Any update on the new book?

[Hlie]

Just curious when will it be released?

[Mark in Vancouver]

The book is currently at the press, and is scheduled for November release. It's hard to be more precise than that because there are shipping and receiving delays and so on. On Amazon I'm listed as the author, but on the book, Martin and I are listed as "Managing Editors" and the others here who helped out are listed as "Contributing Editors."

After waiting three years for this puppy to come out, giving it another month seems doable.

[Hlie]

cool. Been waiting for quite some time now

[Martin Thoene]

Yeah....try writing a book and waiting this long....talk about frustrating.

I confidently predict you will consider it worth the wait.

Martin.

[cybermeez]

You know what, it's getting uncomfortably close to 4 years!

I had been going through some old Word docs and found my first notes and drafts for the book. The notes began in March and drafts in early May of 2004. And we'd been kicking the idea around for a month or two before even putting finger to keyboard. Jeez!

[Mark in Vancouver]

Like a fine wine... Worth the wait, I'm told.

[Hlie]

Already pre-ordered it at Amazon. Can't wait

I'm sure it'll be the Loach Bible for aquarists

[Rocco]

I'll be getting me this book too, as soon as it comes out

[Mark in Vancouver]

Mike Ophir and Barbara McEntee both have reasons for not being on this forum very much at the moment. Shari, Robin, Jim, Martin and I have the luxury of occasional spare time and casual access to high-speed.

3 (4?) years back a good account of loaches in a printed book seemed like a dream. Loaches earn various inclusions in typically crappy aquarium books so it seemed like common sense that we should create a standard text.

So many other people were involved in the project it's crazy. But it's proof that wingnuts such as this group can create something out of something.

I really hope all the visitors to this forum can enjoy not only the information and ideas exchanged here, but also this forum's most lasting souvenir. And it's a pretty cool book, too.

Online book launch party coming soon. It's probably a good idea to book November off work so you can take part if and when it happens!

[chefkeith]

I want an autographed copy. When and where will the book tour take place?

[mvigor]

Could we get a direct Amazon link please?

[shari2]

Here you go:
Loaches: Natural History and Aquarium Care

So far as I know there is not a big push for book signings or other fun marketing-type stuff happening.

[Marcos Mataratzis]

Mine is reserved and Amazon sent me this:

Shipping estimate for these items: November 30, 2007
Delivery estimate: December 20, 2007 - January 14, 2008

[mvigor]

Thank you! It's on the top of my Christmas wish list!

[Mark in Vancouver]

Good advice that will help:

If you order the book from your local independent bookstore, or your local fish shop, it gets many more of the books into the system. Many stores will order an extra copy for their own shelves if a customer shows interest. The demand, spread out, puts pressure on the distributors to keep stock, and this makes it more exposed to the people who buy books for bookstores and fish shops.

Not that I have any inside knowledge or personal interest in the book's exposure...