this) would like me to snag copies for you, they're selling them for $4. Shipping individual copies would cost me about $2, media rate. In the US, anyway.

I hope the POD program works out!

[midnightrevelry.livejournal.com]

Oh, you are a life saver! The Virtu is the only Doctrine of Labyrinths book I checked out of the library instead of buying, and I would be so grateful if you could send me a copy. I've already checked my local used bookstores, and can't find it in stock anywhere.

I'll PM you regarding payment and shipping.

[musicianatheart.livejournal.com]

You are amazing! The Virtu is the only book of the series that I don't have in hardback, and I have been wishing I could get my hands on one for a while. The problem is that I'm currently trying to figure out if I have enough money to get gas to drive home at the end of the semester, so I don't suppose you could hold one for me til after I start my summer job in a few weeks?

[sleary.livejournal.com]

Heh, yeah, I'm gainfully employed and can spot you $4 till then. :) PM me, or email steph at sillybean dot net, with your shipping address.

[sleary.livejournal.com]

At the risk of pointing out the obvious: since these are remainders, they bear remainder marks and might be more scuffed than new books. I will try to pick out copies in good shape, though.

[nyn17.livejournal.com]

Ohh, I've been wanting to have that in hardcover for ages! Would it be too much to ask if you could check how much a shipment to Bulgaria would cost??

[sleary.livejournal.com]

I will find out!

[uilos.livejournal.com]

I would very, very much like one please. I'd like cover musicianatheart, too, since I have the $6 and to spare. I have no paypal, but I'd be more than happy to send you a check or something like that.

They're going for something like $50 used on Amazon right now, so you may want to snag an extra copy or two for yourself.

[sleary.livejournal.com]

What a generous offer! I'll add you to my list. PM me with your address -- after you shake out your fingers!

re: Amazon... ugh, seriously? isbn.nu (http://isbn.nu/9780441014040) is your friend for finding better prices.

[uilos.livejournal.com]

That? Is an awesome website. Thanks for pointing me to it!

[uilos.livejournal.com]

Whoops, typo there: I'd alsp like to cover musicianatheart.

[uilos.livejournal.com]

Oh, I give up. I have not the typing fingers today.

[izzady.livejournal.com]

I live in Canada and don't know you, but I do have paypal and would be totally okay with paying the extra shipping, if you're willing. My e-mail is
izzy_mk (at) hotmail.com

[sleary.livejournal.com]

No problem. Would you mind sending me a private message with your mailing address? I'm trying to keep everything in one spot, more or less.

[lenora-rose.livejournal.com]

In case you don't see my other message, I'm in Canada and can help at least a few Canucks.

[izzady.livejournal.com]

That would be awesome, if that works out!

[lenora-rose.livejournal.com]

I'm in Winnipeg, and I know where there are still a few remaindered copies. if you and sleary would prefer not to have to deal with customs, I can snaffle one. renfox@lenorarose.com

copy of virtu

[(Anonymous)]

I would love to get a copy of the virtu. Please e-mail me at bert1310@charter.net and we can work out payment and shipping. THanks so much!! Marti

[suemichave.livejournal.com]

i am in australia, have paypal, is it possible to get a copy sent? postage is usually around $10 i think.

[sleary.livejournal.com]

Hi there! Yes, I just got a fresh box from the bookstore. I'll double-check the shipping cost. Please send me your name & shipping address at steph at sillybean dot net (or in a private message on LJ). Thanks!