When I worked as a clerk in a book shop back in the day, the best part of the job was opening the boxes of new books when they arrived at the store. The smell, the feel, the pleasure of piling them onto the shelves; it was the most satisfaction I've ever had from a "real" job.
This morning I got to experience a bit of the same frisson when I opened the envelope from Douglas & McIntyre and pulled out a mint copy of my new book, Closing Time: Prohibition, Rum-Runners and Borders Wars.
Mine is an advance copy airlifted from the Asian printer. The rest are coming by slow boat so it will be a few weeks before you can buy a copy online or in your favourite store. Be patient.