Things have been busy in Bookland. I spent most of yesterday figuring out what boxes to buy, considering how I'll hang the prints for next week's launch event, and stocking up on packing tape. Self-publishing means I get to think about things like collecting sales tax and working with a border broker, things I didn't think about when I sat down to design "THE OBSERVER'S GUIDE TO JAPANESE VENDING MACHINES" all those months ago. Now I can finally say that packing material is in, the prints are framed, and a few hours ago a Quebecois trucker wheeled a pallet of boxes off his rig: the book is finally here.
That means I can also finally share details about its release, so here's the rundown.
"THE OBSERVER'S GUIDE TO JAPANESE VENDING MACHINES" will be available in two editions. There's the standard, book-only edition, and then there's the Special Edition, which is really less of an edition and more of a bundle. The Special Edition includes a limited-edition 6 x 9" photo print — there are two photos to choose from, both printed on very nice glossy art paper by the fine folks at LeZot Camera in Burlington — and a tote bag featuring the vending machine illustration from the back cover. There will be 900 "standard" books for sale and 100 Special Edition books (the book itself will be the same in either case).
There's a story behind the tote bag and I'll try to give you the short version. I've got a navy blue tote bag that I've owned for more than seven years. It's wide and deep and it has multiple straps so you can carry it at your side, throw it up on a shoulder, or wear it cross-body. I use it nearly every day and I travel with it all the time. When I was wandering around Tokyo taking pictures of vending machines, this is the bag I carried my camera in alongside water and layers and onigiri from Family Mart. For me it's the perfect sidekick tote, and after seven years of heavy use there's still not a frayed stitch on the thing thanks to its heavy 18 oz canvas construction.
A few months ago I tracked down the company that made it, modified the design slightly, and had them make some to go with the book. We made 200; half of them will go with the Special Edition books and half will be for sale separately. I can't stress enough that this is not your standard fare flimsy merch tote; it's a quality carrier that'll long outlast whatever The New Yorker is offering for free when you sign up for a new subscription.
Here's the pricing breakdown:
Book only — $70
Special Edition (book, tote, print) — $150
Tote only — $38
As promised, newsletter subscribers will have the first opportunity to buy a copy next Thursday November 7 via a link that I'll send here, so keep an eye on your inbox.
If you're in Vermont and plan to come to the launch event at Karma Bird House in Burlington from 6 to 9 PM (also on Thursday November 7) I'll also be selling books and tote bags there. Come on out and have a drink with us and look at photos of vending machines!
If you're in Vermont and can't make it (bummer!), the online shop will be set up for local pickup so you can still save on shipping.
On Friday November 8, the shop will open up to everyone else.
In the days and weeks to follow I'll be sharing the project on social media and I have some fun press coverage lined up, which is to say that I have no idea whether or when things will sell out. If you're planning to buy a copy for yourself or someone else I think general advice for living applies — earlier is always better than later. (Especially if you want a tote.)
Thank you in advance for supporting this project!
