I've been much more excited about the fact that the first Perl related title has been published in a long time. I don't know how many years it has been. There have been a lot of ups and downs, I have personally made a lot of missteps - all of which have pissed someone off. But all of us who have persevered have done it for one reason, and it's not because it's going to make anyone any money. We've all gone out of pocket for this by a lot, and we will never recover the money or time (I mean what Perl author has really gotten rich publishing a book - the answer is ZERO). We started this project and will continue to pursue future Issues because of one reason, we love Perl and I think everyone here does, too. I appreciate the support we have gotten at Perl Monks, it's been the place our efforts have been most positively received.

So buy it or don't, it is up to you. Just know it's there in 2024 and that Perl is not dead. We have discovered that there are many Perl programmers toiling away in isolation, thinking they're the only one or feeling disenfranchised in some way. This Journal is connecting a lot of them in very positive ways; as such we are spreading real Hope in the community. And there will be another issue coming as a result of the virtual Winter Conference on December 18th. And then another will come out as a result of our 2025 Summer activities - no thanks, of course, to a certain group of individuals who shall remain nameless.

If you don't want to buy a copy, but still want to support us; what can you do?

• watch the videos of the related talks and congratulate the authors and editors
• start thinking about participating in the paper process, you can always submit a paper idea for future Issues, NOW
• make plans to virtually attend the December Conference - sign up for announcements here
• support us, despite our missteps. I think we can all agree that it's an unfortunate truth in life that you can't pick simultaneously the results you'd like to see and the people who deliver them; focus on the results here and not the imperfect people who have delivered them. Help us improve by supporting our efforts in the best ways you are able.
• provide specific, constructive feedback so we can improve; honest feedback we can deal with; dredging up the same old FUD about the people involved is not helpful for us or for Perl

There are a lot of people who strongly support what we're doing because they realize that it is for the betterment of Perl. And for those people, I am personally extremely thankful. More than once a singular notes of encouragement has kept me personally going, especially when I committed an unforced error - of which there are many. I know this. Thank you all for your support.

As far as an ebook version goes, this is still planned but we have no ETA for it. We're preparing for a busy couple of months and the Winter Issue. Barnes & Noble employs a rather rigorous process for publishing printed books - it's a whole other process to get an ebook published. So it's not as simple as just exporting a PDF or converting it to emobi or whatever. Thank you for your support and patience.