I was told on this board to try exactly a week before on the last book, and I was one of the few around here to get a book that early that wasn't a reviewer.

I think I lucked out that the bookstore is one of the last independent book stores in the tri-state area, and is very popular but still small. I called up and asked if the book came in around 3 PM, and the store owner believed that the book was coming out that day because, look! the book is here!

I'm hoping to try that same tactic again. I don't believe you'd have success at a national chain with that, but never hurts to try.