Grim Oak Backer Kit Store

Slipcases and Clamshells Have Arrived!
about 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 19, 2022 at 11:16:26 PM

Hi Mech Backers,

A short update since I'm slammed busy. Trying to finish this new book, omega-read  the Grim Oak edition of The Power That Preserves by Stephen R. Donaldson, get publishers the royalties they are owed, and of course preparing to ship, ship, and ship some more!

I received the slipcases and clamshells today. They look great and the books fit in them nicely. I then ordered boxes, bubble-wrap, and tape to get these books mailed out. The supplies should arrive sometime tomorrow.

Then I will begin shipping the Lettered Editions. That will likely take me through the weekend. Then next week, I'll start on shipping the limited editions. I think I'm only going to be able to ship books for two or three hours a day since my lower back has been giving me some issues. But needless to say, I'll get this done over the next few weeks.

When I ship the first Lettered Edition, I'll be sure to share that update. Here's a photo so you have proof of what I speak. Ha!

With Mech Magic,

Shawn

Books Are Here! Slipcases/Clamshells Next Week!
about 2 years ago – Sat, Apr 16, 2022 at 04:50:12 AM

Hi Mech Backers,

I'm pleased to finally say -- after what felt like a millennium -- that the Signed & Numbered and Signed & Lettered editions of The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey and The Undone Life of Jak Dreadth have arrived at my warehouse.

I won't show off many photos because I want you to open the box and hopefully be WOWED. But here are three photos as proof:

What's next? Well, I have the books in. That's a great first step. But I need the slipcases and clamshells to complete orders. Those are supposed to arrive Tuesday or Wednesday. I see the pallets are already in Oregon though, which means they might even arrive on Monday.

Then I slide the books into their respective book housings, add the add-on merchandise, and order the proper boxes to fit it all. Supplies usually arrive the next day. Then I'll have everything I need to start shipping!

How long will it take me to ship? I'm not sure. Probably three weeks. I'll ship out the Lettered Editions first and then make my way through the Limited Editions in the order the pledges were made on Kickstarter. At least that's my plan.

What about the Rare Editions, you may ask? The book blocks for those have been sent to the rare edition master who will bind the books beautifully and then get them to me. I'm betting it will take a month for those to arrive in.

Thank you ALL for your patience. This has been arduous. But I can see the end is near. And there is that Super Secret Project that I'm almost finished writing that will be coming to Kickstarter via a Hollywood studio... more on that in about two months.

Evasive and Secretive but Happy,

Shawn

Special Editions Books On The Way!
about 2 years ago – Wed, Apr 06, 2022 at 06:47:02 PM

Hi Mech Backers,

A quick, quick update. This morning, the bindery notified me that the special edition books of The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey and The Undone Life of Jak Dreadth are now en route to me. Four pallets are in freight cars, carried on trains, to soon be placed lovingly into a freight truck for delivery on April 14th.

I will spend that weekend doing quality control and preparing boxes. And, if all is good, I'll begin shipping the following week.

It is almost at an end, my first Kickstarter backers. Thank you again for your patience and support.

With Mech Magic,

Shawn

Slipcase/Clamshell Proofs Arrived
about 2 years ago – Thu, Mar 10, 2022 at 10:01:24 PM

Hi Mech Backers,

Finally, some fun news. Good news.

I've received proofs for the slipcases and lettered edition clamshell for Antiquity Grey and Jak Dreadth! Photo below.

Yay! Excited about these. It is looking like these will be done and arrive at the same time as the books, so at least that's a good timeline to have.

Shawn

PS: Apparently, the printer is going to make right the tip-in issue and those tips will ship March 16th to the bindery. That means the bindery can complete its last piece of work on the books. No idea what date they will do that work though. More on that when I know it.

Still Waiting: An Example of the WHY This Is Taking Forever
about 2 years ago – Wed, Mar 09, 2022 at 07:38:34 AM

Hey All,

I'm still waiting, as are all of you.

Here is what I know. First, The Undone Life of Jak Dreadth special editions are finished and have been finished since December. They are sitting at the bindery, waiting on The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey special editions. What's the delay, you may ask?

The bindery got COVID six weeks ago, which shut them down for about three weeks. When they returned and began work on The Tempered Steel of Antiquity Grey special editions, they discovered that they STILL hadn't received a full-color interior tip that has been holding up the entire process. They new this BACK IN NOVEMBER that the tip in question had creases and folds in it from the printer. Here is a photo to illustrate what I mean:

As you can see, binding that into the books wouldn't make any of you happy. I know it wouldn't make ME happy. Almost three weeks ago, the bindery wrote me and asked where the new tip-ins were. I raged. I wrote the printer. These were supposed to be printed back in DECEMBER and shipped to the bindery. Apparently, that didn't happen. Well, in the last three weeks since I requested an update, the printer hasn't responded to my numerous inquiries. They just ignore me.

So this morning, I wrote a tersely-worded email to the CEO, the Director of Operations, and the Customer Service Manager of the printer asking for a resolution NOW. No word yet.

This project should have been done MONTHS AGO. Yet here we are, waiting, waiting, waiting for other people to be professional. This is the reason I'm bald. From pulling out any hair that I possibly could grow anyway.

Needless to say, when I hear something, I will let you know.

Shawn