Frequently Asked Questions

The General Stuff

• Q: What the fach is "Fach?"
• A: It's no cuss word. "Fach" is the German word used to classify operatic voice types in the German-speaking Fest theater system according to vocal range, color, size, and beauty.

• Q: Where can I buy What The FACH?!?
• A: What The FACH?! is available through numerous online retailers, including our favorite retailer, Powells. There are also a number of other retailers who carry What The FACH?!.

• Q: When do I receive What The FACH?!?
• A: Immediately. Once you complete your purchase online through one of our many retailers, you are able to download What The FACH?!.

• Q: How much does What The FACH?! cost?
• A: The suggested retail price is $24.95 USD for the paperback and $14.95 for the eBook. With our Second Edition (coming out in May 2010), the prices will drop significantly. We have been able to lower our costs and want to pass that on to you!

• Q: What is included with my purchase?
• A: You will receive 237 pages (213 in the eBook) packed with information and resources from audition tour preparation advice and personal stories, to specific steps you will need to follow once hired. A 16-page Phrasebook and Dictionary specifically written for opera professionals, is also included.

• Q: Are the hyperlinks in What The FACH?! active?
• A: You bet your bippy! (Yes.)

• Q: What are the advantages of buying What The FACH?! as an eBook?
• A: With the What The FACH?! eBook, you have immediate access to over 200 active hyperlinks for everything you could possibly think of, from agents to hard-to-find information about living and working in Europe. It is all included. As well, we have embedded a number of essential documents into this book (e.g. visa application forms, etc.).

• Q: Can I print and copy What the FACH?!
• A: No, however you are able to print out essential documents embedded into the book (i.e. visa application forms, booklets about taxes, etc.) as well as the Phrasebook and Dictionary.

• Q: Why can't I print it out? I did pay for the eBook, after all.
• A: You bet you did, and we thank you for that! In in effort, though, to control copying of an eBook, though, we found that it is best not to allow printing.

• Q: Is a paperback version of What The FACH?! coming out anytime soon?
• A: It's been out since 2007. Where have you been?

• Q: What is an eBook?
• A: An eBook is an electronic edition of a physical book. Adobe's eBook technology is based on PDF, which can be read on Windows and Macintosh computers, as well as a gazillion other handheld devices.

The Technical Garbage

• Q: What system requirements do I need in order to read What The FACH?! on my computer?
• A: In order to read PDF eBooks you need the free Adobe Reader Software or Adobe Digital Editions. Adobe Reader 6 or 7 requires OS 10.2.2 or higher; Adobe Digital Editions requires OS X 10.3.9 or higher for a Power PC, or OS X 10.4.8 or higher on Intel.

• Q: Do I need to be online to read What The FACH?!
• A: No, you do not need to be online to read it. After the What The FACH?! is downloaded you can disconnect from the network and read it offline. You will, however, need to be on-line to utilize the embedded hyperlinks.

• Q: Can I read What The FACH?! on PDAs?
• A: To read more about handheld capabilities, click here

• Q: Can I view my What The FACH?! on multiple machines?
• A: You can view What The FACH?! on one PC or Macintosh computer.

• Q: How do I view What The FACH?! on my Palm OS device?
• A: To understand all the options of viewing What the FACH?! on a handheld device, please visit the Supported eBook Devices.

The Troubleshooting Shiznit

• Q: I bought What The FACH?! and I am having trouble opening and/or reading the book. What should I do?
• A: Since you purchased What The FACH?! from an online retailer and not from us directly, you should first contact the retailer's technical support to resolve the issue (we have found the retailer customer support to be fantastic, so far).

• Q: What if I am not satisfied with the What The FACH?! after my purchase?
• A: First, contact the retailer from whom you purchased What the FACH?!. If their answer does not satisfy you, then please contact us so we can make you happy. We stand by this book and do not want a single dissatisfied reader!

• Q: I have a million questions about eBooks! Where should I look?
• A: If the retailer from whom you purchased What The FACH?! cannot answer your questions, you might want to try the mother of all FAQ pages for eBooks, Helpebook.

• Q: I am no techno guru and this whole eBook technology thing scares me. Tell me the truth: how easy is it all, really?
• A: Don't worry - it is all safe and easy. In fact, all you need to do is have the right software on your computer (either free Adobe Reader Software or Adobe Digital Editions), download the book, and read!