Misery from Suntup editions:

[Sock Monkey]

Just watched the video showing the various editions on Facebook. They all look fantastic! I’m slightly jealous that I didn’t get in on one of these. Thankfully, I’m not a big King fan so I don’t feel I’m missing out too much. Congrats to you guys for getting one!

[Martin]

My Limited Edition Misery has been scanned into the Portland Post Office. Should get transferred to Vancouver tonight and be in my hands tomorrow!

[Martin]

Martin, Tacoma, Mhatch -- thank you for your replies on my questions about collecting. There's a lot of good information in all of your posts, and I appreciate Martin taking the time for his expression of considerable length.


Your perspectives make me wish I had more money to engage this hobby. I think I would be the same as all of you...not in it for investment purposes. Because of some OCD tendencies, I probably would worry a bit about ruining a good book if I read it, but to me, it doesn't make sense not to put some wear on a book, no matter what it is. I assume, as well, a limited edition must be constructed in such a way so as to resist deformation over time (if not outright prevent it).

I have an autographed copy of a King book, acquired back in the day when you could mail him a book to sign. I had read the book before it was signed. I am careful with it, but not overly so; still, I do always get the feeling that I don't want to look at it too much in case the autograph page gets ruined. Mostly OCD. It has no value, I would imagine, except to myself, since it was personalized. Given this discussion, I should try to interact with it more often, and maybe even read a few chapters of it.


Funny how we can get about collectibles. There should be a story about a collectible that is passed around for years, obtains enormous value, and then is opened by an owner who pays a lot for it but it turns out to be an empty box. Could be the premise for a Netflix series. That's sort of how I feel about collecting things...try not to worry too much about value, interact with the item. It can be tough, but it's best to do. I always try to lose some time in my magazine collection (Mad, Discover, old video-game periodicals, etc.) every so often and not worry about its deteriorating condition. Anyway, those are some random thoughts that went through my head as I read the replies. Enjoyed the discussion.....and enjoy the Misery book...…..

Good thoughts. On collecting there is no wrong answer. Collect what you want and treat it as you want, just enjoy.

[JJ123]

Martin, Tacoma, Mhatch -- thank you for your replies on my questions about collecting. There's a lot of good information in all of your posts, and I appreciate Martin taking the time for his expression of considerable length.


Your perspectives make me wish I had more money to engage this hobby. I think I would be the same as all of you...not in it for investment purposes. Because of some OCD tendencies, I probably would worry a bit about ruining a good book if I read it, but to me, it doesn't make sense not to put some wear on a book, no matter what it is. I assume, as well, a limited edition must be constructed in such a way so as to resist deformation over time (if not outright prevent it).

I have an autographed copy of a King book, acquired back in the day when you could mail him a book to sign. I had read the book before it was signed. I am careful with it, but not overly so; still, I do always get the feeling that I don't want to look at it too much in case the autograph page gets ruined. Mostly OCD. It has no value, I would imagine, except to myself, since it was personalized. Given this discussion, I should try to interact with it more often, and maybe even read a few chapters of it.


Funny how we can get about collectibles. There should be a story about a collectible that is passed around for years, obtains enormous value, and then is opened by an owner who pays a lot for it but it turns out to be an empty box. Could be the premise for a Netflix series. That's sort of how I feel about collecting things...try not to worry too much about value, interact with the item. It can be tough, but it's best to do. I always try to lose some time in my magazine collection (Mad, Discover, old video-game periodicals, etc.) every so often and not worry about its deteriorating condition. Anyway, those are some random thoughts that went through my head as I read the replies. Enjoyed the discussion.....and enjoy the Misery book...…..

[Br!an]

I enjoy watching Paul's enthusiasm so hopefully he will post it again once everything has been shipped. Wish you were getting a signed so watch your unboxing video!

It's on Facebook. He shows all three versions of the book. Here's the link.

[TacomaDiver]

I'm old - I can't keep track of most things so it's possible you got your notice after I did.

I saw on TDT that the copies that are arriving are via USPS - no one from FedEx yet (I don't remember if I chose FedEx - it's what it is.)

Based on past FedEx shippings, it'll be on a truck Sunday, but since it's not scheduled to be received until Tuesday, they won't deliver it I HATE that! Just drop the damn thing off!

[Martin]

I think you also got your shipping notice a day before me? Or that's just what I assumed. But Vancouver is closer to Irvine (unless you go the southerly route . . .) so a day earlier seems to make sense. FedEx's delivery stuff confuses me - either my book left Olympia this morning at 2:11am, or it's on its way TO Olympia . . . still says Tuesday though. Just be a nice surprise if it did arrive on Monday since I am home.

I thought you had received you had posted that you received a shipping notice prior to me receiving it but I could be wrong. Also mine is shipping USPS Priority not Fed Ex. I have had USPS items from California get scanned in at a post office, I believe Federal Way, and then come back to Vancouver. Hopefully you get yours Monday as well.

[TacomaDiver]

I don't buy books as an investment (I'm also a weirdo who thinks your house shouldn't be considered an investment, but that's a conversation for another day and thread,) but to read. Of course, as I say that I have SO MANY BOOKS that I haven't read yet . . .

The small press - be it CD, Sub, CP, and others - make beautiful books. Even their plain trade editions surpass the "quality" of the mass market, and I like supporting the little guys however I can (says the guy who is drinking is Starbucks espresso, and waiting for Amazon to deliver my leaf blower . ..)

I'm also someone who has READ signed editions of books. I know, I've done it. I don't own too many super expensive editions (Misery is definitely my most expensive book, and the only other pricey one is probably CP's Ender's Game.) I do try and take care of the book as best I can though. The only press I've come across that includes a reading copy (which is super awesome that they do that!) is Mysterious Press out of New York. I wish more publishers did that - or gave you a free ebook version (Sub Press did that when they released the Wool trilogy - sent you links for free downloads of the Kindle version.) (Actually as I'm making wishes, what I wish Amazon would do is give you a free Kindle edition for every book you bought - I'd even pay full price for a book if it came with the Kindle edition - you hear that Barnes and Noble!)

My book collection doesn't have a lot of monetary value (especially compared so some of those on TDT!) but they're valuable to me. I enjoy having them on shelves to look at (which is why if/when I buy/build a house, there will be a dedicated media room so I can all my shelves up with books, lots of walls for posters/prints, and a ton of speakers for movies/music.) I don't have all 1st printings of my books because my "collecting" has changed over the years from one book each (regardless of paperback or hardcover,) to then all hardcovers (and learning that I acquired a few BCEs that I have since replaced) and now I'm at one of every book from certain authors (ideally first printings in hardcover - but I realize that can be expensive depending on the author.)

The small press has introduced me to a number of authors that I wouldn't have discovered on my own. I've bought books from publishers from authors that I've never heard of because I knew the quality of the production would be there. I'm not able to afford lettered editions and that's fine because when I think about it logically, there's no reason to price most lettered editions the way they are. The book and jacket are the same as the numbered, and the traycase or whatever isn't worth the markup. I know that this generalization isn't the same across all editions from all publishers, but so many times it is.

And there's something special about holding in your hands a work of art - whether it be a drawing, or a book, or a carving, or a paper mouse.

Which brings me back to Misery - I've tried to avoid all the details of the book, but what I do know tells me that this edition will be spectacular. So much attention to make the edition unique and personalized to the book. This book was expensive, but you can see where all that money is going to - materials and passion.

[TacomaDiver]

It would appear delivery to Vancouver is quicker than Tacoma as mine is scheduled to be delivered Monday. And I will be home Monday while a crew sets upa new shed in my backyard! Great timing.

I think you also got your shipping notice a day before me? Or that's just what I assumed. But Vancouver is closer to Irvine (unless you go the southerly route . . .) so a day earlier seems to make sense. FedEx's delivery stuff confuses me - either my book left Olympia this morning at 2:11am, or it's on its way TO Olympia . . . still says Tuesday though. Just be a nice surprise if it did arrive on Monday since I am home.

[mhatchett]

I collect books because it's cool LOL!! The first rule of book collecting, buy the best book, in the best condition you can afford. The hunt is always fun! I have found some treasures and I own some ex-library books that I would never part with. My kids will have to move those on. My Bradbury collection is my pride and joy. I can't believe I own a first edition of Dark Carnival, Arkham House 1947. Another favorite Manly Wade Wellman Who Fears the Devil, Arkham House.

[Martin]

So my signed edition of Misery was shipped today. Estimated delivery is Tuesday. Too bad it’s not Monday since I’ll be working from home that day. Maybe FedEx will get a tailwind and Misery arrives a day early ...

Beyond excited to have this in my collection.

It would appear delivery to Vancouver is quicker than Tacoma as mine is scheduled to be delivered Monday. And I will be home Monday while a crew sets upa new shed in my backyard! Great timing.

[Martin]

I am not a buyer of limited editions, so don't really know about this particular corner of publishing. Obviously I am very familiar with the big-picture aspects since I am on this forum and have purchased more mass-market-type stuff from CD, but the details elude me.


This thread, though, has fascinated me. I visited the Suntup site and watched the Misery video. I saw that the most-limited set -- the alphabet-quantity one -- was almost four grand. I can see that. But I was wondering, just to be clear -- is the typewriter included? I'm assuming not, but the image of that mechanical device is so close to the book product, and given the price, it made me think. That would be cool if it were included, but I am going to assume it is not unless someone clarifies it the other way.


When you purchase something like this, do you get a reading copy as well? I think this has been discussed here before, but that's the real odd thing about all this -- are people buying this product as an investment, and if not, do people actually engage with the product? It's hard to do so, I would imagine. The only analogy I can give from my perspective is my hobby of buying older video games. I have purchased two copies of sealed games, sometimes for a lot of money if they are old enough, so one can remain sealed...although my psychology for that is I want one new copy available in case the other one is destroyed (including instruction booklets, etc.). I would assume for the amount of money being charged here that two copies of the Misery package would be helpful. However, if that would be cost-prohibitive (and thinking about this as I write, it probably would be), then maybe a price tag of $5,000 - $6,000 would be appropriate. At twenty-six copies, I think there would be a lot of price inelasticity here (hope I got the correct term from economics!).


Digger deeper into the actual business model, what does King get out of this? That's puzzling...what do all these limited editions do for his bottom line at this point? Is it essentially a way to support small press companies like CD? I have to imagine that the scale of his income makes these types of releases not that significant...or am I wrong? Does he do this so often that a valuable long tail develops? Then again, maybe this helps to market his mass market catalog and promote his new releases, as well as his licensed films/television shows on streaming, networks, etc. I just don't know. But what is his specific royalty on something that costs four grand? It's odd, too, because someone like him would almost seem to be against this model since it prices a lot of people out of participation. I don't think there is anything wrong with making money this way, I'm just pointing out that it is difficult to fully understand the motivation in his case, especially given that I remember reading once that he thought one limited edition was overpriced (wish I could recall the subject, might have been My Pretty Pony, but to be honest, I also don't remember the exact context of his comment...perhaps he said it but meant nothing negative about the model).


Also, how does one get into this business? Is it a simple thing of contacting his agent? Can anyone do it? Could someone who has no money simply crowd-fund the project before signing a contract?


Just find this all fascinating. So many angles to it, including those who are mid-list authors who participate in the model...can they survive off such releases exclusively? What guaranteed level of readership do you need to make it work...5,000 readers....2,000...10,000? I just don't know.

Some very good questions there.

People who collect books all have there own reasons so you could get a different answer from each person.
I am a person who collects books. This began in my teens with Stephen King new releases. I would go to the store on release day and select the best of the lot and take buy it. I have always appreciated hardbound books over paperback. I like the feel of the binding, paper and it is a better read for me in general. I discovered the world of limited edition books in 1998. I bought a copy of 999 (containing a King story) on release day. When reading the copyright page (yes, I am weird and read the copyright page of a book) I noticed it stated that the book had been previously published by Hill House/Cemetery Dance as a limited edition. This got my attention because I was picking this up on day of release, there was a previous release? So the internet was new to me and I went to learn of this. I found Cemetery Dance's website. 999 was indeed available and had not been released. I did have the first published edition. The price was $125 and was signed by all but two authors (King was one who did not sign). So $125 for a book I had just bought for $24.95, I was not sold. Then I saw Legacies, A signed limited edition that would not have a trade version available in stores. This one was $150 and signed by all contributors including King, if I remember correctly it was scheduled for a release a few months after I discovered its existence. I bought one, took a while for me to accept that I had just paid $150 for a book. Well multiple delays later Cemetery Dance offered those who had pre-ordered a $40 signed limited of the buyers choice for free. I chose Ed Gorman's The Poker Club. He was an author I had never heard of and a story I found interesting. I expected a hardbound book, like those I was used to, with an added signature sheet. What I got was a book that far exceeded any book I had bought before. Better paper, better binding. I was used to paying $24.95 for a book that even with great care look used after one reading. This book looked just as good when I had read it as it did when I got it. It was also a great story, I could not believe I had not heard of this author. From that point I was hooked.


Now back to your questions. The typewriter is not included. Paul did buy one of the typewriters to type out the section of the book that is the manuscript. A great point of detail to me. Also the lettered edition will be cased in a wood box meant to replicate a box the typewriter may have been in when purchased.


When you purchase this book you do not get a reading copy. This is one area you will get great differences in opinion. First, I am not a purchaser of lettered editions and my actions are based in that. I buy books to read to collect and for the artistry of the item. Prior to this last year the most expensive books I had purchased was the two volumes of Secretary of Dreams at $300 each. I have read both of those cover to cover. If it is a book I have a reading copy of I do not read the limited, an example would be the Cemetery Dance edition of It. I have the Gift edition of that one and I have not read the story from it but have spent a lot of time looking at the art and the general artistry of the edition. So for Misery I will not read the story, but I will spend a lot of time admiring the book. I also do not buy books for investment. I buy them to enjoy. I rarely sell books unless I end up with duplicates through grab bags. Although I enjoy watching books I have selling on the secondary market the value does not concern me as I have no interest in selling them. When buying a book I do not consider what future value may exist.

I am unable to state what King gets out of it but I can give some thoughts. I think the book you are speaking of was Salems' Lot from Centipede Press. King made comments years ago about how the company was pestering him for additional rights and it rubbed him wrong. In the process he had some harsh words about buying a book and not reading it. He also made comments regarding the early days of the Gunslinger series stating something along the lines that his stories did not need to be available to everyone, limited printings are fine.

I doubt any author is able to survive exclusively off small press publications. I expect it gets the books out into avid reader's hands. I have discovered many authors from Cemetery Dance who I have then gone looking for more to read.

[Dan Hocker]

I can't really speak to King's motivations as I don't know myself, though I've always thought it was mostly to support the small press. Again though I have no clue.

As far as the big high end editions, I think most of those are bought as show pieces / collectors items. Mostly to sit on a shelf and look pretty. I don't think I've ever heard of someone actually reading one of these super high end lettered editions. Gift and limited editions are a different story though. Lettered editions I think are rarely bought for investment, most of those customers tend to be the "completionist" type or someone who really has a passion for that specific title or author. Gift and Limited editions have a lot more room for aftermarket growth, just look at our edition of IT. I think gift editions of that are going for what the limited was originally priced at.

[JJ123]

I am not a buyer of limited editions, so don't really know about this particular corner of publishing. Obviously I am very familiar with the big-picture aspects since I am on this forum and have purchased more mass-market-type stuff from CD, but the details elude me.


This thread, though, has fascinated me. I visited the Suntup site and watched the Misery video. I saw that the most-limited set -- the alphabet-quantity one -- was almost four grand. I can see that. But I was wondering, just to be clear -- is the typewriter included? I'm assuming not, but the image of that mechanical device is so close to the book product, and given the price, it made me think. That would be cool if it were included, but I am going to assume it is not unless someone clarifies it the other way.


When you purchase something like this, do you get a reading copy as well? I think this has been discussed here before, but that's the real odd thing about all this -- are people buying this product as an investment, and if not, do people actually engage with the product? It's hard to do so, I would imagine. The only analogy I can give from my perspective is my hobby of buying older video games. I have purchased two copies of sealed games, sometimes for a lot of money if they are old enough, so one can remain sealed...although my psychology for that is I want one new copy available in case the other one is destroyed (including instruction booklets, etc.). I would assume for the amount of money being charged here that two copies of the Misery package would be helpful. However, if that would be cost-prohibitive (and thinking about this as I write, it probably would be), then maybe a price tag of $5,000 - $6,000 would be appropriate. At twenty-six copies, I think there would be a lot of price inelasticity here (hope I got the correct term from economics!).


Digger deeper into the actual business model, what does King get out of this? That's puzzling...what do all these limited editions do for his bottom line at this point? Is it essentially a way to support small press companies like CD? I have to imagine that the scale of his income makes these types of releases not that significant...or am I wrong? Does he do this so often that a valuable long tail develops? Then again, maybe this helps to market his mass market catalog and promote his new releases, as well as his licensed films/television shows on streaming, networks, etc. I just don't know. But what is his specific royalty on something that costs four grand? It's odd, too, because someone like him would almost seem to be against this model since it prices a lot of people out of participation. I don't think there is anything wrong with making money this way, I'm just pointing out that it is difficult to fully understand the motivation in his case, especially given that I remember reading once that he thought one limited edition was overpriced (wish I could recall the subject, might have been My Pretty Pony, but to be honest, I also don't remember the exact context of his comment...perhaps he said it but meant nothing negative about the model).


Also, how does one get into this business? Is it a simple thing of contacting his agent? Can anyone do it? Could someone who has no money simply crowd-fund the project before signing a contract?


Just find this all fascinating. So many angles to it, including those who are mid-list authors who participate in the model...can they survive off such releases exclusively? What guaranteed level of readership do you need to make it work...5,000 readers....2,000...10,000? I just don't know.

[TacomaDiver]

I enjoy watching Paul's enthusiasm so hopefully he will post it again once everything has been shipped. Wish you were getting a signed so watch your unboxing video!

He’s welcome to open my Misery but he’ll need to come out to Tacoma.