Is Your Book Published Yet?

Over the past few months, I have often been asked: “When is your book going to be published?” In today’s world, that is a surprisingly difficult question to answer.

For example, shortly after the book went to print, the electronic version of the final draft became available for purchase on O’Reilly’s web site (while simultaneously appearing on O’Reilly’s Rough Cuts page, implying that it is not yet complete). According to Amazon, the publication date is September 27, though it is unclear whether that is when Amazon pre-orders will be shipped or when they will be received (or neither!). As if my eagerness had not already gotten the best of my patience, my editors at O’Reilly explained to me that the book will not appear in brick-and-mortar bookstores until two to three weeks after Amazon has it!

So for myself, I decided to consider my book “published” as soon as I had a physical copy in my own hot little hands, which finally graced my doorstep today:

If you need me, I’ll be at home spilling champagne on my new book!

Update: I stopped by the Union Square Barnes and Noble in NYC and they said that they should have Closure: The Definitive Guide in stock on Tuesday. Also, sometime in the last couple of days, Amazon changed from taking pre-orders to declaring the book "In Stock," so perhaps 9/27 is a real date for both online and brick-and-mortar sales!