I’d spent a year or so writing my first book, and it was coming out early in 2000. I had the first copies sent to Texas where I’d be spending Christmas. My family knew I had a book coming out, but they didn’t think they’d see it for months. I received a box Federal Express and hid it in the trunk of the car I was using. I was dying to take a look at it, but there were too many people around. Finally, I ran an errand (my Mother sent me to Wal Mart to return something) and when I got there I opened the trunk, and the box, and reached in for a copy of my book. It looked great. I’d helped design the cover and I was proud of it. Anyway, I went into the store, flipping through pages and smelling the ink. Then I got in line to return whatever it was I was returning and I started reading. My favorite lines in the book were in the last few paragraphs, a scene in which my friend Paul and I walk into the meadow at Black Butte Ranch to watch sunrise one last time before we head different directions for the summer. And that’s when I saw the type-o.
The line was supposed to read:
“We were walking into the meadow. I was walking with my hands in my pockets.”
And instead said:
“We were walking into the meadow. I was walking with my hands in his pockets.”
I actually laughed it was so funny. It’s even funnier if you try to imagine the scene playing out that way.
Anyway, all that to say, I received my first copy of Million Miles a couple days ago in the mail. The book looks great, and I’m eager to have it out there in wide release. I noticed today that many bloggers and reviewers are twittering about having received it too. So I thought I might ask for a favor.
My books are painstakingly edited. And proofed. And edited and proofed again. However, type-o’s reproduce like mice. You can’t get rid of them. It’s happened with every book I’ve ever written. I open it up, and within a few minutes I find a problem. I’ve only read ten or so pages of this one, and I’ve found a couple errors. Again, it’s not the fault of the editors. This might be the cleanest book I’ve ever released. However, if you happen to see a type-o or misspelled word or homosexual innuendo in a scene dominated by straight people, would you mind commenting on it here. Just thought I’d make a space.
The editors will look over your comments to make sure the second edition is problem free. Or rather, problem freer. There will no doubt be more mice.
Thanks!
Don
Don, I so wanted a review copy of that book. I’m a Thomas Nelson Book Reviewer, so I was even offered one. But by the time I looked at the e-mail and requested the book a FEW HOURS LATER, they’d all been snatched up. I’m in mourning. But if you send me a book, I will faithfully read it for typos. I’m even an editor and proofreader, so I’ll do a good job.
(Of course, if you don’t send me a book, I’ll look forward to reading it when everybody else does. But I probably won’t tell you then if I find any typos, because, well, it will be too late.)
p. 7 … Holden Caulfield is missing an “l” (i.e. Caufield)
p. 17 reads “I and a girl I was dating…” — sounds weird, shouldn’t it be “A girl I was dating and I…”?
I love typos in books, only because it reminds me that the author did not come from some special place, like The Island of Future Successful Authors. Rather, it reminds that every writer goes through a process before the final product comes to fruition. Every writer goes through the trenches of drafts, rewrites, editing, etc.
It helps me feel more confident with my own writing process, and believe that someday I will write the greatest book ever written in the history of mankind, and my son and I will be financially set forever and ever.
Or, I’ll at least write a good short story that a few of my friends will feel inspired by.
Whichever.
Hilarious! I want the copy WITH the typos in it!
I’m known for my typos so, it would just make me connect with the author all the more.
*A piece of advice my grandma gave to me…”Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.” (ahem).
I am an author on a very small self-published level, and I cheer when I find typos in professionally published books. If they get past the REAL editors, I feel better about the typos that get past me and the friends who help me edit. I am happy to hear that your books have typos too.
Don’t have an official copy. But if your streaming version of the first 30 pages is any indication, then the listing for chapter 20 in the table of contents might be a typo: “A Negative Turns”.
Either you need to remove the last “s” or you need to add a “tile”.
I am finding typos in the hidden manuscript I found. Is it the same as the first copies? If so I’ll make notes here. And, btw, it seems they get fewer as I go along. I’m on chptr 24.
Thanks everybody….one thing, though:
the hidden manuscripts are actually a rough draft, so it has serious problems. the final book is much cleaner.
thanks anyway, though, wendy. i found lots of problems, too. but they got those cleaned up. these problems should be minor in comparison.
AUSTIN! You are a stud. I will look into both of those….Thanks.
Don
Wife and I are wiping tears away, we laughed so hard over the pockets typo. Wish I had a book in hand as well, but will certainly devour it when I get it. I’m not the best editor but I think it’s cool you are open to that. Thanks for the laugh. I think I snorted again.
Maddening I am sure.
Hey, it keeps you humble…aggravated but humble. (I just googled aggravated to check my spelling
)
Tomorrow, when I find the manuscript, I will keep in mind that it has many errors.
OK, last one from me, I promise.
Second paragraph of the Author’s Note, first sentence has a comma before the second phrase which isn’t independent.
Page 7, of the McD’s bag, it makes sense, but I think it would be more clear if it so “held the bag high enough [SO] I could see it…”
Page 16 it says “stories” where I believe it should say “story’s,” it looks like it should be possessive, no?
Page 16 it says “…as though there was a sentence on each flake and…” need a comma before “and.”
Page 21, it says you were “going to said…” where you clearly mean “going to SAY…”
Hope this was helpful, not annoying!
Don,
Just got two copies of the book for review… lol I only expected one. Going to pass the second copy off to another reviewer.
I read the galley a while back, but haven’t started this one yet. I’ll let you know if I find anything more than what was already listed above.
Just a quick though… The book looks GREAT! I mean GREAT! Susan and I talked about it yesterday. I’m really happy to see more promotion for this than To Own a Dragon (which is my mom’s favorite of your’s because her husband grew up without a father).
Can’t wait to hang out with you at some point on the tour! I’ll post when I see something!
Another one of Kathy’s spawn!
Timothy Kurek
The cover of Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance is pretty awesome. That’s what led me to buy the book.
Incidentally, I had to flip to the end of my copy just now to see the edited version.
I have always enjoyed finding typos, myself. And I’d be more than happy to send you my address for a book to check…
I kid.
Not really.
But kind of. Only in the way that makes me seem less mooch-like, but not so much that if you considered it you’d change your mind. I mean, Rachel’s offer is pretty legit.
Your sample typo – GOLDEN.
Oh gosh, that made my day. Thanks.
That is a great idea to make space for such a thing. I have often wondered why publishers aren’t more proactive about soliciting the help of readers to be their free editors by including an email address in books to which typos could be reported.
I work with high school marketing teachers in Oregon and I have a typo drawing with them twice a year. When they find a typo in any of the documents that I annually update and they email me, their names are entered into a drawing. The winning name drawn then gets a prize (usually a gift certificate) at the next advisors’ meeting and my work gets a little cleaner.
Don,
I tell everyone you are my favorite author. Fact is… I’ve been all wrapped up in Luke 21 lately; beyond that, YOU are the only author I read. I realize I am missing many great stories, but I am a busy lady. I found my church almost 3 years ago, and was introduced to you shortly after. I have joyfully purchased your books for my Mom, my Brother (who is currently, in my opinion, “too smart” for his faith), and for my friends. I am grateful for, and absolutely moved by your story. Can’t wait to see you on tour in Fort Worth.
MUCH LOVE,
Leah
Just got my copy today and read through the first 70 pages. I started by reading through the “Praise for…” section. I think there’s a typo in Rob Bell’s comments. He says “Don is into provocative territory here, wrestling with The Story and the role each our stories play in it…” I think there is an “of” missing there after “each.”
I’ve been waiting for this book for a couple of years now since you spoke at Mars Hill (I listened to the podcast). We came up with the name of our church from that talk – Story Church. Your book will be given away to everyone that visits us.
DM,
I’ll definitely alert you of anything I find. I have yet to start reading yet though, as I’ve been one of the many who weren’t able to find a hidden ms or review the book from TNelson.
But don’t worry. I’ll buy it when I find the $13.59 in my pockets and on sidewalks.
All in good time, all in good time.
I just finished Painted Deserts yesterday and a few pages from the end was the first typo I noticed, and it wasn’t even a typo, it was a space missing between we and were and read “wewere”, but it didn’t ruin the book for me
On to Searching for God Knows What (trying to have read them all before I get a Million Miles)…
1. I love Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance. I read it when it first released, and, honestly, it gave me hope for “Christian” books. Some friends and I were recently discussing the very typo you mention. I pulled it out so they could see it was real, and we all had a great laugh. So, thanks for that.
2. Got my copy of Million Miles yesterday and I’m flying through it, but I already know I’m going to immediately re-read it upon finishing. Great job.
3. Typo at the top of page 11: “I was sleeping in one morning and got a call from the guy who who had a movie company…” Two “who’s.”
4. I feel your pain. A Bible study on Romans I wrote just got pulled for major typos like misspelling “Samaritan” as “Sumaritan.” It’s never one person’s fault, but man it sucks.
Is it weird that I am weirdly excited about this? I hate finding typos in books, and it always makes me feel bad for the author, but I ALWAYS notice them. Now, I’m glad I have something productive to do with the typos.
Chris,
Thanks. I hadn’t caught that one. Perfect. This is going to be invaluable…
just to repeat it as we go back through these comments. Chris Kinsley found a type-o:
3. Typo at the top of page 11: “I was sleeping in one morning and got a call from the guy who who had a movie company…” Two “who’s.”
Great. Thanks again.
That was a hilarious dive into humility!
Not the typo thing, I mean the fact that the book hasn’t even gone on sale yet and you’re talking about the second edition like it’s a sure thing.
Given what we know about you from your writing… that’s just so unhumble and unlike you!
I love it!
Yea for typos! shows we are human. can’t figure out how a “sh#$” made it through my book with no notice …
Peter,
Perhaps it was presumptuous. It could bomb. That said, though, publishers really do plan on short runs followed by more short runs these days, so even my first book, which sold dismally, had multiple printings. It’s more how the industry works.
Don
“We were walking into the meadow. I was walking with my hands in his pockets.”
I am sitting in a library reading this and am laughing as hard as one can silently.
Hi Don,
I get that, it was just amusing to me! Thanks for making me laugh.
I’m giving away five copies of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years on my blog next week and am very excited about it. I hope it goes into at least forty print runs!
PS Don’t tell anyone about the five copies I’m giving away.. It’s a secret until tomorrow!
Hey Don – Since we’re talking typos, you do know your blog reads “This is my blogs”, right?
You also know I LOVED your book, right? Typos & all.
As a journalism teacher who gets teenagers to produce a (mostly) polished 350-page yearbook each year, I totally feel your pain. Sometimes I feel like my whole life is circling typo’s.
The good thing about teenage authors with a teenage audience is that they can laugh off a lot. So, when our index included a student named “Dew, Mountain” and we accidentally called our school Lake Central “Fake Central” there were some nice teachable moments. Spell check certainly doesn’t catch everything.
I greedily read the 30 pages you posted on your blog and am axiously awaiting my copy. I’ll be sure to post anything I see.
Congratulations on another book.
Can I just say, kids rock!
Sarah, that Dew, Mountain insert HAD to make you spit your drink out when you read that.
I busted out with laughter.
Susan – I totally noticed that. In fact, I was at the local “Christian bookstore” last night and saw your book on the shelf, then thought to myself, “I wonder if they know she cusses in this?” hehe Thanks for sharing your story!
And Don, I’m seriously at the point where I might break into my local Barnes and Noble and charge into the storage area to see if I can find your book. It’s killing me that so many have already gotten to read it! I can’t wait!
[...] Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz has a new book coming out later this month. [...]
Hey Don,
Is it too late to get a book to review? Its me Steve, the (ex)homeless guy who got the “unsigned” book. Yeah..
well just wondering if you could send me out one of the MM books for review. Just email me, and I’ll give you my address again. It should be in the Mentoring Project database though. I live in Jacksonville, FL if that helps.
I look fowared to reading the proof and commenting on some of those typos and what not. Thanks!
- Steve
Admittedly, I am easily distracted by typos, but I can’t help it. I hate that I am going to say this, and it isn’t to do with the book, but the word “maniacal” is misspelled in the mentoring video, and it makes me a little crazy. Or, it is a catalyst for exposing my crazy…
p 104 while Isla may have walked into the bar, it was probably Ilsa that was the inciting incident.
p 105 guessing that Veloce cycles is actually Veloce Bicycles.
and stop messing with my story. Wait. Don’t.
I suppose it’s a blessing I never found one of those manuscripts. After scrutinizing it letter by letter and leaving editing marks all over the page I’d have been forced to mail it back to you leaving me with no little treasure in the end… ‘cept maybe for the phone number.
Don,
Page 245: “I honsetly had no idea it was that bad” (in the section about kittens at the pound).
-kyle
Great book, by the way. I know I already said this via twitter, but it’s your best so far. For those of you who haven’t read it, I apologize. But seriously, it’s great.
I just got my two review copies of “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” Looking at the title I wondered how I would relate to this book at this stage of my life. I’m a wife, mom to toddlers, nail technician and wanna-be writer/blogger. After putting my two kids to sleep I finally had a chance to read it and I’m on chapter 21 now and wish I was a speed reader, so I could finish it tonight, but a mom’s got to sleep some time:)
I haven’t found any typo’s yet, but even if the book was full of them the story is so great that I’ve been inspired to start re-writing my own life story. I’m not sure what it will look or read like, but when it’s written I pray many will be encouraged by it like I have been by yours.
Thanks for taking the time to write your story and encourage a mom like me.
Sincerely,
Paige
p 98
Hemmingway should be Hemingway
Typo alert – in this page –
I’m Donald Miller. I write; sometimes in books, and sometimes in blogs. This is my blogs.
…blogS??
Don,
Loving the book!
Page 197, last sentence says, “inderstood” instead of “understood”.
Mike
Don – Thanks for the mention of Black Butte Ranch in your book!
Don’t have the book yet hope to read it sometime soon.
But when I was scanning through your blog (first time on your blog) I noticed a probable type-o in your description box on the right side panel of your blog:
“I’m Donald Miller. I write; sometimes in books, and sometimes in blogs. This is my blogs.”
Possibly you want to say “These are my blogs” or “This is my blog” ??
I love finding typos in books. They always make my day…and make me feel really smart and observant because I noticed something that the editor didn’t. lol.
Looking forward to this book!
Page 175. But I’d like to hear about it, Don. Seems like that’s a quote isn’t it? Should be “But I’d like to hear about it, Don.”
Of course it won’t bomb. Duh….actually, I am more interested in what Paige (above) has to say about life.
Hi Don,
I am a single mom of 2 amazing teenage daughters. I also review books for Nelson publishers. I read your book in a record amount of time. I couldn’t put it down. I appreciate your view on “story” and how we have to be purposeful about “creating” a story. I know that I have had lots of twists and turns in the plot of “my story”. I have always tried to view these twists as an opportunity to see God. One of the major twists was in the form of cancer. You know what Don, that time of my story was the time when I discovered my relationship with God solidified. Thank you so much for writing a “real story” about our “stories” truly the resolve of our stories will occur after this life. I look forward to hearing you when you come to my town. Grace and Peace on your Journey …
I think the “blogs” was intentional. And I like it.