Good News and Apologies
I have some news.
Some of it is unquestionably good, and some of it is tempting to call “bad,” though I think it’s more correct to call it “instructive” or “educational.”
Which should I talk about first? Hm.
Well, I know how I think: I’d want to know how bad the “bad” part is, and would skip past the “good” part if I had to.
So let’s do the bad/instructive/educational part first.
An Apology, What I’m Doing About It, and What I’ve Learned
On March 23, I asked my readers to carry me, in the form of pre-orders, as I looked for a job and wrote a book.
This was an error.
I mistook the generosity toward charitable causes my readers have shown throughout the years as a general willingness to open their wallets for anything I asked them to, including to support me.
To date, fewer than 100 jerseys and books have been ordered.
These numbers don’t get me to a break-even point (not even close), and right now I can’t risk additional debt.
So, over the next few days I’ll be sending out refunds for all orders and donations I’ve received associated with this book and associated gear.
I especially apologize to those of you who took a leap of faith in donating or in placing an order on the books. As a thank you for this, when this book is complete, I will send you e-book copies, no charge.
I still will write this book, but I’ll do it when I am under less pressure.
And I’ve learned a valuable lesson: I am not a charity, and I am not Kickstarter. If I have a product to sell (like jerseys) I need to give you a timeframe of when you’ll get it. If I have a book to sell, I need to have it written before I ask you to buy it. And I shouldn’t ask you to give me anything until and unless I’ve earned it. That won’t happen again.
The Good News
Back in March, I asked my readers to let me know if you were aware of a job that fits my talents, and I linked to my LinkedIn page and a copy of my resume.
I also, of course, began using traditional networking methods (friends, former co-workers, LinkedIn) to look for a job.
I was surprised — and incredibly happy — to find that all four of the best opportunities came to me via the nearly 1,000 times my resume was downloaded by Friends of Fatty (the fourth came from a friend who referred me to a very good local company).
In the end, it was in fact through a Friend of Fatty that I found Altify, where I started as a full-time employee yesterday, with responsibilities for community and social media.
It’s an awesome fit with a great company; I’m really excited to work here. New beginnings are intense, but this place has a great feel to it. (Plus they all treat me like the royalty I am.)
I can’t say how often I’m going to be able to post here for a while, but please definitely keep checking back. I’m not done with this blog yet.
Comment by AKChick | 05.10.2016 | 3:20 pm
Boo! I LOVED the jersey and shorts. :( Maybe it can be the 100MON kit this year? I’m sad that the preorders were so small. Maybe it was just too much stuff to offer? Oh well…
Congratulations on the new job!!!!
And please don’t stop blogging. :) I’ll take posts as you can make them.
Comment by AKChick | 05.10.2016 | 3:21 pm
Let me clarify – too many options of merchandise to order. Maybe it would have been better to just offer the book options?
Comment by BostonCarlos | 05.10.2016 | 3:24 pm
Dude. No apologies required. Things don’t always go as planned. We get it. And the HUGEST congrats on the new gig! Super happy for you on that! Really hoping it doesn’t hinder your blogging too much! I really look forward to my doses of Fatty!
Comment by 331miles | 05.10.2016 | 3:27 pm
Congrats on the new gig! As far as the pre-orders, you were doing what you thought you needed to do to support your family, and I respect that. I was happy to buy a jersey, and would have gladly bought bibs had they not been sold out. I pre-ordered the book because I *wanted* to both get a copy and help out a virtual friend. That’s on me, not you, although I totally understand your self evaluation and change of heart (which is of course on you, not me)!
Comment by rb | 05.10.2016 | 3:34 pm
Is a “yeah boo” like a humble brag?
Writing is hard. Catharsis may help, but that’s some tough stuff you’re trying to get out the door!
When your travels bring you to the Bay Area, pack the Tranny. It may be time to break some speed limits in the mountains near Silicon Valley
Comment by Don | 05.10.2016 | 3:46 pm
Hi Elden,
I’m very happy to hear you’ve found gainful employment. I will buy the book when the time comes. I will look forward to each new blog post, regardless of the frequency.
Cheers,
Don
Comment by PNP | 05.10.2016 | 4:02 pm
Congratulations on the new job! As others have said, I’m still looking forward to the book. I write fiction (mystery novels), so I completely understand what you mean when you say that you’ll write it when there’s less pressure.
I’ll try to avoid going into race report withdrawal, but no promises!
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 05.10.2016 | 4:15 pm
No. Apology. Necessary. The value I’ve gotten from reading your blog and being part of your community far exceeds any donations or purchases I could ever make.
Congrats on the new job. And on the de-stress that comes with that stability.
Keep writing. Keep riding.
Comment by another don | 05.10.2016 | 4:47 pm
what Don said.
Comment by Mark Morris | 05.10.2016 | 5:01 pm
As one of the fewer than 100, I am a bit disappointed but completely understand. There will be other cool kits to buy and certainly look forward to the book. Best of luck in the new job!
Comment by Mark S | 05.10.2016 | 5:20 pm
Congratulations on gaining employment. I have been there several times & definitely understand where you are coming from.
According to the Altify website, they have 5 offices located around the world, but not in Utah. Is there a pending move in your future or are you going to be working remotely? If you do not feel comfortable answering this question, feel free to ignore it.
Comment by Augustus | 05.10.2016 | 5:40 pm
Keep the money, don’t worry about the book, but I really would like the hoodie. KEEP FIGHTING!
Comment by spaceyace | 05.10.2016 | 5:48 pm
Congrats on the new job! With every new job I’ve had from the time I was fourteen, I’ve gone home after work every day the first two weeks and straight to bed. New jobs, no matter how awesome, are definitely intense, so certainly appreciate the need to postpone writing in order to keep balance in your life. Still looking forward to the book, when that time comes.
Comment by New Zealand Ev | 05.10.2016 | 5:59 pm
No apology necessary as I have gained so much from reading your blog and being part of a like minded community. I have made some good friends remotely from down under in New Zealand and I am glad to have the opportunity to help whenever and however I can. Too bad about the kit but I do understand. Looking forward to the chance to buy the Next kit whenever it comes out. I really love the hoody and I want to be able to get another one as well as jersey. Congratulations on the new job and keep blogging please as I look forward to reading these.
Comment by yet another don | 05.10.2016 | 6:03 pm
I concur with the preceding Don’s.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 05.10.2016 | 6:25 pm
Well Done Friend!
Have you already negotiatedAltify’s sponsorship for the inaugural Fatty’s Fondo Ropund-up?
Comment by Patrick | 05.10.2016 | 7:24 pm
Congrats on the new gig. Very happy for you.
Comment by DonQuix | 05.10.2016 | 7:48 pm
Keep my money! I get so much enjoyment from the writing you do on this blog and love the charities you help support. Reading you blog is a most welcome part of my routine.
Comment by Snowcatcher | 05.10.2016 | 9:16 pm
Congratulations on the new job! It sounds suspiciously like what I endured last year: sudden loss of daytime internet access. It’s very difficult to keep going beyond that if you want to maintain a life, too, but I hope you will be able to balance it out in time and feel comfortable blogging.
I hope the book flows easily when the time is right, too. I may have forgotten to order the kit because I had to wait for the next pay day, and I’m bummed about not getting it and not helping out if I didn’t.
Mostly, I hope you and your family can enjoy real quality time now with the stress hopefully in the past and nothing but good times going forward.
Comment by Anonymous | 05.10.2016 | 9:45 pm
…..traveling to S.F…….
You’re going to be in high demand. If you want to leave one bike at my place and another at Dave T’s we promise to take good care. That is, if you have a spare bike or two.
I ‘dibs’ first pie date.
Comment by Tom | 05.11.2016 | 12:28 am
No need to apologise. Tough book to write. Congrats on getting a job, sounds great. I’ll rebuy the book whenever it hapoens.
Comment by Shugg McGraw | 05.11.2016 | 3:17 am
Congratulations on the job I’m sure no-one is better qualified for community and whatever it is.
I didn’t buy the kit because:
1. The kit I currently own will outlive me.
2. I don’t want to ride around with Fight Like Susan written all over me.
I wonder if 2 was an unvoiced factor for other people.
On a positive note I found the extracts of FLS incredibly powerful and I do hope you get around to finishing the book soonish.
If you get to Dublin and want to extend the trip to London and want somewhere to stay (a lot of ifs I know)- get in touch.
x
Comment by Doug (Way Upstate NY) | 05.11.2016 | 5:23 am
So glad to hear you have found a job you are excited about!
Comment by Tom in Albany | 05.11.2016 | 5:25 am
Congrats on finding a job, Fatty! I don’t doubt that amplified the stress of trying to write a very tough book to write.
Whether you send me my money back or not, I don’t care. Consider it a gift. And, I’d prefer it if you allowed me to pay for your book, whenever you finish it.
Tailwinds!
Comment by MattC | 05.11.2016 | 7:39 am
Congrats on the new Job Fatty…sure hope it works out for you and the family! I don’t even have kids (2 legged ones anyway), and finding time for work, the house, the fur-babies (3 dogs), my wife, AND the OTHER kids (my bikes)…it just seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I don’t know how you do it. Good luck!
Comment by Brian in VA | 05.11.2016 | 7:41 am
Congrats Fatty, excellent news! You know we’ve all got your back, no matter what. Good luck in the new gig and write when you have the chance or the desire.
We’ll be waiting!
Comment by leroy | 05.11.2016 | 8:09 am
Dear Mr. FC -
My dog has asked me to protest, on his behalf and in the strongest terms possible, the failure to provide an adequate trigger warning with your current post.
He asks me to remind you that the thought of pursuing gainful employment is an upsetting prospect for some of your readers in the canine community.
But I think he’s just a little touchy these days because NYC’s crackdown on costumed characters in Times Square scotched his plan to charge visitors $5 to pose for photos with a talking dog in a full Fat Cyclist kit.
I pointed out that if he wanted to be taken seriously, he was going to have to shave his legs.
Congratulations!
Comment by miles archer | 05.11.2016 | 8:26 am
You have nothing to apologize for.
Congrats on the new job. I saw the linkedin announcement yesterday.
Looking forward to reading the book when you finish it.
Comment by Mark in Bremerton | 05.11.2016 | 9:22 am
Congrats on the new job. Have you mastered all that biz-talk I see on the site?
No worries. You can keep the few dollars I spent, consider it a small “dues” payment for blog maintenance, or whatever. I hope when things settle down a little for you, the book comes easier.
Keep riding/racing/promoting/pooping and writing about it all. Well, maybe not so much the last one…
Comment by ClydeinKS | 05.11.2016 | 9:44 am
No apologies. Many congrats on the new job, I know personally how that can change available time to be present here but any time I do get to stop in remains a joy in my day. I had wanted that kit but that thing called life caused me to miss the deadline. When the book and kit become available please give advance notice so I can set multiple alarms and get my order in! I’ve been checking back and have multiple entries at a time to see so a break is no concern on this end. Again CONGRATS and so happy that “down time” wasn’t extended longer.
Comment by Jill Homer (@AlaskaJill) | 05.11.2016 | 9:48 am
I also missed out on the announcement that you were offering pre-orders of “Fight Like Susan.” I look forward to reading the book whenever it’s finished. Good luck on your next endeavor!
Comment by Heidi | 05.11.2016 | 10:09 am
So very happy for you!
Putting an experience so complicated and painful in words on a schedule… I figure, if and when the book is meant to be written, it will write itself at the right time. Maybe it’s time to release it and move forward. Allez!
Side note to Leroy: I thought of you when I recently hiked a mountain trail. A guy with a lovely golden retriever caught up with me on the path. I showered the dog with well-deserved attention and as they walked away, I heard the guy say tell the dog, “How come they always talk to you and not to me?” Snort!
Comment by MtlDan | 05.11.2016 | 10:25 am
Congrats on the job! Being unemployed is a miserable thing, even if one is busy with other projects.
Comment by Dave T | 05.11.2016 | 10:28 am
No apologies necessary. Congratulations on the new job.
Comment by Lin | 05.11.2016 | 10:59 am
If possible, please keep my book fee as a pittance of a donation to support this wonderful blog. Congrats on the job!!!
My order number was #6500001832. I understand it could be more work to weed my tiny “donation” out of the others you will be refunding, so no worries if I end up getting my money back after all. :)
Comment by Mayhemnsuz | 05.11.2016 | 12:11 pm
Congratulations on the new gig! I look forward to reading FLS whenever it is you have a chance to finish it. I’m also not sure where April went, as I didn’t realize the preorder had ended. #friendoffattyfail
Comment by Anonymous | 05.11.2016 | 12:54 pm
Congrats on the new job! I do hope you still have time to race and do race reports as they are my favorite part of your blog.
Comment by Gary | 05.11.2016 | 1:11 pm
Fatty,
If possible please keep my contributions. My order number is #6500001873 and don’t even consider the sponsorship to write a page since you are writing. Thanks for the update.
Comment by Jim | 05.11.2016 | 2:11 pm
6500001845. Keep it. Donation for all the blogs and podcasts.
Congrats on the new job. Must be a relief.
Comment by leroy | 05.11.2016 | 3:24 pm
Please keep contribution #6500001907.
My dog assures me that was our order #, but I still confirmed.
Comment by Edwin | 05.11.2016 | 3:55 pm
FC: one of your fellow bike-stuff-related bloggers (you’ll know who) offers a $2.99/month “subscription service”. As a reader this doesn’t buy you anything extra except an annual thank you (if he remembers). But thinking about the amount of daily entertainment he provides, and how much money we waste on coffees, newspapers, etc. $2.99/month is really nothing. But it is a conscious decision to show you care and appreciate those few minutes a day or per week. I have no idea if this is a $12/month or $1200/month cashflow (though he is on a trip to Majorca right now, mmm.) but if you would offer such a “service” I would be happy to “subscribe” (in addition to buying a WBR bike each time you or the Hammer run a fund raiser). And please keep blogging – especially your (multi episode) race reports make it all worth while.
Comment by Evan | 05.11.2016 | 4:59 pm
Order #6500001943. Keep it.
I’ll consider the bratwurst at Rockwell as refund enough. That and maybe a quick pull by a teammate as you pass us. :) We are so unprepared. Somewhere along the lines of The Bad News Bears of cycling when we ride.
Can’t wait!
Comment by Heidi | 05.11.2016 | 9:25 pm
Order #6500001835
Keep it and buy yourself some Nutella.
Comment by DavidV | 05.12.2016 | 6:48 am
Awesome news on the new job!!!
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 05.12.2016 | 8:33 am
Order 6500001818, please keep it.
I haven’t used Patreon (www.patreon.com), but understand that it’s a great way to subscribe (with payment) to a blog without having to add ecommerce to the blog.
Comment by Ferde | 05.12.2016 | 9:43 am
Congrats on the job. Hopefully you will still post your race reports (and the Hammer and Monsters too). I really enjoy reading those.
Comment by Anonymous | 05.12.2016 | 1:04 pm
Hyvaa onnea pikku iso mies! I hate using the grandpa box that doesn’t offer up accent letters on touch…
Comment by Jouni | 05.12.2016 | 1:05 pm
Yeah, Anonymous was me…
Comment by Christina | 05.12.2016 | 1:38 pm
+1 on Patreon to keep you blogging. I currently support Dumb Runner and Questionable Content via $5/month donations. That’s a potential of $500/month to keep doing what you’re doing now- no kit, no book, just writing here. Of course, if it allows you to write the book still, use that money for that.
Congrats on the job!
Comment by Alister | 05.13.2016 | 4:49 am
Great news. Have a blast and it’s nice to know that you have secured the job. I can cope with fewer posts knowing that you have work. :-)
Comment by Tom in Albany | 05.13.2016 | 6:53 am
Another +1 on Patreon.
@Christina – I’m a huge fan of QC and Alice Grove!
Comment by Kevin | 05.13.2016 | 12:04 pm
Congrats on the job. Your altruism is something unique in this world. You are one truly special human being. Thanks for just being Elden.
Comment by UpTheGrade, SR, CA | 05.13.2016 | 3:01 pm
I am glad to hear you have found a way to keep the wolf from the door. I hope you can find time to ride, and if you can to post ride reports, or even fatty news casts from your travels. I love my new Fatty kit and wear it proudly.
Comment by Liz M | 05.13.2016 | 3:26 pm
Congratulations on the new job! I know that is a huge relief and I hope it turns out to be rewarding in many ways without compromising all important family and riding time.
I would be happy to support the cause by putting something in an electronic tip jar every so often. No strings attached! I very much look forward to reading the book eventually, and the hoodie would have been useful as we keep our house cool in the winter. Lovely though it was, I didn’t order a kit because I can’t stuff any more of those into my closets or drawers. Having just spent a week of vacation cleaning out the house, I have to exercise some discipline in that regard. Maybe some other folks are like me; it is just easier to make a donation than buy any more stuff.
If you find time after work, family and riding to keep blogging, like everyone else, I will patiently await your future posts.
Comment by Tim | 05.13.2016 | 3:56 pm
Glad you secured relevant employment. Sad I was not going to get a new pair of bibs. Took matters into my own hands and DNA just got an order. I was a shorts guy before reading Fatty’s praise of bibs. My only bibs are from Fatty kits. It will be odd to have non-Fatty bibs.
Comment by Tim Joe Comstock | 05.15.2016 | 6:20 pm
Yeah, man, gainful employment can really mess with the muse. I haven’t been here for awhile (or anywhere, really…I hardly consider myself a cyclist, these days) (which makes me feel weird just typing those words) and there seems to be a change of tone at Fatty’s.
But there is nothing wrong with making a buck. Wouldn’t it be great to make a living off the Blog, though? I would if I could figure out how.
Whatever the case, you are a hero, Elden. Good job, lad.
tj
Comment by john | 05.16.2016 | 1:38 pm
good news on the job front
sorry to hear about the pre-orders: i did try to order the e-book, but being non USA, i couldn’t justify the extra $25 shipping (not given to you) to courier me a few electrons
hope it all works out for you
J