Mar 3rd 2011 09:16 am Vive la différence
Since it’s the Week of Big News, I might as well break it to you. I’ve been dreading this. The much-ballyhooed book deal of last year fell through. I’m not sure why. I was never told. However, it would appear United Media and NewSouth Books could not cross the t’s and dot the i’s of the minute details, which I implied were foregone conclusions. The book thing is back to “square one.” I apologize if I jumped the gun by announcing it.
Posted by jimmyjohnson / Vintage A&J
83 Responses to “Vive la différence”
Steve from Richmond on 03 Mar 2011 at 9:26 am #
You very well may have gotten caught up in the whole change culture now running rampant in publishing. I am having great difficulties with all of it. Bookstores that were the wave just 20 years ago are going bellyup and people are reading – even friends my age – on electronic devices instead of holding a good old fashioned book in their hands. The local video store is also becoming passe – all of this has grown, flourished and now collapsing, and has done so in the lifetime opf my daughter who is a college junior. Too much for this old guy. So sorry about the book. I was really looking forward to having my old friends Arlo and Janis (and JJ) on the shelf.
Cris in NC on 03 Mar 2011 at 9:28 am #
Awww, Jimmy. As disappointed as we are, and as much as would have LOVED the book, we love you waaaay more! I’m sure you’re as disappointed as we are but please, don’t stress over it. The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day – hope you have a great one!
Jewett on 03 Mar 2011 at 9:33 am #
Fooey ! Really liked the book idea. Does “back to square one” mean there is still hope?
Tom (Somewhere in Georgia) on 03 Mar 2011 at 9:56 am #
Thank goodness for hope, JJ! I am looking forward to your new, improved book deal!
Mike on 03 Mar 2011 at 9:59 am #
Sorry to hear about the book deal. I appreciate the website, and you can keep pointing to it as proof that a book audience exists.
Rich in Belchertown on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:03 am #
Have you thought about self-publishing as an ebook?
Sylvia in MS on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:04 am #
I echo the sentiments of Cris in NC and Jewett. I too am saddened that there’s not a book coming out. I love A&J and will still have something to look forward to in the coming years.
Keep on doing what you’re doing. We love you, Jimmy!
Paul in NH on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:08 am #
Very sorry about the book Mr J. I’m sure another offer will come about. As long as we can keep this site going my A&J fix can be satisfied.
Keep up the great work!!!!!
Best
Paul
Mark from Maine on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:11 am #
Jimmy, I’m sorry about the deal but glad there’s still hope. I have learned in my 50-odd years that one has only one choice when knocked down: get back up. Much luck to you and keep those panels coming. My wife and I still wonder how you can spy on our lives from such a long distance. Your work is much appreciated.
Sili on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:23 am #
I’m tiiiiilting! I’m tiiiiiiilting!
But yeah. It’s your product, so you should be at liberty to sell it. I know it’s hard work to selfpublish, but it works for a lot of webcomics. Could you try asking some of the ‘kids’ what they do?
Mike in Missouri on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:33 am #
Jimmy, it took six years to get my first book published. Yours will be coming along much sooner than that. And you can go ahead and put my name on the pre-publication sales list.
Bill in Paducah on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:45 am #
Rowrbazzle!! Moomph, Moomph, Moomph!!!
Lori on the Upper Left Coast on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:55 am #
I’m going to hang onto the belief that it means there’s a better book deal for you out there somewhere. I’ll sign up on that pre-publication sales list, too.
Dan McD on 03 Mar 2011 at 11:38 am #
As dissappointed as I am to hear that, I’ve really got point out that the work you’ve done on this (and previous!) websites over the years has been FAR more content than any collection, ever.
Here we see strips new and old, with commentary, discussion, insight, and philosophy. Also hurricanes and college football. (In spite of it CLEARLY being hockey season, what is wrong with you people.)
I want a book someday for the coffee table and to share with friends, but a big ol’ thank you for the work you’ve done here is in order.
Peace,
-McD
AMC on 03 Mar 2011 at 11:43 am #
Bummer.
I was looking forward to having most of my Christmas shopping done early.
Russ S on 03 Mar 2011 at 12:25 pm #
Geez, and i had already pre-ordered at Amazon.
Bob, near Mark on 03 Mar 2011 at 12:28 pm #
Dan McD,
It wouldn’t be the same, but for now you could use an iPad filled with screen shots. It’d be better than nothing.
John in Richmond Texas on 03 Mar 2011 at 12:36 pm #
I’m sorry for all your downcast news this week, but wish that you are heartened knowing there are many like me for whom that day’s A&J is the first thing they think of when they wake up, and this site second Thank you
Nodak Wayne on 03 Mar 2011 at 12:44 pm #
McD I don’t know where the “Frozen Four” is this year but look for the UND Fighting Sioux to be there.
Steve from Royal Oak, MI on 03 Mar 2011 at 12:44 pm #
I echo Dan McD’s comments. This blog is our “book” My wife has been published and recently signed a deal for four-six books for an Inspirational Romance publisher. They are primarily e-publishing house, but they also sell hardbacks via Amazon.
I think that I have mentioned it here before, but the royalties on her first e-book was almost enough to go to the local coney island restaurant. But she (and I) are very proud of the accomplishment of having written numerous books and seeing them to print.
There was a week when Arlo and Janis fielded questions. Someone asked if A&J were rich and Arlo said “Do you see Arlo and Janis books cramming the shelves?, t-shirts?… coffee mugs?, an Arlo and Janis blimp?” before Janis interrupts and says “We live comfortably and are truly blessed”. That you are JJ. Please listen to Janis.
bgrewbe on 03 Mar 2011 at 12:54 pm #
It might help ease the pain of no book if there was a A&J t-shirt or coffee mug available sometime in the future…..Thanks for making our days better…
Pam in Nashville on 03 Mar 2011 at 1:03 pm #
Jimmy,
While I am disappointed, your loyal fans don’t mind waiting a little longer.
JP in TN on 03 Mar 2011 at 2:09 pm #
Well, I’ve gotten disappointing news from several different directions today. But I am an eternal optimist. And I’m glad there is still hope. “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul.”
Now, where did I put my spare silver lining?
Bob, near Mark on 03 Mar 2011 at 2:27 pm #
Why have all of the comments switched to italics? Sili isn’t the only one who is tiiiilting. Now everyone’s comments conservatively lean to the right?
hc on 03 Mar 2011 at 2:39 pm #
Bah humbug – no book! and Italics on top of it all -
James Pollock on 03 Mar 2011 at 2:57 pm #
I’m assuming that the syndicate owns at least a right of first refusal, but I don’t want A book, I want the Complete Collection, like what the Library of American Comics is currently doing with Bloom County.
Although there has been a decline in publishing books of comics over the last decade or so, I’m amazed the high sales prices of Bop ’til You Drop haven’t convinced a publisher that there is demand for A&J in book form.
James Pollock on 03 Mar 2011 at 2:58 pm #
Rats! The blog software stripped out the “no italics” tag I tried to put in.
Steve From Richmond on 03 Mar 2011 at 3:03 pm #
Tell your potential publishers that your first and only book sells used for anywhere between $200-$420! Via Barnes and Noble used book dealers. And even at those prices only 3 were available.
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 03 Mar 2011 at 4:20 pm #
I guess United Media sold all of it’s block type as part of the merger.
I agree with James and Steve – hard to believe that the auction prices for “Bop ‘Til You Drop” didn’t convince the publishers. I wonder if the merger was the reason the kabosh was put on the deal? If that’s the case, perhaps they will resurrect the project when the dust settles.
As much as I would have enjoyed a hard copy, I am more thankful that you still have time for this web site, your insight, and the commentary of the community.
mdt48302 on 03 Mar 2011 at 4:47 pm #
While we sympathize with your loss, we are consoled by the fact that you are too old to give up what you’re doing and go get a real job. We can only hope that as a result of this A&J doesn’t become quirky and eccentric and… Hmm.
Mary in Ohio on 03 Mar 2011 at 5:06 pm #
Steve from Richmond – and the used book dealers I was able to get my complete (after several years) collections of “Chip Hilton” and “Tom Corbett Space Cadet” and assorted Zane Gray and other old volumes are going too – most of them just got old and died.
Jimmy, Jimmy, we want to give you a group hug. We love you because of what you have done and are doing.
Re: today’s retro : My Mom would’ve combined Janis’s generosity with Arlo’s reminders, I think.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 03 Mar 2011 at 7:14 pm #
Not your fault, JJ. And a publishing house that couldn’t work out a deal for a property like yours probably didn’t need to be entrusted with it, anyway.
Mark in Maine, I’ve had 50 odd years myself, but then I’ve had a few ordinary ones, too.
Bob, near Mark on 03 Mar 2011 at 7:25 pm #
Re self-publishing:
I don’t know how long this link will stay active. It’s a story in Business Insider about 26-year-old Amanda Hocking making millions a year selling her books on Amazon Kindle, and cutting out the traditional publishing industry.
http://www.businessinsider.com/amanda-hocking-2011-2
Just Jay on 03 Mar 2011 at 9:53 pm #
Hi JJ,
Please add me to list of pre-purchasers, whoever winds up publishing.
Jay
Jerry in Fl on 03 Mar 2011 at 10:28 pm #
JJ, You just do what you need to do bud and we are with you. Whether it’s subscribing to this forum and paying dues, buying a d— kindle whatever or whatever. You just let us know. I was about ready to stop taking the local mullet wrapper anyway. They’re fooling with the wrong group. Look out, Kha-daffy!
f on 04 Mar 2011 at 6:30 am #
Just in case I don’t get a chance to comment on Friday’s new comic in a new post: Sir, I thought I’d heard every vile date-related pun there was, but you proved me wrong. Shame! And I’m going to tell it to everyone I know, of course, and I put it up on my computer’s equivalent of a refrigerator.
Debbie in Alabama on 04 Mar 2011 at 6:52 am #
Those dotting i and crossing t people get on my nerves! We will wait.
Bill in Paducah on 04 Mar 2011 at 7:27 am #
f:
Oh that’s not the worst; in High School Band we played “March Fourth”, as well as the “January February March”.
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 04 Mar 2011 at 8:23 am #
Jerry in Fl: “and I know what they’re really doing”. I thought maybe.
James Riendeau on 04 Mar 2011 at 8:43 am #
If you can’t find a traditional publisher to back it, there’s always the vanity “print to order” publishers like lulu.com. You’d at least get something in return for the work you’ve put in thus far.
Patty on 04 Mar 2011 at 9:37 am #
No Book? Just do it anyway and print on command. I offer you my bookstore for the “grand announcement.” You won’t sell many books, but we’ll have a heck of a good time trying.
Bill in Paducah on 04 Mar 2011 at 9:47 am #
Not meaning to start an “artist’s rights” discussion here, but I suspect that the self publishing thing is off the table for reasons similar to dotted i’s and crossed t’s related to UM and NSB. UM probably owns the rights to the work.
Jerry in Fl on 04 Mar 2011 at 10:00 am #
EMB, Apparently you read my post before cooler heads prevailed. Yes folks, I apparently went over the top this time and had a post removed completely. Just as well, the pc police would have been very unhappy. I thank you, JJ. I think that you did the right thing.
Jerry in Fl on 04 Mar 2011 at 10:15 am #
Never mind. Apparently, I should go drink something with caffeine in it. My post was simply posted in the wrong spot and there it shall remain and good riddance. And without further “ado”, riddance is another word that we use in very limited context and everyone knows what it means, but nobody knows what it means. Know what I mean?
Symply Fargone on 04 Mar 2011 at 10:19 am #
@Bob, near Mark,
That was going to be my idea too. I love using my Kindle and now I do not have to lug more than 1 book when i travel. JJ you can put me down as wanting a copy of that book when it comes out….even better if it is available on a Kindle. Regrets for the undotted I’s and uncrossed T’s. (Unfortunately) like the book(loud Wahhhh here) I am Symply Fargone too.
Mike in Missouri on 04 Mar 2011 at 10:51 am #
To briefly change the topic, yesterday and last evening the frogs came out and started croaking – first time this season. Boy, after the winter we’ve had, I’m sure glad to hear this sure sign of Spring! Could somebody loan me gasoline money for the lawn mower?
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 04 Mar 2011 at 10:52 am #
Jerry in FL- do the PC police also keep a look out for Macs?
billinbossier on 04 Mar 2011 at 11:52 am #
My grandmother used to say, ‘Things just bees that way sometimes”. The book will happen when it happens.
On another note, I wonder why I am a day late reading this?
Bob, near Mark on 04 Mar 2011 at 11:52 am #
Symply Fargone,
I just looked up Amanda Hocking on Amazon dot com, and saw that most of her books are selling in the $8.99-to-$9.99 range, not the $3 that the article says. If she’s selling about 100,000 books on Kindle a month, and is keeping 70% of the sale price, she’s making… wait a minute, I’ve got to dig out my Comptometer… a heck of a lot of money a year.
Mike in Missouri,
Do you need another lawn mower? One of my daughters and her husband are moving to Germany in June. There are some things, like appliances that run on 110v, that they cannot take with them. Another is their gasoline-powered lawnmower. They’re illegal in Germany!
Jerry in Fl on 04 Mar 2011 at 11:53 am #
Serpents first and Macs second, but only in Eden. BTW, you have to wear clothes now too. A word of warning, those claiming to be sent by the boss are known to have an eye for the local ladies.
Bob, near Mark on 04 Mar 2011 at 11:58 am #
billinbossier,
“On another note, I wonder why I am a day late reading this?”
That reminded me of a news story yesterday on UFO files being released by the British government. One man in Britain complained to the police that he had been abducted by aliens, and when he returned, he had gained an hour. Then someone explained to him that it was the end of daylight savings time, and the clocks had been turned back.
Tom from the Front Range on 04 Mar 2011 at 1:14 pm #
JJ in FL, some of us know exactly what newspaper is known as the “Mullet Wrapper”. Be careful, you will give away your location
. I see that the Mullet Wrapper carries A&J.
Bill / Milwaukee on 04 Mar 2011 at 1:33 pm #
To bad on the book falling thru (this time),, but I just look at it that I’m reading your book, one page a day, here at this site, AND it’s with commentary with no extra charge !!!!!
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 04 Mar 2011 at 1:36 pm #
The last line in today’s comic got me thinking: What one line from any A&J strip best sums up what we love about the comic?
My nominee: August 16, 2000- “Marriage is odd.”
Bob, near Mark on 04 Mar 2011 at 1:52 pm #
BtWW,
Well, there’s:
Arlo, “This is the shotgun formation.” Janis, “It’s boring.” Jan 25, 2000.
Janis, “Told you I can still do a cartwheel.” July 29, 2002.
or, Arlo, “Ha! You found the handcuff key!” April 10, 2008.
Where do I stop???
CIDU Bill on 04 Mar 2011 at 4:42 pm #
I definitely agree with “Marriage is odd,” because it’s so universal (while so strongly evoking a specific A&J strip)
Tom (Somewhere in Georgia) on 04 Mar 2011 at 5:04 pm #
I like marriage is odd too.. how about- “Happy Valentine’s Day! You’ll never have to buy lingerie again as long as you live.” or 2-24- “RRRRRRRRR….”
TruckerRon on 04 Mar 2011 at 5:25 pm #
I haven’t managed to find a comfortable way to read a screen to my daughters at bedtime. I vote for a book!
Mary in MT on 04 Mar 2011 at 6:06 pm #
I sorta like the one where Arlo is telling Janis “with opinions as good as mine, facts aren’t so necessary”.
Jerry in Fl on 04 Mar 2011 at 7:40 pm #
Tom, Every newspaper in North Florida is known as the mullet wrapper and correctly so, although it now takes one paper for each fish. I’m thinking that , instead of delivering it, they could just slip it in a small envelope and mail it. I would get it a day later, but WEAR reads me the headlines in the morning anyway. If we want to know what’s really happening we read the Tallahassee Democrat online. Doggone it, I guessed that Sputnik was launched the same day that Gunsmoke began, but the right answer was Leave It to Beaver. That’s ok, I can still look at Meredith. one of the sexiest women on tv.
Phil in Sugar Land, TX on 04 Mar 2011 at 7:41 pm #
Mary in MT;
We’re thinking of retiring in Missoula. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Mary in MT on 04 Mar 2011 at 10:14 pm #
Phil, since I have never lived anywhere else I can’t compare it to anywhere else. I’m afraid I’m quite partial and what I say might not be very objective. MT has no sales tax (+) but property tax is quite high (-). MT isn’t very crowded (+) but it also does not have the “action” you would find in a large city (-). On a clear cool fall night you can watch the northern lights dance across the sky with Handel’s “Water Music” running through your mind (+) or you can stand elbow to elbow (-) and actually listen to the music while the Bellagio fountains dance.
Missoula is a nice area tucked away in the mountains. It’s a college town (U of M), and because of the college there is always something going on, places to go, things to do. I really like Missoula except for one week out of the year. I’m a Montana State alum and even though Cat/Griz week is alot of fun, I absolutely do not want the Grizzlies to win. So if you do retire to Missoula there will be some good natured ribbing between you and me here on A&J because you can’t live in Missoula and not be a Griz.
Greg from Robertsdale on 04 Mar 2011 at 11:20 pm #
BTWW…
My favorite strip is the beach one where Arlo is in a funk about life and it’s apparent futility. Janis says “If you’re really down, maybe you should try to see someone.” His reply is “That occurred to me, but I don’t think it’s such a good idea. But that’s very open minded of you.” Upon receiving “the scowl” all us husbands know, he says “Oh, you mean like a doctor or something.”
LOVE that strip.
On the subject of marriage, during a boat show series, he once quipped “Marriage has got to be someones idea of a joke.” Boy what I could say to THAT some days.
Jerry in Fl on 04 Mar 2011 at 11:33 pm #
I’m with Greg. That has to be the best strip ever. Just watched “Unstoppable” On Demand. It’s a good one, no shooting, killing or blood but lots of action.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 05 Mar 2011 at 12:05 am #
Janis: “Talk Talk Talk.” May 21, 2004
I mentioned this one recently, but still…
Tom (Somewhere in Georgia) on 05 Mar 2011 at 8:46 am #
JJ- Arlo knows how to flip an egg! So, did today’s A&J stem from our “Great Egg Discussion” or did the “Great Egg Discussion” stem from your drawing board??
Steve from Royal Oak on 05 Mar 2011 at 9:19 am #
I don’t know Tom, no one mentioned the “fist pump” at the end of the flip. However when I first did it, I did do a “mental” fist pump, because I would not want to be caught by my wife doing the pump.
I would write more, but I off to the kitchen to flip some eggs.
Tom (Somewhere in Georgia) on 05 Mar 2011 at 9:24 am #
Flip away Steve. I already flipped mine. Perfect. Yessssss.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 05 Mar 2011 at 9:27 am #
Yeah, which came first…the chattin‘ or the egg?
Phil in Sugar Land, TX on 05 Mar 2011 at 9:39 am #
Mary in MT;
We’ve spent on the order of a month there at various times of the year checking out the town and the things you mention are what drew us to the community. Plus the sense of “Community” that we saw in people. Also Cold Smoke Ale.
I’ve had all the ‘action’ of a big city that I ever hope to have. I’ve lived in Wyoming and Colorado until the job dragged me to the big city and I’ve been yearning to get back to the Mountain West for 20 years.
I am a California Aggie from the days when the teams were pretty much a local league, so I don’t have a particular bias and my wife doesn’t care for any sport other than tennis, but I can take up the cause for a good rhubarb.
Bill in Paducah on 05 Mar 2011 at 12:40 pm #
Since we’re back on eggs, I’ll tell my story. I never really learned to cook much, but I’ve cooked on camp outs when I was in scouts and later as a scout leader, so I can do some of the basics, including breakfast. After my divorce several years ago, I decided it was important to show I could host a family meal during the holidays. I was smart enough not to try a lunch or dinner, and invited about 20 over for breakfast. Lived in a two bedroom duplex of comfortable size (and a pretty large kitchen) at the time. Started the bacon first so I would have the grease for whatever else I needed. I noticed it was getting a little smoky in the place, wasn’t terrible, but enough that I decided to open the windows. Cleared up enough by the time people started coming over, and I think they just attributed it to the smell of bacon frying. Pulled off the rest of the thing with a little help from my sisters, and everything went fine.
After everyone left a few hours later, the cats came out of hiding and I started cleaning up. Had started in the kitchen and walked into the living room to check for glasses, plates, etc. Found both cats sitting on top of the sofa, licking the walls. Guess the bacon smoked a little more than I realized!
Mary in Ohio on 05 Mar 2011 at 4:28 pm #
Bill in Paducah – great story! But you must’ve done pretty well because the cats wouldn’t touch it otherwise!
Jerry in Fl on 05 Mar 2011 at 4:45 pm #
Our cats lick pretty often, but I’m fairly sure that what they’re tasting had nothing to do with our cooking.
Jerry in Fl on 05 Mar 2011 at 7:49 pm #
I apologize. I believe that my previous comment was in poor taste.
Mark in Boston on 05 Mar 2011 at 11:13 pm #
A friend of mine once rented a house that had previously been rented by a couple who lived there for decades, cooked with lots of fat and never washed the kitchen walls. There were rivers of rancid grease on the walls.
Bonnie from Gloucester MA on 05 Mar 2011 at 11:57 pm #
Oh jeez. Sorry about the book deal, Jimbo What about self-publishing? It seems that a fair number of people do it nowadays and you know you’ve got customers lined up.
Jerry in Fl on 06 Mar 2011 at 12:41 am #
Mark, I’ve heard of those people. They only cook chicken and they eat it out of cardboard buckets.
Lindy from Eureka, CA on 06 Mar 2011 at 4:08 am #
I hope the book happens someday. I appreciated other’s comments about their favorite strips. There have been so many… I’d like to add:
“It isn’t every day you see a squirrel fall out of a tree” 4/3/2000
“Monday can be a drag” 8/28/2000
“I’ve seen the sunset thousands of times too” 4/20/2009
“Words can be imprecise” 9/18/2009
spot on 06 Mar 2011 at 5:49 am #
i hope there is a book deal soon
John in LA late of PNS on 06 Mar 2011 at 2:31 pm #
Anyone still looking for the sprip Pea Nuts? Now at Gocomics.com Just saw it today. Hope I am not repeating a post.
Matthew on 07 Mar 2011 at 4:17 am #
Let me add my voice to the chorus of “Damn! I was really looking forward to that book!”
I hope that you, the syndicate, and a publisher can cut a new deal soon. You will probably need to make this book a brief SELECTED WORKS, but I hope that its sales will show that we need a complete, chronological, multi-volumed ARLO & JANIS.
Den in MN on 07 Mar 2011 at 9:34 am #
Sorry to hear about the book situation, but will try to view it as just a delay worth enduring. But be sure that when it is published you will have many copies pre-sold (personal copies, gifts for family and friends, etc.). I also like the idea of a comprehensive tome (or tomes)!
bruce on 07 Mar 2011 at 10:20 am #
Well, rats. Self-publish? e-book? Find a new publisher? Hire an agent?