I know the automotive book has been a joke around here and we'd never see it materialize in the same way Penelope would never finish her weaving. I'm happy to see Cat Tales on sale. It's an accomplishment worth praise. Well done, Jack.
Believe it or not, doing this book has helped me fix the mindset that kept me from getting the anthology done. I think I understand what would be required to get it handled.
I didn't like the idea of having to edit and rewrite 300,000 words. But doing it with 42,000 words wasn't *that* bad. Given a few months, I could do the anthology as well.
jack promises this will be out by june 2026 or hes giving away a rolex a week to his trackday subs until it does come out (this is definitely true and you should believe me)
I was prematurely searching the other day and came across “Never Stop Driving”, which credits you as an co-author. True? Might get that one for my dad.
I've got a copy. There are a few really good parts in there...but the rest are just, well, meh, to the point where I'm loudly asking nobody in particular, "was my automotive/satire writing so terrible that this passage is considered to be easily superior to my work?".
I guess that since I was refused passage on the U.S.S. Hagerty steamship of mediocrity, maybe that should instead be a badge of honor?
Side story: Elena Scherr got ten grand to write a part of the book. She wasted 4 months doing nothing then begged out of the project. So they got Turkey Neck Berk to vomit out some junk in her spot. From what I hear, Elena kept the money.
Yeah, I kinda blew the entire wad...and then some...on both Christmas, replacement parts for two turd vehicles, and a new SNELL-approved helmet from Pyrotect for autocross next year (I went with marine-use orange because apparently I'm not generating enough attention with a bright green eyesore of an automobile).
"If you are happy with the dollar value then its not "blown" money."
I'm notoriously cheap.
I'm not Cary Grant levels of cheap (if you didn't know, the actor previously known as Archibald Leach was legendarily cheap), but I'm still fairly cheap. Beyond that, no, I put a ridiculous amount of effort in trying to find the 'right' gifts for my friends and family, although those occasionally delve into the realm of prank gifts if I come up with something I think is funny.
"I just discovered parts geek and auto zone both canceled my large parts orders and neglected to tell me why."
Bless their hearts for at least not boring you to death with crushing load of unnecessary details.
"parts geek wants me to pay about 40% restocking fee so I'll take it up with my credit card, they're usually very good about this sort of thing."
Oh, that's awesome, THEY cancel your orders and then charge you with the restocking fee?
I'll stick with Rockauto and their 9/10 Formula, in that nine out of ten transactions go amazingly well, while the tenth is sheer Hell on Earth to try to sort out in regards to how Catch 22-levels of stupid someone on their end was.
I have ordered a couple of oddball pieces from PG, however.
"Looks like no new brakes / exhaust before Christmas."
I enjoy the hunt for what I want at the best price I can swing .
Rock Auto is nice but they wanted more $ in shipping then the co$t of the entire exhaust kit so......
You'd think all this misery would teach me not to buy used vehicles, especially so from my "One Man Wrecking Crew" son who's legendary for killing vehicles, I have noticed he's now lazy and short cuts jobs, a thing I cannot do so I've been busy correcting his D.P.O. repairs .
I needed to replace the cracked and leaking gas tank after he backed over something BIG on the Desert and damaged it and the skid plate (see above comment), of course whilst I'm lying there on my back I see some rust perforation in the short exhaust resonator near the outlet, I can't have that so off I went in search of new muffler, tail pipes and so on =8-^ .
I paid $3,500.00 for this thing and have been dumping massive amounts of labor and not a few $ into it, I like it and expect it to outlive me so that's all well and good .
I don't have much $ but this is all le$$ than a monthly payment for a new vehicle I doubt I'd like .
Time to go rake leaves and dog poop before the rain gets here, it looks like more than 200 gallons worth and I'm lucky if I can rake up 100 gallons before my back says !STOP! .
If you select Prime shipping it'll deliver by December 23. Or if you're willing to wait for December 29 delivery and are a Prime credit card customer, you get 8% off.
Ordered three for the siblings. If you’re reading this you know what you’re getting now.
I know the automotive book has been a joke around here and we'd never see it materialize in the same way Penelope would never finish her weaving. I'm happy to see Cat Tales on sale. It's an accomplishment worth praise. Well done, Jack.
Believe it or not, doing this book has helped me fix the mindset that kept me from getting the anthology done. I think I understand what would be required to get it handled.
'splain?
I didn't like the idea of having to edit and rewrite 300,000 words. But doing it with 42,000 words wasn't *that* bad. Given a few months, I could do the anthology as well.
jack promises this will be out by june 2026 or hes giving away a rolex a week to his trackday subs until it does come out (this is definitely true and you should believe me)
Not just ANY Rolex... a FAKE Rolex!
a good fake rolex does the same job as a real rolex
How can we make this go viral?
Post it on Reddit. They still love cat pictures I think.
oh hell yeah
also inquiring about international rates for the hardcover but if shipping across the border is too much of a pain ill just use the detroit mailbox
Ordering one for my mom.
I was prematurely searching the other day and came across “Never Stop Driving”, which credits you as an co-author. True? Might get that one for my dad.
I'm a co author. It's not a great book. It had the potential to be a great book, but in the end there's too much drivel and celebrity worship in it.
If agree with this. Although I did enjoy your section of it
I appreciate the kind words. Getting that through the edit and approval process was unpleasant.
I've got a copy. There are a few really good parts in there...but the rest are just, well, meh, to the point where I'm loudly asking nobody in particular, "was my automotive/satire writing so terrible that this passage is considered to be easily superior to my work?".
I guess that since I was refused passage on the U.S.S. Hagerty steamship of mediocrity, maybe that should instead be a badge of honor?
Side story: Elena Scherr got ten grand to write a part of the book. She wasted 4 months doing nothing then begged out of the project. So they got Turkey Neck Berk to vomit out some junk in her spot. From what I hear, Elena kept the money.
how the hell is that even an option
You try getting $$ back from an "author" or a "journalist" or heaven forbid a "writer".
They can't even get her to wear makeup, they're not gonna get her to return cash.
Hope it's a smash !
Sent one to my brother and one to my wife. She'll now having something to do while minding the cattle ranch over Christmas.
Many thanks.
Okay ;
This is great, I'll wait 'till after the holiday rush, see how my budget is doing, mayhap I can afford the signed hardcover edition .
? Do you in fact have a Siamese cat ? .
I did once but sadly it died, such a friendly and loving thing it was too =8-( .
-Nate
Yeah, I kinda blew the entire wad...and then some...on both Christmas, replacement parts for two turd vehicles, and a new SNELL-approved helmet from Pyrotect for autocross next year (I went with marine-use orange because apparently I'm not generating enough attention with a bright green eyesore of an automobile).
Well ;
If you are happy with the dollar value then its not "blown" money .
I just discovered parts geek and auto zone both canceled my large parts orders and neglected to tell me why .
parts geek wants me to pay about 40% restocking fee so I'll take it up with my credit card, they're usually very good about this sort of thing .
Looks like no new brakes / exhaust before Christmas .
-Nate
Restocking fee on a canceled order: that's absurd! Good luck with getting your money back.
"If you are happy with the dollar value then its not "blown" money."
I'm notoriously cheap.
I'm not Cary Grant levels of cheap (if you didn't know, the actor previously known as Archibald Leach was legendarily cheap), but I'm still fairly cheap. Beyond that, no, I put a ridiculous amount of effort in trying to find the 'right' gifts for my friends and family, although those occasionally delve into the realm of prank gifts if I come up with something I think is funny.
"I just discovered parts geek and auto zone both canceled my large parts orders and neglected to tell me why."
Bless their hearts for at least not boring you to death with crushing load of unnecessary details.
"parts geek wants me to pay about 40% restocking fee so I'll take it up with my credit card, they're usually very good about this sort of thing."
Oh, that's awesome, THEY cancel your orders and then charge you with the restocking fee?
I'll stick with Rockauto and their 9/10 Formula, in that nine out of ten transactions go amazingly well, while the tenth is sheer Hell on Earth to try to sort out in regards to how Catch 22-levels of stupid someone on their end was.
I have ordered a couple of oddball pieces from PG, however.
"Looks like no new brakes / exhaust before Christmas."
Those terrorist bastards.
Well no ;
"cheap", like "poor" is a state of mind .
I enjoy the hunt for what I want at the best price I can swing .
Rock Auto is nice but they wanted more $ in shipping then the co$t of the entire exhaust kit so......
You'd think all this misery would teach me not to buy used vehicles, especially so from my "One Man Wrecking Crew" son who's legendary for killing vehicles, I have noticed he's now lazy and short cuts jobs, a thing I cannot do so I've been busy correcting his D.P.O. repairs .
I needed to replace the cracked and leaking gas tank after he backed over something BIG on the Desert and damaged it and the skid plate (see above comment), of course whilst I'm lying there on my back I see some rust perforation in the short exhaust resonator near the outlet, I can't have that so off I went in search of new muffler, tail pipes and so on =8-^ .
I paid $3,500.00 for this thing and have been dumping massive amounts of labor and not a few $ into it, I like it and expect it to outlive me so that's all well and good .
I don't have much $ but this is all le$$ than a monthly payment for a new vehicle I doubt I'd like .
Time to go rake leaves and dog poop before the rain gets here, it looks like more than 200 gallons worth and I'm lucky if I can rake up 100 gallons before my back says !STOP! .
-Nate
"I have noticed he's now lazy and short cuts jobs, a thing I cannot do."
I am reminded of a mechanical engineer joke:
How do you torture a mechanical engineer?
Tie him up in a chair and slowly fold a road map incorrectly right in front of him.
Trick question, you’re supposed to roll maps.
Source: Twister.
this makes me uncomfortable
I bought a copy. I also shared it around a bit. Good luck!
God bless you.
Brilliant! So glad you've got this out. May it be the first of many!
Just ordered- Jack I wanted to thank you again for the 6 mo subscription last year. I’m now BACK and better than ever.
Hell yes. As the kids say LETS GO
Ordered thanks!!!!
How do we get a copy to Oprah? I'd pay real money to see Jack on The View.
adding to that there must be some kind of influencer online that could hock it
Nothing less than the hardcover for me. Specially as I wouldn’t get it by Christmas anyway. And damn straight I want mine autographed.
Actually, I’m looking forward to the leather bound, gilt edged version.
I am going to talk to Vox Day about that!
Add me to the list.
we are of the same opinion
Just ordered and looking forward to reading!
If you select Prime shipping it'll deliver by December 23. Or if you're willing to wait for December 29 delivery and are a Prime credit card customer, you get 8% off.
Two paperbacks ordered, one for the GF and one for me. Good luck with sales, Jack!