We’ve just taken down the ordering page for the Happiest Days of Our Lives at Monolith Press, because the entire second printing is now sold out. It’s unlikely that I’ll do another Monolith Press printing in the near future, because Subterranean Press will have the special edition in just a few months.
Before I get back to work, I want to thank all of you who have made this moment – the end of one journey and the beginning of another – possible. I’ve been able to sell through two printings of my book entirely via word of mouth, and that’s just un-fucking-believable to me. From the people who told me way back in 2001 to hurry up and write a book, to the people who bought that book, to everyone who bought Happiest Days, to the 300 (holla!) and especially to everyone who told friends and family and helped get my work in front of new readers . . . none of this would be possible without you, and you all have my gratitude.
Once these final orders are processed and shipped, the serious work will begin on the next big Monolith Press project, something super awesome that I’m not quite ready to announce, but I hope will be worth the wait. Feel free to speculate in comments, because that’s always fun.
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Could the next project be the work of fiction???? I would love to read something created out of your imagination…. And how about a fictional lead character, loosely based on you, that you could feature in lots of adventures… in several volumes of books… sci-fi based of course???
Congrats! I’ve read and enjoyed all three books as well as the readings that are available in MP3 format. A work of fiction would be really welcome, but I think manga/poker writing would have limited appeal.
Congratulations! That is so awesome for you!
You can’t see it but I’m doing a “that’s awesome” dance in my chair for you. Also, I’m wearing my “Wil has a Posse” shirt today.
And yes, I’m waiting for a work of fiction and/or that book of ST:TNG Season 1 reviews, too
Cheers to you!
Fiction would be interesting, to be sure. I think if you found the right mix of humor with some sci-fi bits thrown in (*cough* *cough* like “Firefly” *cough* cough*) I would enjoy the heck out of it.
This just in….
Wil Wheaton, of relatively large geekdom fame, has initiated the Time Machine(tm) project. Said project only requires full commitment from the top 90 most influential and wealthy on the planet. Once assurances are recieved of said commitment, Wil will arrive from the future with the completed Time Machine(tm) to be delivered…COD.
Congratluations, living the dream!
My guess is RPG source book, but then again, I’m a geek.
You put up with a lot from all of us ‘fans’. So enjoy the good that comes along with the not-as-good. And it’s cool that you are so gracious – but a lot of it is your hard work too. And talent – because I would have bought the first book – but not the other two if you weren’t a good author.
Speculation about next project: Giant robot that self-assembles from individual vehicles driven by your readers. Together will fight the universal for great justice!
Selling out like this? Totally awesome. 🙂 Congratulations!
And here I thought selling out was a bad thing? Make up my mind people.
I hate to be the odd man out here Wil, but I was, on the whole, rather disappointed with Happiest Days.
I too am a child of the 70s (born May 1972) and came of age in the 80s, and I bought the book with the expectation that the stories would be more cohesive; that it wouldn’t be so disjointed and “stream of consciousness” style.
What disappointed me most was the book’s lack of content; written in huge font with lots of space on each page. Stories that I could’ve read online for free. Most of all, the book contained precious little about life during the 80s! I remember the red, pinging sound of the Voit-brand ball. I too was a relative outcast. I eagerly bought the book based on the blurb that’s posted in various places on your site and waited six weeks (!!!!) only to find that, after I finished the book, much of it was gone like Chinese food an hour later.
It wasn’t that the stories weren’t well written (they were. For the record, I loved the story about Bear; best part of the whole book.) and I do read your blog rather religiously, but I couldn’t help but feel a little…well, gypped. I’m not flame-baiting, just posting my honest opinion about Happiest Days. I’m pretty sure I’m the exception here and I still wish you nothing but luck with your writing career. But next time I’ll just wait till the movie comes out. 😉
You don’t have to apologize for anything, @Eric. I understand and accept that not everything I do will be universally enjoyed (and I think there’d be something really wrong with what I was doing if suddenly everyone liked everything I did, or agreed with me all the time.)
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy my book, but you shouldn’t feel bad about that.
I hoped that the 70s and 80s reflections would weave all the way through most of the book, providing a common thread. I’m sorry it didn’t meet your expectations. It was specifically designed to be read quickly, or picked up and put down at the reader’s leisure. I thought I made it clear that it was a companion to Dancing Barefoot, which is a similarly-sized collection of stories that previously appeared online in some form or another.
See, I have a few options to support my family with my writing: I can lock all the stuff I write, which people seem to enjoy, behind a pay wall, or I can collect and refine the work I’ve put online for free every couple of years so people who *do* enjoy getting it for free have an opportunity to support the work I do (so I can keep doing more, for free) or have it in a non-electronic format.
So far, the second way has worked well for me and my readers, so that’s my plan for the near future.
Again, I’m really sorry you felt ripped off. If you’d like to return the book to me for a refund, feel free to e-mail me and we’ll work something out.
A most sincere congratulations sent your way, Wil.
I can only hope that one of the recently sold copies ends up under my Christmas tree. (But if not, that’s ok, since the SP edition is coming my way soon because I’m a loser who didn’t order way back when I should have.)
And that last post? Gracious and realistic and awesome.
Wil, based on the above response to Eric, your awesomeness has gone up ten-fold.
Not that Eric said anything wrong – I commend his ability to be both frank and polite about his opinion.
I nearly forgot what true conflict resolution looked like until I read that exchange. Thanks, guys!
Incidentally, I have yet to purchase or read either of your books – not from lack of interest, but from lack of time/money. First a broke college student, then a broke teacher… the exponential loss of time and money each year is becoming frightening. I only hope it balances out, soon – I’d love to read both books (and many other things…)
Wow – you have ooodles of class, Wheaton.
Thanks for the quick response, Wil, and thanks for the graciousness with which you replied.
A refund isn’t necessary; I was allowed to air my grievances and you gave a thoughtful rebuttal. As far as I’m concerned, I’m fine with letting that be the end of it.
I will continue to be a fan and will continue to visit your blog every few days or so (We are very much aligned in thought as I am a HUGE Obama supporter, am rather progressive, and came to find BoingBoing and xkcd via links in your blog). If anything, while reading the 80s stories you wrote, I *was* immediately taken back in time to my own past: arcades, WarGames, You Can’t Do That On Television, and all of those things that I remember.
Of course, whereas your experiences took place in California, I grew up mostly in Texas; the curious thing is our 80s experiences could be Anytown USA. The names and places might be different, but what we went through and the fads, toys, and other things we saw/did are very similar. And I think that that’s quite remarkable.
I’ve even taken to starting all my recollection stories with “Back in my day…”. I have you to blame for that, I think. At any rate, I’m glad this is worked out. Now I’ve got to go yell at some damn kids to get off my lawn! 🙂
GRATS! Can’t wait for my copy.
You’re a classy man Wheaton. A well thought out response. I like to read your posts online but there is something special about holding a book in your hands.
Anyway – check this link out of your old friend George Takei. He is causing quite a stir over here in the UK.
George of the Jungle!
Duh. He’s writing the Gnomish Kama Sutra.
I totally forgot to order mine the other day, so I have apparently missed out because as much as I love your work, the money I’d spend on the special edition would buy a lot of groceries these days.
Crap, crap, CRAP! I was just about to order a copy for my husband for Xmas. None on eBay either. Anyone got an extra copy to part with??
Maybe I could snag Eric’s copy…? 😉
Thats soo awesome!! Congratulations!! Ive had the awesome experience of reading Just A Geek and it is my favorite book!! And ive looked for Dancing Barefoot and The Happiest Days Of Our Lives but the store either didnt have them or they were sold out haha. I guess thats a good thing though! Oh yeah, and I think im gonna be able to go to the ComiCon in Mesa, Arizona, and if I bring my copy of Just A Geek or if I just so happen to find the other ones, will you be able to autograph them as well?
Oh yeah, and is it true that your gonna be in the movie “The Science Of Cool” coming out in 2009?
All together now – Snoopy Dance, Snoopy Dance!
Awesome actor, geek extraordinaire, one of *the* original bloggers, published author …
Fan boys and girls globally await with anticipation, the shiver of delight as you allow us to share the next chapter in your book of life, Wil. 😉
P.S. Glad to contribute (300).
I’m thrilled to have a copy. I really enjoyed the read, Wil. I’m glad it was such a success. Good luck with your next project!
That is soooooo awesome–congrats, Wil! *is so happy to have a copy on her nightstand*