This is one of the scariest things I've ever done: I'm releasing a short collection of short fiction, called The Day After and Other Stories.
Last year, I collected a few short stories I'd written and sold them as a chapbook at PAX. It was a scary thing for me to do, because while I feel confident as a narrative non-fiction writer, I am paralyzed with terror whenever I think about releasing something I invented out of nothing more than an idea to the public, and before I actually release it, I hear Carrie's mother screaming at me, "THEY'RE ALL GOING TO LAUGH AT YOU!"
A couple of things have happened recently, though, that gave me the courage to actually release this short collection of short stories to anyone who wants to buy it. First, Project Do Something Creative Every Day is making me feel less and less afraid of sucking. Like I said recently, the goal isn't to be perfect; the goal is to be creative. I don't think The Day After and Other Stories is perfect, but it is creative, and the few people I have shown it to told me they liked it.
Second, over 400 people expressed an interest in buying an autographed copy of The Happiest Days of Our Lives over the last couple of days. That really blew me away, and made me think, "Well, maybe there aren't as many people out there waiting for an excuse to laugh at you as you think. Also? It's adorable that you think you're that important to anyone, jackass."
I've had these files ready to put on LuLu for over a year, and it wasn't until this morning that I screwed up the courage to actually do it. I'm sticking to my original plan, which is to sell the paperback for a limited time (10 days) and then just offer the PDF version. I'm not quite sure why I wanted to do it that way, but it's nontraditional, and a little weird, so there you go.
Okay, now here are the details about this:
The paperback is $11, because it's available for a limited time. I realize this is pricey for a 50 page book, so if you don't want to spend that much (and I don't blame you), you can get the PDF version for $5. Yay!
The paperback will only be available until December 30th, so if you wanted to get one, do it before then.
Here's the introduction:
Every year, before the summer convention season gets underway, I pull a few excerpts from whatever I plan to release in the fall, take them to my local print shop, and make a deliberately lo-fi, limited edition chapbook to take with me on the obligatory summer convention circuit.
I’ve done previews of Dancing Barefoot, The Happiest Days of Our Lives, Memories of the Future, and in 2008, I pulled together a sampler that eventually became Sunken Treasure.
While Memories of the Future is 2009’s “big” fall release, it didn’t make sense to me to release a Memories– based chapbook this summer, because one already exists.
It looked like there wasn’t going to be a 2009 entry in the traditional Wil Wheaton Zine-like Chapbook Extravaganza, until I realized that I have several pieces of unpublished fiction sitting in my office, just waiting to be published.
“Hey,” I said to myself, “people keep asking me to write and release fiction, and I’ve been waiting until I have an actual novel to give them. But these things totally don’t suck, and I bet readers would enjoy them.”
“That is an excellent idea, me,” I said. “And have I mentioned how smart and pretty you are?”
“Oh, stop it. You’re embarrassing me,” I said.
Together, myself and I collected some of my (mostly unpublished) fiction and put it into this chapbook, for safe keeping.
Even though this is limited to just 200 copies, it represents a significant step for me in my life as a writer, because it’s the first time I’ve collected and published stories that I made up. (You know, like a writer does.) I hope you enjoy it, and thanks for your support!
The more astute among you may have noticed that this says it's limited to 200 copies; that's because this was originally offered as a limited chapbook at PAX, and we're using the same files. Think of it as a delightful legacy issue, or something like that, if you must. I don't know how many of these books I'll actually sell, but I doubt the number will be exactly 200. When the paperback goes to the Land of Wind And Ghosts, though, I suppose I can check to see how many were sold, and you can use your very own Red Pen of Doom to put the actual number into your copy. Hey! Look! It's interactive!
Anyway, now you know, I'm terrified that nobody's going to like it, but the goal isn't to be perfect; the goal is to be creative.
I'm going to keep saying that until I don't feel like I'm going to throw up.
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Sounds cool…I may have to check it out!
I ordered immediately. I loved the fiction you wrote for the Pegasus Kitten book. Merry Winter Festival of your choosing!
Yay! Go Wil! I’m really pleased you’ve taken the step to publish your fiction, and I’m proud to be part of that. Have ordered and will look forward to it. Have a joy!
Do you mind if I steal that mantra? Also I’ve specifically ordered a few copies so I can, uh…laugh at you. Yep. Not because you’ve got awesome talent.
Sorry, what was that? My brain managed to process “Wil Wheaton” and “new book” and before I knew what had happened, I’d spent a tenner at Lulu.com. If these stories are half as good as your “Clash of the Geeks” story, this is going to be a real treat.
You know what? Between your project and reading about Joel Watson’s Experiment over at Hijinks Ensue, I’m really getting fired up to make 2011 and 2012 super-creative. Cards on the table. I’m going to sell a story next year, come heck or high water.
Like the gentleman above, it took me all of a few seconds to order the printed version. The fact is, you write because you love to and it shows. Deal with it. 😀 Looking forward to reading it!
I have the PAX version of this chapbook, and it’s fantastic! Be warned, you’ll want to lend this one out, so spring for the paperback copy, it’s worth it! 😀
i just bought myself a christmas present. Thanks Wil!
I am poverty-stricken right now. But as it’s you, and you are endearingly anxious about this, I kind of hope I cave in time.
“the goal isn’t to be perfect; the goal is to be creative.” Sage advice. Thanks Wil. Book ordered.
Ditto.
Ordered. 🙂
If my husband doesn’t get my not-so-subtle hint via email with the link to that publication and buy it for me for Christmas, I’ll be ordering it myself the day after. I am a fan of your writing first (all other pursuits second), and can’t wait to read it. 🙂
Took me about 5 seconds of thought, then I too bought the book. [now I have another account thingy to log] I am ready for something different to read. Then wrap the book up, bow and all that – drop it in spouse’s shoulder bag. 🙂
As soon as I saw your Tweet about this today, I went to LuLu and bought it. You’re right, eleven bucks is a bit pricey for a 50 page book, but I had my reasons. Your mantra of “It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be creative” and your goal to do one creative thing a day for the rest of the year helped me make it through NaNoWriMo. I am now the proud author of a 51K word book, bad as it may be. I bought your book of short fiction to thank you. When I read your posts, I know that my journey as a writer is not a solitary one and that we all have the same fears and joys. No matter if we are famous or obscure. Thank you for inspiring me.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Not only for expressing the same fears I’m currently having about diving into the revision process of my latest NaNoWriMo story, but also for mustering up the courage to allow the world to read your work. It’s very scary, but now that you’ve done it, I hope it’ll be easier the next time around. I shall be ordering a paperback copy in the hopes that I’ll be able to get the author’s autograph (maybe at GenCon Indy 2011?).
Just ordered a copy! I look forward to reading it; I love short stories, and have been working on a collection of my own. Fiction work is almost closer to the heart despite the nature of being made-up. It’s completely a child of your thoughts and imagination, with no memory frame to draw upon. It takes a lot of courage to put your fiction out there, but if you enjoyed writing it, it’s a given someone will enjoy reading it. 🙂
Wil, your “I don’t think it’s perfect,” is miles above many people’s best effort. You’re talented; you’re an inspiration; we love you. Get over it. 😀
Hi Wil, reading this post reminded me of how I used to feel about my needlework (I cross stitch, needlepoint and various other crafts). Finally one year I got the courage to submit a piece to the State Fair competition-not expecting to win, but just hoping that it would be displayed…and I won a second place ribbon! So the next year I was brave enough to submit 2 things, and one of them won a first place ribbon! Since then I haven’t been afraid to tackle projects/designs that are considered “advanced”. Thanks for sharing these stories, I look forward to reading them.
Hi Wil, I just got your kick-ass email thanking me for buying the book. I’m going to print it out & carry it with me as a symbol of our love. Nobody believed me before but now I have proof.
Can’t wait to get the book! Thanks!! 😀
Just bought 2!! Gift for me and Gift for my baby brother 🙂 Thanks!
Wil,
I think this book will be fine, as well. If you did your best than thats all you can do. It seems that this has always been good enough.
FG
If something doesn’t make you feel like barfing after you do it, how good can it really be?
Just think of all the great things in life that result in feeling slightly queasy – riding a roller coaster after too many churros, reading a brand new comic while riding in the back seat of your parents’ car, quitting your job to start your own business, buying your first house, telling someone you love them before you’re sure they’re going to say it back….drinking too much tequila…
Ok, maybe scratch that last one. But you get my drift.
People like your writing, Wil Wheaton. There’s no getting around it.
I’m going to wait for the PDF, then snerk(tm) it to my iPhone (so really I’m going to iSnerk(TM)) sos I have something cool to read aside from all them comic books and classic public domainers.
_Moby, Don’t Be a Dick_ #WheatonizedNovelTitle
Are you doing any events connected with the book? ‘Cause… everyone I know would be interested in coming and perhaps buying!
~Fiction Addiction
Bought the PDF, read it, definitely did not laugh at you and will now wait for the next Wil Wheaton short story collection.
Seriously, keep writing fiction, I really enjoyed reading those stories. I’m a short story junkie and all the stories made me wonder what may happen next, the characters came alive for me.
Also, this finally convinced me to start by own Project Do Something Creative Every Day. Sketching, in my case, at which I suck mightily. So much room for improvement.
Like with many others, the Lulu.com shopping button didn’t even know what hit it. Can’t wait to get my hands on my copy!
Book ordered and en route to the house! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for having the courage to share with us all.
*whew* Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm excited for you to Do Something Creative Every Day!
Awesome. Hard copy ordered/enroute to West Africa. Via Diplomatic Pouch. So a late NYE gift to myself. Cheers to you, the creative peoples who keep me entertained. [Really enjoyed Sunken Treasure, btw.]
If it’s something you’ve written, I am sure it will be something I like. You have a talented “writer’s voice” and I come away from everything of yours that I read a little better for having read it.
My money and time are yours. Please continue to write and release.
Ordered the printed version, so it will be a while until I can post my comments. Not sure if I could open the PDF on my Motorola Droid. Not sure if the PDF has DRM or not. Anybody know if this is possible?
I look at it as not $10 for a book, but $10 to encourage a talented writer overcome his nervous worries and keep putting out more works. I say keep writing, and keep trowing us a bone every now and again.
The PDF has no DRM, because DRM is evil and stupid and I hate it. I can open PDF files on my Incredible, so you *should* be able to open them on your Droid.
Thanks for your support, Mark. I hope you enjoy the book.
Great! Going to buy the PDF now. Can’t wait to read them, and with the limited printing, the book will become a collector’s item.
Ordered the paperback as soon as I saw this post–it will be a lovely little post-Christmas present to myself.
Reading your posts about the creative process is really inspiring, and I think in the New Year I will try to bust out the pen and paper (it’s all about the longhand) and get back into writing. I’ve been sorely neglecting it for years.
Wait, what? Wil wrote to YOU, too? I guess that means we are both special!!
Adam Sandler’s mom said the same thing to him that Carrie’s mom did and look how he turned out…
/bought
I am all about the paperback. Love me some analog. Very excited to read this. 🙂
Very cool, Wil. It’ll have to wait until after this weekend, but I’ll definitely be buying one.
Also… “adorable”? You really have been hanging out with the Leverage gang a lot, huh? 🙂
Wow, bought it, read it, and I really like it! The Day After had my heart racing. I don’t want to spoil even the topic but the characters had me on edge. It felt like everyone was reaching toward their breaking point and you didn’t know what was going to happen next. Also, way creepy descriptions of the scenery…I had visions of my high school which made it even scarier.
Room 302 could have been in a Stephen King collection. Seriously.
Language Barrier was a neat little story. I think its something we have all observed at one time or another. Poor Places was a little lost on me, I’ve played some poker but not a ton. Very well written, I’m just not the core audience.
Thank you for putting these out and keep them coming! You have zero to worry about with your fiction. And if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to read The Day After again.
It’s always scary putting yourself out there, but if you don’t it’s an automatic FAIL. You’ve got nothing to lose, only something to gain! You have a gift and I for one am glad that you are sharing it.
I got one. I know it is kinda pricey for a little book but I like the idea that it’s so limited.
Just ordered the paperback, while listening to this in my head, dammit:
“They’re all going to laugh at you!”
Read the PDF. Don’t want post any spoilers, so I will just say they are good.
I don’t mind $11 for a book, but $7 shipping for an $11 book was a bit much. On the other hand, I can read my PDF copy RIGHT NOW!!! It’s 3 days to Christmas, they can’t expect me to actually work, can they?
Seven dollars for shipping?! Jesus, that is outrageous. I wish I could do something about that, but Lulu sets all that pricing.
At that rate, you're better off buying the PDF and printing your own copy. Sheesh.
I’m wary of downloading the PDF version because I would want to print and bind it at Kinko’s. I used to work at Kinko’s so I know copyright issues are really sticky. Is there something that states that printing for personal use is okay? If not, can I somehow get written permission from you stating that I can have the file printed?
Yeah, there's a Creative Commons license right inside that says you can copy/print/whatever as long as it's not for commercial use.
Sweet! I should have known you’d thin of that! Haha.
I recently asked you via Twitter how a creator knows when a creation is finished. You replied to me(*squee!!*) by saying that you never really know, but just have to let it go. But the letting go part is so damn scary! While being creative you are (I am) usually convinced that what you are creating will be awesome, but once you’re about to send it out into the big bad world, that conviction can suddenly vanish..
FYI: my creation was greeted with warmth and happiness, so: go me!
Oh, and I will buy yours and greet it with warmth and happiness!