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Ron

Administrator

Member Rara Avis

since 1999-05-19

Posts 8669
Michigan, US

0 posted 2003-12-03 01:25 PM

But not, unfortunately, Merry Christmas.

I got the proofs for the book yesterday. Hard to believe, but it took FedEx 6 days to deliver a supposedly "overnight" package. According to their tracking system, the first time they tried to deliver the package their driver marked it as a "bad address." Living out in the sticks sucks when people can't find you. They returned on Monday, but I wasn't home to sign for it. They stuck a thingy on my door, I signed it and stuck it back on the door, and the proofs were FINALLY waiting for me when I got home from class last night.

Had the proofs arrived as scheduled, and had I overnighted them back the next day, our books would have shipped from the printers on December 23. Seems when I applied pressure to get them out before Christmas, they took me a little too literally? That obviously would not have been "enough" before Christmas to really matter to those who wanted to give books as gifts. I'm a little annoyed with FedEx, but the deficiencies in their system won't really matter, I guess.

The proofs look really good. Daunting, but good. The paper used isn't the same quality as will be in the book, but even with thinner paper, the book is REALLY THICK. Take our previous first two books, put them together, and they should just about equal Reflections. I already knew that, of course, but seeing it is different from knowing. It's going to be impressive, I think.

I do have to make some changes in the proofs, which is inevitably going to mean another delay. One of the authors has requested that his poem be removed, and accommodating his demand is going to mean resequencing some pages. When this happened with Visions, because of a copyright infringement, it meant virtually rebuilding the whole book, but I think I can shuffle this one a bit more efficiently. By moving an end poem into the place where his poem would have been, all the intermediate pages can remain numbered as they were. Essentially, it will mean the printer has to reshoot just two plates, rather than the whole book. Cheaper. Faster. And a whole lot easier. Still, it's going to mean a delay of at least three to five days.

Bottom line?

The books should be shipped to me sometime the first full week in January, say around the sixth or seventh. I've already hired a couple of local teens to help with the packaging and shipping to you. I'm hoping the books going to U.S. addresses will go out the same day the books hit my door, maybe the next should they arrive in the afternoon. Books going outside the U.S. will take just a little longer (I hate customs), because I'm not comfortable trusting others with the paperwork where one mistake can delay delivery a month or more.

As we get a little closer, probably in a week or two, I'll be emailing everyone and asking them to confirm their shipping address. Some, I know have moved. Please watch for the email, and please respond as quickly as you can. I'd like to have all the labels printed and ready when the books get here. I'll post in the forums, here, when you can start looking for those email confirmations.

We're getting close now.

Trillium

Member Patricius

since 2001-03-09

Posts 12098
Idaho, USA

1 posted 2003-12-03 01:47 PM

Ron: Good news! I'm sure everyone is anxious to have book in hand, but understand the mountain of work involved to get that done. You have a lot on your shoulders! Thanks for the message and will watch for the address confirmation via e-mail.

Betty Lou Hebert

Betty Lou Hebert

Poet deVine

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-26

Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

2 posted 2003-12-03 02:16 PM

Sounds like it's a go!! I'm praying to the Gods that you have good weather in January so nothing delays this!!! I'm really excited about getting the book and doubly excited to know it's so big!!

Thanks for all you've done for us Ron. You are an amazing man.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean

since 2001-08-14

Posts 35113
Canada eh.

3 posted 2003-12-03 02:27 PM

Thanks for the info Ron.
I know a lot of people have been anxiously waiting.
What book cover did you decide to go with?
I know...you're a busy man, I'll be patient.
Thanks for all your time and hard work!

skyshine

Member Elite

since 2002-02-07

Posts 3058
Beneath the northern stars

4 posted 2003-12-03 02:31 PM

That's awesome news! It made my day, it really did! I'm sooo happy to hear this and thanks for the smile.

~sky

Dreams last for so long, even after you're gone...
~Jewel

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-09-23

Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown

5 posted 2003-12-03 06:09 PM

Thank you Ron for letting us know. I will be looking for the book.

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

6 posted 2003-12-03 07:18 PM

When I was little I remember hearing "Christmas comes but once a year."
thanks for making it a double header, as I think everyone who would have received in December will be happy to get another gift in January.
LOL, people used to tell me when I lived in the Interior of Alaska that I was in the sticks, yet I received an overnight FedEx package from San Diego, CA once within two days!
Thanks Ron, but make sure you get some free time to enjoy yourself, and one bonus? Less likely anything will get lost in the holiday crunch!
Happy New Year to you!

Titia Geertman
Member Ascendant

since 2001-05-07

Posts 5182
Netherlands

7 posted 2003-12-03 08:57 PM

A Happy New Year it will be Ron. Now don't overwork yourself, take time off to celebrate the holidays. That's an order!
I'll just wait till the postman knocks on my door (and truly, he sometimes has to knock twice LOL).

Titia

Like scattered leaves...my words will flow

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

8 posted 2003-12-03 10:39 PM

... Yeah - You'll be able to start the new year with a smile...

Mysteria

Member Laureate

since 2001-03-07

Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada

9 posted 2003-12-04 12:48 PM

Thanks Ron, and thank goodness for those teens too

I am glad you have some hands helping you. Living up here and shopping down there, I know all about Fedex, grr. So, now you have time to play in all that snow down there right?

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

10 posted 2003-12-04 01:03 AM

Ron, thank you for all that you do, and for exceeding the limits and all your good intentions. I really do appreciate you having me here. This is wonderful news to be sure, of course I can only speak for myself, but I wasn't even biding my time, not for a second! Hey, maybe I'm learning patience after all.

Happy Holidays to you~

Bec
Member

since 2001-02-23

Posts 475
Canberra

11 posted 2003-12-04 03:17 AM

Ron, you are a truly amazing man. Hope all goes to plan.

B

"I'm not crazy I'm just a little unwell"~ Matchbox 20

jjote
Senior Member

since 2002-12-25

Posts 1088
Ontario, Canada

12 posted 2003-12-04 06:00 AM

Whew! I can just imagine all that work - let me add my smile of appreciation to what you've been doing. (Although I wonder when that book would arrive here in my farout country - Asia).

garysgirl

Member Laureate

since 2002-09-29

Posts 19237
Florida, USA

13 posted 2003-12-04 06:55 AM

Ron, I can almost hear your "WHEW!!" all the way down here in Florida. LOL I know when the last books are sent out from your place will be a very big relief to you!

Thanks again for all you do for us, Ron. I know that I appreciate it, and I'm sure the others do, too.

Now, relax a little and have some restful holidays.
Hugs to you,

Ethel

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

14 posted 2003-12-04 09:50 AM

Oh, goodie! *rubbing hands in anticipation*

I needed something to look forward to... thank you, Ron! *S*

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

15 posted 2003-12-12 01:54 PM

Yea! Yea! Yea!

Alicat
Member Elite

since 1999-05-23

Posts 4094
Coastal Texas

16 posted 2003-12-12 02:15 PM

Very good news oh Passionate Wizard! I learned long ago just to trust the man, for he is as ethically and morally grounded as my own father, whom I happen to hold in the deepest respect. Voices had a lot of people pacing backwards and forwards, wearing tracks in the flooring, but when it came, you could hear the exultations and praise, and one important word was learned: soon. So with Visions, I did all I had to do, then promptly forgot about it knowing the Wizard living in an oddly named place would pull through. Again, exultaions echoes across the globe when that one came. So I'll sit here, blissfully ignorant (i.e. not wearing holes in the flooring) until an email, then later a package arrives. Keep your ears open, and you'll hear what I've heard.

Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius

since 2000-10-09

Posts 13989

17 posted 2003-12-12 03:25 PM

Thank you oh mighty Wiz. I know they will be worth the wait.
Im exited!!!

Charisma

Member Ascendant

since 2000-09-30

Posts 5906
lost in blue pages

18 posted 2003-12-12 04:35 PM

thats great news....

Kellie_Cantrell
Senior Member

since 2002-05-22

Posts 1667
New York

19 posted 2003-12-13 12:06 PM

AWESOME! I am sending my money this week!

Love,
xXx~*KELLIE*~xXx
Graduation : January 29th 2004

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

20 posted 2003-12-16 01:51 PM

Ron? I thought you'd like to see that they aren't just picking on you.

From Rod McKuen's Flight Plan

quote:
RUSTING IN THE RAIN UPDATE

Here is the latest on when The Store at stanyanhouse.com expects to have copies of “Rusting in the Rain, New & Selected Poems.” While we had hoped it would be published in time for Christmas giving, the 175-page book is now scheduled to come out in mid-January. Later in the week you can check with stanyanhouse.com for information on advance orders.

http://www.mckuen.com/flights/flight.htm
[Emphasis added]

Seems like even the well-known names sit and wait on others as well.

catalinamoon

Member Rara Avis

since 2000-06-03

Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone

21 posted 2003-12-18 11:03 PM

Ron, thanks for that update. I will be so happy to get these books! And Sunshine..now you made me have to go and wait for another book, I can't let one of Rods get by..

Happy Christmas to All.
Sandra

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

22 posted 2003-12-28 01:20 PM

My faith regarding this book,  and the man
behind it has never waned.  Patience is
a virtue needed at times.  And this is one
of them.

I look forward to when my own arrives,  and
I shall be around for the next.

Thanx Ron...

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

23 posted 2003-12-28 01:26 PM

Thank you Ron...
Toasting your fortitude!

All good things take time.

TD

LngJhnAg
Member Elite

since 1999-07-23

Posts 3508
Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion

24 posted 2003-12-31 10:46 AM

Ron - Since somebody took one of their poems out, I was wondering if I could slide another one of mine IN! heh - just kidding. Thanks for the great update, and for going through all the frustration of getting us published again.

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

25 posted 2003-12-31 12:55 PM

Thank you Ron. Trusting the events. I was wondering ... whenever it will be, it will be a very precious moment!
Love and Happy New Year.
Margherita

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

26 posted 2003-12-31 01:02 PM

indeed, a precious moment

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

27 posted 2003-12-31 03:03 PM

I can't think of too many New Year's gifts I'd enjoy as much as receiving THE BOOK.
Well, one or two maybe.

Hope they will arrive here before I leave mid February, but if not? Another address change will be sent to you for the gypsy's book order. Yep, my feet are packing up soon.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

28 posted 2009-07-17 08:11 PM

Smiling here...

Just had a question from a member regarding copyright issues and all, and ran into this wonderul moment from so many years ago...

Which, at one time, seemed like only yesterday...

well, ok, it still does.

My three copies of our Passion in Poetry books sit proudly on my shelves, when not being used as material in class projects at the library and at times I'm still surprised when I see my name among those of my favorite, contemporary, both living and past, poets.

Sometimes, Ron, it's just hard to see some of the names we all came to love, and know that they are for the time being, absent on the plane we currently abide in.

But then again it is just this type of time when the muse will come back and tickle us again...and make us want to write so well that even the angels among us will smile.

Another nod, and yet another thanks, Ron, for all you've brought to the world, this community; the change in so many lives, the new beginnings some are only beginning to know.

Poetry, Prose, and Mindful Discussion...lives on!

Your other Sunshine...

" It matters not this distance now " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love
~*~
KRJ

sandgrain
Member Elite

since 1999-09-21

Posts 3662
Sycamore, IL, USA

29 posted 2009-07-18 08:35 PM

Seeing this prompts me to ask if there are any unsold books available. If so, I'd like to order 4 copies.

Thanks,
Rae

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

30 posted 2009-07-19 10:19 PM

My goodness! It's hard to believe that nearly 6 years have passed! Well, as the saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun!" ~ and having fun at pip is what I have been having!

Thanks again, Ron!

Linda

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