Goal: deliver books. Book variants include:
Things I Touch And Package For Shipping
* special editions, always signed (for sponsors, Patronizers, and Kickstarter backers who paid for them) * hardcovers * paperbacks
Additionally, any offered bundles like “The Full Michael,” “all the tech books,” or “all the fiction” must be signed and shipped.
Things I Don't Touch
These are ordered via IngramSpark spreadsheet.
* dropship paperbacks * dropship hardcovers
How Many Books to Order?
Copy the fulfillment spreadsheet from the last book into the current fulfillment dropbox folder. Name it after the current book.
Erase all entries from this spreadsheet.
Fill out numbers of:
* Patronizers who get print (special edition if exists, hardcover if not) * KS backers get special edition * KS backers who get signed hardcover * KS backers who get signed paperbacks * KS “extra hardcover” backers * KS “extra paperback” backers * KS Full Michael print backers * KS “all the fiction” print backers * KS “all the tech” print backers
Not all cells will be filled out.
The spreadsheet will populate the number of each title needed.
For backlist titles, MWL needs to check his inventory and see how many of everything he has on hand. The spreadsheet will subtract inventory from needs, giving quantities of backlist titles to order.
Once quantities are known, verify quantities of shipping labels, envelopes, and USPS large flat rate boxes. If you verify quantities this right after the KS closes, when you fill out the book quantities spreadsheet, you'll have plenty of time for delivery and won't panic on Shipping Day because you ran out of address labels. AGAIN.
Hand Shipping Supplies
We need tape, books, mailing labels, envelopes, and tape.
Tape
MWL bought he had tape gun tape, forgot he had said tape, and purchased tape gun tape in bulk so he could “be done with this problem” not once, not twice, but three times. TWP has sufficient tape gun tape. Do not purchase more goddamn tape gun tape under any circumstances.
Ordering Books
Cash flow permitting, order books for signing as soon as the kickstarter closes. Use the fulfillment spreadsheet to get numbers needed. Use the cheapest tracked shipping.
Address Labels
Every domestic signed package needs one address label. International signed books need three address labels.
Be sure we have twice as many address labels as we have print backers.
Envelopes
Domestic books use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes. International books use 6×9 padded poly mailers. Each can hold 2 books.
All the tech books, cross-unix mastery, and all the fiction each use a large square USPS flat rate box. TFM uses two of those.
Make sure we have enough of everything!