Bad Tidings From David J. Schow: Daily Journal 2/11/26

Uploading an indie book for paperback or eBook to KDP, Nook, Apple, and Kobo these days is a maddening exercise in how long it will take to suffer an aneurysm. Technology is supposed to make this shit so much easier, and yet it seems like it gets more difficult with each passing update on each of those platforms.

Anyway, the new 20th anniversary edition of TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME is now in the pipeline. It should hit each of those platforms this week, with the exception of Nook, because Nook is terrible. Which is why I think this is one of the best gags ever from Family Guy.

We’re using David Dodd’s cover from the Crossroad Press audiobook version for this new edition.

~

David J. Schow sends tidings of doom and despair this morning, with an email entitled, “THERE’S A STORM COMING! GET READY!”

To whit:

SAG-AFTRA & Studios Kick Off 2026 Contract Talks

Christopher Nolan Says Directors Union Unlikely To Accept 5-Year Deal With AMPTP

WGA West Staff Authorizes Strike

And I will see your hand, David, and raise you:

IDW Reports 12.5% Sales Decline

Dstlry writers and artists aren’t getting paid and face uncertainty as to the publisher’s future

Book sales were down in 2025, and audiobook sales slowed substantially

And add to this the anecdotal evidence that literary convention and horror convention attendance is significantly down for the 2nd half of 2025, and…

Well, David is right. There is a storm coming. It’s a storm we old timers have seen before. Not time to start lashing yourself to the mast, but it may be time to load up your life raft so you can weather the weather.