SST Publications

[RonClinton]

Yeah, I did that on purpose. I wouldn't want any... nefarious, cash-grabbing book increases, but, I stand by having no problem if someone just honestly hasn't read the demand correctly. Let's take SST's MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW as a forinstance, since we're here (and, full disclosure- I did secure a copy at the private preorder): It sounds like there are more than a few folks who were blindsided by missing out before they even heard about it. It sounds like the 400 copy limitation was too few to meet demand. To me, that's not an ideal situation for an honest publisher (like Paul), nor for the author, who receives royalties on all sold copies. Would it really bother anyone here for Paul to say 'Sorry, folks, my bad. I've got a lot of angry customers and it would be best suited to add another 100 copies to the print run' ? Well, I guess you have already stated that it would bother you, but I would welcome it. The extra hundred copies is going to do far more good for the publisher, author, and fans who missed out than it's going to do me harm.

Ah, but see, there is a solution that would satisfy both of us, and it’s been occasionally done before.

The publisher answers that demand by subsequently releasing a 2nd Edition — numbered/signed or not, deluxe or trade — with the proper designation of SECOND EDITION specified on the copyright page. To make it different so as to qualify as a second edition (and not just a Second Edition) and not rile the First Edition/Printing buyers, do B&W art instead of color, remove that extra bonus story or print in a smaller trim size or etc.

The answer to unforeseen demand isn’t to change the initial First Edition offering but to add to it in the form of a Second Edition.

[swintek]

Wow, look at this, Ron S., we finally found something to disagree about.

Yeah, I did that on purpose. I wouldn't want any... nefarious, cash-grabbing book increases, but, I stand by having no problem if someone just honestly hasn't read the demand correctly. Let's take SST's MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW as a forinstance, since we're here (and, full disclosure- I did secure a copy at the private preorder): It sounds like there are more than a few folks who were blindsided by missing out before they even heard about it. It sounds like the 400 copy limitation was too few to meet demand. To me, that's not an ideal situation for an honest publisher (like Paul), nor for the author, who receives royalties on all sold copies. Would it really bother anyone here for Paul to say 'Sorry, folks, my bad. I've got a lot of angry customers and it would be best suited to add another 100 copies to the print run' ? Well, I guess you have already stated that it would bother you, but I would welcome it. The extra hundred copies is going to do far more good for the publisher, author, and fans who missed out than it's going to do me harm.

[RonClinton]

I have no issue with increasing print runs on books. I have issue with increasing print runs after the book has already been sold based on a certain print run. That will erode the trust the buyer has in what the seller says and will ultimately hurt the seller.

That's exactly my take on it as well. The publisher is free to choose however large a printrun he would like prior to the official offering, but once the product is offered for sale / pre-order, the details that accompany that offering needs to stay unchanged and should not be subject to a bait-and-switch move. A consumer's purchase must be an informed one, and changing the equation after the fact leads to a sense of being had, of essentially being defrauded, and significantly erodes trust and faith in the publisher. I applaud SST for not going down that road; I'm confident, in fact, based on SST's stellar customer service over the years, that that would never even come to Paul's mind.

Wow, look at this, Ron S., we finally found something to disagree about.

[Martin]

Eh', I don't know. I think he should make more books to meet demand. I, too, bought "Chainsaw", quickly, on the preorder, honestly with a little bit of FOMO in my decision, based on the quick sell out of his previous books from SST. I don't know that I will be a Stephen Graham Jones Collector going forward- I really *want* to like him. I've read a novella and some of "Indians" (my wife read it and loved it, and filled me in to the point where I don't know that I'll actually finish it- chalk that up to entirely my laziness, and far too many books to get to on my TBR pile, rather than the novel itself). The guy seems like my kind of writer, and a very interesting one at that. His style is very unique, and I'm hoping that I'm going to find something that will really click in there somewhere. All to say that's my toe-dipping into SGJ, which is a work in progress.

As to making enough books to meet demand: with some exceptions, I usually fall into the camp of making enough "special" books as folks' want. Even if that means increasing the amount of copies after I have already purchased a book with a stated print run. I guess it comes down to: do you want enough nice books produced for our entire small community, or do you want books that only you and not many others who want them can have. I know this is a divisive criteria when it comes to Book Collecting, but, I think there is a sweet spot vis-a-vis supply and demand. I sort of detest manufactured exclusivity when it enters book collecting. Aren't we all here, on these very message boards because we are a very small enlightened group of folks who absolutely love nice books? Why should there be ANY of us here who are not allowed to purchase these books because we were tending to our families or at work when they went on sale, or needed a few more weeks to scrape up the extra bread from our blue collar jobs (god bless you all) only to find that these books sold out in 10 minutes? Believe me, I understand that rarity and exclusivity are part of the juice of collecting, I really do. I guess my feeling is that the "Limited Edition" model used to be more palatable when these small press editions went on sale- the passionate folks within the small community were all able to obtain them (in some cases, had years before the books would fully sell out), and then they would mildly increase in "value". Now, it's just.. ugly, quite frankly. The Hype and FOMO absolutely rule the once gentle, and fun hobby of Small Press Book Collecting. I know that sounds very "Get Off My Lawn", but, surely (don't call me Shirley) some of the collectors here who've been around awhile have to have seen this distressing shift in Collecting values..?

Print as many nice books as whoever wants them NOW. Everyone will buy them and be happy, and they will eventually sell out and become rare and more valuable as new collectors find the beauty of nice books. Why would we want it any other way? Unless you're out to make a quick buck. In which case- please, use the stock market.

I have no issue with increasing print runs on books. I have issue with increasing print runs after the book has already been sold based on a certain print run. That will erode the trust the buyer has in what the seller says and will ultimately hurt the seller.

[swintek]

Eh', I don't know. I think he should make more books to meet demand. I, too, bought "Chainsaw", quickly, on the preorder, honestly with a little bit of FOMO in my decision, based on the quick sell out of his previous books from SST. I don't know that I will be a Stephen Graham Jones Collector going forward- I really *want* to like him. I've read a novella and some of "Indians" (my wife read it and loved it, and filled me in to the point where I don't know that I'll actually finish it- chalk that up to entirely my laziness, and far too many books to get to on my TBR pile, rather than the novel itself). The guy seems like my kind of writer, and a very interesting one at that. His style is very unique, and I'm hoping that I'm going to find something that will really click in there somewhere. All to say that's my toe-dipping into SGJ, which is a work in progress.

As to making enough books to meet demand: with some exceptions, I usually fall into the camp of making enough "special" books as folks' want. Even if that means increasing the amount of copies after I have already purchased a book with a stated print run. I guess it comes down to: do you want enough nice books produced for our entire small community, or do you want books that only you and not many others who want them can have. I know this is a divisive criteria when it comes to Book Collecting, but, I think there is a sweet spot vis-a-vis supply and demand. I sort of detest manufactured exclusivity when it enters book collecting. Aren't we all here, on these very message boards because we are a very small enlightened group of folks who absolutely love nice books? Why should there be ANY of us here who are not allowed to purchase these books because we were tending to our families or at work when they went on sale, or needed a few more weeks to scrape up the extra bread from our blue collar jobs (god bless you all) only to find that these books sold out in 10 minutes? Believe me, I understand that rarity and exclusivity are part of the juice of collecting, I really do. I guess my feeling is that the "Limited Edition" model used to be more palatable when these small press editions went on sale- the passionate folks within the small community were all able to obtain them (in some cases, had years before the books would fully sell out), and then they would mildly increase in "value". Now, it's just.. ugly, quite frankly. The Hype and FOMO absolutely rule the once gentle, and fun hobby of Small Press Book Collecting. I know that sounds very "Get Off My Lawn", but, surely (don't call me Shirley) some of the collectors here who've been around awhile have to have seen this distressing shift in Collecting values..?

Print as many nice books as whoever wants them NOW. Everyone will buy them and be happy, and they will eventually sell out and become rare and more valuable as new collectors find the beauty of nice books. Why would we want it any other way? Unless you're out to make a quick buck. In which case- please, use the stock market.

[sholloman81]

Changing the print run after taking sales is not a good business practice. There are Borderlands books out there that indicate different sized print runs based on the copy you have. I passed on this offering as the author has not clicked with me but I am glad SST did not mess with the offering after it had been made.

I agree that changing the print run after the fact would have been a terrible idea. I ordered my copy of "My Heart is a Chainsaw" during the pre-announcement window as I was pretty sure that this one was going to sell out fast due to the lower print run (only 400 copies) as well as the fact that Stephen Graham Jones has been getting a lot of mainstream love lately due to his last few novels, especially The Only Good Indians. Am glad that SST was able to sell all of their copies so quickly and that, for once, FOMO worked in my favor.

[Martin]

So SGJ's "Mt Heart is a Chainsaw" sold out pre-announcement and thus never got announced. Since it had not been announced, I would have expanded the print run by a few hundred to help meet unexpected demand. Looks like Camelot and Bad Moon never got allotted copies, or they also sold out pre-announcement. DRP had 7 copies when I got there, was sold out soon after.

Changing the print run after taking sales is not a good business practice. There are Borderlands books out there that indicate different sized print runs based on the copy you have. I passed on this offering as the author has not clicked with me but I am glad SST did not mess with the offering after it had been made.

[joejets]

So SGJ's "Mt Heart is a Chainsaw" sold out pre-announcement and thus never got announced. Since it had not been announced, I would have expanded the print run by a few hundred to help meet unexpected demand. Looks like Camelot and Bad Moon never got allotted copies, or they also sold out pre-announcement. DRP had 7 copies when I got there, was sold out soon after.

[joejets]

I wonder why there has been no further word on this for a week. I managed to snag a copy from DRP before they were gone there too.

[Splync]

Are we allowed to talk about the ultra-quick sellout that just happened? I waited and missed out on a copy.

Same here. Was away for the weekend and I missed it.

[joejets]

Are we allowed to talk about the ultra-quick sellout that just happened? I waited and missed out on a copy.

[Martin]

I have two I've never read sitting on my shelf.

I believe you have one I read as it came from NRB. What I have read has been highly praised and I so wanted to like. They just never found their way out of mediocrity. With every new release I think that it sounds interesting and reviews are positive. I ponder giving it a go and then remember what I have read. I have come to believe this are just an author I do not click with.

[jeffingoff]

My previous readings from the author did not meat my expectations so I am passing.

I have two I've never read sitting on my shelf.

[Martin]

Very happy with today's advance pre-order notice that was sent to the newsletter subscribers and LOVE that price-point for it. I immediately purchased a copy. Wish I could write more about it, but, Paul has asked us to wait until it is officially announced to everyone.

My previous readings from the author did not meat my expectations so I am passing.

[sholloman81]

Very happy with today's advance pre-order notice that was sent to the newsletter subscribers and LOVE that price-point for it. I immediately purchased a copy. Wish I could write more about it, but, Paul has asked us to wait until it is officially announced to everyone.