Peter Straub, author

[carlosdetweiller]

I've been meaning to start a thread for Peter Straub for a long time. Now seems a good time with the recent release of CD's reissue of FLOATING DRAGON.

Easton Press just published a nice edition of GHOST STORY. I got a copy in today. Pretty nice, I think.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/straubeaston1_zps520c984f.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/straubeaston2_zps35fc4adf.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/straubeaston3_zps680ffaaf.jpg

[biomieg]

I like that! And a dedicated Peter Straub thread is long overdue.

[Tito_Villa]

Have you got a link to that Bob?
I've only ever read Ghost Story but loved it!

[Dan]

Great! I will contribute when I can get some photos taken.

[carlosdetweiller]

Have you got a link to that Bob?
I've only ever read Ghost Story but loved it!

I don't have a link. I bought it off of eBay. I don't think you can just buy GHOST STORY by itself but must subscribe to a series of "Reader's Choice" books and get one monthly. I might be wrong on this but I couldn't find a way to buy it separately. I finally gave up and found one with only a slight mark-up on eBay.

[Merlin1958]

Good Idea, Bob!!! Well then this seems appropriate...


http://imageshack.us/a/img801/9484/001cvd.jpg


http://imageshack.us/a/img16/9826/002oli.jpg

That "Ghost Story" looks great!!!

[Brice]

Have you got a link to that Bob?
I've only ever read Ghost Story but loved it!

I don't have a link. I bought it off of eBay. I don't think you can just buy GHOST STORY by itself but must subscribe to a series of "Reader's Choice" books and get one monthly. I might be wrong on this but I couldn't find a way to buy it separately. I finally gave up and found one with only a slight mark-up on eBay.

In most cases a phonecall to Easton will get you the book you want from them even if it's part of a set you normally have to subscribe to. If they have copies they're usually happy to help. Straub is one of my favorites. I'm glad to see a dedicated thread.

[Merlin1958]

Have you got a link to that Bob?
I've only ever read Ghost Story but loved it!

I don't have a link. I bought it off of eBay. I don't think you can just buy GHOST STORY by itself but must subscribe to a series of "Reader's Choice" books and get one monthly. I might be wrong on this but I couldn't find a way to buy it separately. I finally gave up and found one with only a slight mark-up on eBay.

In most cases a phonecall to Easton will get you the book you want from them even if it's part of a set you normally have to subscribe to. If they have copies they're usually happy to help. Straub is one of my favorites. I'm glad to see a dedicated thread.

And I as well. Though, I have to say that while I truly loved Ghost Story, Floating Dragon and Shadowland's after those, I couldn't get behind subsequent novels except of course "Talisman/Black House" I really. really liked "Black House" a truly disturbing novel IMHO!!!!

[cit74]

Have you got a link to that Bob?
I've only ever read Ghost Story but loved it!

I don't have a link. I bought it off of eBay. I don't think you can just buy GHOST STORY by itself but must subscribe to a series of "Reader's Choice" books and get one monthly. I might be wrong on this but I couldn't find a way to buy it separately. I finally gave up and found one with only a slight mark-up on eBay.

In most cases a phonecall to Easton will get you the book you want from them even if it's part of a set you normally have to subscribe to. If they have copies they're usually happy to help. Straub is one of my favorites. I'm glad to see a dedicated thread.

And I as well. Though, I have to say that while I truly loved Ghost Story, Floating Dragon and Shadowland's after those, I couldn't get behind subsequent novels except of course "Talisman/Black House" I really. really liked "Black House" a truly disturbing novel IMHO!!!!

Had you read Koko? or any of the blue rose trilogy? I really enjoyed those - they are some of my favorite Straub books - the centipede press edition of koko is really nice

[Brice]

I can't think of a story by him that I didn't like. So far I've read (aside from stories from anthologies) Julia, If You Could See Me Now, Ghost Story, Shadowland, Floating Dragon, Talisman, Black House, Houses Without Doors, Koko, and Sides and enjoyed them all. :)

[cit74]

Mystery and the Throat are the last 2 books that follow after Koko to complete the trilogy - it has been a few years since i read them - but they were all really good. As well as everything that you mentioned Brice

[cit74]

centipede press books:

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll123/chadtarter/Straub/Books37_zpsc1da53e5.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll123/chadtarter/Straub/Books38_zpsf37ae702.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll123/chadtarter/Straub/Books61_zpsc049f134.jpg

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll123/chadtarter/Straub/Books51_zpscaee8a33.jpg

[Brice]

I love those CP books. :)

...and I knew those followed after KOKO I just always forget them when I get around to bookbuying. I think I might have Mystery though.

[cit74]

Jerad still has copies of both - and I know he would probably cut a small deal for both if someone asked

[Stockerlone]

I collect Peter Straub´s books for a longer time. Of cause i have all
German signed limited books....

Something older.

Peter Straub - Blue Rose
limited signed 195/600 slipcased
Underwood Miller
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/medium/PICT2174.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/medium/PICT2176.JPG

[Bev Vincent]

I have a couple of German editions, too. This one comes in a nice velvety slipcase (thought it's a tight fit)

http://www.bevvincent.com/images/PorkPie.jpg

[Bev Vincent]

This one is quite large (about A4), but not terribly attractive:

http://www.bevvincent.com/images/BlueRose.jpg

[Bev Vincent]

This one from Donald M. Grant is fairly rare -- I don't think the story has ever been reprinted

http://www.bevvincent.com/images/General.jpg

[Bev Vincent]

I have this one kicking around somewhere, too, though I can't put my hands on it at the moment. British.

http://fantasybooksplus.com/images/products//images/products/large_65_ps0006.jpg

[cit74]

Very nice books - I especially like the look of the Generals wife

[Bev Vincent]

It's a nicely designed book, illustrated by Thomas Canty. The pages are ornate (which means there aren't many words on them!)

[carlosdetweiller]

I don't think THE GENERAL'S WIFE has ever been reprinted but, I think, a shorter version was incorporated into the novel FLOATING DRAGON. I think it is one of the most beautiful books that Grant Publishing has ever done.

[carlosdetweiller]

This one is quite large (about A4), but not terribly attractive:

http://www.bevvincent.com/images/BlueRose.jpg

I remember coercing you into buying that book, Bev. I was placing an overseas order with Edition Phantasia (in the days before PayPal and they wanted a check made out in German funds!!) and thought it best to get a few books rather than just one to make the hassle and postage costs worthwhile. I don't think you were too excited about it but you went along as did iowabob, IIRC. Gosh, that was a long time ago!

[Bev Vincent]

Ha -- I forgot I had it until I went looking on my shelves a little while ago!

[Dan]

I was able to pick up a copy of Generals Wife a while back for about $15.

[Stockerlone]

I have a couple of German editions, too. This one comes in a nice velvety slipcase (thought it's a tight fit)

http://www.bevvincent.com/images/PorkPie.jpg

I love all the books from EP.
My Edition Phantasia PPH is the only one with an amazing signed remarque from the German Illustrator Reinhard Kleist.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/medium/PICT2503.JPG

The printed velvet slipcase.
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/742/medium/PICT2499.JPG

[Bryant Burnette]

I've only read a few of Straub's books, but I have enjoyed them. My favorite so far, I think, is If You Could See Me Now, which is a very good novel. I also like Julia, Ghost Story, and Shadowland a lot. I need to read the rest of his books one of these days!

[Lauterer]

I always wondered since i am registered here at TDT, that Straub not has his own thread. So this is a very good idea and i am looking forward to get more information of this brilliant author!

[carlosdetweiller]

One of the first S/L books I ever bought....way back in 1982. This was back in the good old days when the S/L was often (well...sometimes) the true first edition. Published by Underwood-Miller in November, 1982 (the Putnam trade edition was published in February, 1983). 500 numbered copies signed by Straub and dust jacket artists Leo and Diane Dillon (and 50 Presentation Copies). I've always hoped the original dust jacket artwork would come up for sale someday but I have never seen it offered. Despite the fact that to my knowledge it has nothing to do with the story I have always liked it quite a bit. And I'm still not sure why Cemetery Dance thought we needed another limited edition of this title. The original limited edition can still be bought from eBay and ABE for a relatively modest price if one shops around.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/floatingdragon1_zps09f5aa91.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/floatingdragon2_zpsff327cfc.jpg

[carlosdetweiller]

Almost forgot I had this. Might be interesting to some. A well read Putnam proof of FLOATING DRAGON. But with some interesting provenance. Supposedly the copy given to Leo and Diane Dillon to read and create the artwork for the U-M limited edition.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/floatingproof1_zps4f0409bc.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/floatingproof3_zpsa0c0f01b.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/floatingproof2_zpsce6b23ef.jpg

[carlosdetweiller]

I don't think that Underwood-Miller did a proof for the book. The only pre-publication state I have ever found is this set of F&Gs.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/floatingfampgs_zpsb21c2840.jpg

[WeDealInLead]

That looks really cool. I have read six of his books and loved five of them. I'll probably own a bare bones Straub collection one day: Ghost Story, If You Could..., Floating Dragon.

I'm glad to see an author in this sub-forum actually deserving of his own thread.

[carlosdetweiller]

WDIL, which book didn't you like?

I would put THE THROAT at the top of my (ever changing, ever evolving) top 10 books I have ever read list. Some of his more recent works have, by Straub's own admission, been "intentionally ambiguous." I haven't enjoyed them as much as his mid-career books like MR. X, THE HELLFIRE CLUB, THE THROAT and MYSTERY which, IMO, were all genius.

[WeDealInLead]

I didn't like 5 Stories. Actually, I liked 1/5th of the book. I thought Little Red's Tango was great but I couldn't get into other four. Donald, Duck was just weird. I think "intentionally ambiguous" can definitely be applied to some of the stories in that collection. I'll give it a try again. Sometimes it happens that with time I learn to appreciate books I didn't initially like.

Last thing I read by him was the novella "The Ballad of Ballard And Sandrine" and I really, really liked it. I have to admit though, I didn't quite "get it" the first time and there's a chance if I read it now, I would probably see something I missed before. That, to me is a sign of good writting.

[carlosdetweiller]

I didn't like 5 Stories. Actually, I liked 1/5th of the book. I thought Little Red's Tango was great but I couldn't get into other four. Donald, Duck was just weird. I think "intentionally ambiguous" can definitely be applied to some of the stories in that collection. I'll give it a try again. Sometimes it happens that with time I learn to appreciate books I didn't initially like.

Last thing I read by him was the novella "The Ballad of Ballard And Sandrine" and I really, really liked it. I have to admit though, I didn't quite "get it" the first time and there's a chance if I read it now, I would probably see something I missed before. That, to me is a sign of good writting.

I've only read "The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine" once. I liked it but, like you, felt I missed a lot. I thought I would reread it chronologically as the chapters have titles by year but are out of chronological order. I think that would clear up a lot of questions I have.

It's hard to admit now but I really didn't like GHOST STORY all that much the first time I read it. I've now read it four or five times and I think it gets better with each reading. Superb writing and storytelling.

[RC65]

I have the signed/limiteds of GHOST STORY, SHADOWLANDS, and FLOATING DRAGON. I'll try and throw up a pic(s) soon. Also have an inscribed copy of THE HELLFIRE CLUB. I haven't read much of his post-HELLFIRE work, though. Another one of those authors from whom I've fallen away. Maybe, like King (was not a Constant Reader from 99 to '09), I'll be back...though I suspect I probably won't. An attempt or two beyond HELLFIRE left me a bit cold.

In my mind, though, if he'd only written GHOST STORY, his legacy would be secure. I find that novel to be one of the top five genre works written in my lifetime.

[Lauterer]

Do you think Peter Straub has the wrong name OR do you thinks if his name would be s.KING he would be also millionsdollardscounting as the King?

[RC65]

King has a style that is perfectly suited to mass popularity and consumption; Straub's prose style is far too literary and complex (and not always in a good way) to reach that audience. Names have nothing to do with it (assuming you were serious).

[Brice]

Identification points for a UK first Shadowlands please?

[carlosdetweiller]

Identification points for a UK first Shadowlands please?

An interesting question. I've never been 100% sure on this. I have three copies that I assume are first UK editions but there are worrisome details. My copies all state "COLLINS, St. Jame's Place, London, 1981" on the title page. But on the copyright page, in small print, it says "First published in the UK 1980." Not sure if typo or not.

Also, I have never had a copy with an intact dj showing a UK price in GB Pounds. I have had copies that are price-clipped (bottom corner of front flap) and I have had copies with intact dj's and no printed price.

Also, I have never seen a UK proof of this title.

Again, an interesting question and one that has been nagging me for quite a while. I have never been able to get a definitive and/or knowledgeable answer from any of the UK booksellers I have asked.

Would appreciate any other comments with insight into this.

[Brice]

Maybe that should have just read first published in 1980 since the US edition was 1980?

I don't suppose you could help with identification points for the other early straub books, please.

[carlosdetweiller]

Maybe that should have just read first published in 1980 since the US edition was 1980?

I don't suppose you could help with identification points for the other early straub books, please.


Yes. Just tell me what books you are interested in and what identification points you want.

[cit74]

Bookmint on ebay has the new release signed Floating dragons from CD for less than issue price - only $49.95 plus shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/signed-Peter-Straub-FLOATING-DRAGON-Cemetery-Dance-MINT-49-95-/200904406062?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item2ec6d5f42e

[Bev Vincent]

I have a signed copy of the manuscript of "The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine" that Peter gave me after I tweeted about his reading from it at the World Horror Convention in Austin. He tracked me down in the audience at a panel, sat next to me, scribbled an inscription on it and handed it over. What a great guy!

[jhanic]

I have a signed copy of the manuscript of "The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine" that Peter gave me after I tweeted about his reading from it at the World Horror Convention in Austin. He tracked me down in the audience at a panel, sat next to me, scribbled an inscription on it and handed it over. What a great guy!

That sounds really neat!

John

[carlosdetweiller]

Recently picked up an advance reading copy of IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW. First US edition, 1977. I was pleasantly surprised to find a blurb of decent length by Stephen King laid in as part of the review material. This is still one of my favorite Straub novels.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/iycsemarc1_zps2da4bd61.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/iycsenarc2_zps30ae5ca5.jpg

[carlosdetweiller]

Early Straub books are often hard to find in tip top shape. I was really happy to get this US first edition of JULIA, 1975, with advance review material from the same seller.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/juliaarc_zpsef48c4a4.jpg

[jhanic]

Nice, Bob!

John

[Tito_Villa]

They look great for being around 35 years old, congrats Bob

[cit74]

they do look in excellent shape - very nice

[WeDealInLead]

Incredible.

Bob, if I ever see a Hugh Howey book in your collection thread, I'll feel like the first time I heard Santa wasn't real.

[carlosdetweiller]

Bob, if I ever see a Hugh Howey book in your collection thread, I'll feel like the first time I heard Santa wasn't real.

I'm pretty old school when it comes to what I collect. Not much hypermodern going on here.

[Bev Vincent]

Do you have -- or have you read -- Emma Straub's novel? It's quite good.

[carlosdetweiller]

Do you have -- or have you read -- Emma Straub's novel? It's quite good.

No. But it (obviously) comes up frequently when I search for Straub. I'm tempted to give it a try. I wonder if it was intentional that the title of her first book closely mirrors her father Peter's first publication "My Life in Pictures"?

[Bev Vincent]

That's interesting -- I hadn't thought of that.

[carlosdetweiller]

Peter Straub's daughter, Emma, has published her first book and it is titled LAURA LAMONT'S LIFE IN PICTURES. I thought the title was interesting in that Peter's first real publication was a little poetry chapbook titled MY LIFE IN PICTURES. And I wondered if Emma's choice of titles was some sort of homage to her dad or if it was entirely coincidental.

I was browsing ABE for Straub titles back in 1999 and I came across a listing for MY LIFE IN PICTURES by Straub and published by Seafront Press in 1971. It was listed by a bookseller in Dublin. I had never heard of it and I asked the seller if it was THE Peter Straub, novelist. He said he was pretty sure it was the same so I took a chance and bought it. It is a little 8" x 6.5" chapbook that consists of only three pages with three poems.

I've never seen another for sale and probably never will. I took it to a book signing in Dallas in 2000. Peter seemed surprised and pleased to see it. I've also included some e-mail correspondence from Peter that I got when I was trying to be certain it was by THE Peter Straub. Obviously it is one of my favorite Straub collectibles.

Front.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/mylifestraubfront_zpsfad3c4bb.jpg

Back.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/mylifestraub2_zps5cf18333.jpg

[Dan]

Wow, great story!

[jon10g]

Amazing. The stuff you have never ceases to amaze me!

[herbertwest]

Truely amazing!

[Tito_Villa]

Incredible Bob

[Lauterer]

Absolutely crazy... wooooow!

[idlewarnings]

That's a great story. Thanks for sharing, Bob.

[Patrick]

Just read through the full thread. Interesting stories, thanks for sharing!

[Bryant Burnette]

Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures was not actually Emma's first book. There's one that came before it called Other People We Married. It's an excellent story collection. (I can't swear that that was actually her first, but I know it came out prior to Laura Lamont.)

[Bryant Burnette]

Do you have -- or have you read -- Emma Straub's novel? It's quite good.

I liked it a lot. Nothing like her pop's work, but that's fine by me.

[carlosdetweiller]

Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures was not actually Emma's first book. There's one that came before it called Other People We Married. It's an excellent story collection. (I can't swear that that was actually her first, but I know it came out prior to Laura Lamont.)

Yes. You are right. I have read neither. Was Other People We Married a collection of stories? If so, would Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures properly be called her first novel?

[Bryant Burnette]

Yes. You are right. I have read neither. Was Other People We Married a collection of stories? If so, would Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures properly be called her first novel?

It is indeed a story collection. Laura Lamont is her first novel. I liked both, but I think Other People We Married is probably the better of the two.

[jonahwriter]

@carlosdetweiller Wow that is an amazing story and great scans! I stumbled across a copy of "Open Air" in my university in Ireland many years ago and corresponded with Straub briefly about it - I thought this was cool but your story and that book is beyond cool, simply amazing! Straub is the author I read and collect the most after King so was pretty happy to find this post. Thanks for sharing this.

[Bev Vincent]

Was Other People We Married a collection of stories? If so, would Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures properly be called her first novel?

Yes, and yes. I have an ARC of her second novel, The Vacationers, in my to-be-read pile.

[jonahwriter]

Ordered an ex-library paperback edition of "Open Air" (one of 500 unsigned) as an extra copy. Imagine my surprise today when it turns out what they had listed was actually one of the 100 signed casebound editions (I got number 19). It's in mostly good condition, one tear inside and a few library stamps - and as I only paid 10 sterling for it expecting a paperback I think it's a bargain!

[carlosdetweiller]

The casebound editions of Open Air are really scarce; more scarce it seems than the stated 100 limitation. I asked Peter about this several years ago and he said he had some flooding in his garage or basement and it damaged a lot of books including a hoard of hardbound Open Airs. I'm not sure of the numbers but I never see any copies with "high" numbers; mostly low ones like your 19.

[stroppygoblin]

So how much DID you pay for the '10 pence' pamphlet Bob?

"It's none of my business, but I can't help being curious" :evil:

[jonahwriter]

The casebound editions of Open Air are really scarce; more scarce it seems than the stated 100 limitation. I asked Peter about this several years ago and he said he had some flooding in his garage or basement and it damaged a lot of books including a hoard of hardbound Open Airs. I'm not sure of the numbers but I never see any copies with "high" numbers; mostly low ones like your 19.


That's really cool! Thanks for sharing. I think I've seen it go for $200-$400 before but I'm not sure of the "value" on it. I was delighted because it was purely unexpected - I have a paperback and hardcover edition of it now, both library marked unfortunately - but gently so. I've also ordered a non-libary-marked edition of the paperback as well. I love that little book of poetry, I find myself re-reading a lot of his early poems.


So how much DID you pay for the '10 pence' pamphlet Bob?

"It's none of my business, but I can't help being curious" :evil:

LOL! I'm curious too ;) I'd love that in my collection. There's actually a copy in the National Library of Ireland that I got to view and read, and they also give photocopies of it. I keep hoping I'll stumble across a copy of it here in Ireland but I think it's highly highly doubtful.

[carlosdetweiller]

So how much DID you pay for the '10 pence' pamphlet Bob?

"It's none of my business, but I can't help being curious" :evil:

I bought it for $200. I'm pretty sure it was before any Straub bibliography had come out and I had never heard of it. I recall sending quite a few questions to the bookseller on ABE to make sure it was THE Peter Straub, although, really, who else could it be? The thought that I could be making a big mistake occurred to me but now I'm really glad I bought it. I have never seen another for sale.

[jonahwriter]

You definitely made the right decision. I wonder what value it has? I'm clueless about these things as I just pay for what I like, but I imagine it's worth at least $500, maybe $1000 or more? It's probably a very difficult item to place a value on in fact.

p.s. do you know the approximate value of the casebound "Open Airs"? I'd never sell it but I'm just wondering HOW good a deal I got! LOL - I think I've seen them go for $200 before, maybe $400 - but those may have been pristine copies, and I think they were on abebooks.

On another note, I've often found it strange how low flatsigned and inscribed Straubs - and even some S/L Straubs go. I know he's not as popular or as collectable as King but even Richard Laymon sells for higher bucks - at least from what I've seen.

[stroppygoblin]

I have a Straub flat signed Black House (1st/1st Trade) the guy I bought it from didn't even notice it was there!

[Merlin1958]

I have a Straub flat signed Black House (1st/1st Trade) the guy I bought it from didn't even notice it was there!

Oh, that is nice, but you really need to get the S/L. It's just freaking AWESOME!!! Wonderful production!!!

[carlosdetweiller]

p.s. do you know the approximate value of the casebound "Open Airs"? I'd never sell it but I'm just wondering HOW good a deal I got! LOL - I think I've seen them go for $200 before, maybe $400 - but those may have been pristine copies, and I think they were on abebooks.
.

I have two copies. The first is inscribed (but not numbered). I paid $400 for it back in 2000 to Barry Levin. Barry is always very high and I knew that but I had never seen a copy before and didn't know if I would ever see another so I bought it. My other copy is unsigned and unnumbered. Bought it for $85 on eBay in 2009. Both of my copies are in really nice condition and have the transparent acetate dust jackets.

And I was confused on the numbering of the hardback copies. Neither of mine are numbered. But I think Peter is unsure himself. Here is an e-mail with him answering that question. And another e-mail addressing a possible reason for the scarcity of Open Air.

[jonahwriter]

Thanks for that info and those scans. You are a veritable font of knowledge on Straub and that's so cool!

The acetate dustjacket surprisingly survives on my library edition of "Open Air". Apart from a tear inside and a couple of library markings it's in really good condition so I'm pretty happy with it considering the low price. I'll post scans soon. Meanwhile, my photocopy of "My Life in Pictures" arrived from the National Library of Ireland. I doubt I'll ever find it for sale so the photocopy will have to suffice!

[jonahwriter]

And I was confused on the numbering of the hardback copies. Neither of mine are numbered. But I think Peter is unsure himself. Here is an e-mail with him answering that question. And another e-mail addressing a possible reason for the scarcity of Open Air.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/straubletter2_zps010c858f.jpg


.

Here's photos of the number and signature on my copy of "Open Air".

http://i60.tinypic.com/35jxd82.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/fl9f1e.jpg

[stroppygoblin]

I have a Straub flat signed Black House (1st/1st Trade) the guy I bought it from didn't even notice it was there!

Oh, that is nice, but you really need to get the S/L. It's just freaking AWESOME!!! Wonderful production!!!

I'm afraid the collection of S/L's is a very slippery slope I don't want to step onto right now....

[jonahwriter]

I have a Straub flat signed Black House (1st/1st Trade) the guy I bought it from didn't even notice it was there!

Oh, that is nice, but you really need to get the S/L. It's just freaking AWESOME!!! Wonderful production!!!

I'm afraid the collection of S/L's is a very slippery slope I don't want to step onto right now....

As for S/L's, I don't know why but I've always preferred personally inscribed books over S/L's. I own a handful of S/L's by King, Straub, and a few others, but I tend to prefer a pretty cool inscription over an S/L. I'd prefer S/L over flatsigned but inscriptions are my usual collecting "buzz". I've never managed to get one by King signed to my name so I have several he's signed to others, some really cool. Also, Richard Laymon and Dean Koontz both tend to do great inscriptions - Koontz is usually funny, Laymon was very original (I own one with a funny little original verse).

[carlosdetweiller]

Straub's first published novel Marriages was published in the US in 1973. The blue dust jacket is very prone to wear, creasing, tearing and developing white spots. It is fragile like 'Salem's Lot dj's and shows everything. Most of the ones I see for sale are actually pretty ugly. I picked this copy up on eBay and it is the nicest one I have ever seen. No tears on the dj edges at all and minimal blemishes. The seller didn't give it away but I am happy to have it in my collection.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/marriages2_zpsb3ac1524.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/marriages1_zps8e7a8a33.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/marriages3_zps70f38b8a.jpg

[Dan]

Very nice! I haven't read this one.

[carlosdetweiller]

Very nice! I haven't read this one.

It isn't classic Straub by any means. I'm not sure even Peter himself would recommend it very highly. Nothing supernatural or particularly thrilling, IIRC. I only read it once years ago.

[jhanic]

Nice! I'd not heard of that one either.

John

[Bev Vincent]

It's not at all like his other work. Angsty relationship stuff. It's okay, but not something I'd ever feel the need to read again.

[jonahwriter]

Finally picked up a copy of ISHMAEL. Number 39 signed.

[carlosdetweiller]

I've never seen one of these before. Promotional excerpt for the paperback release of Ghost Story. Thought I had pretty much everything Straub.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/ghoststoryexcerpt_zpsf25fa878.jpg

[goathunter]

Very cool! I miss the days when publishers actually promoted the books they were, you know, publishing.

Hunter

[herbertwest]

I've never seen one of these before. Promotional excerpt for the paperback release of Ghost Story. Thought I had pretty much everything Straub.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/ghoststoryexcerpt_zpsf25fa878.jpg


Nice item!

[Robert Fulman]

I've posted this elsewhere, but I have two Grant Signed Limiteds of "Black House":

http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag74/Robert_Fulman/1b80e574-d9d6-4675-a563-f25dc50c3191_zpsd67dc805.jpg

One of which is one of 20 (?) PCs:

http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag74/Robert_Fulman/113f3324-798a-4c54-b84d-0dccce88acec_zpsbeb5dd21.jpg

But what makes this one special is that it came from the library of Peter Straub himself:

http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag74/Robert_Fulman/acd6932e-903d-4643-90ef-858b3fa877f4_zps176b5465.jpg

I also purchased "The General's Wife", with a similar letter, from the Straubs but I don't have pictures available.

[Robert Fulman]

Here's "The General's Wife":

http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag74/Robert_Fulman/20140609_225047863_iOS_zpse910619b.jpg

[mkb.redux]

New today:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/KNOMEOR/Straub--PERDIDO-Proof-Small_zps3e7050f9.jpg

[carlosdetweiller]

Is that an upcoming publication? That "fragment" was previously published in 2003 in Museum Of Horrors, edited by Dennis Etchison. I wonder why Straub and Sub Press feel it needs to be republished? I buy almost everything Straub but I am hesitant to jump on this one.

[mkb.redux]

Here's a shot of the back:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/KNOMEOR/PERDIDO-Rear_zps0bd896f2.jpg

Has a 2001 copyright date, so a guess is that it's a reprint. I saw this in the Locus Forthcoming Books last month, but there hasn't been an announcement that I've seen.

[herbertwest]

From : http://peterstraub.net/

THOUGH STILLBORN, PERDIDO RETURNS TO ITS HALF-LIFE
Posted on: May 26th, 2014 by admin

Subterranean Press is going to be putting out a new edition of “Perdido (Fragment of a Work in Progress)” previously published in the Museum of Horrors Anthology by the Horror Writers Association
>>> http://peterstraub.net/hough-stillborn-perdido-returns-to-its-half-life/

But I dont see anyting on the SP website

[MLG]

Straub's website also lists a 2014 edition of Julia from Centipede press that is not mentioned on the Centipede site.

[sharki69]

I have Lost boy lost girl ARC for sale. PM me if interested

[RC65]

Just lost out today on a sweet deal on the S/L HC of FLOATING DRAGON (the original Underwood/Miller edition, the one w/ the Dillon art on it, not the later CD S/L). Damn it.

[MLG]

I have Lost boy lost girl ARC for sale. PM me if interested

Is it the ARC for the trade edition or the limited edition? I may be interested.

[sharki69]

I have Lost boy lost girl ARC for sale. PM me if interested

Is it the ARC for the trade edition or the limited edition? I may be interested.

PMd you

[herbertwest]

From Peter Straub on Facebook

Here is Michael Fusco-Straub's stunning new jacket for my earlier fragment-of-a-novel, PERDIDO, to be published later this year by Subterranean. It's a real fragment, the beginning of an unfinished novel

https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/p720x720/10830876_10152696874887956_3200768793801922950_o.j pg

[sharki69]

Perdido: A Fragment (preorder) - SP (http://subterraneanpress.com/store/product_detail/perdido_a_fragment)

Trade Edition $20.00
Limited Edition $45.00

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Anyone in the market for a matching number Straub set? $125 for both and includes Shipping (will ship out of US but need some $ help with it)

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/668/Peter_Straub_Limited_Set.JPG

Any smudges or marks you see from my poor photo taking skills are on the Brodart covers. The camera makes them seem worse than they are. Both books kept in Brodart and plastic since day one.

Mulleins

[Room 217 Caretaker]

I answered this in a PM but thought I should say it here as well. The above Peter Straub set is the Borderlands Press limited set and not the trade release.

$125 OBO

Hope this helps

Mulleins

[Rahfa]

Straub has a collection coming out - 500 pages!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385541058

I could get an ARC thru my Amazon advance reviewer program...I haven't read Straub in years so I'm on the fence....anybody hear any buzz?

[Bev Vincent]

I have an electronic galley -- it's a "best of" collection, with selections from his previous collections along with some newer stories that have never been collected.

[Rahfa]

I have an electronic galley -- it's a "best of" collection, with selections from his previous collections along with some newer stories that have never been collected.

What did you think? As a fan of "Floating Dragon"-era Straub, do you think I'd like it? I'm not sure I've read many (any?) of his short stories.

I'd have to review it, so I'd like to go in with a positive impression...haha...

[Bev Vincent]

I have an electronic galley -- it's a "best of" collection, with selections from his previous collections along with some newer stories that have never been collected.

What did you think? As a fan of "Floating Dragon"-era Straub, do you think I'd like it? I'm not sure I've read many (any?) of his short stories.

I'd have to review it, so I'd like to go in with a positive impression...haha...

Straub's stories have always been something of a different beast from his novels. Especially the more recent ones. I'm not always sure I "get" them.

[Rahfa]

Hmmm...might pass on it. Not a ringing endorsement - haha.

[FennyBate]

Hello there. A few from my Straub collection.
Lincoln.

'The Throat', signed/ltd from Borderlands Press

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0632_zpsyggpidq8.jpg

'Ghost Story', signed/ltd from Hill House

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0635_zps9kbxe1bi.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0636_zps6kztnoyi.jpg

'Ghost Story', 1st UK hardcover. Love this wrap around d/jacket - the artist has clearly read the book.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0633_zpsy07xktrz.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0634_zpskspfukfo.jpg

[frik]

Nice, Lincoln! Thanks for sharing.
Wouldn't mind seeing more...:)

sk

[FennyBate]

'If You Could See Me Now' - 1st UK hardcover, next to the Centipede Press signed/ltd

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0637_zpsuu2jgkhn.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0638_zpsqzqudghp.jpg

'Koko' - 1st US hardcover, next to CP signed/ltd

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0639_zps4gqzlouu.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0640_zpscdayuna8.jpg

[frik]

Hey, that was fast!!!! Keep 'em coming!!

sk

[FennyBate]

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0399_zpsqusin72h.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0400_zpsjffjnoae.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll9/lincolnbrown/IMAG0401_zpsbtphro1w.jpg

Sorry about the average photo's:angry: Those weird shadows in the first few groups of pics are a fault with my (phone) camera.
Lincoln.

[carlosdetweiller]

It is nice to see another Straub collector on board. Since you are in Australia perhaps you can answer a question that has been bugging me for a while regarding the UK (Collins) Shadow Land. Have you ever seen a copy with a price on the dust jacket? I have only seen unpriced ones or copies with a price sticker added to the inner flap.

Also, all of my copies state "Collins, St. James's Place, London, 1981" on the title page. And then state "First published in the UK 1980" on the copyright page. I've always worried that I have later printings or book club editions but I have never seen a copy that differs from mine.

[FennyBate]

Weird thing with Straub down here - I've never seen a Collins 'Shadowland' or Jonathan Cape 'Ghost Story' hard cover, but the US Coward McCann hardcovers turn up quite regulary, in second hand bookstores. As far as I know, both US and UK were released in 1980. The Cape 'Ghost Story' above doesn't have a price on the jacket, either.
From what I'm lead to believe, no price on the jacket indicates an 'export' edition, where a price sticker is put on in the receiving country. It seems to vary as to whether a 'non export' dust jacket is also produced. I have a number of books by James Herbert and Ramsey Campbell that have no-price dust jackets. These books also happen to be some of the hardest to find in hardcover, so I think that only the no-price jackets were printed. These books, including the Cape 'Ghost Story' aren't book club editions.
I also have a Collins 'Floating Dragon' - will check the jacket for pricing, asap.

[carlosdetweiller]

'Ghost Story', signed/ltd from Hill House


I liked that dust jacket on the Hill House edition of Ghost Story that I bought the original painting from Steve Gervais.

I have long admired Steve's work and talent. Some of his work is better than others, but I think his work on Ghost Story is truly inspired. The interior illustrations are just as good as the dust jacket art, IMO.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/gervaisghoststory1_zpsoeu5poi4.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/gervaisghoststory2_zpszwyi7a6u.jpg

[surly]

love that painting Bob; thanks for sharing. I don't know where you found your framer, but never let them go - you always seem to have the perfect frame to complement your art.

I just dabble in Straub and I don't have the UK Collins SHADOW LAND , but I do have the Collins FLOATING DRAGON which I am pretty confident is not a book club as it has a publisher's advance review copy sticker, and there is no price on the DJ. hope that makes you feel a little better about it.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/surly_pics/straub/title_zpsmwywl4av.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/surly_pics/media/straub/title_zpsmwywl4av.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/surly_pics/straub/review_zpsuvrh6ho4.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/surly_pics/media/straub/review_zpsuvrh6ho4.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab21/surly_pics/straub/dj_zpsc86zjwx6.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/surly_pics/media/straub/dj_zpsc86zjwx6.jpg.html)

[carlosdetweiller]

I just dabble in Straub and I don't have the UK Collins SHADOW LAND , but I do have the Collins FLOATING DRAGON which I am pretty confident is not a book club as it has a publisher's advance review copy sticker, and there is no price on the DJ. hope that makes you feel a little better about it.


Thank you. My Collins editions of Floating Dragon are also unpriced but one has a small Collins price sticker added to the inner flap so I guess it was their practice at the time to have unpriced dj's. I suppose what puzzles me the most is the 1981 date on the title page of Shadow Land and reference to "first published in the UK in 1980" on the copyright page. Who, then, published the book in 1980, if anyone?

[carlosdetweiller]

love that painting Bob; thanks for sharing. I don't know where you found your framer, but never let them go - you always seem to have the perfect frame to complement your art.


Thank you. They are really good (but expensive). In 1997 I bought a collection of items that once belonged to William Thompson. Included in this collection, almost as an afterthought, was the suit coat that Stephen King wore for his author photo for the Carrie dust jacket. I had no idea what to do with it but I happened to go to this frame shop first and they had several examples of framed displays of antique clothing on the wall. I knew immediately that I was in the right place. The owner (a fairly well-known local artist himself) started showing me all sorts of possibilities and we ended up with something I really liked. Since then I have only used them for all my framing and matting. I have probably had them frame 50 or more original pieces of work, mostly related to King. Some of the workers are turned off by some of the art and one said she could not work on something I brought in because it made her uncomfortable. I think it was one of the Gervais drawings from Christine but it may have been the alien dissection painting by Wrightson for From A Buick 8. Anyway, I have known them all for years and we have a great working relationship. In 2009 the owner completely closed the shop for two days and assigned one of his workers to work with Jerad Walters and me unframing and reframing many, many pieces of mine so that Jerad could scan them for the Knowing Darkness art book.

[Dan]

Wow, Bob! Very interesting!

[surly]

you have, and framed his jacket?!?
hahaha. i dont collect memorabilia, but thats the coolest thing ever. you've gotta post a picture.
you truly never cease to amaze. i hope im lucky enough to meet you in person some day; i could listen to your stories all day long.

[carlosdetweiller]

you have, and framed his jacket?!?


Wrong thread for this but what the heck. When I got the jacket (wrapped in a paper sack) it was pretty dirty. Coffee stains and smelling of smoke. The label said "machine washable" so that is what I did.....hoping for the best. It came out pretty good. Peter Schneider had gotten Bill Thompson to write a letter of provenance and I had it framed too.....sort of a frame within a frame. The book is not a first edition but included in the frame to show the author photo. I think it came out real well. I used to have it hanging with my collection but now it is in a closet having been replaced by artwork I like better.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb54/carlosdetweiller/carriejacket-1.jpg

The hankie in the jacket is not original. The author photo showed one so I found one that was dark and looked like the picture and stuck it in the pocket before we framed it.

[surly]

rules be damned. thats just so f#@*ing cool
thanks so much for sharing.

[FennyBate]

Love that framed d/j art, looks fantastic.

My Collins 'Floating Dragon' doesn't have a price, neither does my Collins 'The House Next Door'.

Collins printed a hardcover and paperback of 'Shadowland' in 1980, so I guess it's a later printing?
Lincoln.

[FennyBate]

Just had a quick look on ABE, and there are Collins harcovers for sale that are dated 1980. There are also some dated 1981 - a couple say 'later printing', a couple say 'book club edition', in the description.
Just as interesting, is that one of the 1980 editions is listed as 'price clipped'.

[carlosdetweiller]

Just had a quick look on ABE, and there are Collins harcovers for sale that are dated 1980. There are also some dated 1981 - a couple say 'later printing', a couple say 'book club edition', in the description.
Just as interesting, is that one of the 1980 editions is listed as 'price clipped'.

I have been wondering about this for years but have never done any serious investigating....just posing the question to other collectors and a bookseller here and there. I suspect that the price clipped 1980 edition that you refer to had a Collins price sticker on the inner flap and that sticker is what was clipped off. But who knows?

I have asked sellers on ABE who list 1980 as the publication date to check their copies and (in my admittedly small sample) all have had the 1981 date on the title page. I get "Oh, I never saw that!" a lot.

[mikeC]

They really need to remake Ghost Story, such a great book and movie while ok, it isn't close to a good adaptation. I thought about getting the cinefantastique to find out what went wrong in that adaptation.

[Bev Vincent]

Interior Darkness,' A Conversation with Peter Straub (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-rubinstein/interior-darkness-a-conve_b_9242276.html)

[Ben Mears]

Thanks Bev.

[Cordial Jim]

The Washington Post had a glowing review of Interior Darkness: Selected Stories in today's paper. It looks like a really good collection. I'll definitely be picking this up.

""Interior Darkness" is a book for those who think they dislike horror, as well as for those who love and respect the genre. Filled with terror, wit and unexpected grace notes, it's a remarkable achievement that reflects the arc of a lengthy and celebrated career."

[CyberGhostface]

Got Shadowland from the library (my first Straub novel not counting his King collaborations) but it's not doing much for me. Should I keep on pushing through?

[St. Troy]

I would say push through; Shadowland is one of my favorite horror novels by anyone; It is the only thing I can think of that I definitely prefer, although SK may have a few others that surpass it. Shadowland ruined me for Straub because I never found anything that good by him after that: I hated Floating Dragon, enjoyed (but not wildly) A Dark Matter, Lost Boy Lost Girl and In The Night Room. Ghost Story is also excellent.

FWIW, he has many things I haven't yet read (Koko, Mystery, Hellfire Club, Mr. X, The Throat, others); I'm not here to bury his catalog (and anyone who hasn't tried him out definitely should).

[CyberGhostface]

Thanks, I'll keep on reading.

[cit74]

My favorites were koko and ghost story

[RC65]

Thanks, I'll keep on reading.

GHOST STORY is his masterpiece...before throwing in the towel (if SHADOWLAND doesn't do it for you), I'd give that one a shot. I've fallen away from Straub, after being a faithful reader of his in the '80s and '90s, but I'd recommend GHOST STORY without reservation and, in fact, look forward to rereading it myself one of these days.

[Bev Vincent]

Straub has three main phases, although there are exceptions during each period:

1) the early, gothic, huge, convoluted novels up to Floating Dragon
2) Starting with Koko, big, but less gothic and less convoluted
3) Starting with lost boy, lost girl, shorter and more focused books

A number of his books are tied together by the character Tim Underhill, who first appeared in Koko. These are thought of as the Blue Rose book.

His newest release is the forthcoming novella "The Process (is a Process All its Own)" from Subterranean Press.

Trivia: It was Straub who created Bango Skank for his story "The Buffalo Hunter"

[Bev Vincent]

I received my copy of Peter's new novella from Subterranean Press, "The Process (Is a Process All Its Own)". Delighted to see that it is copy #1 of 750.

[Phalucha]

Straub has three main phases, although there are exceptions during each period:

1) the early, gothic, huge, convoluted novels up to Floating Dragon
2) Starting with Koko, big, but less gothic and less convoluted
3) Starting with lost boy, lost girl, shorter and more focused books

A number of his books are tied together by the character Tim Underhill, who first appeared in Koko. These are thought of as the Blue Rose book.

His newest release is the forthcoming novella "The Process (is a Process All its Own)" from Subterranean Press.

Trivia: It was Straub who created Bango Skank for his story "The Buffalo Hunter"


That is awesome characterization. I have read Floating Dragon and Ghost Story twice each and can barely remember what they are about.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Peter Straub matching numbered signed limited set. $125 shipped:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/668/medium/Peter_Straub_Limited_Set1.JPG

Mulleins

[LetoAtreides]

Centipede just opened pre-ordering for Julia today:

http://centipedepress.com/horror/julia.html

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Peter Straub matching numbered signed limited set. $125 shipped:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/668/medium/Peter_Straub_Limited_Set1.JPG

Mulleins

Had a couple members ask to see the marbled end papers of the matching S/L set. Here you go:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/668/Peter_Straub_Marbled_End_Papers.JPG

Mulleins

[St. Troy]

Peter Straub matching numbered signed limited set. $125 shipped:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/668/medium/Peter_Straub_Limited_Set1.JPG

Mulleins

Who is the publisher of this?

[St. Troy]

Centipede just opened pre-ordering for Julia today:

http://centipedepress.com/horror/julia.html

I keep waiting for news like this, but for Shadowland or Ghost Story.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

Peter Straub matching numbered signed limited set. $125 shipped:

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/668/medium/Peter_Straub_Limited_Set1.JPG

Mulleins

Who is the publisher of this?

Borderland Press

[lotuz]

Centipede just opened pre-ordering for Julia today:

http://centipedepress.com/horror/julia.html

This one has been in the works for quite some time and I'm eager to see how it turned out.


This new edition of Julia features several full-page, full-color illustrations by Rodger Gerberding, a stunning front cover by Colombian artist Marcela Bolívar, a new introduction by T.M. Wright, and an interview with Peter Straub. The book is elegantly typeset in Requiem and is bound in distinctive European cloth, has a rounded back, top-edge stain, ribbon marker, and gorgeous marbled endsheets imported from France.
Over 7 × 10 inches in size, front and rear cover image pastedown, two-color stamping on spine, and a stunning design. Each book is signed by Peter Straub, T.M. Wright, Rodger Gerberding, and Marcela Bolívar.

I love the jacketless books that Jerad does (both older and newer) and I'm excited to finally hold this one in my hands.

[St. Troy]

Centipede just opened pre-ordering for Julia today:

http://centipedepress.com/horror/julia.html

This calls to mind another question of mine: does CP have a e-mailing list? I'd looked for a place on their website to sign up for one to learn of new things, but never saw one.

[RC65]

They do; they typically arrive each Sunday morning. I don't know where on the site to look for the sign up, but I imagine it must be there somewhere. You could always send Jerad an email with a request.

[St. Troy]

Thanks

[dnemec]

They do; they typically arrive each Sunday morning. I don't know where on the site to look for the sign up, but I imagine it must be there somewhere. You could always send Jerad an email with a request.

That's how I got signed up!

[herbertwest]

I've just noticed that Peter 's twitter profile picture is the follow.
Any idea of what it means?

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/516256898421518336/mVikjW7j_400x400.jpeg

[St. Troy]

I'd imagine "XLLLNT" may mean "excellent."

For the rest, I think he used some kind of typo/misspelling code thing (not really a code, more a way of writing) in either Lost Boy Lost Girl or In The Night Room that may instruct how to figure this out.

[peripheral]

Julia - The Centipede Press Signed / Limited edition and the US 1st edition. This CP edition is absolutely stunning, and another exemplar of their leadership in small-press publishing.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/Screen_Shot_2018-05-06_at_12_01_29_am.png

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/IMG_0761.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/IMG_0762.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/IMG_0766.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/IMG_0757.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/IMG_0768.JPG

[dnemec]

That cover is cool, but unsettling

[becca69]

That cover is cool, but unsettling

She's on the back too - from behind.

[Hunchback Jack]

A gorgeous volume. Congratulations!

(And I do love me some Straub).

[peripheral]

That cover is cool, but unsettling

She's on the back too - from behind.

Thanks, everyone. The artwork would have to be in the top 5 of my collection. It's incredible. And yes, here she is, on the rear cover, from behind. (Do you have this edition too, Becca?)

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/IMG_09511.JPG

[becca69]

That cover is cool, but unsettling

She's on the back too - from behind.

Thanks, everyone. The artwork would have to be in the top 5 of my collection. It's incredible. And yes, here she is, on the rear cover, from behind. (Do you have this edition too, Becca?)

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/1002/medium/IMG_09511.JPG

Yes, it was so lovely I had to buy one and then I got the the first Straub limited. Now I guess I need to find a copy of Koko.

[GenericEric]

The complete short fiction Vol. 1 Short Stories and Vol. 2. Novellas published by Borderlands Press is still available for pre-order. The numbered is $120 and the lettered (which is still available as well) is $500. I also should note that payment isn't required until book is ready to ship.

https://www.borderlandspress.com/shop/books/hardcover/the-complete-short-fiction-of-peter-straub-numbered-and-signed-limited-edition

https://www.borderlandspress.com/shop/books/hardcover/the-complete-short-fiction-of-peter-straub-signed-lettered-edition

[St. Troy]

I wish there were more details, but it seems like a decent set.

[GenericEric]

Yeah, details are pretty scant right now. I couldn't find anything on how it's being made or if there's any art.

They say it's two volumes, but I'm still not sure if it's all one book or separated into two.

[Br!an]

Yeah, details are pretty scant right now. I couldn't find anything on how it's being made or if there's any art.

They say it's two volumes, but I'm still not sure if it's all one book or separated into two.

It's two books. I ordered through CD back in April.

Borderlands sent out an email with more info back then.

The First Title in a Great New Series

We are happy to announce a wonderful new series of Limited and Lettered Editions collecting together in multi-volume boxed sets, the entire body of short stories and novellas by authors such as Peter Straub, F. Paul Wilson, Richard Matheson, Roger Zelazny, Richard Christian Matheson, and others. All editions will be signed by the authors or their editors.

Volume One: Short Stories Volume Two: Novellas

Peter Straub has created a body of short stories and novellas establishes him as one of the best literary voices in the genres of horror and dark suspense.His list of accomplishments and awards is staggering: In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writers Association, Life Achievement World Fantasy Award, Grand Master Award from World Horror, Living Legend Award from the International Horror Guild, he has won the Bram Stoker Award 9 times, the World Fantasy Award 3 times, and 1 British Fantasy Award.

He remains a living legend

“Peter Straub's shorter fictions are like tiny novels you drown in: perfectly pitched, terrifyingly smart, big-hearted, dangerous, and even cruel….If you care about the short story, you should read this book, and watch a master at work.”
—NEIL GAIMAN, author of The Ocean at the End of the Lane

"Straub has a proven knack for black humor, and he coaxes the nightmarish out of the mundane with startling ease. This is a powerful collection from an enduring favorite in literary chills.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"These stories show [Straub] ranging far and high into the uplands of literary fiction without ever leaving behind the dark impulses and fears that make his work so powerful.”
—John Crowley, author of Little, Big and the Aegypt Cycle



$120.00 2-Volume Set of the Limited Edition
Please click this LINK
and PRE-ORDER

$500.00 2-Volume Set of the Lettered Edition
Please click this LINK
and PRE-ORDER

[St. Troy]

The website lists dimensions as 8" x 12" x 4". Assuming the 4" is the thickness of the two books together, this would mean the front cover "footprint" is 12" x 8" - that is freakin' huge. Am I interpreting this wrong?

I'm actually more interested in this set because it's the only such comprehensive Straub short collection I've seen than for how nice it may be (if anyone is aware of a conventional (and conventionally priced) Straub short fiction omnibus, do let me know).

Does anyone have much experience with BP's work? Do they do nice work?

[St. Troy]

...also about Borderlands Press: I see they only charge upon publication (at least, their site says "Payment due on publication by either credit card or check") - does this mean that, when they say this (the numbered edition) will be published on Oct 31, they likely will hit that?

[Hunchback Jack]

The website lists dimensions as 8" x 12" x 4". Assuming the 4" is the thickness of the two books together, this would mean the front cover "footprint" is 12" x 8" - that is freakin' huge. Am I interpreting this wrong?

I'm actually more interested in this set because it's the only such comprehensive Straub short collection I've seen than for how nice it may be (if anyone is aware of a conventional (and conventionally priced) Straub short fiction omnibus, do let me know).

Does anyone have much experience with BP's work? Do they do nice work?

Yeah, that does seem big - almost Secretary of Dreams big.

BP do solid work. They've published a few Straub titles that are nice, affordable signed editions. Nothing too opulent, but they are well-bound with nice paper stock, endpapers and illustrated dustjackets. I've ordered this set, and am looking forward to it.

HBJ

[St. Troy]

Sounds good to me; thanks.

[Munnecom]

Be aware that BP’s Little Book series is riddled with typographical errors, among a host of other recent issues. I’m not saying that will also happen with the Straub set, but their track record when it comes to proofreading is less than stellar.

[St. Troy]

Oof.

[St. Troy]

FYI, the books are actually 9” x 6” (still not a bad size).

[St. Troy]

FYI, Straub is the only one signing these and wrote the introduction himself.

[St. Troy]

According to tonight’s BP newsletter:


Due to a recent hospitalization of the author for major surgery and treatment, delivery on this title may be delayed until he is available to finish signing the signature pages. We will keep you updated on further developments.

[St. Troy]

Limitations:
52 lettered, 500 numbered

[St. Troy]

Centipede Press has two upcoming Straub productions:

In an 8/11/19 newsletter, Jared wrote:


One of our upcoming projects is a new limited edition of Ghost Story by Peter Straub. This edition will have archival artwork, plus a new dustjacket by artist Douglas Smith and several two-color linocuts by Vladimir Zimakov, plus bonus archival materials. The edition will be 500 copies, printed on mouldmade paper with natural deckled edges. The anticipated price will be around $400 per copy, with a publication date of around early 2022. If you are interested in this book, please let us know.

Based on quick google searches, Douglas Smith does nice work, but Zimakov isn’t really for me.

In today’s newsletter, he wrote:


Ghost Story and Shadowland by Peter Straub are both in development.

Although I’d sell a body part for a nice Shadowland, I suspect the production will be similar to that of Ghost Story - and the price as well, which will be beyond me. Still, nice to see these get some attention.

[GenericEric]

It'd be nice to have limited editions of Ghost Story and Shadowland, but not at a $400 price tag. I'll probably end up passing if that ends up being the price.

[lotuz]

Jerad can make a helluva book for $400! That said, he would definitely be pricing some people out of the market at that point. It also seems high for a limitation of 500, which is the biggest he does. Will be curious to see where this goes - I think Ghost Story is long overdue for a nice edition!

[Hunchback Jack]

Julia was $300 If I recall correctly, and that was a very nice edition indeed. A $400 Ghost Story would be incredible. Definitely on my list.

[St. Troy]

Per an e-mail this morning, Borderlands Press' numbered edition of the Straub short fiction collection, previously scheduled for a 10/31/20 release, has been postponed to 11/30/20 due to Straub's recovery from surgery.

[St. Troy]

Per an e-mail today, Borderlands Press' numbered and lettered editions of the Straub short fiction collection, previously scheduled for a 11/30/20 release (and 10/31/20 before that), has been postponed to 3/31/21 "due to very serious illness to the author."

[Hunchback Jack]

Oh no. I hope Mr Straub is okay, and wish him well.

[St. Troy]

I know; it doesn't sound good.

[St. Troy]

Per this:

https://twitter.com/DavidJSchow/status/1328828412287336448

...Straub had "open-heart surgery in mid-August" and only left the hospital last Friday. Sounds like he's on the mend, which is great.

[Hunchback Jack]

He posted on Facebook a couple of weeks ago and seemed to be recovering slowly but well. I hope it continues.

[Garrell]

Hope he recovers fully.

[St. Troy]

I don't believe I received an e-mail to this effect, but Borderlands Press' website shows that The Complete Short Fiction of Peter Straub has been delayed again; the numbered edition until June 1, the lettered edition until July 6.

[St. Troy]

Borderlands Press sent an e-mail yesterday updating several publications, one of which being the Straub set. The delay wasn't mentioned, but this was:


We are VERY happy to announce Mr. Straub is recovering nicely from his surgeries and has completed signing all the sheets for his books. We will be sending everything to the printer this week.

[St. Troy]

Question for any deep Straub fans out there: does any of Straub's Blue Rose-associated short fiction tie closely enough to the BR trilogy that I should be sure to read the trilogy first? (I haven't even started it).

My old notes tell my future self not to read the collection Magic Terror: Seven Tales until after reading the BR trilogy, and because I assume Borderlands Press' upcoming Complete Short Fiction of Peter Straub collection must include the contents of Magic Terror (named, as it is, Complete), it occurred to me that (given the June 1 publication date of BP's collection) I should probably read the trilogy so that I can read the collection without spoiling something for myself - unless the connections aren't of a spoiling nature.

Thoughts?

[Bev Vincent]

These are the short stories connected to the Blue Rose series:


Blue Rose
The Juniper tree
Bunny is Good Bread (aka Fee)
The Ghost Village.


There's a Subterranean Press collection that has these four stories, called Juniper Tree and Other Blue Rose Stories

[St. Troy]

These are the short stories connected to the Blue Rose series:...

Thanks. Do you know if reading them before reading the trilogy might spoil anything in the trilogy?

[Bev Vincent]

These are the short stories connected to the Blue Rose series:...

Thanks. Do you know if reading them before reading the trilogy might spoil anything in the trilogy?

They'll make a lot more sense if you read them after. "Bunny" particularly spoils things.

[St. Troy]

They'll make a lot more sense if you read them after. "Bunny" particularly spoils things.

Thanks!

[Hunchback Jack]

In the kind of meta-fictional twist that Straub enjoys, I think at least one of the stories was “written” by Tim Underhill.

HBJ

[St. Troy]

The Borderlands numbered Straub set has begun shipping (they shipped mine).

[St. Troy]

I just received my Borderlands Press Straub short fiction set (I got the numbered) and from what I see, I'm very happy:

- 2 volumes (volume 1 is short stories, 2 is novellas)
- total page count >1,000
- I'm not sure what to call the binding (which is black), it's similar to buckram (which is like a plastic-coated cloth (I'm describing buckram poorly; I make it sound tacky and horrific, which it definitely is not))
- foil-stamped spine: volume 1 is red, 2 is blue
- end papers are metallic gray with a swirly pattern: volume 1 is light (silvery), volume 2 is darker
- Straub signed both (I'm not sure, when signing a set, if it's customary to sign all volumes or just the first)

They still have sets available, all of which are signed.

Numbered ($120): https://www.borderlandspress.com/shop/books/hardcover/the-complete-short-fiction-of-peter-straub-numbered-and-signed-limited-edition/

Lettered ($500): https://www.borderlandspress.com/shop/coming-soon/the-complete-short-fiction-of-peter-straub-signed-lettered-edition/

Also:
You can get 10% discounts on these and other things (maybe everything) at BP by arranging to pay by check or money order (I did so).

[My standard disclaimer when I appear to go too far in gushing about something: I have no connection to Straub or Borderlands, but I want to push this because I feel Straub is a bit undervalued in the world of literature (horror and generally) - and I really like this set.]

[Hunchback Jack]

Good to hear you're happy with it! It sounds fantastic. I ordered mine through CD, so hopefully it won't be too much longer.

I think signing both volumes of a two-volume set is pretty unusual. A nice bonus. And I agree about Straub being undervalued. I don't understand it, honestly. He's a terrific writer.

HBJ

[GenericEric]

According to the product page there's only 2 left. If you still want them better act fast!

[Br!an]

And 21 Lettereds.

[Hunchback Jack]

Does anyone know if the Lettered has started shipping yet?

[St. Troy]

The lettered edition's publication date has been pushed back to Oct 21 2021 (not sure why; there's fewer of these (obviously), so I wouldn't think this hinges on Straub's signatures).

If any of you have ordered the lettered - perhaps Hunchback Jack, since you asked about the shipping? - please post pics!

[Hunchback Jack]

Yes, I have a lettered copy on order. I’ll definitely post pics when it arrives.

[Bev Vincent]

A nice interview with Peter.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vGoCe6PuqU

[St. Troy]

A nice interview with Peter.

Thanks for posting; I'll definitely check this out.

[St. Troy]

Does anyone here have (or have you at least seen) a copy of Straub's The Skylark?

[FYI, The Skylark is an early version of A Dark Matter, which was published through Subterranean Press (I believe) in 2011.]

Some sloppy resellers have listings for The Skylark that a few questions reveal to be copies of A Dark Matter (for a few hours I thought I'd located a cheap one in "good" condition (which I'd be happy to accept), but it was not to be), and listings that seem to clearly be correct are (thus far) beyond my budget (I think this is one of those cases where, while the pool of buyers is pretty small, the pool of sellers is even smaller, and no bargains will be found, although I will continue to look for them).

[DoctorZaius]

Does anyone here have (or have you at least seen) a copy of Straub's The Skylark?

[FYI, The Skylark is an early version of A Dark Matter, which was published through Subterranean Press (I believe) in 2011.]

Some sloppy resellers have listings for The Skylark that a few questions reveal to be copies of A Dark Matter (for a few hours I thought I'd located a cheap one in "good" condition (which I'd be happy to accept), but it was not to be), and listings that seem to clearly be correct are (thus far) beyond my budget (I think this is one of those cases where, while the pool of buyers is pretty small, the pool of sellers is even smaller, and no bargains will be found, although I will continue to look for them).

You probably already know this, but here goes. Lettered editions sold for $250 and numbered editions sold for $50 through Subterranean Press. There are two for $200 on ABE and three on ebay, the cheapest of which is at $160 but is taking offers. I'd go after that one. I would think you'd be able to get it for a good price given, as you say, there is are a limited amount of Straub collectors out there. The seller has very few sales and would probably be happy to move on from it. I'd go in low.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353569655997?hash=item525264ccbd:g:dE4AAOSwK~Ng6ka f&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoEryefJO9JPGc96338GJ3s5VhcIU% 2FGdd%2B5zQguKcIYX5Z8itGO8YYr6IGipCrsmD9bB%2F46XIY 46zr4n6yUBjqAZIByWDzDilNUisFMxTiAiKX8%2F3L5cMJACs2 3%2F8ckuGNoYso9huRinhpZLduN%2FNi7PmOg0ZDHDMCCNL5Zo DkARLxsPswEeD7AXRpegszCWXNzX3r%2FBuNko%2Bf3uXkXUEo PM%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zJvrTAYA

[St. Troy]

Thanks.

[St. Troy]

Does anyone here have (or have you at least seen) a copy of Straub's The Skylark?

...listings that seem to clearly be correct are (thus far) beyond my budget (I think this is one of those cases where, while the pool of buyers is pretty small, the pool of sellers is even smaller, and no bargains will be found, although I will continue to look for them).

...There are two for $200 on ABE and three on ebay, the cheapest of which is at $160 but is taking offers. I'd go after that one. I would think you'd be able to get it for a good price given, as you say, there is are a limited amount of Straub collectors out there. The seller has very few sales and would probably be happy to move on from it. I'd go in low.

Thanks for the push - after digesting your suggestion for a bit and realizing this would likely be my best shot, I did as you advised and managed to snag this for $120.

I should've been able to generate this plan on my own, but I wasn't thinking strategically, and (mainly) I hadn't yet come to grips with the fact that I was probably never going to find one of these <$100 and had to decide whether I wanted to actually own one or just spend the rest of my days awaiting a bargain that never came.

I'm already perpetually on the sidelines for a few special editions (CD It chief among them) I understand I'll probably never own, but the big difference (aside from the fact that most run well beyond $120) is that whereas I've actually read those novels, I haven't read The Skylark - I actually need it because of what it is and not because it's a special edition. I loved A Dark Matter and the question wasn't "how bad do I want this kickass bauble for my shelf?" but "am I going to go through life not reading The Skylark, or am I going to do something about it?"

[St. Troy]

These are the short stories connected to the Blue Rose series:


Blue Rose
The Juniper tree
Bunny is Good Bread (aka Fee)
The Ghost Village.


There's a Subterranean Press collection that has these four stories, called Juniper Tree and Other Blue Rose Stories

Bev, since you are familiar with this, I'm hitting you up with this question (anyone else who might have an opinion is of course welcome to chime in):

At some point soon I'm going to read everything Blue Rose-related, and I'm wondering what the best reading order is.

One possibility is publication order, which is (if my detective work is sound):

Blue Rose (1985)
Koko (1988)
The Juniper Tree (1988) [Note: I don't know if Koko preceded TJT or vice versa.]
Mystery (1990)
The Ghost Village (1992)
The Throat (1993)
Bunny Is Good Bread (2000, but original version Fee appeared in 1994, still putting it last).

[If my dates are correct, a short story (Blue Rose) is actually the earliest of the works, which feels incorrect; I just don't know.]

I could also read the trilogy first (treating them as a single entity), then the stories in the order they arrived:
Koko
Mystery
The Throat
Blue Rose (1985)
The Juniper Tree (1988)
The Ghost Village (1992)
Bunny Is Good Bread (2000).

Going with the publication order appeals to me because it's how I would've read them if I'd been on the ball following Straub at the time and not trying to catch up later, but perhaps it makes more sense to process the main work (the trilogy) before the peripherals.

What do you think?

[DoctorZaius]

Does anyone here have (or have you at least seen) a copy of Straub's The Skylark?

...listings that seem to clearly be correct are (thus far) beyond my budget (I think this is one of those cases where, while the pool of buyers is pretty small, the pool of sellers is even smaller, and no bargains will be found, although I will continue to look for them).

...There are two for $200 on ABE and three on ebay, the cheapest of which is at $160 but is taking offers. I'd go after that one. I would think you'd be able to get it for a good price given, as you say, there is are a limited amount of Straub collectors out there. The seller has very few sales and would probably be happy to move on from it. I'd go in low.

Thanks for the push - after digesting your suggestion for a bit and realizing this would likely be my best shot, I did as you advised and managed to snag this for $120.

I should've been able to generate this plan on my own, but I wasn't thinking strategically, and (mainly) I hadn't yet come to grips with the fact that I was probably never going to find one of these <$100 and had to decide whether I wanted to actually own one or just spend the rest of my days awaiting a bargain that never came.

I'm already perpetually on the sidelines for a few special editions (CD It chief among them) I understand I'll probably never own, but the big difference (aside from the fact that most run well beyond $120) is that whereas I've actually read those novels, I haven't read The Skylark - I actually need it because of what it is and not because it's a special edition. I loved A Dark Matter and the question wasn't "how bad do I want this kickass bauble for my shelf?" but "am I going to go through life not reading The Skylark, or am I going to do something about it?"

Sounds like you got a great deal. It's a great looking edition.

[Hunchback Jack]

For reading order, I would read them chronological by release. The novels don't tie together tightly enough to require reading them back-to-back. Although not *strictly* Blue Rose novels, you could also add lost boy lost girl and In the Night Room to the list.

"Blue Rose" was written before Koko was started; "The Juniper Tree" was written while Koko was in progress. I don't think the order matters too much, but if you're a stickler for the written order, TJT should be read before Koko.

The Ghost Village started as a chapter of Koko, but was heavily revised before publication, so I would read it based on when it was published, not before Koko.

(Oh, and kudos for knowing about Fee; it isn't that well-known. I happened to read that story in an anthology way back, and didn't realize Bunny is Good Bread was the same story until I read it much later).

Congrats on getting The Skylark for $120. That's a solid price. And I completely understand your logic about getting it - it was the first SubPress book I bought new from the publisher, for precisely that reason. I love alternate versions/first drafts of books (qv. The History of Middle-Earth).

HBJ

[St. Troy]

For reading order, I would read them chronological by release…

Thanks for all of this.

[St. Troy]

For reading order...

Does the order you are describing boil down to:

Blue Rose
The Juniper Tree
Koko
Mystery
The Ghost Village
The Throat
Bunny Is Good Bread

[Hunchback Jack]

Yes, that looks right.

[St. Troy]

Thanks.

[Hunchback Jack]

I should stress that it doesn't *really* matter, in that these stories are fairly loosely connected, but that's the order I would read them in.

I have to say, you're in for a treat reading these stories for the first time. Some damn fine writing there.

HBJ

[St. Troy]

For anyone who has read Perdido, given that it is described as a "fragment," is it worth (as a read) hunting down?

[St. Troy]

For anyone who has read Perdido, given that it is described as a "fragment," is it worth (as a read) hunting down?

It turns out these can be had cheap enough to easily be worth satisfying my curiosity (whether it’s good or not), so I have ordered one, but would still be interested in any thoughts from anyone who has read it.

[Hunchback Jack]

If I'd read it, I'd comment, but I haven't.

HBJ

[St. Troy]

For anyone who has read Perdido, given that it is described as a "fragment," is it worth (as a read) hunting down?

It turns out these can be had cheap enough to easily be worth satisfying my curiosity (whether it’s good or not), so I have ordered one, but would still be interested in any thoughts from anyone who has read it.

To this I will add: Subterranean Press produced two editions of this:
- a signed, numbered edition (400)
- an unsigned trade edition (print run unknown to me)

In looking around, most copies were the unsigned trade edition (usually selling for around $20), and after seeing a signed/numbered listed for over $200, I wasn't considering seeking one of those out, but then happened to stumble across one for under $20, and that's what I grabbed (I'm not sure these people knew what they had; on the other hand, I sense that the market for Straub collectibles isn't as strong as a fan might imagine).

I don't have many author signatures (none from King) but this will be my 4th from Straub.

[ajw2910]

Nice find!!

[Hunchback Jack]

Well done.

Straub signed editions seem to be very variable. Some of them seem to go for quite a lot, while others don’t seem to fetch much at all. I do agree that you got this one for a steal, though.

These are my signed Straubs from a few years ago. Hasn’t changed much since.

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/930/IMG_3273.JPG

HBJ

[St. Troy]

Nice collection.

[ajw2910]

Sorry to hear of Peter Straubs passing…..RIP.

[St. Troy]

Update 2 days ago from Centipede Press:


"...Ghost Story and Shadowland by Peter Straub are all later in the year."

[OldCrow88]

Update 2 days ago from Centipede Press:


"...Ghost Story and Shadowland by Peter Straub are all later in the year."

So excited for these. I truly love Shadowland.

[St. Troy]

Per today’s Centipede Press newsletter, Jerad hopes to publish both Shadowland and Ghost Story this year, and we should expect both to be at least $295.

[OldCrow88]

Per today’s Centipede Press newsletter, Jerad hopes to publish both Shadowland and Ghost Story this year, and we should expect both to be at least $295.

I'm super excited for both, especially Shadowland!

[St. Troy]

Per this morning's Centipede Press newsletter:

- Ghost Story is expected in December or January for $495+
- Shadowland is expected in April 2024 for $300 to $400