Subterranean Press

[sholloman81]

Well, dang it. I missed out on the sale today for the two volume Peter Straub set. Curious about the T. Kingfisher book, but $175 is a lot to spend on a blind buy.

Also, anybody hear anything about Sub Press edition of Abercrombie's The Wisdom of Crowds? Feels like this one has been lingering in production for an inordinate amount of time.

Sorry to hear that! I noticed that email too and almost grabbed the discounted Straub set but ultimately passed as I have a few other books that I want to grab this week instead and couldn't justify the extra splurge. I was also curious about the Kingfisher book, but not at that price as it would have been a blind buy for me as well. And that $175 doesn't even include a slipcase, yikes! Maybe they'll have another dinged sale up the road or be able to offer some discounted copies. Haven't heard anything about the Abercrombie book but it does feel like a long wait.

[Sock Monkey]

Well, dang it. I missed out on the sale today for the two volume Peter Straub set. Curious about the T. Kingfisher book, but $175 is a lot to spend on a blind buy.

Also, anybody hear anything about Sub Press edition of Abercrombie's The Wisdom of Crowds? Feels like this one has been lingering in production for an inordinate amount of time.

[brlesh]

I honestly know next to nothing about the topic either and agree with you that certain high-profile authors probably do drive up the cost. I also wonder if some of the publishers offering books at the lower price points are eating more of the cost themselves or if they have some sort of secret sauce that the other publishers do not. The price points for limited editions and how they are generated has always fascinated me a bit.

I would imagine that the simple overhead of running and maintaining a business is a factor.

It probably takes a lot more people to run Subterranean Press. I know Bill has mentioned warehouse staff in the past. I’m certain there is also some office staff, probably a few other positions that are needed to run SubPress.

From what I‘ve heard in the past, Earthling & SST are essentially one man operations. Much easier to manage overhead when the company only has one employee.

B

[sholloman81]

I know nothing about this, so take this as a guess on my part, but I would suspect the cost of doing business with extremely high-profile authors such as Peter Straub, Joe Hill, Ray Bradbury, etc., is very expensive.

I honestly know next to nothing about the topic either and agree with you that certain high-profile authors probably do drive up the cost. I also wonder if some of the publishers offering books at the lower price points are eating more of the cost themselves or if they have some sort of secret sauce that the other publishers do not. The price points for limited editions and how they are generated has always fascinated me a bit.

[dannyboy121070]

Ditto on these thoughts as well! Love me some SubPress and Bill has always been great when I have had questions or issues.

As a small side note- I will mention that I have been a bit bummed by some of their price increases as it seems like a lot of their new titles are hovering in the $175-200 range, and most do not include slipcases. I know that a lot of the small presses are staring to edge closer to that price-range and I should not be bothered, but then I look at presses like SST and Earthling who are still finding some way to publish equally impressive books at prices closer to half that cost, and it makes me wonder how they can and others can't!

I know nothing about this, so take this as a guess on my part, but I would suspect the cost of doing business with extremely high-profile authors such as Peter Straub, Joe Hill, Ray Bradbury, etc., is very expensive.

[sholloman81]

My thoughts exactly. A lot of their books don't fit into what I'm interested in, but I've never had a problem with Sub Press and know I'll always get a solid edition to add to the shelf.

Ditto on these thoughts as well! Love me some SubPress and Bill has always been great when I have had questions or issues.

As a small side note- I will mention that I have been a bit bummed by some of their price increases as it seems like a lot of their new titles are hovering in the $175-200 range, and most do not include slipcases. I know that a lot of the small presses are staring to edge closer to that price-range and I should not be bothered, but then I look at presses like SST and Earthling who are still finding some way to publish equally impressive books at prices closer to half that cost, and it makes me wonder how they can and others can't!

[Sock Monkey]

Agreed, they're an example of how a small press should operate -- with high quality of product and well-earned customer trust. SF isn't typically my thing (and Fantasy certainly isn't), so I don't support them with purchases as often as I might otherwise like, but on those occasions when I do I'm confident that what I receive will meet or exceed expectations.

My thoughts exactly. A lot of their books don't fit into what I'm interested in, but I've never had a problem with Sub Press and know I'll always get a solid edition to add to the shelf.

[RonClinton]

Echoing what Ron says above about appreciating Subpress in just being so damn consistent all these years in their varied output, and customer service, and always great packaging and fast shipping. It's got me thinking: Can Subpress still be considered a "Small Press" anymore? The sheer number of titles at this point is staggering. I can't imagine any other "Small" press coming remotely close. Have they moved into a new "Medium Press" category at this point? At any rate, we are lucky to have them.

Agreed, they're an example of how a small press should operate -- with high quality of product and well-earned customer trust. SF isn't typically my thing (and Fantasy certainly isn't), so I don't support them with purchases as often as I might otherwise like, but on those occasions when I do I'm confident that what I receive will meet or exceed expectations.

[dannyboy121070]

Bill and Sub Press are the best!

[swintek]

I was very grateful to receive Caitlin R. Kiernan's latest collection, Bright Dead Star, in the signed, limited edition, with extra hardcover novella, via the recent sale (albeit, with a tinge of shame, as I endeavor to support this wonderful author- and, indeed, the fine press that has nourished and stood behind her all these years- by paying full freight whenever a new offering comes along, but, alas, times have been oh so tight around here lately). Echoing what Ron says above about appreciating Subpress in just being so damn consistent all these years in their varied output, and customer service, and always great packaging and fast shipping. It's got me thinking: Can Subpress still be considered a "Small Press" anymore? The sheer number of titles at this point is staggering. I can't imagine any other "Small" press coming remotely close. Have they moved into a new "Medium Press" category at this point? At any rate, we are lucky to have them.

[RonClinton]

Received my copy of ALL THE ASH WE LEAVE BEHIND. Very cool cover artwork!

Received my Cargill yesterday as well, along with the Wyndham collection...might be a while before I get to the latter, but I'm really looking forward to diving in to the former. I'm always impressed and pleased with Subterranean's releases (and their prompt shipping and careful packaging), and these are two are definitely no exception.

[sholloman81]

Received my copy of ALL THE ASH WE LEAVE BEHIND. Very cool cover artwork!

[sholloman81]

Thanks to today's 50% Off Sale, I picked up a couple titles that have been on my radar for some time -- the new Cargill novella, ALL THE ASH WE LEAVE BEHIND, and the John Wyndham collection, LOGICAL FANTASY. On the former, I loved SEA OF RUST and enjoyed DAY ZERO, so am looking forward to getting back to Cargill's apocalyptic world. Wydham's great, but I really haven't read much of his short fiction, so this described "primer" should be a great way to introduce myself to it.

I picked-up the Cargill for the same reason! Passed on the Wyndam book but it was very close since I love his Triffid novel. Told myself I already rolling the dice on my Earthling purchase early in the week and cannot order everything!

[RonClinton]

Thanks to today's 50% Off Sale, I picked up a couple titles that have been on my radar for some time -- the new Cargill novella, ALL THE ASH WE LEAVE BEHIND, and the John Wyndham collection, LOGICAL FANTASY. On the former, I loved SEA OF RUST and enjoyed DAY ZERO, so am looking forward to getting back to Cargill's apocalyptic world. Wydham's great, but I really haven't read much of his short fiction, so this described "primer" should be a great way to introduce myself to it.

[TacomaDiver]

SubPress has definitely been creeping up in costs lately. SST is still the most bang for my buck of the books I've bought.

One great thing about SubPress for me has been the last few books I've ordered were already in stock at the time of the annoucement - no waiting months (years? decades?) for a book.

However, I have begun rethinking some of the authors I've been buying - do I really need those signed editions for some of this stuff?