i haven't felt so alive in years
Yesterday, (well, today, actually. I'm composing this at 8:16pm on Monday, while Anne and Ryan assemble a desk, because I won't have time tomorrow to write this up) while I was digging a hole in my yard, I thought to myself, Man, there's been a big build up to this. People are expecting a major announcement, and there's no way it will live up to expectations.
One of these years, I'll find some way to not be so goddamn insecure. It's in my nature. Just part of being a nerd, I guess.
So, without (much) further ado . . .
The Epic Announcement!
brought to you by Slurm
There's been a lot of speculation about the epic announcement. Ideas have included:
- Anne and I are hatching a kidlet of our own.
- Several different variations on the "Wil's gonna be back on Star Trek" theme.
- I'm doing a voice over for a television show, like The Simpsons.
- I'm doing a voice over for a Pixar Movie
- I discovered a bunker in my backyard, and it's filled with a thousand cases of Guinness.
There were some who thought it was acting related, and a few who thought it was literary related.
If you were one of the very few in that last group, you totally win a pizza and a trophy, because . . .
I have totally signed a three book deal with a major publisher. O'Reilly & Associates, to be precise.
Okay, I'm totally trying to play it all cool, but . . .
HOLY MOTHER OF CRAP!! WOOOO!!!!!! ROCK!
YEAH!!! KICK ASS BABY!!! UNGH!!! UNGH!!!
*pant*
*pant*
Sorry. I've been getting those massive rushes of excitement with alarming frequency. I hope you all understand.
This is a very exciting relationship for me, for several reasons. First, I am a huge geek, and without O'Reilly, I wouldn't know HTML from LMNOP. I never would have been able to get Linux running, and Perl would be one of the not-quite-as-good-as-Mrs.-Garrett replacements on Diff'rent Strokes.
This means I will be able to get my books into more stores than I ever was with Monolith Press. It means I'll be sent out on a real book signing tour. It means I'll be on national television and radio to promote my work, and maybe even get a review in major newspapers or magazines.
Dancing Barefoot sold 3,000 copies in less than five months, without any of that, and I can't wait to see how it does when it's got the power and budget of a major publisher behind it.
It also means that I will never royally screw up days worth of orders again, and I will be free to work like crazy on Just A Geek because I won't be running the business any more.
I spoke with my editor at O'Reilly this morning (" . . . my editor at O'Reilly!" that sounds so cool!), and he told me that O'Reilly is so excited to carry Dancing Barefoot, they're going to have a printing available in time for the holidays. They are currently working on a plan with Powells to get it out there right away, and I understand that they are in talks with Amazon as well. If you've been kicking yourself in the pants, or punching yourself in the back of the head because you wanted Dancing Barefoot for a holiday gift and missed out, you can stop the madness right now!
It should be in most major book stores very soon and y -- Oh my god! I'm going to walk into Vroman's and see my book on the shelf!!! AHHH!!! That RULES!
RAWK! \m/
Oops. There it goes again. :)
O'Reilly will also publish Just A Geek in Spring of next year, and I'm going to write a currently untitled technical book on personal website design that I think will come out in Summer.
So, you see, when I made my audioblog post back in July, I had just gotten off the phone with Brett from O'Reilly, who had called to tell me that none other than Tim O'Reilly himself had come back from OSCon talking about "the Wil Wheaton phenomenon" and instructed Brett to tell me that he wanted to be my publisher. Since that day, we've been working out the details. They were actually finalized a few weeks ago, but we all decided to wait until today to release this epic news, because I guess December 2 is a good day to release news, and there's a good chance some mainstream media outlets will pick this up.
I want all of you who read WWdN to know that none of this would ever have happened without you. Many of you have been here since the early days of Where's My Burrito?. In this strange, impersonal-but-personal way, you've gone with me through the ups and downs (mostly downs) of my Sisyphean struggles in the acting world. You were excited with me when I was added to Nemesis and cried with me when I was cut. You have been there when I've loved, and when I've lost. I've introduced you to Ryan and Nolan, Ferris, and Anne, who is more than my world . . . she's my entire universe.
You've supported me so much . . . I can't tell you all how wonderful it feels to share my tremendous joy with all of you now. Everyone who has read Dancing Barefoot, or come to see me at a show, or left a comment on this site, Soapboxers, Farkers, Slashdotters . . . I'm sure I'm forgetting people . . . but every single one of you owns a piece of this amazing new chapter in my life.
Comments
Congratulations...Well deserved
Posted by: James | December 2, 2003 07:35 AM
wtg will!
Now I'm so glad to have my 1st edition SIGNED copy.
Good luck and fortunes to you!
Posted by: Innkeeper2097 | December 2, 2003 07:36 AM
Congrats!
Posted by: Aleaxander | December 2, 2003 07:36 AM
Great news, Wil.
Posted by: Rob Matsushita | December 2, 2003 07:36 AM
w00000000000000000t!!!
Posted by: ionicus | December 2, 2003 07:37 AM
That is so, so cool. Totally worth waiting for.
you do indeed rawk.
(I'm doing a little excited dance, right now)
Posted by: sooz | December 2, 2003 07:38 AM
wow! Congratulations!
Wil Wheaton, Author - it's official!
But this means, you'll have to write more.
(Which probably means, more day trips to Hooters)
Posted by: tjeu | December 2, 2003 07:39 AM
WAY TO GO MAN!!!!!!!!!!!
i've been hitting your site every 20 minutes since last night to hear what news you had..
and now we know..
dude..you are indeed a writer now..
holy living fuck..!
a book deal..
a 3 book deal..
SWEET FANCY MOSES!
we're all mighty proud of you big guy!, and you deserve this!...hope you go out this afternoon and grab a guiness...
you deserve it
cheers wil, well done mate!
Posted by: Tyson | December 2, 2003 07:39 AM
Congratulations, I can see why you think this is so good.
Well done !
I hope this new found fame won’t stop you from continuing to maintain this site yourself…we would all miss your frank & honest views.
*CLAPPING OF HANDS*
Posted by: Griff | December 2, 2003 07:39 AM
Congratulations!!!! Can't wait to pick up a copy in a bookstore soon.
Posted by: Fiona | December 2, 2003 07:40 AM
Many congrats Will :)
Posted by: Melody | December 2, 2003 07:41 AM
Congrats Will you deserve it. I can't wait to purchase just a geek!
Posted by: James Moore-McDermott | December 2, 2003 07:41 AM
Aw, that's so awesome Wil... a big congrats to you! Mazel Tov!
Posted by: Samantha | December 2, 2003 07:41 AM
Hi Wil! I have to leave for work but I just read your announcement and I had to say CONGRATULATIONS!!! What an awesome and well deserved thing to happen. (Damn, I'm not wording this well because I'm in a hurry.) I just hope you can feel my sincerity because I am totally jazzed for you! Way to go!!!
Hugs!
Tracey
Posted by: Tracey Weiss | December 2, 2003 07:42 AM
That is epic, indeed! Congratulations, Wil. You deserve it. Good things happen to good people.
Posted by: Heather N | December 2, 2003 07:42 AM
So will 'Dancing Barefoot' get an animal cover now?
Posted by: jc | December 2, 2003 07:43 AM
Congrats. You're a success story of the modern era and one well worth writing books about. Too many people become famous and then lose themselves in search of retaining that fame. You haven't and as far as I can guess, you won't.
Well done and best of luck to you.
Posted by: Patrick | December 2, 2003 07:43 AM
OMG!!!
This is *huge*.
Well, obviously you know that already!
But!
Wow!
I am so happy for you!
Unhealthily so!
Maybe I can get my book now.
Come to the UK!
That is all.
Posted by: EnglishBen | December 2, 2003 07:43 AM
Yes Wil, you do indeed rawk! \m/
But we already knew that ;)
Posted by: Pupdog | December 2, 2003 07:44 AM
Congrats Wil!
I can hear it now as Katie says: "And with us Today is Wil Wheaton, author of the New York Times bestseller, Just a Geek."
Posted by: Joe | December 2, 2003 07:44 AM
Effin' A!
Posted by: Danko | December 2, 2003 07:45 AM
Congratulations, Wil! It couldn't have happened to a nicer/more talented geek! (Man, I better start saving up for the Guinness for when you come to Florida! Party!!)
Posted by: Natalie | December 2, 2003 07:46 AM
Congrats Wil! This is awesome news! I'm happy for you and I'm also happy I will finally be able to read Dancing Barefoot. Keep it up, man!
Posted by: brendoman | December 2, 2003 07:46 AM
Congratulations, Will! I've been enjoying your weblog enormously, and you've got some serious writing chops. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Jae | December 2, 2003 07:48 AM
O'Reilly is so excited to carry Dancing Barefoot, they're going to have a printing available in time for the holidays.
Woo hoo! Now I can get a copy! (I'm one of those who'd been kicking herself for not getting one earlier.)
Congratulations, Wil! That is so freaking awesome. I'm absolutely thrilled for you. (Not that you're not thrilled enough for yourself -- you just now have more thrill. woot!)
Posted by: Elissa Carey | December 2, 2003 07:48 AM
Congradulations Wil. Good things come to those who wait. Just remember you need the down times in your life so you can appriciate these up times.
Man that sounds so cleshe (sp?)!
Congrads.
Spike
Posted by: Spike | December 2, 2003 07:49 AM
Thumbs up Wil. Nicely done
d0|_|bl3pl|_|$$ \/\/007
Posted by: Bob | December 2, 2003 07:49 AM
Congrats Wil! That is so awesome. I am so happy for you as you really deserve this. I love reading your stories, as you really know how to make the reader feel as if they are right there with you at that moment. So again, congrats and I cannot wait to read JAG when it is released.
underdog
Posted by: underdog | December 2, 2003 07:50 AM
Yay! I'm very excited.
About the only thing that could have topped this would be hearing that Paramount has fired Berman and Braga and put you in charge of the franchise.
I think I know what all my friends are getting for their birthdays this year.
Posted by: Laur | December 2, 2003 07:50 AM
Congrats Wil!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: hev244 | December 2, 2003 07:50 AM
Way to go! Congrats!
Posted by: redfenix | December 2, 2003 07:50 AM
Congratulations, Wil.
The 'untitled technical book on personal website design' sounds like something that could be really cool.
Good luck with it all.
Posted by: Paul | December 2, 2003 07:50 AM
Wrok on, Wil!!!!!
Posted by: denie | December 2, 2003 07:50 AM
Ooo, now this is better (for you, Wil) than even being included in a new Trek... that'd just be going backwards to TVsWilWheaton, not Wil Wheaton, Geek and Author. I've always had a TON more respect and awe for authors than for actors anyway.
This is what you've been working for here, what you've been building since you started blogging and writing books, you've got serious backing.
And DUDE, way to go getting in at freaking O'Reilly! They're my favorite technical publisher. I used to work as webmaster/sysadmin/coder for a Competing Technical Publisher back in '94-'97, got free books from Said Publisher, but went out and paid full price for my extensive collection of O'Reilly titles. They are the bomb!
So if you do a book tour in Indianapolis, I'll be there standing in line to buy Just A Geek, probably even if I already bought it online or whatever. I know some people who'd like a copy too.
Hoody hoo!
Chris
Posted by: Chris | December 2, 2003 07:51 AM
Aces! Congrats Wil!
I gather there's a time difference error of an hour between the soapbox and the blog. And that I was posting a dorky theory simultaneously with your answer.
A book deal was my epic second theory though.
Yay! Now we can all buy the book!
Posted by: jaded wolf | December 2, 2003 07:51 AM
I got chills reading that, man.
Congratulations!!!
Awesome news.
"The Wil Wheaton Phenomenon." hehe :D
Posted by: Mia | December 2, 2003 07:51 AM
Great job Wil, you're my real dad.
Posted by: Gump | December 2, 2003 07:51 AM
Congrats Wil.
And for those of you who want to see the story where Wil met Tim, see here:
http://www.wilwheaton.net/mt/archives/001325.php
It was a good story. Read it.
Posted by: Robert | December 2, 2003 07:53 AM
Geek, what's a geek?
Wil, U rok!!
Posted by: Robaroo | December 2, 2003 07:54 AM
Congrats Wil! Maybe with this potentially exponential increase in exposure it won't feel so surreal trying to explain my Obey WWdN t-shirt to the 20-somethings working at the mall :)
Posted by: Tim | December 2, 2003 07:54 AM
Congrats Wil. I know what I'll be looking for in my stocking this year!! Thats right...Dancing Barefoot. Wooo hoo!!!
Posted by: Scotty | December 2, 2003 07:54 AM
you Rawk hardcore brother!
so very happy for you!!!
*happy dance*
Posted by: lunajenne | December 2, 2003 07:54 AM
Excellent.
Someone, start a pool for what the animal's going to be.
Posted by: Jamie McCarthy | December 2, 2003 07:55 AM
WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Way to go Wheaton. that is epic and wonderful news! All the congratulations in the world to you! I'm still anxiously awaiting my autographed copy of Dancing Barefoot that I snuck in right in time before you were out. And now I'll be so proud to say that I had this direct from you while I go into a huge friggin bookstore and see your work on the shelves! We love sharing your days with you and I hope you'll continue this site with all the work you have ahead of you!!! Way to go!!!!!!!
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | December 2, 2003 07:56 AM
Hah! I did SO predict the publishers in the forum! It was the Moviehole excerpt.
What do I win?
Posted by: jaded wolf | December 2, 2003 07:57 AM
w00t! go wil! akh! im so excited, im key-mashing! i had to write "go wil!" three times. ok, calming down... YAY!!! im going to keep my copy of dancing barefoot in pristine condition until i get a chance to have you sign it. Hey, maybe i'll do a really elaborate FedEx thing, and send you a SASE, so you can sign it and send it back... or just wait until you come to Fitchburg, MA on your HUGE book tours!! YAY! You HAVE to come to Boston! else, the whole FedEx thing above will really confuse me and i'll never have you sign my DB!! ok, ok, calming down... now.
Congratulations, Wil. We are all so proud of you, Mr. Wil Wheaton.
*Ana
Posted by: Ana | December 2, 2003 07:57 AM
Congratulations, Wil! I think December 2 is a perfect day to make these types of announcements, but I'm biased because it's my birthday. :) Looking forward to much more writing from you in the years to come!!
Posted by: Elayne Riggs | December 2, 2003 07:58 AM
ok, just one more...
HOLY CRAP AND A HALF!
*Ana
Posted by: Ana | December 2, 2003 07:59 AM
Wil,
Congrats! You really deserve it. You've worked hard and long on this, and you really are a very good writer. I already have a copy of Dancing Barefoot, but I can't wait to be able to buy more for friends and family. You're great!!!!
Kroeme
Posted by: Kroeme | December 2, 2003 07:59 AM
Congrats, Wil! Well-deserved!
Posted by: Meridy | December 2, 2003 07:59 AM
I have to say I admire how far you've come, Wil, and I'll be raisin' a pint o' the Guinness to ye tonight, ye swarthy bastadge....
too cool, too cool...
Posted by: Darrin | December 2, 2003 08:00 AM
*Please make it available in Canada. Please make it available in Canada.*
That totally rocks, Wil! Never met you (but my twin did!), but I'm really proud for you.
Posted by: katcheya | December 2, 2003 08:01 AM
Rock on Wil!
Dancing Barefoot was a great read. Now I can put JAG on my O'Reilly shelf in between my Motif Reference Manual and my Sed & Awk manual.
Posted by: Chuck | December 2, 2003 08:01 AM
Congrats!
Posted by: Jenn | December 2, 2003 08:01 AM
A) Congratulations!
B) I had a weird thought you'd be writing for Marvel's Epic line.
C) Does that mean you get a nifty animal clip-art on the cover, like O'Rielly's tech books?
Posted by: Joseph J. Finn | December 2, 2003 08:01 AM
That's great :D Congrats Wil. More panting welcome.
Posted by: belinda | December 2, 2003 08:02 AM
woo hoo!!! way to go wil...
who's got your big willie style now!
Posted by: zettgrl | December 2, 2003 08:02 AM
Wil in the News:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&edition=us&q=%22wil+wheaton%22
Posted by: Jared | December 2, 2003 08:03 AM
Wonderful news, Wil. We're all proud of you.
anniehall
Posted by: anniehall | December 2, 2003 08:03 AM
Wil, now you've really earned your standing as a geek. :-) You seemd to fit in just fine when I saw you at OSCON with Tim, the alpacas, and everyone else.
Posted by: Danny Faught | December 2, 2003 08:03 AM
Congrats, Wil! How awesome for you. Being one of the loyal readers who waited patiently for Dancing Barefoot and loving it, I can't wait for Just a Geek! Next spring can't come fast enough.
I hope you come to New England on one of your book tours...or maybe if you do any sort of con out here on the other side of the country.
CONGRATS again!
Emily
Posted by: Emily | December 2, 2003 08:04 AM
Awe. Some. Rock on with your bad self, Wil. \m/
Also, Chuck: Sexiest. Comment. Evar.
Posted by: Kat | December 2, 2003 08:05 AM
Best news EVER Wil!
Rock on!
Posted by: Phil | December 2, 2003 08:05 AM
CRAP!! For a second there I was going for the 1000 found cases of Guinness. I think I was just letting the excitement get to me...
I wil (heh) make you a small prediction. I have thought for the longest time that if you just got a little mainstream national publicity, you would be huge. As someone who was an "early adopter" of your work, let me say that seeing you on the NY Times best seller list will restore my faith in the concept that quality rises, and that in the end, good guys do win.
I cannot even tell you how much I think you deserve this.
Posted by: Jack | December 2, 2003 08:06 AM
Go Wil :-). We all knew you'd be hot stuff. So so so happy for you!!!! Make sure Ireland is on the world tour, k? I got a pint with your name on it.
Posted by: E from Dublin | December 2, 2003 08:07 AM
That's great Wi! Sounds like a good move! I wonder if you'll have a dog on the cover, or if O'Reilly will branch out? (I hope they branch out a bit)
Posted by: Lucien | December 2, 2003 08:08 AM
You kept stressing Epic..and all I could think of was you had decided to do a cheesy album like other ST greats from the past....I could almost hear you doing recitatives of Depeche Mode and INXS....God help my imagination :P *giggle*
Grats. Maybe I'll be able to get a copy of one of your books someday.
Posted by: Tasha | December 2, 2003 08:09 AM
Congrats Wil!!!
I'd never read the "Ryan and Nolan" entry. Thanks for linking to it! It was amazing.
-AT
Posted by: AT | December 2, 2003 08:11 AM
Hell Yeah Willie! That is some kick arse news! Now you can come over to the East Coast and do some singings here. Buy a 30 pack of sharpies and get ready for the tour, and make sure you stop in Wash DC. Til then, keep making it so.
Posted by: Pat | December 2, 2003 08:11 AM
Well done, Wil!
Posted by: Alex Greenwood | December 2, 2003 08:11 AM
Finally,man. Finally.
Posted by: Mr.Sandwiches | December 2, 2003 08:12 AM
If you were in Seattle, on 6th and University at 8:05 a.m. 12/2/03, you would have heard me scream in happiness for you! I am so proud, and your thank you to all of us log geeks was bordering on Academy award level, it was brilliant and you are welcome for my/our support. When will you come to seattle? I've never been to a convention but for you Wil, hell yeah! Annnd your love for Anne inspires me to find Mr. Right instead of Mr. Right now. I'm so happy for you I could pee! ;)
Posted by: angela peterson | December 2, 2003 08:12 AM
congratulations wil! that's awesome news! :)
Posted by: AzureBosque | December 2, 2003 08:13 AM
I'm thrilled for you.
Congrats, Wil!
*hug*
Posted by: Delphine | December 2, 2003 08:15 AM
-The Wil Wheaton Phenomenon-
A great name for a punk band. Congrats guy!
Posted by: chillmost | December 2, 2003 08:15 AM
Yeah!!!!!
Posted by: Eva | December 2, 2003 08:21 AM
YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm doing a happy dance for you right now.
Congratulations. It's been a long hard road, and you deserve this success.
Posted by: Interplanet Janet | December 2, 2003 08:21 AM
Wooooooooooooot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thats great Wil, however this does now mean I'll need a new bookshelf.
So happy for ya dude, rock on!
Posted by: Cookiemo | December 2, 2003 08:21 AM
That's awesome, man! I'm thrilled for you. Best of luck and some ever-lovin' mojo. :)
Posted by: Gwalchmai | December 2, 2003 08:22 AM
That's awesome news!
Posted by: Mike C | December 2, 2003 08:22 AM
HAs anyone ever studied the derivation/evolution of "w00t"?
Wil.... w00t.
(A visual would be funnier... I'm a 40 year old beauraucrat with an English accent, in a suit, tie and button-down collar quietly saying "w00t" to myself and to Wil).
Posted by: Zume | December 2, 2003 08:23 AM
Congrats, Wil! Looking forwrd to reading more.
Posted by: Daryle | December 2, 2003 08:24 AM
A well-deserved accomplishment for a talented writer. I'm looking forward to reading everything you're willing to share.
Posted by: Mary | December 2, 2003 08:24 AM
Hurrah! ::cue angelic choir:: You deserve it. Best of luck in the world o' big-time publishing.
Posted by: zh | December 2, 2003 08:26 AM
w000000000000000000t!
Posted by: Paul | December 2, 2003 08:26 AM
Will the format change any, illustrations or additions? Incentives for us to buy a copy when we already have one? (Prologue...?) I probably will pick one up anyway at the local B&N!
Congrats!
Sam
Posted by: Sam Hinton | December 2, 2003 08:26 AM
Yes! Rock! Party! Bonus! Way to go, Wil! A well deserved break for a well deserving guy. That totally kicks ass. In fact, I think I'll head to the tavern now and slam back a Guiness to celebrate.
Great job, Wil! Good luck!
Posted by: Eric | December 2, 2003 08:27 AM
Sweet Cuppin' Cakes.
*does a little dance*
Maybe you can write a book about come back jokes...
woo woo
the dawe.
Posted by: John Dawe | December 2, 2003 08:31 AM
Wil,
I'm thrilled for you! And, more than anything, I hope this means that you WILL be appearing live in a major bookstore on the East coast SOON! Keep us posted (like you WOULDN'T!)!
Congrats!
Jay
Posted by: Jay | December 2, 2003 08:31 AM
Wil, that's is WAY too cool. Congrats over and over again, this is excellent news.
I'm equally thrilled that I now have a chance to get Dancing Barefoot for Christmas! I'll be looking forward to JAG in the spring.
Go eat a beer... you deserve it. :)
mr.ska
Posted by: mr.ska | December 2, 2003 08:33 AM
I am so damn happy for you. It's been a pleasure following your adventures through this website. Thank you for sharing your life with us fellow geeks. I know you'll go far with this. This is it, the big break.
Posted by: Roxy | December 2, 2003 08:34 AM
woohoo! wil - this si awesome. in hebrew we say mazal tov, which basically means that your constellation and luck is and should stay good. great. *grin* huge congrats, man.
Posted by: dani | December 2, 2003 08:34 AM
Wowzers... congratulations! Um, that is very big. And I am very good at stating the obvious... anyhow, happy writing!
Posted by: Steve | December 2, 2003 08:35 AM
Hey Wil, Wow, Congratulations are in order!!! I'm sooo happy for you. you totally deserved this! As so many others have said, good things come to good people, or in your case, GREAT things come to Absolutely F**KING GREAT people! well done dude! just one more thing you really need to come over to England! We love you over here!! And i want a copy of your book, signed by you! so, please please please come over here!!
well, congrats again dude...you have no idea how happy i am for you! grinning like a cheshire cat!! ha ha
you are the best! \m/
love rach
xxx
Posted by: rach | December 2, 2003 08:35 AM
WTG!! Damn I thought you two were having a baby. Sorry I was getting into mommy mode, as I am one.
As a woman who loves to write, I'm in awe of you.
Posted by: Michele | December 2, 2003 08:36 AM
Congratulations Wil! That is awesome news and I can't think of anyone more deserving!
Way to go!!
Posted by: Raeann | December 2, 2003 08:37 AM
Congrats to you m'friend. I dont know anyone else who deserves it more. Good luck and good fortune to you. And remember the ancient Chinese curse, "May you live in interesting times."
Posted by: Amy Z | December 2, 2003 08:39 AM
Great news Wil. Finally, Dancing Barefoot will get the audience it deserves. My wife managed to find me a copy from Powells a few weeks ago before I went on a business trip. I had planned to read it on the plane, but I devoured it before I even got on the plane...thanks for a great read, and congrats on your new publisher.
Posted by: Matt | December 2, 2003 08:39 AM
How great is that!!!
Congrats, man. It is so very deserved. I can't wait for the website book to come out, good to know I will have the other two to tide me over :)
Posted by: dwd | December 2, 2003 08:43 AM
Wil, I can't think of anyone more deserving of this success!
Remember back at the end of summer when things were so shitty and you were feeling really crappy? Remember how we all told you "this too shall pass"?
Guess what? It passed! And you are on to a fabulous new part of your life.
Congratulations and very well done!
Posted by: Cerise | December 2, 2003 08:45 AM
Very many congratulations!!! How utterly exciting. :D I'm very happy for you and I'm so looking forward to seeing your books in the stores. WOW! :D
Posted by: Valerie Noble | December 2, 2003 08:45 AM
Reading about your epic news got me so excited for you. I even found myself smiling about the news. Again, Congratulations!
Well, now that you will be able to do a "real" book tour, you better have Minneapolis, St. Paul, or Bloomington (Mall of America) as one of your stops. I would like to have my book signed.
Your tour should stop in Minnesota during the winter. Then you can try out some of our below zero temps and with even lower temp wind chills!
Jessica
Posted by: Jessica | December 2, 2003 08:46 AM
DUDE!!! Congrats!
Now you have to see if you can get creative control over the "creature" that will appear on your technical endeavor! I'm thinking the MONKEY!!! Don't know if they will allow you a typewriter in front of it, but certainly since they become iconic to the subject matter, much thought should be addressed to the issue.
Possibly a poll on your site!
Another FUN game for the WWdN fans!
Posted by: Nick Devor | December 2, 2003 08:46 AM
yeah!! now I can get my copy too. and Wil, it's so great to 'hear' you say "I spoke with my editor . . . "
way to go!!
Posted by: Margaret | December 2, 2003 08:47 AM
Well that's awesome Wil! I'm glad you've got a bigger publisher behind you now, and I know we're all looking forward to JaG.
But I do wonder about this: "I'm going to write a currently untitled technical book on personal website design". Don't you think that will be much more challenging than mostly-autobiographical-pseudo-non-fiction?
Posted by: Jonathan Wise | December 2, 2003 08:48 AM
Holy mother jesus balls wil, that is totally freakin awesome!!!!!!
I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened!
w00t!
You deserve all this and more!
Congrats :)
Posted by: Neph | December 2, 2003 08:49 AM
that is f*&^%$# GREAT! Congrats and well deserved!!!!
Posted by: Kelly Meadors | December 2, 2003 08:49 AM
KICK ASS WIL!!
WOOT!!!
Posted by: rani23 | December 2, 2003 08:49 AM
Yay Wil!!!!!11111
Posted by: smhauthority | December 2, 2003 08:50 AM
You know, I was really hoping for #1, but then I'm biased with the joy my own toddler brings me. I really ought to be thinking about the fact that you'll be touring the country and hopefully getting to or within driving distance of North Carolina, not at home changing diapers and trying to keep someone from teething on your computer cables.
Seriously, that is fantastic news! Congratulations!
Posted by: Shannon S | December 2, 2003 08:50 AM
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Wil!!!!
This is sofa king cool!!!!
*HappyNekkidOtterButtDance*
I hope this means you'll be at my Borders signing books soon. *grin*
W00T!
Posted by: Stargazer | December 2, 2003 08:50 AM
Kick Ass! That's amazing. Now I have something to show to all of the people that said that "self publishing is death for an author".
Whoo-hoo! Congratulations!
Posted by: Craig Steffen | December 2, 2003 08:51 AM
"Someone, start a pool for what the animal's going to be."
Is monkey taken?
Posted by: MrsVeteran | December 2, 2003 08:51 AM
Being published by O'Reilly automatically gives you MAJOR geek street cred points, Wil. Of course, obviously Tim O'Reilly knows a good thing when he sees one!
I still think it would be awesome if your book tour took you to the Tattered Cover in Denver (either Cherry Creek or LoDo, doesn't matter)...but if O'Reilly decides to send you to Softpro Technical Books in Centennial or Boulder, that'll be OK, too. They do have free Wi-Fi! :-)
Anyway, I think fellow Coloradan Eric Cartman would best express my sentiments this way: "Sweet, dude! Kick ass! Yes! YES!" And then he'd probably start doing the German Dance....
Anyway, congratulations!!!
Posted by: Erbo | December 2, 2003 08:53 AM
I don't know how others feel, but I always get a tingle when I see/hear about someone succeeding through hard work and discipline. It's kind of like the cheezy moment in "It's A Wonderful Life" when ZuZu hears the bell and says, "Another angel just got their wings!"
Way to go, Wil, and way to go, Anne, for being supportive of the big lug!
Posted by: mikebailey2000 | December 2, 2003 08:54 AM
Wil,
That is great news. Play it for all its worth.
Good luck with it. And to lighten the mood a bit: http://bdmonkeys.net/~chaz/battle.php
Your own personal battle cry.
Coyote
Incirlik AB, Turkey
Posted by: Arcticoyote | December 2, 2003 08:55 AM
Wil,
Congratulations! The most wonderful affirmation for an author is to have one's work read and also sought after. You've worked hard on this one and you deserve the kudos. I know how you feel (my latest book starting hitting the bookstores this past week) and think you've really found your voice here! It's great to know that that voice will be reaching a wider audience. Big hugs all around!
Spacewriter
Posted by: spacewriter | December 2, 2003 08:57 AM
Yay for you Wil! Hugs to you and the fam and your new publisher...! You're right, that does sound incredibly cool. You're living the dream, and you've worked very hard to get there. HOORAY!
Posted by: Michelle | December 2, 2003 08:58 AM
Wil,
Greetings and Salutations along with Admiration and Congratulations!
Your written and webbed words have enchanted, entralled and mesmerized me (and my wife) at one point or another during the time I have been visiting your site (more than a year I think...Wow!).
Your web space is a daily visit for me, and a great one at that. The O'Reily deal is just one of many great things that will happen to a great author/actor/cool dude like you. Can't wait to buy Just A Geek, and that tech book will be added to my want list ASAP.
Again congratulations to you, and Anne, Ryan, Nolan and Ferris for being the great universe to you.
Oh, by the way, if there is a book tour: Make sure Philadelphia is on that tour. You have a unlimited pass for all the Guiness you can drink from me. I will throw in dinner or lunch too. Hell I think I will camp out in front of the store you sign at. Such a fan boy I am.
Peace, love and Christmas cookies,
Leo Romero
Philadelphia, PA
With congrats and good mojo also coming from:
Tracey (my wifey! I love you honey!)
Tristan (my infant son, who will be read Dancing Barefoot in about a week or two, just before bed)
and Coal (my cat, Who I love, and unlike Clay Aiken, do not think is Satan).
Posted by: Leo Romero | December 2, 2003 08:59 AM
I think there's a lemur O'Reilly book; can't think of which one. There's probably a few primates left that would fall under the category "monkey"; perhaps a chimpanzee?
Posted by: Craig Steffen | December 2, 2003 09:01 AM
Fantastic Wil~
Congragulations.
Posted by: elliotttoronto | December 2, 2003 09:05 AM
Great news, but sort of anti-climactic
Posted by: buntz | December 2, 2003 09:05 AM
Merry Christmas! :-)
Posted by: Rob | December 2, 2003 09:06 AM
Congrats, Wil! I'll be sure to buy my share of your books to help keep a good thing going.
Posted by: Tim Gourley | December 2, 2003 09:07 AM
Wil Wheaton stars in Funny Farm 2?
Posted by: Jodilyn | December 2, 2003 09:07 AM
Yea Wil! you rock!!! Congrats!! Now get yer ass on out to Michigan for that book signing tour!
Posted by: Amie the original GEEk girl | December 2, 2003 09:10 AM
Nice job! I can't wait to see your book listed on Amazon. It's going on my wish list for sure.
Posted by: Susan | December 2, 2003 09:11 AM
Phenomenon?
Juggernaut.
Posted by: Fred | December 2, 2003 09:12 AM
That's great!!! I always knew you would get a great publisher to do "Dancing Barefoot"!!
Congrats!
Posted by: Deanna | December 2, 2003 09:12 AM
i knew you could do it, wil! you are a very talented writer. you deserve all the happiness in the world.
congratulations!
jeannette
ps..... hurry up and get here to south carolina, willya? =)
Posted by: jeannette | December 2, 2003 09:15 AM
Big YEY for wil!
v happy for you :)
(But am I the only one feeling sorry for Monolith Press? Poor buggers. Hope wil does something nice for them, like buy them a pint and say cheers for helpin...)
But WOOOOHOO for wil! hehe
And that 3rd book sounds like a big seller too :)
Posted by: reno | December 2, 2003 09:16 AM
Yay!
You're a fantastic writer!
Posted by: hypersim | December 2, 2003 09:16 AM
How excited was I when I read this news during my 15 minute break from work! I had to check it out as soon as possible! Congratulations Wil! I can't wait to see you on all the talk shows, I know you'll be in demand very soon. I can't wait to order the book, it's going to be great to read over the winter breake.
Posted by: Kelyn | December 2, 2003 09:18 AM
You go boy, Wil! I'm envious! O'Reilly rocks my world. :)
Posted by: Xochiquetzl | December 2, 2003 09:19 AM
Wow, that rules!
I'm truly happy you.
Posted by: Dane | December 2, 2003 09:19 AM
That's great. Congratulations, O'Reilly rocks, they make great books. And I'm sure yours will be added to that list. I actually work as a tech in the PrePress department for the printing company that prints all of O'Reilly's books. So I'll get to see them come through the door.
Posted by: Mike | December 2, 2003 09:19 AM
Congratulations, Wil! I am so happy for you!
Posted by: Katie | December 2, 2003 09:19 AM
Wil - That rawks man! Can't wait to finally be able to get my hands on Dancing and JAG when it comes out!
Congrats though!
Nags
Posted by: Nags | December 2, 2003 09:20 AM
This is my first comments post (I hang in the soapbox... ;), but this deserves a comment...
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
You deserve it!
Odile