OOTS Book 5 - Blood Runs in the Family (plus 2015 OOTS Heroes Calendar)

[The Giant]

Hey guys. So if you check out the News post I just made, you can see that the fifth color compilation of OOTS strips, Blood Runs in the Family, is now available for pre-order. Also, the 2015 wall calendar, featuring the heroes of OOTS.

There will also be a special reduced shipping rate for the pre-order; you can find details about that here.

Here's a better look at the covers for each and the sample page for the calendar:






If you have questions, ask them here and I'll try to answer them (and add them back to this post).

• Also, just a note about the reduced shipping cost thing: You need to select the option that says "Preorder Fulfillment" (either U.S. or Intl) in order to get the lowered rate. That represents a bulk shipment that Ookoodook is able to do with the pre-order because they'll know in advance how many packages are being sent at once, with the packages then getting handed off to local post offices from there.

OAQ: Once Asked Questions:

Q: Will there be tracking on the reduced pre-order shipping option?
A: There will be tracking numbers available in case your package gets lost, yes. But they won't be sent out en masse when the orders are mailed; the Ookoodook staff will have a list that they'll be able to look up with the bulk shipping company, and if your package is overdue you'll be able to contact them and they'll contact the shipper about it. But there won't be real-time internet tracking like you might be used to from USPS. For that, you'll have to select one of the more expensive options.

Q: When will books arrive in local game stores?
A: Books should arrive in the first or second week of December. This shouldn't be different for U.S. or international distributors.

Q: Will there be books or calendars still available later if I don't pre-order?
A: The book should be in print from now on, yes. The calendar, not so much. While I'm certainly going to order more than just what is pre-ordered, I got a little burned last by people swearing up and down that they would buy the calendar later in the year just for the art. I ordered a lot more than people pre-ordered, and then sales plummeted to near zero by February. So this year, we're getting maybe 200-300 more than what's pre-ordered and that's it. If it sells out before the end of the year, so be it. (Also, if anyone want's last year's calendar just for the art, it's only $3.00 on clearance!)

Q: How long will the pre-order (and the reduced shipping rates) last?
A: Until the book arrives in the Ookoodook warehouse, probably in the first week of December. We'll announce that the books are on the way as soon as they leave the printer, so watch for a "last call" for pre-orders.

Q: It doesn't look like the reduced shipping prices are much lower than the regular prices.
A: The effect is most pronounced if you're ordering a calendar or multiple books, due to the larger boxes involved. If you're just ordering one book, the difference might be under $1.00, but if you're ordering the book and the calendar together, the difference could easily be $40.00 or more. We suggest experimenting with different combinations of items, and if you know friends who were planning on ordering, pool your order for maximum savings.

[Porthos]

AND a new calendar!!! Was NOT expecting that!

My birthday's come early this year.

[Keltest]

Blast it Giant, youre making it awfully hard to continue being cheap.

[Grey Watcher]

New strip, book announcement, and a new calendar?

It's like I got a second birthday this year!

Also, I am really looking forward to Quoth the Familiar.

Lastly, Roy's cleavage has never looked so great.

[SarahV]

Luckily they take Paypal, since my credit card just got stolen (yes, I'm having one of THOSE Mondays). Consider them both pre-ordered

I'd say something like "it will be just in time for my Chanukah present to myself" but I think that would just be tempting fate with deadlines and whatnot.

[pendell]

Hooray! If I hadn't just blown two months' entertainment budget on a PS2 game I'd order it right now. As it is, I will just have to delay gratification for just a little longer.

Thank you!

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[The Giant]

Also, just a note about the reduced shipping cost thing: You need to select the option that says "Preorder Fulfillment" (either U.S. or Intl) in order to get the lowered rate. That represents a bulk shipment that Ookoodook is able to do with the pre-order because they'll know in advance how many packages are being sent at once, with the packages then getting handed off to local post offices from there.

[MurkyMajare]

Yay, new book, new calendar and a new comic... this is a good day.


Curious though... how fast is the "Intl Preorder Fulfillment 1" shipping option?
Could not for the life of me find it over at Oki.

[CoffeeIncluded]

You'll have enough books available if I don't pre-order now, right? Applications and stuff have left me a bit short on cash.

[Cizak]

I've been looking forward to this one for so long. Thanks, Giant!

Do you have any sort of guess for when my local game store (overseas) might be carrying the book?

[The Giant]

Yay, new book, new calendar and a new comic... this is a good day.


Curious though... how fast is the "Intl Preorder Fulfillment 1" shipping option?
Could not for the life of me find it over at Oki.

No idea. Not super-fast, I'd imagine, but then again, this is a pre-order: the book won't be coming out until the first week of December anyway. I'll ask Kevin from Ookoodook what he thinks the speed will be and get back to you.

You'll have enough books available if I don't pre-order now, right? Applications and stuff have left me a bit short on cash.

The book should be in print from now on, yes.

The calendar, not so much. While I'm certainly going to order more than just what is pre-ordered, I got a little burned last by people swearing up and down that they would buy the calendar later in the year just for the art. I ordered a lot more than people pre-ordered, and then sales plummeted to near zero by February. So this year, we're getting maybe 200-300 more than what's pre-ordered and that's it. If it sells out before the end of the year, so be it. (Also, if anyone want's last year's calendar just for the art, it's only $3.00 on clearance!)

[The Giant]

Do you have any sort of guess for when my local game store might be carrying the book?

Local game stores should get the book the first week in December, second week at the latest (depending on the store and when they order). They won't be getting the calendar at all, that's Ookoodok-only.

[YohanLeafheart]

Quick question about international shipping, do you know if the preorder fulfillment will have tracking? I really do not want to risk having the book lost in the mail.

[The Giant]

Quick question about international shipping, do you know if the preorder fulfillment will have tracking? I really do not want to risk having the book lost in the mail.

Don't know. I will ask.

[Cizak]

Local game stores should get the book the first week in December, second week at the latest (depending on the store and when they order). They won't be getting the calendar at all, that's Ookoodok-only.

I edited my first post just a little bit too late; does that include game stores overseas?

[SaintRidley]

Well, consider them pre-ordered. This is looking nice. Especially the calendar.

[The Giant]

I edited my first post just a little bit too late; does that include game stores overseas?

To my knowledge, distribution is the same speed everywhere, since the distribution companies have warehouses all over. So, if your local game store is planning on ordering it, it should be on the shelves at the same time as here in the US.

[Cizak]

To my knowledge, distribution is the same speed everywhere, since the distribution companies have warehouses all over. So, if your local game store is planning on ordering it, it should be on the shelves at the same time as here in the US.

That's awesome! Thanks!

[The Giant]

Quick question about international shipping, do you know if the preorder fulfillment will have tracking? I really do not want to risk having the book lost in the mail.

OK I have an answer on this:

There will be tracking numbers available in case your package gets lost, yes. But they won't be sent out en masse when the orders are mailed; the Ookoodook staff will have a list that they'll be able to look up with the bulk shipping company, and if your package is overdue you'll be able to contact them and they'll contact the shipper about it. But there won't be real-time internet tracking like you might be used to from USPS. For that, you'll have to select one of the more expensive options.

[LuPuWei]

- title! (ie, I like the title [and also remember a thread talking about what it might be])

[apegamer]

OK I have an answer on this:

There will be tracking numbers available in case your package gets lost, yes. But they won't be sent out en masse when the orders are mailed; the Ookoodook staff will have a list that they'll be able to look up with the bulk shipping company, and if your package is overdue you'll be able to contact them and they'll contact the shipper about it. But there won't be real-time internet tracking like you might be used to from USPS. For that, you'll have to select one of the more expensive options.

Right! I'll try to monitor this forum for shipping questions and answer them as soon as I can.

[grouchybeast]

Do you know of any places in the UK that will be stocking Blood Runs in the Family, please? International shipping is getting so expensive :-(

[neothoron]

They both look great. Pre-ordered.

However, I would like to ask - how long will it take for Intl Preorder Fulfillment 2 to arrive? I am asking because I will be going on vacation on December 19th for 4 weeks, and I am worried that the package could be sent back without me being able to collect it.

[Crusher]

Now *this* is a good way to start the week.

[The Giant]

Do you know of any places in the UK that will be stocking Blood Runs in the Family, please? International shipping is getting so expensive :-(

We don't really have a means of keeping a list of stores that stock it, sorry. We only sell to distributors, and then those distributors sell to individual stores. But if you've ever bought an OOTS book at a store before, they're likely to have this one, too.

[Ghost Nappa]

I'm a bit curious to see how the Calendars will work, because the 2014 one is based on the book releases.

The March Panel we've seen just seems to be a stand-alone shot. I'm really curious if there's going to be a connection between the panels or if it's going to be The Order doing heroic and adventuring things.


Edit: Regardless, I'm sold. My order (ha) is already in. I'm psyched!

[ChristianSt]

Do you know of any places in the UK that will be stocking Blood Runs in the Family, please? International shipping is getting so expensive :-(

Best way is probably to ask your FLGS whether they can/will order them.

[YohanLeafheart]

OK I have an answer on this:

There will be tracking numbers available in case your package gets lost, yes. But they won't be sent out en masse when the orders are mailed; the Ookoodook staff will have a list that they'll be able to look up with the bulk shipping company, and if your package is overdue you'll be able to contact them and they'll contact the shipper about it. But there won't be real-time internet tracking like you might be used to from USPS. For that, you'll have to select one of the more expensive options.

Fair enough. That should do it. Another quick question, up until when can we preorder it?

[The Giant]

Fair enough. That should do it. Another quick question, up until when can we preorder it?

The pre-order will last until the book arrives in the warehouse. And there will probably be announcements from us that the book has left the printer, so there will be a "Last Call" for the pre-order shipping.

Also, based on a Twitter conversation: The reduced rates seem to be much more favorable if you're getting a book and a calendar, because the bulk shipping is most effective with the larger boxes. It won't be less cash than if you just get a book, but it will be dramatically less than if you wait and order it after the pre-order. I just checked the rates to New Zealand on a book and a calendar: $31.45 now, $77.50 once the pre-order ends. Which is robbery on the part of USPS, and also why Ookoodook went through the trouble to set up the pre-order bulk shipment. Just getting the book, though, doesn't see as strong increase: $24.35 to up 24.50.

[apegamer]

Just getting the book, though, doesn't see as strong increase: $24.35 to up 24.50.

Even though a single book won't save you much money going through fulfillment, we will package the book in a much better kraft cardboard envelope than the standard USPS Priority envelope.