On Monday, September 29, the book printer’s customer service representative sent me this message:

I have some distressing news regarding the schedule for these books.  The soonest the outside binder can get books completed and back to us is November 19.   We’ve been working with them for the past week to get a better date. They did pull it in from 11-24, but their workload is extremely heavy and that’s the best they can do.  It’s that time of year for all book manufacturers.   They did tell us that they will stay on top of it and move it in more if space should open up.  We’ll stay on them with weekly checks.

I’m really sorry.  I know this is not what you wanted to hear.  If there was anything I could do, I would most definitely be right on it.  I know how very important this is to you.

And now you know what I know.

Please excuse me for a while. I need to go smash something.