See? I told you it was out

This is a photo taken today from my local Barnes & Noble, and yes, there it is, my new book. I also like how you can see two other books of mine on the shelf below (Hey B&N, how about my own shelf! - just kidding). I then signed every copy they had in the store.

FYI, I had to be careful taking this picture because I didn't want anyone thinking I was weird or an ego-maniac. I have enough problems as it is.

Today is the day

My understanding is that the book "100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Need to Know & Do Before They Die," will start hitting stores today (July 15th - I'm posting this at 1 a.m. and the date at the top hasn't switched over yet) as this is the official release date.

When I called to check the local B&N, I was told that they have "a whole lot of copies" on order.

We're off and running. Excellent.

Also, the Giants handbook is done, except for updates from the upcoming season. Whew. It took a little longer than expected, but I really like the way it looks.

We're getting SOOOOOOOO close ...

Two things of note today before I get a rare weekend off away from work:

1) I'm putting the final touches on the Giants handbook, the lone pro edition we'll be doing in the initial year of the series. I'm very pleased with how it looks, and it'll probably be the best of the initial nine, which is great because if it does well we'll likely do some other pro teams the following season. That leaves six more to do in roughly six months. Next up, Notre Dame.

2) I received my copies of "100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Need to Know or Do Before They Die," which means we're just days away from seeing it in stories. With so many fans starving for anything football-related, the timing couldn't be better. The book looks good, people seem interested and we're about to kick the marketing into high gear. Fun stuff.

... and then there were five

Ta da! Look at what arrived over the holiday weekend. My publisher was nice enough to send two early copies of the book, one of which I'll be hand-delivering to my mom at the end of the month (don't tell, but the book is dedicated to her).

I took one of the copies to a wine-tasting and dropped it on the counter to see the reaction. Just about ever person was, "Hey, what's that?" Very cool. Look for it to start hitting stores in a couple of weeks.

Every time I have a new book I always take a picture with the other covers. What on earth am I going to do next year when there nine new additions to squeeze into the frame?

Book update

There's good news on the book front. I finished the first handbook (well, except for everything I'll be updating from the upcoming season) on schedule, Michigan. Why Michigan? Simple, I figured it would be the most difficult to complete, and I was right. Next up, the New York Giants, which will be the lone pro team we'll do for next year while trying to gauge interest, followed by Notre Dame. Why Notre Dame? Why not?

Just as a reminder, the handbook series will debut this time next year, assuming I get all nine of them done in time. Two down, seven to go.

As for "100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Need to Know & Do Before They Die," I hear they should arrive from the printer any day now. I'll then get my copies, and shortly thereafter start seeing it in stores. Always fun.