SST Publications

[sholloman81]

It's obvious Paul Miller isn't making a living as a publisher. He's doing one or two books a year and he has inventory going back years. I'd love to see him do more with this press. I've loved nearly everything I got from him.

I feel exactly the same way. I've loved everything that I have ever received from Earthling. Their Halloween series & their Classics series are fantastic. I too wish more books were produced by Earthling and always look forward to their next announcement.

[Dave1442397]

Specifically about Earthling (and I don't mean any offense), their site really needs a functionality update. Any point of "friction" you provide a potential customer is place to loose a sale. You want to make it as easy as possible for a customer to buy your products. I'm pretty tech savy and it took me a couple of minutes to find where to buy it at on their site. On top of that they've got a real google search results problem. If you search "the thicket by joe lansdale limited edition" Dark Regions page selling the book is the first result, but Earthling's page is no where to be found. I'm not really sure how best you solve this, but I would think a website / store overhaul would go a long way. Ideally Earthling would want anyone searching for "The Thicket by Joe Lansdale" to find their page on the first page of results, but that can be a bit harder with something that has other editions published by other publishers.

I had a similar experience with Earthling when trying to find a book that I knew was there, somewhere!
My first order hadn't shipped after a few weeks, and when I emailed Paul he responded right away and put the book in a Priority Mail box for me, so that was nice of him.

Another site that frequently gives me warnings from Bitdefender is Gauntlet Press. I've seen it try to redirect me to some very suspicious pages, which were blocked by Bitdefender.

[swintek]

Man, with a sales job like that, Ron, you’re honestly making me reconsider my stance on this book.

Then my work is done. Bar Maiden- another whisky!

[RonClinton]

Ron- you lost me: You're uninterested in a beautiful, "cheap" Lansdale limited edition (the only limited of this novel- his self-proclaimed "best")- because of the words "Illustrated Edition" printed on the front board (in almost tiny font, at that)? Ok. As you say- we all have our reasons. I, too, was put off at first mention of printed "glossy" boards, and dislike them as much as you. I will say, though- gladly- that SST's PARADISE SKY does NOT have glossy boards- they are actually very matte- which is a much better look. It also is illustrated, and admirably so by Ben Baldwin. The zero type wrap-around painted DJ is great, with dare-I-say stunning sepia toned endpapaers, and a truly generous amount of actually "good" (we've all seen the bad ones) b & w illos throughout- this is a fine book. Would I prefer a rich cloth binding a la Centipede? All day, every day. But, if that is the only knock on it- this is still a steal. Your mileage will vary, I know!

Man, with a sales job like that, Ron, you’re honestly making me reconsider my stance on this book.

[swintek]

I collect Lansdale, but don't have either book, so the reasons for my reluctance may be representative as to why both remain available (or not, maybe I'm just an outlier). Price is the only reason for Earthling's THE THICKET, and the words "Illustrated Edition" on the SST edition of PARADISE SKY is the reason I've avoided that volume. I know the latter reason seems ridiculous (especially since it's on the boards and not the dj, I believe), but for whatever reason it bothers me to no end and, in my eyes, cheapens the book though its amateurish proclamation. I'm also not a particular fan of glossy image boards, though I tolerate it from PS. This is with all due respect to Paul at SST, who I think (as I said just recently) now turns out the best bang for the buck among UK small presses, a Subterranean Press with an English accent, just a beautiful, professional product of which I'm proud to own a number of (and have several more on pre-order). But this early edition of PARADISE SKY just strikes me as in contrast to that.

So that's why. For some collectors, it's a central, obvious thing like price, for others it can be the most innocuous, silly reason imaginable, like a couple of words on a glossy board. But when you're dealing all the idiosyncrasies that go into our hobby, sometimes it's the small stuff that makes all the difference to someone.

Ron- you lost me: You're uninterested in a beautiful, "cheap" Lansdale limited edition (the only limited of this novel- his self-proclaimed "best")- because of the words "Illustrated Edition" printed on the front board (in almost tiny font, at that)? Ok. As you say- we all have our reasons. I, too, was put off at first mention of printed "glossy" boards, and dislike them as much as you. I will say, though- gladly- that SST's PARADISE SKY does NOT have glossy boards- they are actually very matte- which is a much better look. It also is illustrated, and admirably so by Ben Baldwin. The zero type wrap-around painted DJ is great, with dare-I-say stunning sepia toned endpapaers, and a truly generous amount of actually "good" (we've all seen the bad ones) b & w illos throughout- this is a fine book. Would I prefer a rich cloth binding a la Centipede? All day, every day. But, if that is the only knock on it- this is still a steal. Your mileage will vary, I know!

[RonClinton]

Yeah, I don't like the King blurbs on the Tremblay DJs. They might make sense for a mass market hardcover or paperback, but it's a misfire on a limited DJ. THAT SAID, this is how you and are are different. I'll talk myself out of the little things I don't like if it means I get to go broke buying books.

...and with more unread books even now than I’ll ever have a chance to read in this lifetime, I’m always looking for reasons to avoid an otherwise alluring purchase, however minor they may be...I’m great at blowing things out of proportion.

[jeffingoff]

I collect Lansdale, but don't have either book, so the reasons for my reluctance may be representative as to why both remain available (or not, maybe I'm just an outlier). Price is the only reason for Earthling's THE THICKET, and the words "Illustrated Edition" on the SST edition of PARADISE SKY is the reason I've avoided that volume. I know the latter reason seems ridiculous (especially since it's on the boards and not the dj, I believe), but for whatever reason it bothers me to no end and, in my eyes, cheapens the book though its amateurish proclamation. I'm also not a particular fan of glossy image boards, though I tolerate it from PS. This is with all due respect to Paul at SST, who I think (as I said just recently) now turns out the best bang for the buck among UK small presses, a Subterranean Press with an English accent, just a beautiful, professional product of which I'm proud to own a number of (and have several more on pre-order). But this early edition of PARADISE SKY just strikes me as in contrast to that.

So that's why. For some collectors, it's a central, obvious thing like price, for others it can be the most innocuous, silly reason imaginable, like a couple of words on a glossy board. But when you're dealing all the idiosyncrasies that go into our hobby, sometimes it's the small stuff that makes all the difference to someone.

Yeah, I don't like the King blurbs on the Tremblay DJs. They might make sense for a mass market hardcover or paperback, but it's a misfire on a limited DJ. THAT SAID, this is how you and are are different. I'll talk myself out of the little things I don't like if it means I get to go broke buying books.

[jeffingoff]

That's not always enough. It's a combination of everything, price vs quality, perceived value, author's popularity, ease of purchase, the publisher's reach. It's all these things mixed together. We struggle with this too sometimes (with titles at a much lower price). Take Mystery Road for example. It's been reviewed fairly well, is reasonably priced, and CD has a fairly large reach for our industry. Yet we still have loads of copies left and probably will for quite awhile. No idea why it worked out that way, but it's some combination of all of those things, plus the economic situation of the world at the moment.


Specifically about Earthling (and I don't mean any offense), their site really needs a functionality update. Any point of "friction" you provide a potential customer is place to loose a sale. You want to make it as easy as possible for a customer to buy your products. I'm pretty tech savy and it took me a couple of minutes to find where to buy it at on their site. On top of that they've got a real google search results problem. If you search "the thicket by joe lansdale limited edition" Dark Regions page selling the book is the first result, but Earthling's page is no where to be found. I'm not really sure how best you solve this, but I would think a website / store overhaul would go a long way. Ideally Earthling would want anyone searching for "The Thicket by Joe Lansdale" to find their page on the first page of results, but that can be a bit harder with something that has other editions published by other publishers.

It's obvious Paul Miller isn't making a living as a publisher. He's doing one or two books a year and he has inventory going back years. I'd love to see him do more with this press. I've loved nearly everything I got from him.

[RonClinton]

I completely agree. PARADISE SKY might have been the first SST book I purchased and it is still available. It boggles the mind. Same thing with Earthling's The Thicket.

I collect Lansdale, but don't have either book, so the reasons for my reluctance may be representative as to why both remain available (or not, maybe I'm just an outlier). Price is the only reason for Earthling's THE THICKET, and the words "Illustrated Edition" on the SST edition of PARADISE SKY is the reason I've avoided that volume. I know the latter reason seems ridiculous (especially since it's on the boards and not the dj, I believe), but for whatever reason it bothers me to no end and, in my eyes, cheapens the book though its amateurish proclamation. I'm also not a particular fan of glossy image boards, though I tolerate it from PS. This is with all due respect to Paul at SST, who I think (as I said just recently) now turns out the best bang for the buck among UK small presses, a Subterranean Press with an English accent, just a beautiful, professional product of which I'm proud to own a number of (and have several more on pre-order). But this early edition of PARADISE SKY just strikes me as in contrast to that.

So that's why. For some collectors, it's a central, obvious thing like price, for others it can be the most innocuous, silly reason imaginable, like a couple of words on a glossy board. But when you're dealing all the idiosyncrasies that go into our hobby, sometimes it's the small stuff that makes all the difference to someone.

[Dan Hocker]

Yeah it's pricier than most Earthling books, but I think it's worth it. It's leather bound with wonderful art.

That's not always enough. It's a combination of everything, price vs quality, perceived value, author's popularity, ease of purchase, the publisher's reach. It's all these things mixed together. We struggle with this too sometimes (with titles at a much lower price). Take Mystery Road for example. It's been reviewed fairly well, is reasonably priced, and CD has a fairly large reach for our industry. Yet we still have loads of copies left and probably will for quite awhile. No idea why it worked out that way, but it's some combination of all of those things, plus the economic situation of the world at the moment.


Specifically about Earthling (and I don't mean any offense), their site really needs a functionality update. Any point of "friction" you provide a potential customer is place to loose a sale. You want to make it as easy as possible for a customer to buy your products. I'm pretty tech savy and it took me a couple of minutes to find where to buy it at on their site. On top of that they've got a real google search results problem. If you search "the thicket by joe lansdale limited edition" Dark Regions page selling the book is the first result, but Earthling's page is no where to be found. I'm not really sure how best you solve this, but I would think a website / store overhaul would go a long way. Ideally Earthling would want anyone searching for "The Thicket by Joe Lansdale" to find their page on the first page of results, but that can be a bit harder with something that has other editions published by other publishers.

[jeffingoff]

The Thicket has that $150 price tag, which doesn't help. It's not as pricey as a Suntup Edition, but it's definitely higher than the normal signed edition.

Yeah it's pricier than most Earthling books, but I think it's worth it. It's leather bound with wonderful art.

[Splync]

I completely agree. PARADISE SKY might have been the first SST book I purchased and it is still available. It boggles the mind. Same thing with Earthling's The Thicket.

I can't speak for the story, but The Silence is a gorgeous book with Vaillancourt's stunning art. I can't wait to read it.

The Thicket has that $150 price tag, which doesn't help. It's not as pricey as a Suntup Edition, but it's definitely higher than the normal signed edition.

[jeffingoff]

I've been hemming and hawing about picking up THE SILENCE (I'll probably cave), but- I've been saying for quite awhile now that, as a huge long-time Lansdale fanatic and serious collector- SST's PARADISE SKY is absolutely one of the best Lansdale limiteds ever produced. It's just a gorgeous book- especially for the price! It's a real bargain, and I don't understand why it's still available. It's also Joe's self-proclaimed favorite novel of his, so- everyone should have one! Congrats- you're gonna love it!

I completely agree. PARADISE SKY might have been the first SST book I purchased and it is still available. It boggles the mind. Same thing with Earthling's The Thicket.

I can't speak for the story, but The Silence is a gorgeous book with Vaillancourt's stunning art. I can't wait to read it.

[swintek]

I received my shipping notice for GROWING THINGS and THE SILENCE and decided to celebrate by finally picking a copy of SST’s PARADISE SKY by Joe Lansdale. So now I have three new SST books on their way to add to my collection. Pretty excited to get all in hand.

I've been hemming and hawing about picking up THE SILENCE (I'll probably cave), but- I've been saying for quite awhile now that, as a huge long-time Lansdale fanatic and serious collector- SST's PARADISE SKY is absolutely one of the best Lansdale limiteds ever produced. It's just a gorgeous book- especially for the price! It's a real bargain, and I don't understand why it's still available. It's also Joe's self-proclaimed favorite novel of his, so- everyone should have one! Congrats- you're gonna love it!

[RonClinton]

I received my shipping notice for GROWING THINGS and THE SILENCE and decided to celebrate by finally picking a copy of SST’s PARADISE SKY by Joe Lansdale. So now I have three new SST books on their way to add to my collection. Pretty excited to get all in hand.

That’s going to be one heckuva exciting Book Mail day when that big box arrives!