Ryan McFarland

Despite the fact that the “Instructables Book Contest” that will be produced by O’Reilly (”The Best of Instructables Volume I” on Amazon.) is not yet closed it looks like one of my projects has been picked as a potential for the book.

Here’s the email I received:

I’m part of the editorial team working on The Best of Instructables book, a joint effort between MAKE and Instructables. We’re interested in using your “Wallet-made-from-a-computer-keyboard” project. Can we have your permission? If you are interested, please reply with your name, mailing address, email address, and the name you’d like to appear in the book. I will send you a Permissions Form to review, sign, and return…

We’re still in the process of sifting through projects and getting the right mix for the book. It’s possible that, even after seeking permissions on projects, a few won’t make it into the final cut. If that happens, you still get a credit in the book and a free contributor’s copy.

We’re very excited about this project and hope you’ll consider being a part of it.

My direct email is: [redacted]

Many thanks,

Terry Bronson
For Make: Books and The Best of Instructables

Here is some information from a sale i had on Amazon.  The book was “Living a Life That Is Blessed - Devotional Studies From the Life of Abraham” and the initial purchase was made on January 23rd.

Buyer @ 2/20 8:13 PM: “I have not received this order on time and would like to cancel it. Please do so and do not ship this book to me. Thanks”

Me @ 2/20 8:32 PM “I’m sorry Pam.  I shipped the book out immediately after you ordered it.  Please give it a few more days and when it arrives feel free to inspect the postmark. Thank you”

Me @ 2/20 8:36 PM “I just looked and you’re right - that has been a long time.  You ordered it on the 23rd.  If you wouldn’t mind just giving it a few more days I will refund your money (although I will still be out the merchandise with no way to recover it) if it does not arrive.  Would you be willing to wait another week?  Thank you.”

Pam @ 2/21 4:53 AM “Sorry but I do not want this order at this late date.”

Pam @ 2/21 11:17 AM “Ok-the book came and I will keep it. Thanks.”

I’m almost certain that 90% of the time a buyer has emailed me about a book not arriving that it arrives the very next day.  I wonder what she would have done if i had returned Pam’s money in the 5 hours between her insisting she wanted a refund and when she emailed me to say she had received it.  Since it is a Christian book it is nice to think that “living a life that is blessed” might include paying for things you receive.  Apparently a blessed life does not include compassion.  Then again, perhaps the compassion will come after reading the book.