Holy crap folks, it’s really happening! As of midnight last night, ‘THAT BEAR ATE MY PANTS!’ went live on Amazon.co.uk. At 8am it became launch day in the US too – but only because it turned midnight there. I’m not expecting to sell many books overseas until people start to wake up.

There’s already been a few sales here in England, but it’s far too early to check. Amongst self published writers there is a condition called CSRC, or Constant Sales Rank Checking. Pretty self-explanatory – watching the sales roll in and pile up is highly addictive. It can also be hideously demoralizing if, for example, you haven’t get a cat in hell’s chance of selling any books.

For now I’d like to believe I’m not in that category – and this wishful thinking is all that stands between me and the Disease. It’s making me too scared to check!

Some of you have very kindly offered your assistance in getting the message out to the world. For everyone except Roo and my sister (running around Taunton in the bear suit and the giant pants) this means Twitter and Facebook. I’ve tried to make this as easy as possible, to encourage lots and lots of sharing. Sharing is caring, folks! Here we go:

First, for the Twitter-maniacs amongst you, here are some Tweets you can use to tell your followers about the book: (or make your own up and add the Amazon links on the end).

With Link to UK site (Amazon.co.uk):

Semi-decapitated crocodile? Midget with a machete? Must be ‘THAT BEAR ATE MY PANTS!’  by Tony James Slater http://amzn.to/thatbear

Hilarious; unbelievable; ridiculous. No, not your face – the new book by Tony James Slater: That Bear Ate My Pants! http://amzn.to/thatbear

Read the crazy new book by Tony James Slater: That Bear Ate My Pants! http://amzn.to/thatbear

Released today! Funniest book of the year – That Bear Ate My Pants! http://amzn.to/thatbear

There comes a time in every man’s life when he says to himself “Holy Shit! I’m about to be eaten by a bear!” http://amzn.to/thatbear

It’s true. A bear did eat my pants. Luckily I wasn’t wearing ‘em, or this book would be called That Bear Ate My Ass! http://amzn.to/thatbear

@Tonygetslost has just released his hilarious new book ‘THAT BEAR ATE MY PANTS!’ Free sample available here: http://amzn.to/thatbear

Or with Link to US site (Amazon.com):

Semi-decapitated crocodile? Midget with a machete? Must be ‘THAT BEAR ATE MY PANTS!’  by Tony James Slater http://amzn.to/kKsMSR

Hilareous; unbelievable; ridiculous. No, not your face – the new book by Tony James Slater: That Bear Ate My Pants! http://amzn.to/kKsMSR

Read the crazy new book by Tony James Slater: That Bear Ate My Pants! http://amzn.to/kKsMSR

Released today! Funniest book of the year – That Bear Ate My Pants! http://amzn.to/kKsMSR

There comes a time in every man’s life when he says to himself “Holy Shit! I’m about to be eaten by a bear!” http://amzn.to/kKsMSR

It’s true. A bear did eat my pants. Luckily I wasn’t wearing ‘em, or this book would be called That Bear Ate My Ass! http://amzn.to/kKsMSR

@Tonygetslost has just released his hilarious new book ‘THAT BEAR ATE MY PANTS!’ Free sample available here: http://amzn.to/kKsMSR

For the more Facebook inclined, here’s a post I’ve been using:

There comes a time in every man’s life when he says to himself, “Holy SHIT! I’m about to be eaten by a bear!”

‘THAT BEAR ATE MY PANTS!’ by Tony James Slater is the most ridiculously funny travel book this year. You believe that? Well, there’s only one way to find out… BUY IT! (Or download a free sample!)

http://amzn.to/thatbear (for UK)

http://amzn.to/thatbearatemypantsus (for US/Rest of World)

And for those who want to do both… well, who am I to try and stop ya’?

Thanks so much for all your help and support folks. I literally couldn’t do this without you. The chances are I won’t make enough money to buy you all a drink – it’s never really been about the money, which is just as well as Amazon don’t pay me my share until at least 3 months after the sale is made – but if I can, when I see you next, I will. And if not (and anyway) you have my heart-felt gratitude.

Now bugger off and go sell some books  :0)

Tony