The GPF Book #4 FAQ

Questions

• When's the new book coming out?
• Why did it take so long to come out? It seemed like forever....
• So what's going to be in the book?
• Will there be a special story in this book, like the others?
• Will any of the strips be in color?
• Is it true some strips had to be left out?
• So which strips didn't make the cut?
• How much will the book cost?
• How can I order the book?
• What will the book be called?
• When's the book coming out in my native (non-English) language? When will it be available in my country?
• Why should I spend money on a book when I can always read the strip online?
• Will there be a contest this year, where you gave away some books for free?
• So... when's the next book coming out?

Answers

When's the new book coming out?

It's out now! Why are you waiting to order? ;) [Top]

Why did it take so long to come out? It seemed like forever....

Unfortunately, the production date for this book was repeatedly pushed back, and I've been just as frustrated about it as you have (if not more so). There are lots of factors contributing to this, but the cusp of the matter is that our publisher had been focusing on some "higher priority titles," leaving us in a bit of a holding pattern. However, all the roadblocks eventually cleared up, and the book is finally shipping. [Top]

So what's going to be in the book?

The book compiles the entire fourth year of the comic, which is entirely made up of the massive year-long Surreptitious Machinations story arc. That means all 364 strips--including the Sundays--are inside. We're making the book larger than usual, just to accommodate all the strips and fit the entire story in a single volume.[Top]

Will there be a special story in this book, like the others?

Technically, no. Because of the size of the Surreptitious Machinations story, we're already stretching the limits of what our publisher can put in a single book. That means we won't have many pages left after all the strips are put in. However, I am slipping a special surprise in there that may make up for it, but you'll have to buy the book to find out what it is. ;) [Top]

Will any of the strips be in color?

The book will be printed in Plan Nine's new format, similar to Sluggy Freelance #7. That means we'll also have the ability to print the book in color throughout, and we're hoping to have all the Sundays in color. This may be subject to change, but that's our plan. [Top]

Is it true some strips had to be left out?

Technically, no. The book will include all 364 strips from the Surreptitious Machinations story arc. However, what will be missing will be the 60 or so strips that occur between the end of our third book, And the Geek shall Inherit the Earth, and this one. We have a solution in place to get this strips in print, but that's a topic for a different FAQ. ;) [Top]

So which strips didn't make the cut?

Due to the reasons listed above, the following Year Three stories were cut from the third book and won't be added to this book:

• The Inventor's Gene
• Close Encounters of the Dairy Kind
• GPF Plotline Multiplex!

However, since these stories contain important plot points that eventually lead up to certain events in this book, we'll definitely find a way to get them into a later book. See the previous question. [Top]

How much will the book cost?

The price for this book jumps up to $17.95 USD, not including shipping and handling. The increase is mostly due to the larger than normal size and the full color. This price is the purchase price directly from Plan Nine; I don't know if there will be any variations if you try and purchase the book through other retailers. Of course, we get more money out of the book if you buy it from Plan Nine directly, so guess where we'll send you to get it. :) [Top]

How can I order the book?

All orders can be placed through the Plan Nine web site. They'll be handling all the dirty work, and can ship all over the world. The quickest way to get the book will be to purchase it via credit card, but they'll take checks and PayPal as well. While you're there, buy some of the other great titles they offer!

Technically, you can also order the book through sites such as Amazon.Com, but we won't get as much money out of it, so if you want to support the strip better, buy it from Plan Nine. Since Amazon isn't carrying the book directly, you'll need the ISBN (1-929462-67-0) in order to search for it. The same tactic should work for your local brick-and-mortal store. [Top]

What will the book be called?

The title is General Protection Fault: Surreptitious Machinations. I'm sure you can guess why.[Top]

When's the book coming out in my native (non-English) language? When will it be available in my country?

The book is available in any country that accepts shipping from the United States. Plan Nine USA has already shipped thousands of books all over the world, although the shipping has been a tad expensive.

If all else fails, you can always order the book from Amazon.Com or one of its international affiliates. We can't guarantee that all Amazon affiliates will carry the book world wide, or how much their shipping costs will be. Combine that with the fact that we get more money if you buy it direct, and you're probably better off buying from Plan Nine anyway.

As for translations, we've had an offer or two over the years to translate the books, but they've all fallen through. Thus, the books are only available in U.S. English for the time being. [Top]

Why should I spend money on a book when I can always read the strip online?

Mostly because there may be a time, in the far, distant, dim future when you can't find GPF online. Yes, someday time will catch up with and I'll be gone, or the Internet will transform into something different and incompatible with our format, or aliens from a distant galaxy will wipe out our resources and we'll have no electricity and thus no Web. Either way, a physical, printed copy of GPF will keep the dream alive, where it might pass into oblivion elsewhere. It's also handy to have around, when a 'Net connection isn't available. Want to introduce someone next to you in the doctor's office to GPF, but you can't because your cellular modem on your laptop isn't working? Or you completely forgot your laptop? Show them the book! It's the easy, compact, cost-effective way to get them up-to-speed on the strip without a cable modem. [Top]

Will there be a contest this year, where you gave away some books for free?

Nope. Sorry. [Top]

So... when's the next book coming out?

What, Book 5? Your guess is as good as ours. The materials for Book #5 have been in Plan Nine's hands for several years now, and as far as I know they haven't moved a finger toward getting it in print. Thus, they're the bottleneck, not us. Feel free to grumble and complain to them to your heart's content. [Top]