Kevin's Watch

StephenRDonaldson.com News wrote:I've just learned that while my back was turned (and my agent's as well), Gollancz significantly changed their plans to publish these two novellas. They *now* say that they intend to produce an E-BOOK ONLY omnibus later this year (November?), and then release the two stories separately in "low-cost" hardcovers perhaps six months afterward. This is NOT what I thought I was agreeing to when I signed the contract--which vexes me, of course. But what *really* vexes me is that I've been put in the position of supplying misinformation to interested UK readers. After all, Gollancz may have good reasons for changing strategies. But there is no excuse for not keeping me--and us--informed of the changes.

Please accept my regret--for whatever it's worth.

10/7/15

kevinswatch wrote:Got it on my Nook! Will start reading tonight.

Seareach wrote:Hello peoples. I've set up two discussion threads for both short stories (they're stickied) so discuss away there.

StephenRDonaldson.com News wrote:THE KING'S JUSTICE and THE AUGUR'S GAMBIT (UK): oops!--follow-up

Since my previous post on the same subject, the situation has changed yet again. We now know that the Orion/Gollancz plan to release TKJ and TAG in an e-book only omnibus this year, with physical books to follow next year, IS a violation of my contract. So Orion/Gollancz now plans to published those two novellas in both e-book and physical formats sometime in the first half of 2016. This is unfortunate, of course, but it beats the alternative. When a big publisher launches a book as an e-book only, that usually indicates a serious lack of confidence in the book--and sometimes a hope that the cost of physical publication can be avoided entirely. Under the circumstances, the fact that Orion/Gollancz has decided to abide by the terms of the contract is good news.

Incidentally, some readers have seen announcements on the Orion/Gollancz web site and elsewhere that TKJ and TAG have been rescheduled for December 2020! This is bogus. Charitably considered, this announcement is a "placeholder": it indicates that the intention to publish is still active, but that a real schedule has not yet been determined.

10/13/15

Geeks of Doom wrote:Both of these novellas are spectacular examples of Stephen R. Donaldson’s work. He captures his reader within the first few pages, creating a bond that continues on…even after the story ends. [...] In the end, you’ll put this book down with hesitation, feeling like there is much left unsaid, undone even. But you’ll see the passion, you’ll feel the love, that Donaldson shows us through his writing. Descriptive, but not obsessively so, the reader bears witness to finely crafted plots and beautifully developed worlds. You’ll receive no finer recommendation from me this year than this: Donaldson’s stories are must-reads. If you have yet to read anything from him, I think you’ll find no finer starting point than this book, The King’s Justice.