Bad News About the Thumb Drives

Hey folks, sorry to relate this news, but the second batch of thumb drives were not going to make it to me before I left town for quite some time. I didn’t want those of you with orders to have to wait so long to get them, so I canceled the order from the manufacturer (it wasn’t clear if I would ever receive them, anyway), and I am going to manually refund your orders through Paypal. I’ll also try to send an apology like this one to each and ever email address. It might take me a day or two to sort all of this out, and I’m terribly sorry! Maybe when I get back from this trip and things get settled down, I’ll try to order some of these drives from another source and get them to those who really want them that badly. I’ll be doing signed books again in December, so that might be a nice time.

My deepest and sincerest apologies, everyone. This is certainly not what I had hoped for.

11 responses to “Bad News About the Thumb Drives”

  1. Thomas A Fowler Avatar
    Thomas A Fowler

    Appreciate you letting me know, I think I’ll purchase them as regular e-books though. I met Angie Hodapp at the RMFW conference and heard Sarah Nelson and Karyn Marcus talk about your unique approach as an author at one of the panels. They make a very convincing case for you. Thanks, can’t wait to read.

    Reply
  2. Steve Manke Avatar
    Steve Manke

    Those drives were a genius marketing idea… A really fun and memorable keepsake for your fans. Your supplier is really missing the boat by letting you down like this. I’m not a gambler, but I would wager that there were a fair number of authors interested in follow your example and doing something similar with those drives.

    You go out of your way to look out for your fans and treat them all as you would close friends. It shows, and it’s appreciated!

    Reply
  3. Pete Avatar
    Pete

    I was really bummed when I got the refund! I understand, though. You can only do what you can do. I know from reading here that you do plenty for your fans already. Hugh, can you please try these again when you get home? I was going to give one to my brother for his b-day. Looking at the bright side, maybe now I can get him one for Christmas?

    Reply
    1. Hugh C. Howey Avatar
      Hugh C. Howey

      Yeah, I’ll look into another company that can make these and see about doing it again. I just didn’t want people to wait two or three months to get their drives.

      Reply
  4. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy

    That’s too bad. I know a lot of people will be very disappointed.

    On the bright side, your issue of Ocean Navigator is available today on their website. I am looking forward to getting a copy, so I can read about your adventures.

    Reply
  5. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    What the heck kind of supplier would let you down on an order like that? Was it the same one you HAD been using?

    Reply
  6. Torben Avatar
    Torben

    So the question for me is, how many are out there now?

    Hopefully/ Probably some will hit ebay in the next time. People could think they can make money with it because no others are coming behind…

    Reply
    1. Hugh C. Howey Avatar
      Hugh C. Howey

      There are 499 of them out there. 350 were given away at a Boing Boing event in San Fran. The rest were sold on the site (or given away). I have one.

      Reply
      1. paul Avatar
        paul

        Bidding war for Hugh’s last thumb drive

        Reply
      2. Cheryl Avatar
        Cheryl

        I have one of the 499 and I’m sorry but you couldn’t pay me enough to convince me to part with mine. :-)

        Reply
  7. Jonathan Gunson Avatar
    Jonathan Gunson

    Hugh… Dang!
    Yes, received the refund thanks … after I had ranted in my latest blog post that I’d bought one!
    “The best laid schemes of mice and men
    Go often awry,
    And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
    For promised joy! …”

    All the best as ever.
    Jonathan Gunson

    Reply

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