Centipede will be releasing.....

[swintek]

I guess I'll put this here, but it could go in any one of many of the threads in the Other Publisher's Books section of these forums: Is it just me or has there been a veritable plethora of book presales launching the past week or so? I mean, I know the collectible market has been on fire, and publishers are scrambling to run with that, but, man- my head is spinning, and my wallet is on fire! Centipede, Subpress, Earthling, Thunderstrom, Tartarus, Suntup, to name but a few, all dropping (mostly) $75 and up book preorders, all at once. In some cases, twice from the same publisher. It's getting a bit crowded- and just too damn expensive to keep collecting these days. In fact, I think CD is the only pub NOT vying for my money this week (thank you for that small favor, guys). Just venting a little bit, but I'll tell you what it makes me do- it makes me want to put my wallet back and go without- ANY of them. Might be a weird reaction, but it really makes me stop and reevaluate what I do with my dwindling funds these days. It used to be that one could keep up with a good general collection of most of the new releases every few weeks or so, and on a reasonable budget. Not anymore.

[RonClinton]

Received my PKD set from Centipede today. As to be expected by Centipede, it's a really nice set. The cover to DR. FUTURITY is my least favorite of the three, but it grows on me more and more. The covers for the other two are just fantastic. The slipcase is standard Centipede slipcase, so very nice and sturdy. These are going for $600+ on eBay right now, which is just crazy. As I've previously posted, I haven't read that much PKD in the past--maybe a short story or two?--so I'm looking forward to digging into these

Received my PKD set today…an outstanding production, as always. Exciting to hear a second set of PKD works is a strong likelihood, according to the Centipede newsletter.

[Dave1442397]

I also received WEIRD FICTION REVIEW No. 11. I am very tempted to jump straight to Ron's article on Barker's BOOKS OF BLOOD. How does everyone approach reading these? Do you skip around to what you want to read first? Read it straight through cover to cover?

I read it straight through, but I tend to read a few articles/stories and then go read something else for a while, so it usually takes me a few days to get through it.

I really enjoyed Ron's article. Lots of new-to-me info there, and I found it very interesting.

Books of Blood were Barker's highlight, for me. I know I read a few of his other books at some point, but was never that into them. I still have the six BoB paperbacks that I bought when they first came out.

[Martin]

I also received WEIRD FICTION REVIEW No. 11. I am very tempted to jump straight to Ron's article on Barker's BOOKS OF BLOOD. How does everyone approach reading these? Do you skip around to what you want to read first? Read it straight through cover to cover?

I skip around and read pieces between books.

[mhatchett]

I also received WEIRD FICTION REVIEW No. 11. I am very tempted to jump straight to Ron's article on Barker's BOOKS OF BLOOD. How does everyone approach reading these? Do you skip around to what you want to read first? Read it straight through cover to cover?

I skip around for sure. I went to the end and Read John Pelan's piece.

[Sock Monkey]

I also received WEIRD FICTION REVIEW No. 11. I am very tempted to jump straight to Ron's article on Barker's BOOKS OF BLOOD. How does everyone approach reading these? Do you skip around to what you want to read first? Read it straight through cover to cover?

[Sock Monkey]

Received my PKD set from Centipede today. As to be expected by Centipede, it's a really nice set. The cover to DR. FUTURITY is my least favorite of the three, but it grows on me more and more. The covers for the other two are just fantastic. The slipcase is standard Centipede slipcase, so very nice and sturdy. These are going for $600+ on eBay right now, which is just crazy. As I've previously posted, I haven't read that much PKD in the past--maybe a short story or two?--so I'm looking forward to digging into these

[RonClinton]

Hey Ron, I read your column last night on the BOOKS OF BLOOD with great interest. Love these deep dives you do on landmark books and publishers, and, you usually manage to do something in them that I seem to rarely get anymore in my older, info-jaded, salty years - you show me stuff I didn't know. Man, I appreciate that. There were a few things in this one I found extra illuminating (including Pete Atkins admission of being less than pleased with the Stealth limited bindings- like myself, and Bill Schafer's close affinity and intention with the books), but one of the ones I wanted to thank you for was the note on a Jeff Conner (of Scream Press fame) interview that had eluded me. I'm a big fan of all things Scream, and I've just ordered that magazine and eagerly await that read, even if it is several years old now. Also, damnit, you've put my radar back on the Subpress BOB set, which I've thus far successfully managed to pretend didn't exist, as it came out just a hair too pricey for me at the time, and hasn't gotten any cheaper, that's for sure.

Anyway, another good one! Can't wait to see what you write about next.

Ron S., thanks for the very kind words, and am really glad you enjoyed it and, like me, learned a few things you hadn’t known before. I try to cast as wide a net as I can, which always seems to uncover interesting nuggets. The next piece (submitted earlier this month, in fact) had a huge net, with well over a dozen interviews and a final word count that is three times the BOOKS OF BLOOD article.

By the way, my BOOKS OF BLOOD piece would have had an original interview with Scream Press’ Jeff Conner rather than selected quotes from a previous one, but after agreeing to an interview...well, it didn’t happen, which was unfortunate.

[swintek]

I used to be a far bigger fan than I am these days, some decades removed from when he was on my Must Read list, so haven't picked up anything new for quite a long time. For me, I still see BOOKS OF BLOOD as the seminal work of his career -- one that has stood the test of time well -- even though it was his debut work, but then again I wasn't as nearly as much of a fan -- and even less so these days -- of his more fantastical work...I really prefer that early horror that put him on the map. That, though, obviously says more about my own preferences than the value of any particular work of his.

Hey Ron, I read your column last night on the BOOKS OF BLOOD with great interest. Love these deep dives you do on landmark books and publishers, and, you usually manage to do something in them that I seem to rarely get anymore in my older, info-jaded, salty years - you show me stuff I didn't know. Man, I appreciate that. There were a few things in this one I found extra illuminating (including Pete Atkins admission of being less than pleased with the Stealth limited bindings- like myself, and Bill Schafer's close affinity and intention with the books), but one of the ones I wanted to thank you for was the note on a Jeff Conner (of Scream Press fame) interview that had eluded me. I'm a big fan of all things Scream, and I've just ordered that magazine and eagerly await that read, even if it is several years old now. Also, damnit, you've put my radar back on the Subpress BOB set, which I've thus far successfully managed to pretend didn't exist, as it came out just a hair too pricey for me at the time, and hasn't gotten any cheaper, that's for sure.

Anyway, another good one! Can't wait to see what you write about next.

[sholloman81]

Was able to snag a hardcover limited edition of Jack Ketchum's "Ladies Night" via the John Pelan offerings on the Centipede scratch and dent page. Am very excited as this will fill one of the holes in my Ketchum collection. Now if only I could find a hardcover copy of "Right to Life"!

[Martin]

[QUOTEI am hoping to get to the copy of The Damnation Game I have on my shelf before Suntup ships Imajica. As much as Barker has been my orbit I have not only not read his work but I have not seen any movie made from his work. I can't even say why that is and I hope I am not disappointed once I jump in.]

Damnation Game is closer to horror, like the Hellbound Heart (Hellraiser). I recommend Weaveworld, which is one of my favorite books, to get a real taste of what Imagica has in store.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the suggestion. My plan is to read something I have in hand before buying more.

[joejets]

[QUOTEI am hoping to get to the copy of The Damnation Game I have on my shelf before Suntup ships Imajica. As much as Barker has been my orbit I have not only not read his work but I have not seen any movie made from his work. I can't even say why that is and I hope I am not disappointed once I jump in.][/QUOTE]
Damnation Game is closer to horror, like the Hellbound Heart (Hellraiser). I recommend Weaveworld, which is one of my favorite books, to get a real taste of what Imagica has in store.

[Martin]

Everville is the sequel to The Great and Secret Show. Both books are excellent.

I knew it was a sequel but could not remember what the first book was. Received that one in a grab bag at some point. If I determine I like Barker I would buy the first book before reading Everville.

[bookworm 1]

Thank you! Someday I will read Barker. I have Everville and The Damnation Game.

Everville is the sequel to The Great and Secret Show. Both books are excellent.

[Sock Monkey]

Cabal was the first thing that I really remember reading from Barker and it blew my little high school mind. I like DAMNATION GAME well enough. I’d say to give his short fiction a shot even if the novels don’t work for you. Two total different beasts.