I'm going to take a second to say how awesome MG is. 

If you plan on attending this signing, you can get your book over the phone and get your number for the signing line

I tend to start with my figures.  I'll construct a general outline of the paper by ordering the figures in the way I want to tell my story.  Write up that results section first, sometimes only in outline form, then fill it out as I go.  The most painful part for me is always the introduction/literature review.

I've done a lot of writing both academically (despite quitting pre-PhD) and in a corporate setting.  The two are very different writing styles.  It's always useful to consider the audience.  I hate science writers who purposefully make the language inaccessible, so I tend to write in plainer language than my advisers ever liked, though my bosses in the corporate world seem to prefer it.

If you follow the link Pris posted to the MG website, there is a bit more information.

Their signings are usually numbered - the earlier purchases go first.  I've not actually been to a release day party, but what they usually do is start assigning numbers the day of release - they do not take pre-orders.  As a general rule, I call in near opening that day and purchase over the phone.  Getting there earlier will help you get a good spot for the talk part of the signing, get your book in your hands, etc.  I don't know that I'd camp out in store all day, though.

MG is an awesome store.  They're very responsive to emails and phone calls and can probably help you with questions that I can't answer.

(I haven't been to the RB store much, but the original SD store is great.)

*happy dance*

My two theories on Cowl - Mirrorverse Harry (Mostly because you just know that he's going to show up at some point) and Justin (Justin - wears gloves because he is burned, voice sounds unnatural because of the fire he got "DED" in.  Almost any Simon argument (strength, knowledge of Bob, knowledge of Kemmler) can be applied to Justin.  About the only argument I've thought of against Justin is that he's supposed to be dead, but, well, dead seems to be somewhat flexible in the Dresdenverse.

I like the second much better, myself

No matter what one's mind may have intended to do, once in a while one's body just plain jumps the queue and outvotes all the other person-pieces. Laid out dog sick is absolutely a rotten thing to have to go through.

And while traveling, just to make it worse.

Best wishes, Jim, to a speedy recovery!