Watching the Mailbox

The Spring 2016 publications have been printed and are being bound as I write this, and are due to mail next week. We intended to have these out in April, and we apologize for the delay. We believe it’s worth the wait, but we will strive to have the October publications ship on schedule!

I’ll be watching my mailbox eagerly for my print copies, but those who ordered electronic editions don’t have to wait any longer. The digital versions of the Spring 2016 Watsonian, The Adventure of the Doctor and the Duellist, and Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Blank Page are now available in the Shop. If you pre-ordered, you may now download your PDF document, and new purchases are available for instant download. If you experience any technical issues, please let me know!

Start the Presses!

The Spring 2016 issue of The Watsonian and the newest edition of the Fiction Series, “The Adventure of the Doctor and the Duellist” (written by Elinor Gray, JHWS “Misty” and illustrated by Basil Chap, JHWS “Bee”), are headed to press. The print run for each is limited, so if you would like a copy of either or both for your shelves, the time to order is now!

The Watsonian - Spring 2016 "The Adventure of the Doctor and the Duellist" by Elinor Gray and Basil Chap

Members of the John H Watson Society as of Sunday, 3 April, will receive a copy of each as part of the membership dues, so there is no need to place a separate order (unless you would like a second copy, of course). If you are not currently a member, now is an excellent time to join!

Non-members wishing to order print editions must do so by Sunday, 3 April to ensure availability. After that date, electronic (PDF) copies will still be available for purchase, but there may not be extra print copies.

The newest volume of the Monograph Series, “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Blank Page”, by Leah Guinn, JHWS “Amber”, is also headed to press. This book is not included with Society membership, and the print run will be limited, so anyone wishing to order a print copy must do so by Sunday, 3 April. As with the other titles, the electronic (PDF) version will remain available for purchase after that date.

Fall 2015 Publications

Fall BooksI am very happy and relieved to announce that your Fall volumes of The Watsonian and The Fiction Series are traveling to your mailbox as we speak.

I sincerely apologize for the delay. I will speak with our printer/distributor to find how best to move the books out faster. If you do not receive your copy of the above volumes in two weeks, then please contact me so that I may help sort out the matter for you.

I hope you will enjoy them!

Weekly Forum 2015: #19

This week, let’s discuss the newest publications from the John H Watson Society!

Our Spring 2015 volume of The Watsonian was special to us for a number of reasons. Not only is it the largest volume to date (over 200 pages of content) but it was also one of the last great works from our dear Buttons before going beyond the terrace. I will always treasure this book for its literary and emotional significance to me.

The Adventure of the Duke’s Study by Luca Sartori “Victor” is the first in The Fiction Series and has received a good deal of praise from readers. I personally enjoyed it as it was not only a well-written story, but it also taught me about art and history in the process of reading. Wonderful work, “Victor”!

Some Observations Upon the Early Writing of John H Watson, MD, 1887-1894 by James C O’Leary “Pippin” is the second work to be featured in our Monograph Series and it is one of my favorite pieces of Watsonian scholarship. Pippin put a great deal of thought and effort in his endeavor, which makes it a lovely read. I hope this work will spark further conversations on Dr Watson’s early writings and what we can learn about the dear doctor in the process.

(Please note: Although the books were mailed out in late April and many of you received your books by now, a few of you may not have gotten them in the mail yet, particularly for some of you overseas. If you do not receive your package in the course of the next week or so, please contact me and I can look into this for you.)

A New Phonebook Moment!

A few days ago, some very special parcels started making their way to the mailboxes of JHWS members, and Greg Ruby, “Robin”, wrote from Maryland yesterday to say:

Hello all!

I am pleased to report that The Watsonian plus two other pamphlets arrived in today’s post.

The video in the attached link mimics my reaction at the mailbox –

Hope everyone has a great day.

Greg aka Robin

As that movie just happened to be a favourite of our dear Buttons, that clip is extremely apropos.

We on the West Coast tend to get everything a few days after folks out East, so I’m still eagerly waiting!