Shameless Post

Today, I noticed that the book reached #213 on Amazon's overall rank. I never expected it to break 500 and was doubtful about 500. The fact that it's been hovering around 300 for a week, and now has come close to 200 is just got me feeling peachy.

Edit: We seem to have peaked at 147 and have now backed off a bit, but are still doing well.

Edit 2: Went back down to 139 tonight, and we've made Amazon's hot new arrival list. We've climbed ahead of Martha Stewart's book as well as I Can Haz Cheeseburger.

"Officially" released

I guess the book is now officially released. Although Amazon has been filling pre-orders for almost a week now, the official press release didn't go out until yesterday, whichi s about the time that Amazon changed from "Usually ships in 4-7 weeks" to "In Stock".

Our Amazon rank jumped below #500 overall today. It probably won't stay down there - this is a niche book after all - but it feels good to see it even get to visit down there, not to mention seeing it be the #1 book in three categories to boot. I know these numbers are transient, but it does the ego good.

The official Book Website is live now, as are support forums where you can ask questions, get help, and find errata.

Ego Boost

I don't put too much faith in their ranking system, but I must admit that it feels good that our book has shot up in the Amazon rankings. A few weeks ago, we were ranked in the #12,000 range, before the NDA dropped, we had moved up to about #4,000, and since the NDA drop, we've shot up to a whopping #1,404 in the overall ranking for all books (or thereabouts, it changes constantly). Nearly half the people visiting the Amazon page for our book are ordering it, and we're the #2 book in several relevant categories.

I have no idea what this means in terms of pre-orders, but it does give me the warm-fuzzies. Last time I checked, our book was the highest ranked of any of the iPhone SDK books, and the competition is not exactly lightweight. I'd be thrilled to even be running a close second to some of the other planned iPhone SDK books.

I'm hoping to have a publication date soon. The production side of the book has been on the back burner because of the NDA. Now that it's been lifted, we're in hurry-hurry-rush-rush mode, but I don't think the October 27th date is going to happen. Hopefully we won't miss by much, though. When I know more, I'll post more.

It's been a long haul, but the book has given me the opportunity to work with some really great people. Thanks to everyone who has offered their kind words of support (and those who e-mailed me that the NDA had been dropped).