August 30, 2023
Dear A.A. Friends,
As we have been updating everyone throughout these unprecedented times, supply chain disruptions throughout the worldwide paper, printing and trucking industries continue to unfavorably impact the manufacture and distribution of A.A.W.S. literature and other items.
Since 2020 we have implemented many measures in efforts to reduce potential backorders — for example, ordering paper and scheduling reprints with our printers of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and other items more than six months in advance of projected need. Most recently we have introduced jacketless hardcovers and new cover finishes in efforts to expedite delivery and help eliminate backorders.
Taking action
We are in communication daily with our printers, and reach out to their leadership again and again to emphasize how important our items of literature are in carrying A.A.’s message to our Fellowship.
Update:
Good news! These items are back in stock:
Books and Booklets back in stock
- Big Book (Abridged) pocket softcover English (B-35)
- Les Alcooliques Anonymes pocket French (FB-35)
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions soft cover English (B-15)
- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions gift edition English (B-4)
- Doce Pas y Doce Tradiciones pocket Spanish (SB-17)
- Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones (caracteres grandes) Spanish (SB-14)
- Doce Pasos y Doce Tradiciones (bolsillo) Spanish (SB-17)
- Douze Étapes et les Douze Traditions (souple) French (FB-15)
- Les Douze Étapes et les Douze Traditions (Gros Caracteres) French (FB-14)
- Les Vivre…sans alcool! French (FB-7)
- “Pass It On” English (B-9)
- Came to Believe Large Print English (B-26)
Most popular pamphlets Back in Stock:
- “Frequently Asked Questions about A.A.” (P-2)
- “Do You Think You’re Different?” (P-13)
- “Questions & Answers on Sponsorship” (staple less) (P-15)
- “Is A.A. for Me?” (staple less) (P-36)
- “A Brief Guide to A.A.” (staple less) (P-42)
- “Is A.A. for Me?” first printing of staple-less format (P-36)
- “Questions & Answers on Sponsorship” (staple less) (P-15)
- “Preguntas Frecuentes Acerca de A.A.” (SP-2)
- “Esto es A.A.” (SP-1)
- “A.A. for the Native North American” (P-21)
Books and Booklets out of stock and on backorder
Estimated in-stock dates, subject to change beyond our control, for these books are as follows:
- Alcoholicós Anónimos (bolsillo) Spanish (SB-35) – October
- Alcoholicós Anónimos Large Print, Abridged Spanish (SB-24) – September
- A.A. en la Carcel: Un Mensaje de Esperanza Spanish (SB-13) — September
- Llegamos a Creer Spanish (SB-6) – end of August
- A.A. Llega a Su Mayoria de Edad Spanish (SB-3) — September
- El Dr. Bob y Los Buenos Veteranos Spanish(SB-8) – September
Most popular pamphlets out of stock and on backorder
Estimated in-stock dates, subject to change beyond our control, for these pamphlets are as follows:
- “Is A.A. for You?” (P-3) – end of August
- “Twelve Traditions Illustrated” (P-43) – end of August
- “Problems Other Than Alcohol: (P-35) – end of August
- “Understanding Anonymity” (P-47) – end of August
- “Women in A.A.” (P-5) — end of August
- “A.A. in Your Community” (P-31) – September
- “Faith Leaders Ask About Alcoholics Anonymous” (P-25) – September
- “Bridging the Gap” (P-49) – September
- “Young People and A.A.” (P-4) – newly revised — October
- “The Group Treasurer” (F-96) –September
- “LGBTQ Alcoholics in A.A. (P-32) – September
- “Es A.A. para usted?” (SP-3) – September
What we are doing to actively address current and potential intermittent backorders
Our teams across many departments in the office have been working to address these challenges, placing orders for paper and binding supplies nine months in advance, and scheduling press time well in advance for reprints to help reduce backorders caused by these disruptions.
Projected continued out-of-stock periods
It is likely, however, that we will be experiencing intermittent disruptions for the foreseeable future, as all publishers will, based on industry-wide reporting. We will keep everyone informed.
Webstore and Member Services
Our Member Services and A.A.W.S. webstore teams have implemented measures to insure the following:
- Those seeking to purchase items will receive all discounts earned on items that they select – including those items on backorder.
- Individuals ordering can “add to cart” and place orders for these items as they normally would. The items will ship when they are back in stock.
- Purchasers will receive emails informing them of any backorders.
- The product detail pages of the webstore will state when an item is “out of stock,” provide an estimated “back in stock” date and display related items available for purchase now (the same content in different formats, for example).
- A notice on the detail pages for out-of-stock items will reiterate that purchasers seeking to order our literature may check with their local Intergroups and Central Offices, which may have the items in stock.
As always, we encourage ordering the Big Book and all of our items of literature from local groups, districts, areas, Intergroups and Central Offices, as they play a vital role in local Twelfth Step activities.
Working together, we are committed to A.A.’s time-honored tradition of collaboration and resilience within the Fellowship as we carry the message via our literature.
With all best A.A. wishes,
David R. Malini Singh
Publishing Director Director of Operations
A.A. World Services, Inc. A.A. World Services, Inc