Why are people sharing photos of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone already?

You may have seen people sharing photos of their copy of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone already. How is that possible when it’s not officially out yet?

We’re still a couple of days away from the official release of Outlander Book 9, titled Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. Something you may have seen though is people sharing photos of their copies already in their hands.

How is that possible when the book hasn’t been released? How is it fair when you’re still waiting for the stock to arrive in your local bookstore or your pre-order to get to you?

It isn’t fair, but there are a few explanations for this happening. No, the UK didn’t get a different release date to the U.S. It’s actually likely linked to places mailing out pre-orders early to make sure the books arrive in time for the release date or it’s due to book stores not honoring the official release date.

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone is out on Tuesday

The official release date remains the same. You can get your hands on the book on Tuesday, Nov. 23. This is also when the Audible title will be released if you’ve pre-ordered it that way.

Those who got their books early may have pre-ordered online and the book store has shipped the books out early. With all the shipping delays recently, shipping out the books as soon as they arrive in store is smart. Who knows if the postal service will get the books to the address on time.

Then there are stores that will put the books out early anyway. It is disappointing when this happens as it has an effect on independent bookstores. The independent bookstores can’t risk putting the books out early in case the publishing companies come after them. Bigger bookstores that have the big legal teams will just pay a fine and move on.

It does create an imbalance, which is why it’s important to follow the dates. Sure, you can say “it’s just a book and not national secrets,” but it’s not the book that’s the problem. It’s the effect on smaller bookstores that is. If people get the book early from the bigger stores, the smaller stores can go out of business.

I’ll get off my soapbox now!

The thing to focus on is that people have received real copies of the books. There are a couple of reasons why this may have happened. Let’s just hope those people don’t share spoilers from the books before everyone even has a chance to open it!

Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone is out officially on Tuesday, Nov. 23.