Just a quick post to inform everyone on how the shipping is going to work. All of this will be spelled out on the preorders pages this week, but I wanted to give you a heads up.

I got the book boxes this week and went to the Post Office and weighed and measured it all. Luckily the package comes in just under a pound, so I can use nice flat rates. Here we go:

Economy Shipping – USPS Media Mail

If you are trying to keep costs as low as possible and you are not in a rush to get the package, the this is your best choice. Media Mail can be shipped anywhere in the continental U.S. for $2.50. How long it takes to get there depends on how far away you live from Chicago. The closer you are, the sooner it will be there. Anywhere from a couple days to up to 2 weeks says the USPS.

USPS Priority Mail

Anywhere in the continental U.S – $4.95 gets you the book in 2-3 days, no matter where you are.

Canada

Canadian orders will be shipped via 1st Class Mail for a cost of $5.00 – anywhere in Canada.

International Orders

Just about anywhere in Europe should be $10.75 via 1st Class Mail. I assume that these orders will take awhile to arrive, probably a couple weeks.

If you don’t fit under any of those categories and you still think you want a book, contact Tom and we can figure something out.

Paying for Your Order

I will be using a PayPal checkout process, of course you do NOT need to have a PayPal account. You can pay with any credit or debit card. I’m happy to accept personal checks for preorder HOWEVER – your check MUST clear before the preorder end date (which will be 2 weeks) in order for me to place your order. So if you pay that way, you better get in on the first day and get a check out to me. Again, contact Tom if you want to pay that way for my address.

If your check doesn’t clear, you’ll have to hope there’s enough extra books to fill your order. If there isn’t, I’ll refund your money.

Don’t forget for those of you who don’t want to purchase the printed version, a digital download will be available after book delivery.

We are pleased to announce that in addition to the print version of our first book, Marooned: Out of Orbit will also be available as a digital download:

So you want to get Out of Orbit but you can’t afford it – or you’re not in the U.S. and you fear the shipping will be too much? Never fear! A digital download of the complete book is on its way!

However, there will be a few caveats. Here’s the deal:

• The digital version will only be available after the printed versions are shipped out. People who buy the printed book get preferential treatment
• The price will be roughly half of the printed version. We have not decided on the actual price yet, but we will let you know.
• Most importantly, there will NOT be any digital rights management on the book. It will be a simple, unprotected PDF. This means we’re putting our trust in you to buy it, but not share it with others. We think most people are pretty cool and if you are really a supporter of Marooned and WishTales, then you will not break that trust. You’ll even be able to print out your own copy if you so desire. All we ask is that you do not print copies out for other people.

That’s it. We hope this will allow more people to enjoy the book. We know not everyone was going to be able to buy the printed version and we hope this will be a good compromise for all of us, and will allow more people to support the comic.

So in light of that, when will it be available? Assuming preorder goes to plan and we get the books in something like the second week of December to ship out, then we hope the digital download will be ready the week of Christmas. It would be nice for you to get it so you can read it on your Christmas holiday right?

More information when preorder begins.

Wishtales is pleased to announce the publication of our first book. Out of Orbit by Tom Dell’Aringa chronicles the first year of his popular Sci-Fi/Humor comic strip. The book will collect the first 100 strips from the first year, in addition to having two bonus short stories. Payload by Wishtales own Steve Ogden is a six page Marooned story detailing how Lian Fisher came to Mars. Green by Tom Dell’Aringa is a six page story of hope.

In addition the book has lots of other goodies, such as an artists gallery of Marooned illustrations by some amazing artists as well as development strips and artwork.

Find out more about Out of Orbit and get ready to preorder yours in mid-November!