Halcyon Part 3: Return of the Jedi

So, for those of you who are even reading this blog, you know that my latest release suffered a bit of a snafu. It was one book, then it was two, then it was one again… and most of that after release day.

It was a mess, but it had to be done. Because I couldn’t let the sub-par version of the book continue to go out two weeks after launch. The only problem was, the day I had this “two shall become one” epiphany was exactly one day after I’d created the official pre-order for the second part.

Of course, that put me in major trouble. Because you can’t go back on a pre-order with Amazon. They’re like the mafia. Especially since I already had a handful of people who’d signed up to get part 2. So, I hurriedly put another book in its place. And I figured my problem was solved. The improved book would go out, I’d release my alternate universe novella like I’d planned to do anyway (though it was going to be perma-free, but small price to pay), everything’s fine, right? Wrong.

Turns out, Amazon does not automatically update books with significant changes made to them. Instead, you have to contact them, explain to them what you want to change, preferably with “examples,” so that they can determine whether the changes are enough for the technical team to go through with updating the file for previous customers. And that’s the process I’ve been going through for nearly a week now.

But this morning, I had an epiphany.

What if… I updated the pre-order as the updated version of the whole book? And make the old version into the novella?

It won’t be out until the 31st, but I still think it’d be faster than Amazon dragging their feet about updating the file. Anyone who purchased the first part were waiting for part 2 anyway. And let’s face it, most people aren’t even really aware of what went down with it. I mean, the reviews would be a little confused (and I love all of you for leaving them and I won’t ask anything else of you) but there’s only 11 of them. The novella will tank on Amazon now in place of the old book, but that’s okay. It’s essentially a dummy release, to make up for the erroneous pre-order I created. I’ve got another month’s worth of launch lined up for Halcyon anyway, it would just be a matter of emailing a few people, changing a few links.

Goodreads will be a little wonky, but if I can somehow convince them that it was their fault, it might be alright :p. I don’t know if this will make the Zon go, “what the what?” but I’m hoping the giant will stay asleep while I perform this switcheroo that somehow just occurred to me today. Fingers crossed, people! Updates are still in review at the time of me posting this, but here’s the new link, just for posterity. I gotta get used to using it. Wish me luck! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083ZKL81P

P.S. Update: forgot that I can’t change a book once it’s published so I took the old version down completely. Which is actually better! No more confusion, and I get to put up my novella for free later like a planned. Thanks, Life!

The post Halcyon Part 3: Return of the Jedi appeared first on C. L. Donley Books.