Lynsay,

I love Thomas's story! Working in a bookstore I have access to numerous titles and genres and I still can't always wait for your next book.
My coworkers think I am a bit nutty getting this excited about a laydown. I sat and read VAF and didn't want to finish. Knowing I only have a month to wait for Marguerite's story is all that made finishing it bearable.
Do you know when the next one after Vampire Interrupted is due to laydown?
The Argebeau Series is one of my favorite recommends for customers coming into the store.

Rae,

We have no idea at all when the next Argeneau will be published. The manuscript has been with Lynsay's editor for some time now and it hasn't yet been returned for the first round of corrections.

After that there will be the first copy from the printer to check and then the arcs - which are the first fully completed copies as an actual book.

Rest assured that as soon as the publisher gives an official date you'll see it posted here on the forum.

Now it's time for my question. Since you work in a book store can you shed any light on why Vampires Are Forever has been seen all over in stores for up to two weeks from the official release date?

How do the stores know not to put it on the shelves until a certain date - and why do some ignore the request to hold it back? Is it that they aren't given the information?

We'd appreciate anything you can tell us that would shed some light on the confusion surrounding the release of Vampires Are Forever.

Dave

Just finished Vampires Are Forever. Well worth the wait for Thomas' story. I just loved it!

Mr. Spice, I certainly didn't have that problem here (Racine, Wisconsin). I patiently waited until the release date (today), headed over to my local Barnes and Noble and was told that they wouldn't have it in until Feb. 1st, that I had the wrong release date. I told them that they were the ones who were misinformed because if the release date had changed, wouldn't you or Lynsay have posted something about that? Though, now I just checked your website and it just says Feb.2008 so where did I get the idea of January 29th? Okay, just checked Amazon and that is the date they have listed. What is the correct date? Did I buy it too soon?

Anyway, after Barnes and Noble I checked Target, and then Walmart with no luck. Finally the mall opened and I found it at Waldenbooks. I wasted no time in getting home and reading it straight through (with minor interruptions from my 4-year old son, who I let watch more T.V. today than is good for him!)

I think this is my favorite one so far. *Spoiler* My favorite scene is in the beginning when Inez locks herself in the bathroom and keeps repeating the same phrase over and over.

Kimberly

Dave -

Some releases are given a hard lay down date, meaning that if bookstores release it before, they'll be in trouble. By trouble, I mean that the publisher or distributor will refuse to even ship books to that location until AFTER the release date.

Other books, presumably Lynsay's, can have a soft lay down date. While it's preferable to wait until the release date, some stores aren't very vigilant about making sure that the shipment needs to hold for a few days.

Also, I'd like to make a brief mention about buying books before the release date to everyone here. I've been on a few message boards, and many people are under the impression that if the book is bought prior to the release date, the author doesn't get money, and the book sort of disappears off the shelves as if it had been stolen. This is not the case. The issue with the release dates is about the lists, and the Tuesday release is all about the next Sunday's paper. I myself prefer to buy books on the release dates, simply because I enjoy the author and want them to succeed (unless there's a book I'm absolutely dying to have, and don't have self control). But in no way does pre-release date book buying affect the total sales of a book.

:D
Janelle

What was said about the hard laydowns was correct. I have learned that most stores and companies don't care about the mass market format to adhere to laydown dates. In the store I work in we tend to follow it to the date as best we can. It helps that the books arrive in boxes with bright green labels saying "LAYDOWNS DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 1/29/08" or whatever date that it applies to. In turn the books stay in the back room until monday night after close and then we move them all out to the floor.

It is really frustrating when not all stores follow the laydown rules. The most notable laydowns being books like the Harry Potters and major authors. Stores and companies can get into a great deal of trouble with publishers in regards to selling a book before its laydown date.

I have had the chance to read a few arc from different authors and sometimes it is amusing to see a proposed cover change or a title, or any number of small things. I had read one that when the book was finally published it went through a vast number of changes. But that is the exception to the rule.

Speaking of books. I need to finish reading another that came out today and find a few to tide me through the week.

I must say that Lynsay is one of my top 5 favorite authors and I hate to wait for her new books to bring home. But no matter when I bring it home I always buy it on its release date.

Stories are calling;
Rae

What is there to say about Thomas' book? I love it.
Was the first one in Borders today. Got it ( and a TY Groundhog) got home, and preceded to read it.

No spoilers here..

C 1 of AE3

I just finished VAMPIRES ARE FOREVER

***DON"T WORRY WONT SPOIL IT FOR OTHERS*******

just had t say, I think it is tied for #1 w/ TDH!! I still really like Bastiens' and Terri's story, but Thomas's story is so different. I loed it, and am about to read it again!

G. 3 of AE3

Thanks to both Rae and Janelle for the valuable information.

I don't know how Barnes & Noble have managed to get the release date wrong by three days - Amazon are already shipping and some stores, even up here in snowy Canada, have had them available for two weeks now.

It seems as if the publisher has just lost sight of everything on this schedule. Which is doubly annoying not only because of the adverse effect on Lynsay's listing placings, but also because they asked her to bring the manuscript completion dates forward on these books.

Wonderful, all that effort just so we could see someone to lose the ball just before the touchdown. (Sporting reference added specially for Wren - I'm learning)

Dave

I'm starting the first reread tonight! I had not posted yet about the book because I didn't want to spoil it for anyone. But it is tied with my other two favorites(TD&H and ABTR)because I just have to have Bastien's and Vincent's books!

I've always loved Thomas & thought there was just something special about him! Now I know for sure... He is just perfect!

wren...W2 of AE3

I know! It really sucks that it affects the listings; that's why I don't, unless in dire need, try to buy books ahead of time.

That being said, the fault isn't with the publishers, but with the distributors. Most book stores (unless they have negligent staff) follow the rules, even if the release date isn't as set in stone. But if the distributors fail to label the boxes of new releases correctly, then the books are placed out whenever they arrive.

Yes, Mr. Spice, it does seem that someone "fumbled the ball" just before the touchdown! (fumbled means dropped or lost control of the ball, and it usually happens at a crucial time) Not a good thing to happen to have the winning team!! And, in this case, not a good thing to happen for us to have Lynsay's book counted correctly for lists! I am glad to learn it doesn't affect her payments, but I also want her to get her recognition for writing bestseller books.


Vampires Are Forever seems to have gone out early to most bookstore chains. Bookland, the small store I shop at here in town, is owned by Books-A-Million. I was totally surprised when my preorder came in before the release date, because they had given me a February date for receiving it. They also now expect Vampire, Interruppted to be there by mid-February, when initially I was told my order would come in on March 12th. So if others are getting their books early through Barnes & Noble and other large bookchains,(I think Waldenbooks is owned by Borders)then the books must have been shipped out to everyone without the instructions that our bookstore friends described to keep it from going on display before the release date.

I didn't see any copies of The Accidental Vampire out until the release date, and the first I saw of it was in a Kroger Grocery store. The preorder E.G. had made for me for Christmas didn't come in until a few days later. Maybe Lynsay can get with Avon and get this taken care of before Marguerite's book ships out Then Lynsay can recover the ball and get her books out on the correct date!(A recovery is when the other team gets the ball before the team who fumbled can get it back.)

wren...who has limited knowledge about soccer & plans to look up cricket in the encyclopedia...and will help Mr. Spice understand all the strange North American sports so he won't be disappointed that there is no super-sized soup bowl of clam chowder and wren wants the NY Giants to win, if only by one point!

P.S. to Mr. Spice...I know you have Major League Baseball in Toronto, because we saw them play the Atlanta Braves last summer...and the Toronto Bluejays won! Live Professional Baseball is fantastic fun...though very boring on tv. We also got to count that game as an educational field trip, since we got to see the USA & Canadian Flags and hear both national anthems and we made the boys find Toronto on the map!

W2 of AE3

Borders has February 29th as the release date for Vampire Interrupted. I doubled checked my pre-order while there this morning.

Cindy 1of AE3

Okay, Cindy, dearest C1 older sister of mine, how do I do those big smilies?

I may not be able to blow things up, but I can make vanquishing potions for little patriot fans...wheeheeheeheehee

W2 of AE3 (W2 sound like our income tax forms )

Wren
Will w-mail you. And I can make the potions for the Giants also
C1 of AE3

Um when was the book due out? I've had it since Sunday... But I also thought it was due out until Feb...

Brittany officially it came out today

I wanted to thank everyone for not putting too many spoilers out for Thomas' book. I read the excerpt on the website which has me drooling for more.

Unfortunately I preordered at Amazon his book and Marguerite's book and since they are putting the shipment in one order I have to wait until late February to get them both ( screaming on the inside).

P.S. I am Giants fan and will be crossing my fingers on Sunday but also huge fan of EPL (go Chelsea!) in case someone needs a soccer (football) translation.

Now I feel terrible having it out early--but since B&N had it in stock, I didn't know it was going to affect Lynsay's list =( I'll go buy it again!

Hi everybody.

I've been lurking on the board here for the past week and just joined. So I am ultra excited to be here! The anticipation to join has been straining.:D
I've been keeping a eye out for the new book and just found it 2 days ago. Needless to say I did a happy jump dance in the book isle at Wal-Mart much to my friend, along with multiple customers raised eyebrows. I'm suprised that there were not mother's ushering their children away.

The bad part is it is so very tough not to read it because I have another book I need to finish first. I'm trying to branch out my author's if I can't get my Lynsay and Kresley fix. I realize these ladies can only write so fast.. If I stay tough though maybe I can hold out to get Marguerite's story as well so I can read both books in 4 days. I am truly that addicted.

Nahhh. I just need to read faster.

Welcome to the boards Diane.

Got VAF replaced. I am a happy camper now. This cover is attached securely.

23 days and counting to VI.

C1 of AE3

Welcome Diane!

Feel free to be truly addicted with the rest of us here! We have a great time, so stick around and enjoy between reading books.

If you haven't, you might want to do the "Getting to know you" thread. It's fun, and you can read through and see what some of your fellow fan forum friends are all about!

Also, if you don't receive the newsletter, go to Lynsay's website, check the For Readers area, and there is a place to sign up. Lynsay, Mr. Spice, House-Elf Terri, & Emma-Cat put together a very nice monthly newsletter with crosswords, contests, and things we want to know about. You don't want to miss out!

wren...W2 of AE3 (sister 2 of our trouble-prone trio...we call ourselves Lynsay's Angelic Enforcers...if you've ever watched Charmed, you'll soon figure out that we can't behave ourselves but we have a lot of fun on the forum together! )

Just to clarify. Borders has Vampire Interrupted listed to come on on Tuesday Feb 26th not the 29th.

Books generally come out on tuesdays if they have a strict laydown (release) date. About 5% come out on mondays or fridays.

Sorry to correct anyone but I work for Borders and deal with laydowns in particular in my store. Cindy it looks like someone read the computer wrong or they are hedging thier bets. Since all the rest of Lynsay's books have followed the norm for laying down on tuesday I don't see the publishers changing the pattern now.
Putting all the new books out after we close on monday nights is one of the best things about my job. Between that and being impaitient for her next title I even get to the point where I can count the days left. (If you are curious it is 21 days)

Welcome to the forum Diane - What a good idea you've given me - perhaps the next competition will involve sending a video of people doing a happy dance in the bookstores.

Rae - you're absolutely correct about the official publication dates - although if the last two books are anything to go by they should be on the shelves of some bookstores round about the end of next week.

If anyone has a problem with the covers of the books please let me know - we have to let the publisher know of any problems so they can talk to the printers and bookbinders to rectify these faults.

Thanks

Dave

Mr Spice

My cover fell off of VAF. It looked like there was no glue on it. Went to Borders yesterday and they replaced the book, It said on my receipt that it was returned because of damage.

Cindy

CONGRATULATIONS! VAF is Borders #3 MassMarket BEST SELLER!

So everyone who purchased their book after the official laydown date . . . . . AWESOME!

Thanks for the info, Rae.

I'm waiting for a call from Lynsay's agent on Wednesday to find out the New York Times placing - I'll have it posted on here as soon as I know the result.

Lynsay, by the way, is tanning nicely in St Lucia and having a well earned rest.

Dave

Well, I'm sure your information will be more up-to-date but while we are waiting... I checked the New York Times website today and they have Vampires Are Forever listed at #32 on the list for Paperback Mass-Market Fiction. And it is #6 on eReader.com for Romance Bestsellers. Also it is #10 on Barnes and Noble's list of Bestsellers in Romance. Its Amazon.com sales rank is #163 in books and #5 in Books, Romance.

Also, the Kindle edition of Vampires Are Forever is ranked #110 overall but is #3 in the Romance category. The Accidental Vampires is #31 in Romance, Bite Me if You Can is #57, A Bite to Remember is #71. Must be a lot of romance readers who own Kindles!

Not too shabby, eh?

Kimberly

P.S. Vampire, Interrupted is #39 on the list of Bestsellers in Romance on Amazon.com. Must be a lot of people placing pre-orders!

Thnaks Kim.

The Amazon and Barnes & Noble rankings are updated hourly and while they are a good guide they're only a relative indicator at a set point in time. How good the ranking position really is depends on what the books above it are, whether they're non fiction, or hardcover and how many of them are in the same category as Vampires Are Forever for the listings count.

We should know in the next 24 hours where it's going to be on the lists.