In Part 1 of our story, we learned that Phil Plait, in his role as The Bad Astronomer, has landed a second book contract. But what will become of him? Where will he find time to write? Will he continue to be a NERD? And can two grown men live together without driving each other crazy? *
So yeah, I’m writing this book. I pitched it a while back, and it took a long time to get the pitch together, and to send it off to a zillion publishers, and to hear back from them. Viking was the best one to step up to the plate (hahaha! Plate! That’s me, kinda! Haha!), and then we had to hammer out a contract. And then came the long wait for an actual advance payment, so I could afford to actually take the next step:
On Friday, I resigned from my job.
OK, phew! That was tough to write, but there it is.
I resigned from my job.
Yeah — easier to write the second time. But still. Phew! Tough to do.
I’ve only left a career-type job twice, and the first time I had to because the money had run out (the satellite had long since stopped taking data), and the second one because, well, the money had run out again. At that time I also wanted a career change, so I moved to California to become the NASA Education Resource Director (NERD– get it? Haha again) for the Education and Public Outreach Group at Sonoma State University. That was in 2001.
So it’s been six years, which is a bit of a run. But when we (meaning my agent, Loretta Barrett, and I) worked out the deal with Viking, they wanted the book manuscript sent in by October! Aiiiieeeee! That means writing every weekend, every evening, and maybe even during hours that don’t really exist.
Clearly, writing a book and having a full time job simultaneously wasn’t going to happen, so I had a decision to make, a very tough one I’ll add. But in the end, I had to go with the book. I love writing (love love love) and I can see this being the Next Big Step in my life, so I had to go with it. I’ll admit it was hard to resign being the NERD, since there are a lot of great aspects of the job– I hang out with astronomers, I get to see cutting edge science almost the moment it’s done… and there is more than a little thrill seeing something I’ve written or created come alive in a kid’s brain. That light in their eyes is almost a tangible thing, and every time I see it I feel like I’m breathing in the science and wonder again for the first time. But as Q said to Picard, "All good things must come to an end." And seeing as he’s omniscient, I’m going with what he says.
And about leaving a full time job to write… the common wisdom among writers is not to quit the day job until after the third book, but I like to flout common wisdom. It’s usually based on an urban legend.
So here I am, winding down my salaried career, trying to (yet again) start a new direction in life… but where am I going to do it?
Ah, for that slice of melodrama, stay tuned to the next episode of "Big Announcement": same bad time, same bad channel!
* For those who are wondering what I’m talking about, that’s from "The Odd Couple", one of my favorite shows when I was a kid (and it’s still a great show). When I wrote the intro above, the voice in my head sounded like the voiceover guy from the show.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Congratulations and God Speed, Phil. I’ll miss working with you…still see you at AAS meetings and what not I hope.
Rob
April 9th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
To hell with common wisdom. If I listened to common wisdom, I wouldn’t be where….ok, I’m a bad example. Anyway, good luck with the book BA. Can’t wait for it.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Best of luck with the book.
Is it going to be ready for Christmas so we can buy it for all the bad little boys and girls?
April 9th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Oh- and according to tonight’s Olbermann- Kirsten Dunst is best friends with Carl Sagan’s son, which would explain why she was seen reading his book.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Good luck! How’d Mrs. Bad feel about it?
April 9th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Flout. You want to flout common wisdom.
April 9th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Fantastic news! I shall do my utmost to pad your paycheck when it gets published.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
If this is the same common wisdom which said man could never get into space, let alone walk on the moon (hell, there were scientists saying it was physically impossible to accelerate a rocket once it’s in space, since it had nothing to push against), then to hell with it.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
John, “flaunt” also means to ignore or treat with disdain.
April 9th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
This is guilt tripping big time. Now we all _have_ to buy your book or feel rotten about you having to starve in a gutter somewhere!
April 9th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
BA, from that page you linked:
“Usage Note: Flaunt as a transitive verb means “to exhibit ostentatiously”: She flaunted her wealth. To flout is “to show contempt for”: She flouted the proprieties. For some time now flaunt has been used in the sense “to show contempt for,” even by educated users of English. This usage is still widely seen as erroneous and is best avoided.”
So, while you’re not TECHNICALLY incorrect, I will continue to wince when I see it and mentally kick the perpetrator.
April 9th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I gotta say, Phil, it’s starting to mean that now because people are sloppy. Seriously. “Flout.”
You know, if you need someone to proofread for you . . . but with luck, Viking still pays people to do it.
April 9th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
After reading part one I turned to my girlfriend & said ‘I wonder if he’s going to quit his job?’ I must be psychic – not!
Good luck Phil, but please reconsider, if you can, bringing the paperback out sooner!
April 9th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Any plans or ideas to keep you occupied after this second book?
I wonder how the publication of a second book will boost the sales of the first one.
I’m looking forward to “Death from the Skies”.
April 9th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Your Royal Majesty, Wizard Of Time And Space…
Gutsy move, dude…
And I thought I was having heart palpitations coming to the decision to buy a house…
Good luck, Phil…all available protuberances crossed in your general direction.
And yes, somehow somewhere I WILL show up to get an autograph in my copy…
April 9th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Congrats and good luck! I quit being a wage slave a year ago to work for myself. Not a big financial success so far but I’m still glad I did it.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Like Roy, I also had a ‘cosmic consciousness moment’, and had a strong sense that you would be quitting your job. Of course, that’s not quite so mysterious when the other ways to find more hours in your day in order to make a writing deadline include:
- find a wrinkle in time that allows you to periodically head back in time each evening after spending that time writing, and then using the time again; or
- take some sort of wonder drug that will allow you never to sleep; or
- find a way to propel yourself through space at a speed close to the speed of light, so that as time slows down, the deadline never quite comes into sight …
Really, logic dictated that you were going to go the way you did. So … best of luck, and I promise to try to get your next book onto the list of ‘essential reading’ for all school students here (having failed to do the same for the first book, unfortunately.)
April 10th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Why quit totally – is that wise?
Why not just ask for a leave of absence and take a sabattical, Gus Grissom / William Peterson did.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:38 am
Congratulations and good luck!
April 10th, 2007 at 4:01 am
Good luck Phil
April 10th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Good luck Phil. I’ll be in line the day that book comes out.
April 10th, 2007 at 4:38 am
Absolutely the best of wishes for you in your new career, Phil. I’ve been a fan for a couple years now and heartily applaud any move that gets more well-written, insightful skeptical thought out in the mainstream. Huzzah!
April 10th, 2007 at 4:46 am
I’m definitely in the “flout” party. Why, other than ignorance or carelessness, would anybody want to add a new meaning to “flaunt” (which could be ambiguous with its existing meaning) when there’s already a perfectly good word for the job?
April 10th, 2007 at 4:55 am
Wow, so if a pay pal link suddenly pops up at the top of every page on your website we’ll know why?
Best of luck, really, writing is a crazy and wonderful thing.
April 10th, 2007 at 4:58 am
I think “Death from the Skies” is a great title and people will buy it just to calm their nerves…. or throw themselves into outright panic.
Congrats on the book deal! You will have no life to speak of for the next few months, but it’s worth the pain in the long run. Good luck!
April 10th, 2007 at 5:11 am
“Same bad time, same bad channel”! Hahahahahahahahahaha!
April 10th, 2007 at 5:31 am
OK, so with this, you finaly made me buy your first book, just to save your ass.
April 10th, 2007 at 5:36 am
Holy paraeidolia, Badman! You’re quitting your job?
April 10th, 2007 at 5:39 am
Gamma-Ray Burst of Damocles…
Back in 1979, Isaac Asimov let loose a book called A Choice of Catastrophes. It covered a whole spectrum of Very Bad Things, from the end of humanity (a relatively mild outcome) to the extinction of the Universe itself. Being Asimov, he voiced his co…
April 10th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Wow exciting! Good luck Phil!
April 10th, 2007 at 5:59 am
…Sorry no post, im actualy out buying a second copy of “Bad Astronomy”…..
Seriously, when you can, set up a pre-order with Amazon.
Good Luck!
April 10th, 2007 at 6:16 am
My dear writer friend, you wrote “flaunt” when you meant “flout”.
Best of luck, Phil. I love your blog and when your book comes out, I’ll buy one. I truly wish you success in this. You’re putting into action what some of us (me for instance) have only dreamt of.
Can’t wait to read it!
April 10th, 2007 at 6:19 am
Best of wishes to you and your family, BA.
May you be blessed with a “near miss” event at the time of your book release.
I know your book will have an impact that won’t crater!!!
You may want to reserve any details of your book till release. At least, that is what one famous author recommends.
April 10th, 2007 at 6:52 am
Great news about the new book deal; I hope you can stay in groceries during this period.
*sigh*
I guess this means I’ll finally give in and buy a copy of BA from Amazon.ca, when it gets back in stock. (haven’t found it locally) Gotta keep supper on Phil’s “plate” after all!
Back to work, now…(it’s all pensionable time….it’s all pensionable time….it’s all pensionable time….)
April 10th, 2007 at 7:09 am
I’m in the group who didn’t see this coming. I certainly wish you the best of luck on your new book and future writing/career ventures. Hope to see you at future AAS meetings on occasion!
April 10th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Without the job to tie you down, you should definitely get away from either coast, the cost of living is too high. Alamogordo, NM is nice. Space museum, white sands, that new spaceport thing, and Cloudcroft nearby if deserts aren’t your thing. Hey, and Roswell’s just up the road.
Just a thought. And no, I’m not from there.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:24 am
Wow. That’s a big step! Q’apla!
BTW, you can count on me to support by buying at least one copy of your new book when it comes out.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:29 am
!!!!!
That definitely wasn’t what I was expecting this morning. I guess that means you’ll be relying on those speaking engagements even more – I’ll keep looking for funding. AFTER October.
You’re still coming to AAS meetings, right?
April 10th, 2007 at 7:36 am
Just want to let you know that I enjoy reading your blog and good luck with your new career.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Is it just me, or did this post disappear for most of the day and then come back rewritten?? I smell a conspiracy. Must be aliens.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
That’s amazing!! I’m certain that this will be just as good as the last…via conventional wisdom, I’d wish you good luck, though fortunately we all know that you don’t need a bit of it. Congratulations on your big news!
April 10th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
This post was down for some routine maintenance today. I had to replace some valves, lube up the undercarriage, that sort of thing.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
…fix the frakkin’ gimbals…
April 10th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I have the felling this second book is going to be expensive
.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Ah, there is nothing like the mixed sense of relief, freedom and excitement when quitting a job to move on.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Good luck BA!
April 10th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Ooohhh… the great vanishing post!!! how exciting!!! (I read it the first time around
)
Anyway, way to go phil! Hopefully your next book will sell as many or more copies than your first.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
“You watched it — you can’t un-watch it!”
Good luck with the new book. I can’t wait for it to come out.
April 10th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Hopefully we won’t see you out in the mall parking lot with a crappy hand written sign “Will sign book for food”.
Anyway the world has enough doctors, what the world needs is a few more dreamers, so good luck dreaming!
April 11th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Congratulations Phil!
It’s a big step, as I know from personal and very recent experience. I quit my job of 22 years (yikes!) just six weeks ago, in part to finish the book I have been working on. One or two people shook their heads in disbelief at the news, but the overall response has been very positive, with many wishing that they had the same chance to follow their dreams. It was a tough decision, but one I knew I would regret if I didn’t take that chance. I have no idea if I will be published, but at least it won’t be for want of trying.
I have to admit you have a leg up on me, though. You already have a book published, run a popular and entertaining web site, and make regular appearances in the media. A perfect platform for selling more books. Methinks you’ll be fine, and I’m sure you won’t miss the day job.
So good on ya, Phil, and all the best in your new career!
April 11th, 2007 at 2:15 am
Very best wishes with the book. Looking forward to it.
A word of warning – although you’re probably strong-minded enough not to let this happen, but work *does* expand to fill the time available and you may find you won’t get much more written than you would have done if you were still in remunerative employment.
A word of warning 2 – beware wilfing. Because you’ve (generic) got all those acres of extra time available, there’s a tendency to keep doing that little bit extra research… Then you’ll have to prune all the extra verbiage that’s resulted.
Having said that, go for it! Flout, flout, flout!
–
April 11th, 2007 at 2:46 am
But why not just request a leave of absence / sabattical, so you have something to go back to after the book is completed, whilst publishers bicker about “release dates” and where it will be published and translations etc…
Was that ever an option?
April 11th, 2007 at 3:13 am
You’ve obviously made your decision, and we never get anywhere in life by dithering (I know this from experience, believe me). So I say GOOD FOR YOU! And all the best. I can’t wait to see the book when it’s finished.
And if you miss the education thing, you can always return. It may be true that all good things come to an end, but it’s also true that nothing is certain when it comes to navigating through life. There is always something new to try, and always something old to return to.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:48 am
OHMYGOSH. You didn’t? You didn’t! Holy holy crap, Phil. As hard as astronomy jobs are to get!!! What did they tell you about writing??? Unless you got a million dollar advance….
April 11th, 2007 at 5:17 am
A new challenge! In my case I tend to become bored unless I am confronted with new challenges, so I understand completely. A new and bold opportunity to expand your horizons Phil! Best of luck with your new endeavor, and looking forward to purchasing and enjoying what will surely be another hit!
April 11th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Good luck, Phil! Hopefully this means you’ll be able to travel more and give more of your great talks (Hint, hint, swing by my school).
Will you add some new talks to reflect your new book?
April 11th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Good Luck Phil!
I know your a smart guy and have done the economic analysis.
That’s one small step for the BA, one giant leap for the BA bunch.
Look forward to your new book…I for one will buy it. Probably two copies as a have a young friend in college wanting to become an astronomer.
Any working titles yet?
Good Luck,
Tom
April 11th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Alas Phil, we knew him well when he was just a peon like us…
May you always remember us peons and peanuts when you’re rich and famous(er) than you are now.
Best of luck while you’re writing. I have no doubt, though, that you’ll have no trouble staying in your feet and reaching your dreams.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:45 am
Inconceivable! But I wish you the best & I’m looking forward to the new book.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:46 am
Phil,
You made me go buy your book. Just one piece of advice – GET ON OPRAH!
Best wishes,
John
April 11th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Of course I’ll buy the book. Of course.
But, we need a good MILLION people to buy this book….
Unless you know something about the book biz I haven’t learned yet.
Of course fiction is generally better than nonfiction, more lucrative, I mean, but…
But, but but. What’s this about “after the third book”? I’ve had no such luck and know very few exceptions.
But, as Capt. Action said, surely you’ve done the math.
So, I rest my case and wish you all the good fortune in the world, Bad. Your contribution is so, so needed.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Good luck Phil.
I hope you still plan to attend (and speak) at SPACEFEST 2007 in August. I registered in hopes of seeing you live. Well, that’s not the ONLY reason. I live only ~ 20 miles from the Mesa Convention Center, where it will be held. It’s SE of the light pollution and the “Star Stuff” shines!
Take care!
April 11th, 2007 at 7:17 am
Announcement: Man with BIG cajones goes for the gold,,,
Finally, a skeptic writer making a living doing what the woo-woos have done for decades. It’s about damn time. OK, we had Asimov(dead) Sagan(also dead). It’s a real joy to see another skeptic reaching out to the mass audience full time. Hope they make a made for TV flick from your best selling book. Great title: Death from the Skies. Really punchy. Might even draw in the woo-woo crowd, those most in need of some rationality.
Peace and success, Dude!
GAry 7
April 11th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I’m still trying to track down your first book here in the UK!
But, I agree with Gary Ansorge, it’s just great that we’re seeing this kind of book. I too have been horrified with the level of fear that some produce over their ridiculous “facts” about cosmic disasters wiping us away….fire away Capt’n !
Here’s something else…
“Making a Mint From The Moon”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6533169.stm?ls
I did’nt get the name of the con merchant in this news story. I flicked away before my temper got the better of me. But he’s soliciting plots on the Moon to the tune of 9 million dollars !
“Laughing all the way to the Moon”, eh ?
DJBarney
April 11th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Congratulations! Now you can flaunt your intelligence while flouting preconceived notions without nutcases flourishing your “NASA employee” title against you.
Seriously though: good luck with this! Might just find a use for your new book in my astronomy for teachers class (I’m already using the blog!). As others have said, I hope to see you at AAS/AAAS meetings in the future!
Also, does this mean there is a job opening available at Sonoma State?
April 11th, 2007 at 7:55 am
DJBarney: Here in the UK you can get the Bad Astronomy book from play.com: http://tinyurl.com/ywuyg4
I have bought plenty of stuff from them, very reliable and fast.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Let’s all do all we can to make Phil’s next book a resounding success.
Talk, talk, talk it up. Send forwards to everyone on your list when the book comes out. Why not? Everybody sends forwards to you, don’t they?
Review the heck out of it on Amazon and B&N.
BUY THE BOOK, for Bad’s sake. Getting it from the library or passing it around doesn’t do a bit of good. No matter how good a book is, if enough people (and “enough” these days is a lot) don’t buy it, it fails no matter how good it is.
If he signs or speaks in your area, show up and see that others do.
He needs to be on Larry King Live, although Larry is the Woo-Meister.
A while back some of us on Randi forum flooded King with emails about having Randi on. Randi said it wouldn’t work. Well, he got on, didn’t he? Of course we don’t know it was because of us, but who knows?
I’m sure he’ll get lots of linkage and mentions via the skeptic community friends such as Randi, Shermer, Rebecca, etc.
We all need to help, though.
The more skeptical books that get published, the more can get published. The numbers MUST swell, though. It’s all about numbers.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Tried to post my most brilliant witticism but something went wierd so here’ it is,,,again,,,
Yoh, I knew him when he was just a NERD like me,,,
GAry 7
April 11th, 2007 at 9:03 am
You’ve done the hardest part of becoming a writer!! Congratulations and more congratulations!! Doris
April 11th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Gutsy. But probably appropriate, judging by the writings here “science writer” seems to be the primary passion and a fine one.
At least the anti-skeptics can’t keep saying you’re bought and paid for..
Or at the very least, bought and paid for by someone else now.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Well, it’s a given that with Phil’s affable nature and wit and the subject of his next book, that he’ll be able to get on plenty of TV shows — The Daily Show, Colbert Report, CNN, MSNBC, (I trust he will not sell out to Fox News
even one of the network late night talk shows.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Write long and prosper,
OK, OK, I’ll get my coat
April 11th, 2007 at 10:34 am
So, Part III isn’t going to be an announcement that this blog nor the website as a whole is going extinct, is it?
Congratulations, Phil! I look forward to purchasing your book!
April 11th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Good luck Phil. We certainly need someone to speak up for science and reason. I’ll buy a copy for sure!
April 11th, 2007 at 10:53 am
From what I gather, in part III BA will tell us where he intend to write his book. My guess would be either the attic or the basement.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:11 am
How to sell many books:
Convince the Scientologists that Phil wrote it while channeling L. Ron Hubbard.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:24 am
I’ll add my congrats to the above, Mr. Plait; but I, too, suspect Part III will be the announcement of the end of Bad Astronomy – for the time being, at least. My guess is that the focus must be solely on the book with no distractions to steal concentration away from the difficult task of writing. I hope you’ve been given a reasonable amount of time by your publisher to complete the book; I realize some folks work better under pressure, because having no steady source of income AND a tight deadline could fast become a mind-numbing experience. But I’m just remembering the deadlines I had to meet for college term papers so many years ago. I never met a deadline I couldn’t miss…
Again, congratulations and I’ll be looking forward to book two.
Will
April 11th, 2007 at 11:43 am
So, are you staying in the same part of the country? I mean, I’m kinda looking for a roommate, and you seem pretty decent… I mean…. I don’t know what you’d be like to live with
*flashes to picture of Phill in a wifebeater in a recliner screaming at the TV “OH! What the hell was that! My grandmother can launch a delta IV better than that”
*flash back to reality*
Okay…er…. yea. Um… I am looking for a roommate though.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:59 am
In case the fears of you temporarily discontinuing this blog are true, I suggest you use this blog to help you write the book. After all, you can’t expect us to suffer just because you have to write offline. What about us? We get jittery, sweaty, and irritable if we don’t get our dose of Badastronodone.
Just post about asteroids, GRBs, the Sun turning into an Earth-swallowing red giant, and Planet X colliding into Earth any day now, and before you know it, you’ll have your book written and things won’t get so ugly on this side of the blog.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
So…. if this book is a huge success, all of the loot from it will be… what? Viking plunder?
April 11th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Wild speculations based on no supportive evidence…Hey, I want to play!
1. New book coming out in the next year; publicity to ensue
2. Quitting job
3. Hints of a geographical move
4. Strong political comments via blog
It can only mean that the Bad Astronomer is running for President!
April 11th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I’ll definitely buy your book, and when I check out at the register, I’ll make a big scene about how great I heard the book was
April 11th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
This Phil guy writes a pretty good blog. I hope he doesn’t stop that. So anyway, when can we pre order this new book? I’m tired of waiting
April 11th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
(Dateline: Late Winter 2008) DJ has been waiting all winter to finally receive his fresh, autographed (at no extra charge) copy of “Death From the Skies”. As he has done day after day all through the cold, dreary winter, he sits at his window staring out at his mailbox at the end of his driveway. But today, as the little mail vehicle stops at the box, the driver gives a couple of toots on his governmental horn and flashes DJ a big ‘thumbs up’. “Oh happy happy joy joy!! It’s here!!” He jumps up, runs out the door (without benefit of opening it first) and sprints down the driveway. As he reaches the mailbox, the mailguy is staring up at the sky with alarm…”What the hell is that?” DJ says, “Let me check” and rips the package open. As he scans the table of contents,
April 11th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
But really…congrats. Keeping the same job for years and decades and lifetimes isn’t always the way to go thru life…Take it from somebody who has done exactly that for almost 40 years. But you’re YOUNG! When a door closes, a window opens. Get on the bestest, fastest rides, hang on tight, and enjoy the scenery. We can’t know the future. Who knows, the school could be hit by an asteroid tomorrow!
(Did I say THAT?)
April 11th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Part III: Movie? Or maybe a TV special? Or maybe not a special, but a series… like Cosmos… except more edgy… and hosted by Phill instead of Carl Segan…. oh oh! With a machine gun arm!
April 11th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
ABR, the BA is smarter then that.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
A BA PBS special I like that idea.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
The Pantry begat the blog.
The blog was good, but The Pantry was destroyed.
The blog begat the Second Book.
The Second Book must surely be good, but the blog must surely be destroyed.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
I, too, figured the way you were finding the extra time for writing the book and resurrecting the Q&BA was via quitting your day job. I fully expect this won’t impact the existence of the blog.
Congrats on your big decision.
Does this mean it will be easier to drag you down to Houston?
April 11th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Oh man. Good luck, seriously! I’ve putting off buying the Bad Astronomy book for quite a while, but now I’ve gotta buy it, if only to help you somehow. Jokes asides, good luck (again!)
Also, I second the call for Phil Plait for President of the USA; with him at the helm NASA’s budget will skyrocket!
April 12th, 2007 at 7:16 am
Wow, such wonderful comments! All of these recent events in my life (and there’s still one more to discuss, later today) have had me pretty worried. This is a major step, but it’s great to know I’m getting so much support.
Sherry — you’re too much! No, no megabuck advance, and no extra knowledge of publishing. But I have other revenue streams, as they say, and though they aren’t much they should help pay the bills. And who says I only have one more book in me?
tacitus — wow! That’s fantastic! I hope it works out well for you. Leaving this job after six years was hard; I can’t imagine what it would be like after 22!
DJBarney — try http://www.amazon.com.uk.
Everyone else: Again, thanks. And I wouldn’t DREAM of shutting down this blog! There may come a time in September as the deadline looms when posts will get sporadic, but I hope I can post at least once a day.
And… me for President. Ha! Then some irritating blogger would wind up writing how I was suppressing astrology, creationism, and the Moon Hoax. Like I need that.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:49 am
But Phil, was it not possible to just take a leave of absence whilst you wrote the book and then returned after you had submitted it to the publishers. Then on the dust jacket you could still claim to be at you university, thus giving extra kudos.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:05 am
“And… me for President. Ha! Then some irritating blogger would wind up writing how I was suppressing astrology, creationism, and the Moon Hoax. Like I need that.”
But this already happens…might as well be president too
Rob