@RUTGERS.ARPA:AXLER%Upenn-1100%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa (01/22/85)
From: "Don't worry, I'll tell you later." <AXLER%upenn-1100.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa (Don't worry, I'll tell you later.)>
Like many readers of sf-lovers, I've been awaiting the re-release of
Vernor Vinge's "True Names", one of the best novels about computers, hackers,
and artificial intelligence. Last night, I spoke with Bob Walters, who did
the cover and interior art for the new edition, and he provided me with the
following news:
The book, complete with an afterword by Marvin Minsky, was scheduled for
an October release, and was so announced in Publisher's Weekly and other
trade magazines. However, due to various foulups at BlueJay Books and/or
St. Martin's Press (BlueJay's distributor), it was not actually released until
late December or early January. Despite this, Jim Frenkel, BlueJay's editor-
in-chief, did not revise the book's copyright date to read 1985.
Many bookstores, including the major chains such as WaldenBooks, Crown,
and Dalton's, have a buying policy which prohibits the purchasing of "old"
releases unless they are either proven sellers or specially-ordered by the
customers. "True Names", because of its '84 copyright, is considered as "old"
even though it never reached the shelves, and thus never had a chance to
demonstrate whatever selling power it might have.
If you want this book, you will have to go and order it. I strongly urge
all sf-lovers readers to do this, and to get their friends to do it, too. If
enough special orders for the book start piling up at the various chains, they
may choose to stock it.
--Dave Axlerrhesmith@wlcrjs.UUCP (Richard H. E. Smith II) (01/24/85)
In article <356@topaz.ARPA> @RUTGERS.ARPA:AXLER%Upenn-1100%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa writes: > Like many readers of sf-lovers, I've been awaiting the re-release of >Vernor Vinge's "True Names", one of the best novels about computers, hackers, >and artificial intelligence. Last night, I spoke with Bob Walters, who did >the cover and interior art for the new edition, and he provided me with the >following news: > The book, complete with an afterword by Marvin Minsky, was scheduled for >an October release, and was so announced in Publisher's Weekly and other >trade magazines. However, due to various foulups at BlueJay Books and/or >St. Martin's Press (BlueJay's distributor), it was not actually released until >late December or early January. Despite this, Jim Frenkel, BlueJay's editor- >in-chief, did not revise the book's copyright date to read 1985. > Many bookstores, including the major chains such as WaldenBooks, Crown, >and Dalton's, have a buying policy which prohibits the purchasing of "old" >releases unless they are either proven sellers or specially-ordered by the >customers. "True Names", because of its '84 copyright, is considered as "old" >even though it never reached the shelves... I remember this as excellent stuff, and I'm surprised that Walden/Dalton don't remember that it was a stong Hugo contender (nominated, did not win) in '82. Then again, what do they know. Unfortunately, these stories of "...foulups..." only confirm the rumours that BlueJay's financial backing may not be holding up. The word has always been that Frenkel started BlueJay with, shall we say, less than adequate capitalization. We'll see. Meanwhile, if you like their stuff, go buy it, so they can manage to do more. -- ---------- Dick Smith ..ihnp4!wlcrjs!rhesmith
stuart@rochester.UUCP (Stuart Friedberg) (01/27/85)
In article <356@topaz.ARPA> @RUTGERS.ARPA:AXLER%Upenn-1100%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa writes: > Many bookstores, including the major chains such as WaldenBooks, Crown, >and Dalton's, have a buying policy which prohibits the purchasing of "old" >releases unless they are either proven sellers or specially-ordered by the >customers. "True Names", because of its '84 copyright, is considered as "old" >even though it never reached the shelves... To reassure those who are not inclined to order by mail and concerned about obtaining a copy of True Names, I walked into a WaldenBooks this evening and bought one of their 5 or 6 copies of the book. I do not think the aforementioned buying policy is going to be a big problem. Stu Friedberg {seismo, allegra}!rochester!stuart stuart@rochester