Summoned Once More To The Land ...

[Metal-Demon]

An interesting story I'd like to share with you.

Like most of you, I had been eagerly waiting for the release of "Runes of the Earth" when it was first announced ... and it's been an achingly long, and oft-times, intolerable wait.

So I start checking local book stores on the release date, hoping to pick up a copy. Nothing. (Our books stores aren't that good here ... )

Days pass ... I check again. Still nothing. I ask at the local Chapters to save a copy when the next shipment comes in. I get told by the clerk that they don't presently have any on order. What?? I then inquire why they see fit to carry all of SRD's other books, yet the book people have been waiting decades for isn't being ordered?? They gave me several excuses that made no real sense to me as either a consumer or a book lover, so I walked out, thoroughly disgusted.

A few more days pass ... I figure I'll have to order it through the Internet (which, I admit - I'm not fond of doing unless I absolutely have to), but I had to wait until payday.

Again ... the days pass. My girlfriend (a huge bibliophile) and I go shopping, and purely by chance end up at a little independant bookstore before heading home. When I had looked before, this shop didn't have any copies either - they had sold out of the initial shipment, so I didn't bother checking the shelves again for the elusive "Runes ... ". So I'm thumbing thru a book in the History section while my girlfriend tends to her Book List.

Next thing I know, there's my girlfriend standing with her hands behind her back, and a huge smile on her face. "You're never gonna believe what I just found."

"Are you telling me they have a copy?", I asked.

"Yup. It's the only copy. But that's not all ... it's a signed edition.", she replies.

Well, we she put the signed book in my trembling hands, I damn near fell on the floor ...

Now, I need to point out that in all my years as a book-lover, I have never, EVER owned a signed copy of a book ... not to mention one by my favourite author of all-time. This was an extremely profound moment for the ol' Metal-Demon!

We asked at the cash register just how this special book made it's way onto the shelves, when just a few days before I was told they had none left. The lady explained that it just showed up on it's own with a different book order the day before, due to a shortage in the original shipment. (They ordered 5 and only recieved 4 ...)

It was Fate ... I was destined to own this special book, there's no doubt in my mind.

Needless to say, I left the store with that SRD-siogned copy of "Runes ..." and almost in tears I was so happy.

And that's how I was summoned once more to The Land.

[Loredoctor]

Well done, MD!! Excellent to hear!

I went shopping for the book a few days ago - all the copies were sold out, and I managed to pick it up later in a least-expected place.

[dlbpharmd]

Cool story, Metal Demon!

[Metal-Demon]

You know, it's funny ... now I'm scared to pick the book up in case I wreck the thing in some way!

[The Leper Fairy]

As long as you're not turning the pages with sterilized tweezers you're alright.

[Metal-Demon]

Damn ... I never thought of that!!

Just kidding ... I'd never get that crazy. Then again, one should never say never!

[matrixman]

My story is similar to yours, Metal-Demon. The Coles/Chapters I went to were basically clueless about Runes...all the while McNally Robinson (an independent Manitoban book chain) not only had copies, but signed copies. I can't be too harsh on Chapters, though, because one of their stores did at least have all the Gap books available.

[Metal-Demon]

Cool! Glad to hear you got a signed edition!

There's a McNally Robinson store in Saskatoon too ... I love that place and believe it destroys Chapters in every way imaginable!

The Chapters here in Regina is run by a bunch of "Oprah Book Club-loving" wankers ... I can't even begin to tell you what a travesty their customer service is ...

If you are ever in Regina, check out an independant store called "The Book And Briar" ... there such great people there, and even though they have to compete with Chapters and it's ilk, they run a pretty great little store! Their store slogan is: "We'll Sell You The Entire Book ... (Not Just A Chapter)".

[drew]

Right now at chapters in Halifax, they have Runes, The new 1st chrons, and one book from the Gap.
I've had to buy all of my SRD books (except runes) second hand-used bookstore/flea markets, that kind of thing. So unfortunatly, I've only read a limited number of his books...just the TC books, DOR and the Real Story.

So how come they had EVERY eddings books ever written, as well as an entire shelf dedicated to terry brooks??!

[Loredoctor]

Because, unfortunately, Eddings and Brooks sell more. Anyway, almost every book store in Brisbane has SRD's books.

[The Dark Overlord]

What did SRD do? Just go to the factory and sign some of the books before they were shipped out? I mean to be on just regular retail shelves? And I want one!

[Cheval]

I'm jealous...
I have only one signed copy (to me) of a book and it's from a local si-fi author.