Kevin's Watch

As I just joined this forum, I'm not really sure in which section to post this thread. Hope this is ok.

One of my passions is collecting limited editions of some of my favorite authors. I love what Subterranean Press is doing for Dan Simmons, George Martin and Robert McCammon (for instance.) These numbered and (especially) lettered editions don't come cheap, but opening a newly arrived package from one of these publishers is the absolute highlight of my day - week - whatever.

Maybe someone in-the-know here is able to answer this question: in spite of having written some of the best fantasy/science fiction series ever, have none of these books by Mr. Donaldson ever been given the Royal Treatment of a series of limited editions?
Just imagine: ten gift editions of the Thomas Covenant books; plus ten signed/limited/numbered editions; and the wet dream to end all wet dreams: a series of ten lettered books, illustrated by the likes of Michael Whelan or bernie Wrightson.

Does anyone know?

sk

Alas, I don't think there are any plans for a unified volume of 10 books. They weren't even published by the same publishers. And, frankly, those publishers didn't do a good job of even getting one Chronicles done as a set. And if you had heard about the trouble Donaldson had getting e-books out ... re-typing the whole thing from scratch ...

If you watch the News page in the StephenRDonaldson.com website, you'll know if there's any new information.

The Easton Press did a rather glorious edition of Lord Foul's Bane, as part of a series entitled Masterpieces of Fantasy. It's exactly what you are looking for ... except LFB is only one of the dozens of books in the collection. The rest includes Sword of Shannara, Pawn of Prophecy, Mists of Avalon, Magician: Master, etc.

Subterranean Press also did a print of his "best" short stories, aside from that you have the Science Fiction Book Club editions that collected the entire First Chronicles in one edition and the entire Second Chronicles in another volume.

I'd assume it's down to his agent and what deals they're pursuing for him, along with whatever input he himself will have on the subject.

@wayfriend: that's one awesome edition - love to own it!

@Orlion: yes, I've seen the SubPress edition of The Best of...
But there's so much more that deserves the limited treatment.

@ I'm Murrin: That's what Brian Freeman (from Cemetery Dance) also said. I asked the question over at the CD forum, and Brian hinted at the fact that Donaldson would first have to give permission himself for a set of limited Covenant books.
But it's beyond me why he wouldn't.

sk

How many people would buy a deluxe boxed set of the entire Chronicles decalogy? Would that number even be in the thousands? This, I think, is the biggest sticking point.

Technology is changing things, though. It may be the case in the future that you can order books ala carte any way you'd like them, and volume would not be a concern.

I don't think it's a question of a deluxe boxed set. Each book will get its gift, numbered and lettered edition. The Covenant Chronicles have a huge fan-base and there's no doubt in my mind the first book, Lord Foul's Bane, all three states, would be an instant sell-out. And then it's only a matter of time waiting for the release of The Illearth War.....The Power that Preserves.....etc....etc.....etc.....
The great thing about these limited series is, that once you're the original owner of, say, book 1, you get first dibs on the numbered/lettered edition of book 2, same number, same letter....and book 3...and 4.....
This works for any series I'm putting together myself: the Steven Erikson Malazan books (huge, expensive editions, but each a sell-out!), the McCammon Matthew Corbett novels (ten altogether) and of course the GRRM A Song of Ice and Fire (aka A Game of Thrones) series. Huge books, huge fan-base and huge bestsellers.
Wherever I've asked about the interest in purchasing a limited series of Covenant books, the response always was overwhelmingly positive.

It really is beyond me that after nearly 40 years, Covenant is still without his own set of limited editions.

Mr. Donaldson, are you reading this?

sk

I guess not too many people here really care. That's fine, of course, but totally beyond me.
I just posted a poll about this topic. Hope to see you there.

sk

It's tough when something isn't as exciting to everyone else as you think it is. But don't give up.

It's just that there are amazing series of (limited) books by Robert McCammon, Dean Koontz, Dan Simmons, Steven Erikson, George R.R. Martin, Stephen King, to mention a few and these books are very, very popular.
And in spite of the popularity of Donaldson's books, here, at Donaldson Central Station (so to speak) - nothing.
Why is this?

sk

frik wrote:It's just that there are amazing series of (limited) books by Robert McCammon, Dean Koontz, Dan Simmons, Steven Erikson, George R.R. Martin, Stephen King, to mention a few and these books are very, very popular.
And in spite of the popularity of Donaldson's books, here, at Donaldson Central Station (so to speak) - nothing.
Why is this?

sk

We're poor

Perhaps the popularity is not quite pronounced enough, or perhaps the dedicated fans not a large enough proportion of total sales?

--A

Frankly, I've already spent considerable effort tracking down hard cover editions of all the Chronicles books. That includes, in the later years, getting my hands on the book the day it came out. Buying another set, even a nicer one, isn't appealing, because I'm rather attached now to the ones I have, and they serve nicely. A special edition set seems gaudy and useless to me -- something to have just to have. I could see the attraction if I collected books for the sake of collecting physical books ... but I am not that person. I don't have the room for such a collection, and I wouldn't really appreciate them if I had them.

I admit that, when I met SRD for the first time, I had him sign a first-editionish Lord Foul's Bane that I had bought for the occasion. Basically, I couldn't decide which book I'd want him to sign, so I decided to get something a bit more unique. (Other people seem to solve the problem by having Donaldson sign every Chronicles book that they have.)

But that's as far as my desire goes for special versions of books.

I bought a couple hardcover Chronicles books until I realized that I don't so much care about those things. I look at books on a bookshelf as trophies for having finished. But sometimes as things I want to pull off and look at for an answer to a question about them.

I prefer paperbacks myself.

--A

... I prefer .mobi files myself. But I like having books that are significant to me on a shelf. My Tolkiens. My Donaldsons. My Herberts. My Ecos. etc. I'd like to get Riddle-Master in hardcover at some point.

All my books are significant to me. My problem is not enough shelves.

--A