# Why does the release date of the new Stephen King book “Fairy Tale” have to be @#$&\*$# Sept. 6?!? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [September 5, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999 "2022-09-05T15:19:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/1 "2022-09-05T15:19:53Z")
So today, Labor Day Monday, also is my birthday. On this lazy birthday day I thought I would treat myself by buying and downloading on my Kindle Stephen King’s new novel “Fairy Tale”, which seems to be getting good pre-release reviews online. But it’s not due for release until tomorrow! You’d think they could have made the release date say, Sept. 1, so people could buy the book to read over the long weekend. But noooo. Oh well. If I still go ahead and buy it tomorrow I’ll report back with my impression of it, or I may just get stubborn now since Mr. King’s publisher has let me down on my birthday, and wait months until I get a queued-up copy to rent from my online lending library. 😠 ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/2 "2022-09-05T15:28:56Z")
The reviews have been extremely positive so far. Treat yourself a day late. My dad’s birthday was September 5th, and he introduced me to King with Salem’s Lot back in 1975. He would have loved most of the books he missed, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/3 "2022-09-05T21:11:03Z")
Another first world inconvenience. Dan ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/4 "2022-09-05T21:35:28Z")
I’ve been pre-ordering books for my Kindle for years and years now, and it seems nearly all of them are released on Tuesdays. All 8 books I’ve currently got pre-ordered fall into that category, from King’s next new one tomorrow to one coming on April 25th next year. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/5 "2022-09-05T21:42:05Z")
Happy birthday! I’ve seen the very positive reviews & also wish it would come out sooner rather than later. Though I’m retired, so it’s about the wait, not the day. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/6 "2022-09-05T21:52:41Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I’ve been pre-ordering books for my Kindle for years and years now, and it seems nearly all of them are released on Tuesdays. Back in the days when new movies were released to video stores on VHS and then DVD, it seemed to be always on a Tuesday as well. I remember being in a video store one Monday evening and a new movie I was really looking forward to that was being released on Tuesday was already there, and employees were unloading boxes of them. But officially, nope, they did not yet exist! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/7 "2022-09-05T22:10:00Z")
> [@Dandan](#): > > Another first world inconvenience. So true. Thanks for keeping me grounded! > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I’ve been pre-ordering books for my Kindle for years and years now, and it seems nearly all of them are released on Tuesdays. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Back in the days when new movies were released to video stores on VHS and then DVD, it seemed to be always on a Tuesday as well. Interesting. Why Tuesday, I wonder? Movies in theaters have typically been released on Friday, but that makes sense because it’s the start of the weekend. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Happy birthday! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/8 "2022-09-05T22:12:19Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Interesting. Why Tuesday, I wonder? Movies in theaters have typically been released on Friday, but that makes sense because it’s the start of the weekend. I wonder if it’s something about shipping? For more than two decades, new music was released on Tuesdays, but the in the digital era (precisely: July, 2015. I remember it well) it moved to Fridays. [Goodbye, Music Tuesday: Albums Now Come Out On Friday : The Record : NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/07/10/421483599/goodbye-music-tuesday-starting-today-albums-come-out-on-friday) ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/9 "2022-09-05T22:47:35Z")
> [@solost](#): > > So today, Labor Day Monday, also is my birthday. Happy Birthday! It’s mine too! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/10 "2022-09-05T23:56:45Z")
We’re gonna have a good time! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/11 "2022-09-06T00:50:21Z")
@MindsEye_Watering says it’s their birthday! It’s my birthday too, yeah! What @Dung_Beetle says! Happy birthday to you, @MindsEye_Watering ! ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/12 "2022-09-06T01:03:36Z")
You didn’t put your birthday in your profile, so Discourse didn’t give you a little cake. So here’s one instead: 🎂 ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/13 "2022-09-06T01:09:13Z")
Thanks @BigT That cake emoji looks tasty yet very low carb. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/14 "2022-09-06T16:46:05Z")
> [@solost](#): > > But it’s not due for release until tomorrow! I was sitting on our porch reading Monday. It was raining. My phone chirped and I read a message about _Fairy Tale_ being released! I had pre-ordered it months ago. I was so happy until I realized the message was telling me it was being released Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/15 "2022-09-06T18:27:28Z")
For whatever, the publishing industry releases books on a Tuesday. No one has yet had an explanation of _why_ this is so. I also find it very frustrating. If they’re only going to release books on one day of the week, why not Friday? Then most people will have a weekend to wallow in their new treasures. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/16 "2022-09-06T18:49:25Z")
There was an article upthread which was about record albums on Tuesday which gave an explanation that applies to books as well. In the olden days for brick and mortar shops, new product would be shipped on Friday and would typically arrive on Monday but sometimes Tuesday. They were embargoed until Tuesday so that the people who got them on Monday wouldn’t have an advantage over the people across town who got them a day later. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/17 "2022-09-10T14:16:11Z")
So I bought and downloaded the book yesterday, and sat outside reading several chapters on a fine late Summer afternoon. So far it’s just the interaction of the young narrator with cranky old Mr. Bowditch and his dog, no supernatural hijinks yet, but I enjoy Mr. King’s non-supernatural writing as well as anything else he writes. Very readable so far. I’ll give a fuller book report after I’ve finished. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/18 "2022-09-10T16:23:27Z")
That’s about where I am with it too. I like the chapter headings. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/19 "2022-09-10T17:54:26Z")
I’m about halfway through and loving it–but I have a very old and kinda frail doggo too and would really love a chance to fix him but maybe not at THAT much risk! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999/20 "2022-09-10T18:46:00Z")
I’m almost done. If we didn’t have guests coming in a few minutes, I’d finish in an hour or so. Damn, SK knows how to write stuff I can’t put down (most of the time, didn’t care for “Sleeping Beauties”). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-release-date-of-the-new-stephen-king-book-fairy-tale-have-to-be-sept-6/970999.md?page=2)