I'll Always Be Here For You Hardcover Copy

Well after many months of waiting, at least two of which were unnecessary and the fault of the author being irresponsible and lazy, I finally got my copy of I'll Always Be Here For You. I vaguely remember reading part of the story a long time ago and liking it, but I never finished it. I mostly got the book to go with my collection of physical pony books. Although I'm hesitant to put it in the collection after seeing it in person.

Putting aside the story, which I personally rather enjoyed if memory serves me, the book itself isn't made very well. Perhaps I'm spoiled by the quality of Past Sins, Fallout Equestria and Pink Eyes, but this is a bit disappointing, to say the least.

The cover is the same art from the site, which while it works for the site, it does not look very nice on an actual book and I dearly wish that the author had commissioned another piece specifically for the book, maybe even put this one in the book as the intro page art or something if he was adamant about keeping it.

The art on the cover is poor for an actual book, yes, and it's also the only art I could find. I haven't read the book itself yet, but skimming through it reveals no chapter art. Which is very disappointing. And the formatting of the paragraphs leaves it hard on the eyes. The tabbing of paragraphs instead of blank lines was likely to save space and bring down the cost a smidge, but I would've preferred spending like another $5 if it didn't bother me trying to read it with the poor formatting.

On another note regarding the cover, the front is the only side of the cover with anything on it. ANYTHING. The spine of the book has no book title, not even in print, and the back is barren as well. Which leaves a very sour taste in my mouth. The book feels very rushed and lazy, the author clearly didn't think things out or didn't really care to. My advice would be to commission a new cover next time, one that's specifically designed with a physical copy in mind, and try to get some chapter art. Paying more for quality isn't out of the question.

But above all, my advice would be to make a schedule and stick to it. And to pay attention to what information your users are sending in to order the book with. I had to wait nearly two months to get my copy because the author could not decide on when to send it. He could've sent it with the others, but instead of clarifying information he ignored the book and sent the rest without informing me I hadn't sent shipping information, which I personally thought would be handled by my PayPal account because that information is indeed on my PayPal account.

Very poor experience dealing with the author in purchasing this book of mediocre quality. The story is fine, I have nothing against that, but the book itself could use a ton of work and far more consideration and care than was obviously put towards it.