Captain Acorn Returns Update

I regret to announce that I’ve been forced to postpone the launch and launch event of Captain Acorn Returns. As it stands now, Captain Acorn Returns is still in the channels for distribution but is unable to be purchased as a print book yet. I have been given no timeline for when that may happen and I am working tirelessly to narrow that window down. With that being the case, I don’t want to hold a launch for a book that people aren’t able to get their hands on so I will be postponing the online event until this situation is resolved. 

The last year and the Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of strain on shipping and distributing across so many industries and unfortunately, it has affected my book as well. I deeply feel for all the people in this industry who have been working tirelessly to still bring books to people and have seen their efforts stymied over the last year. I will continue to work as hard as I can to get a clearer picture of when the print book will become available and will announce as it appears on online vendors. The ebook is currently available without any issues. I will keep you all well informed as I have any updates and as soon as the book is fully available I will reschedule the launch event. 

I have a lot of things happening outside of my control and find myself in a position to evaluate the one and only thing I do have control over: My reaction. 

On the morning that was supposed to be my preorder date, I woke up to find myself thoroughly camped out in Murphy’s Law. In a very zero to sixty experience, I went from half-awake to running around like a chicken with my head cut off as I tried to make sense of the problem in front of me. After handling as much as I could and knowing there wasn’t anything else I could do to change the situation at that moment, I sat down with my roommate, had a good long cry, and then got up and went to church knowing that I would come back to the issue tomorrow. It would be waiting there tomorrow and I would be making decisions not only on what to do but how to talk about what was happening. 

I believe that when everything goes wrong, we often find ourselves faced with three options. We can pretend it’s not happening and that we’re not hurt by it. We can wallow in all the upset and disappointment and refuse to move an inch. Or we can take a moment to fully embrace what is happening and look for a way to use it for the better. 

This is a huge disappointment for me, make no mistake, but that’s not the only thing it is. There is always opportunity in disappointment. There are chances unique to that situation to show others what you’re really about. I could plug my ears, yell “la la la!”, and pretend this isn’t happening, but I’m disinterested in that. My dishonesty serves no one but me. 

So let this be a signpost to anyone who may need it. Yep. things will absolutely go wrong. As they say, no plan survives first contact. You can do everything right and things will still go wrong. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure and it doesn’t mean you were wrong to have that dream. It just means it’s time to have a little cry with someone who cares about you, dust yourself off, and try it all again. 

Who you are when things go wrong matters. You have absolutely no idea who is watching you and needs you to succeed because they need it for themselves. Your big disappointment may ultimately translate to their courage to try. Cry and rage as much as you need to, by all means, but still get the work done. Get up, take the next step God’s put in front of you, and work until you make it. The only way to fail is to give up. 

I’m so grateful to all of you for your patience as I deal with all things Covid, distribution, and otherwise. Your support is very much appreciated. I hope you’ll stick with me as I work my way through this problem. Captain Acorn is still waiting for you! 

Let’s find some joy, 

Avalon Robinson