Patrick St. Denis made an interesting post over at Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist regarding the US release of Richard Morgan’s upcoming Fantasy novel, The Steel Remains. Here’s what he had to say:
In light of all the grumbling generated by the fact that there was no US pub date regarding Morgan’s fantasy debut, The Steel Remains (Canada, USA, Europe), I decided to inquire to lay the matter to rest.
I heard back from Betsy Mitchell, editor in chief at Del Rey Books, this morning. With the fall season already crowded, they felt that the book would benefit from a spring release date. Hence, the US edition of The Steel Remains will be published on February 24th 2009.
You see, sometimes I am the bringer of good news!;-)
I worry about Del Rey. I understand how release schedules work, but I find it hard to believe that they have many authors (Terry Brooks being probably the sole exception) that are more popular at the moment that Morgan. With web site’s like The Book Depository making is easy (and cheap) to import novels from the UK, I imagine that they’ll lose a lot of sales in the six months between the UK and the US release.
I suppose, however, that they know their business better than I do. I’ll be picking up the UK release, though (unless someone at Gollancz wants to send me a review copy *winkwinknudgenudge*). At the very least it’s nice to have the release date confirmed.
Thank you, I did not know about that site (The Book Depository), and now I am the proud owner (or soon to be) of the last 2 books of Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law trilogy.
Very cheap and a good selection. I will probably get The Steel Remains there as well, why wait?
Whatever happened to more universal and worldwide releases? I keep hearing about Morgan (just like Abercrombie) and now I have to wait (just like Abercrombie).
Yup. Book Depository is a great site. US publishers continue to lose my money to their UK counterparts by either: A. Not publishing in HC when the UK gets a HC release, B. Continuing their proud tradition of horrible cover art compared to the UK, C. Releasing months or years after the UK release.
Alex R,
I’m glad I could turn you on to the site, it’s a goldmine as far as I’m concerned. If you liked The Blade Itself, you’ll be sure to love the next two!
TK42ONE,
I don’t know where you stand on Science Fiction, but Richard Morgan actually has several novels aready under his belt. The most recent being Black Man (titled Thirteen in the sates), which was hailed by many as one of the best novels published last year.
You could always check some of those out!
DrBloodmoney,
It’s funny you mention cover art. As I was digging out the UK cover art for this post I was wondering how Del Rey would manage to butcher this one for its US release.
Good luck on that review copy. When I showcase debuts these days, I automatically assume that there is going to be a more-or-less simultaneous release in the USA, UK and Canada. And I usually wonder why when they do not.
I’ve also recently found the joys of The Book Depository ordering 18 novels from there over a 3 week period – I just kept going back!
And considering buying ANY type of version of a book from there is cheaper than walking into a store and buying a book of the shelf here in Australia, AND they get delivered to your door in individual packages (so no books on order delay ones in stock) I am well happy. I’m reading Morgan’s “Woken Furies” at the moment and have pre-ordered Steel Remains from Amazon UK (due to current discount) – I’m loving his work.
Yup, I will def by from the Book Depository instead of waiting that long!