“How to Do Everything with Podcasting” went on sale in the US in June 15. Online retailers Amazon have had the book listed on their US, UK and Canadian sites (and maybe others) for pre-ordering for the past six months.
A good half dozen FIR listeners have told me that they’ve had the book on order, just waiting for its release by publisher McGraw-Hill.
That’s terrific!
But news yesterday from a listener in the US reporting that he’s received notification from Amazon US that shipment is delayed:
[…] Unfortunately, we are unable to ship the item(s) as soon as we expected and need to provide you with a new estimate of when the item(s) may be delivered:
Shel Holtz (Author), Neville Hobson (Author) “How to Do Everything with Podcasting (How to Do Everything)” [Paperback]
Estimated arrival date: 07/12/2007 - 07/25/2007
If he’s had that notification, then I would imagine other purchasers will as well.
I don’t have any idea what’s causing the delay. Perhaps a rush of orders 
It seems it’s not only the US, as I received news a few days ago from a listener in Ireland reporting that he’s been told to expect a delay in shipment. As he’s in Ireland, I guess he ordered from Amazon UK; the book isn’t released in the UK until July 1.
Sorry about this. I’ll ask McGraw-Hill if they have any information on delays. If I get any news from them, I’ll post it here.
[Update June 26:] Thanks to Roger Stewart, our editor at McGraw-Hill, we have a bit of light thrown on this situation.
Roger says the books are working their way through the distribution system and will be shipping from Amazon’s distribution centres soon.
Good news, then.
Comments 11
I got an update email from Amazon UK telling me
We are sorry to report that the following items have been delayed:
Shel Holtz (Author), Neville Hobson (Author) “How to Do Everything
with Podcasting (How to Do Everything)” [Paperback]
Estimated arrival date: 10/07/07 - 13/07/07
Cheers
Tony
Posted 05 Jul 2007 at 2:03 pm ¶I just (07/05/2007) received my pre-ordered copies of the book from Amazon.com.
Posted 05 Jul 2007 at 2:12 pm ¶Tony, that’s definitely a ‘working through the distribution system’ matter.
I would guess that, as the book didn’t start being on sale in the UK until July 1, the distribution may take a bit to catch up. Jan, you’ve just got your book - three weeks after it went on sale in the US on June 15.
In which case, Tony, that revised delivery estimate from Amazon UK looks good: two weeks after the book went on sale in the UK.
Posted 07 Jul 2007 at 9:52 am ¶I’ve just logged on to Amazon to check and my order is now showing
Delivery estimate: 21 Jul 2007 - 25 Jul 2007
* 1 of: How to Do Everything with Podcasting (How to Do Everything)
So it’s slipped by another 12 days and Amazon didn’t bother to notify me, which is doubly annoying. Is there another vendor in the UK who does have copies?
Posted 12 Jul 2007 at 10:40 am ¶I think it really is distribution/working through the system, Tony. The books are shipped over from the US where they are printed. I just logged in to Amazon UK and the listing now says “Usually dispatched within 8 to 10 days.” Business days, I bet.
Other booksellers do have the book listed on their websites (Blackwell, for instance). But unless they physically have the book in stock - which I don’t think is the case yet, this close to publication date - I don’t think anyone will be able to ship a copy to you any quicker.
Posted 12 Jul 2007 at 11:40 am ¶I’ve just received the following from Amazon after complaining to their Customer Service email.
“We are sorry to report that there has been an unexpected delay in obtaining “How to Do Everything with Podcasting (How to Do
Everything)” which has added time to your estimated dispatch and delivery date.
We now expect your order to be delivered by July 22, 2007.
This item turned out to be in short supply and we may need some additional time to obtain this item.
We have learned that this item is now back-ordered.
I can assure you that we are working hard to obtain this item for you and we will ship it as soon as we are able to obtain it.”
I hope it doesn’t slip any further, as I’m doing a “Introduction to Podcasting” session on the first of August and I want to have the book available for people to see and browse and perhaps get their own copies. This website is also going to feature
Off topic slightly, have you had any thoughts about doing an MP3 version? I’m currently listening my way through Wikinomics and it’s excellent.
Posted 12 Jul 2007 at 3:04 pm ¶Tony, I asked McGraw-Hill if they can provide a bit of in sight into these shipping delays. I think they’re asking Amazon. Hope to hear some news.
If you haven’t received the book from Amazon by, say, July 25, let me know and I’ll post a copy to you in time for your session on Aug 1.
Re an MP3 version, it’s something we have thought about. There’s already a sample chapter here you can listen to!
Posted 14 Jul 2007 at 10:15 am ¶Thanks Neville, I hope your man in McGraw Hill has some success, I’ve just received another update from Amazon. They’re now saying
“We are sorry to report that the following items have been delayed:
Shel Holtz (Author), Neville Hobson (Author) “How to Do Everything
with Podcasting (How to Do Everything)” [Paperback]
Estimated arrival date: 21/07/07 - 25/07/07
For your reference, here is a summary of your order:
1 of Shel Holtz (Author), Neville Hobson (Author) “How to Do
Everything with Podcasting (How to Do Everything)”
Usually dispatched in 4-6 weeks (but may not be available at all)”
I’m assuming the last part is some sort of mistake!
I’ve already downloaded the sample chapter, it was very good, hence the query about you doing a full length version.
Thanks
Tony
Posted 16 Jul 2007 at 9:22 am ¶Looks like your man at McGraw Hill was unsuccessful
Another update from Amazon…
“We are sorry to report that the following items have been delayed:
Shel Holtz (Author), Neville Hobson (Author) “How to Do Everything
with Podcasting (How to Do Everything)” [Paperback]
Estimated arrival date: 07/08/07 - 13/08/07″
Tony
Posted 23 Jul 2007 at 6:30 am ¶I’ve not heard heard back from McGraw-Hill, Tony. A bit disappointing, to be frank.
I’ll chase today.
Can I suggest you check one alternative? If you have a Waterstones near you, ask if they have copies yet. When I asked Waterstones in Reading last week, they said copies were due imminently.
If all else fails, I will post a copy to you.
Posted 23 Jul 2007 at 12:26 pm ¶I’ve checked with my local Waterstones and they don’t have stock and they don’t believe any other stores have either.
Thanks for the offer, it’s much appreciated, but I don’t want to put you to that trouble. I’ll just use the website for my presentation and say that the book will be available in the shops eventually and that I’ll let the attendees know when it is. That would be better than showing them something they can’t actually buy at the moment.
Thanks
Tony
Posted 24 Jul 2007 at 4:13 pm ¶Trackbacks & Pingbacks 1
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