PS Publishing - Stephen King Anniversary Editions

[Brian James Freeman]

I'm a sucker so I'm getting both.

I've bought ALL kinds of special editions of books that were already published as a special edition, and it's either because I'm a sucker like you (VERY possible) or because I appreciate the care and effort the publisher put into the new edition of a book I really love. For me, there's a big difference between sticking a numbered signature sheet into a trade edition and producing a brand new edition with a different look and take on the work.

As was noted above, clearly no one is forced to buy anything, especially not a book. Everyone has their own reason or reasons for buying the books they do.

I'll be buying all of the King books Pete can publish because I know he loves producing beautiful books as much as I do and his editions present the work in a new and interesting way, IMHO. Obviously, I hope other collectors agree with me and will support what Pete is doing, but I certainly understand there are lots of reasons why someone might pass on these editions -- just like there are lots of reasons someone might pass on the Doubleday Years set that we're publishing at CD! Some people love the idea of the set of books we're publishing and some people aren't into the idea at all. There is no right or wrong when it comes to this sort of thing. Everyone's opinion is valid.

I'm particularly exciting about Pete's edition of 'SALEM'S LOT. As someone who may have pitched a very similar idea for DIFFERENT SEASONS once upon a time, I think it's a neat way to approach the book.

Just my 2 cents, of course! And 2 cents won't get you far these days...

Brian

[WeDealInLead]

[As someone who may have pitched a very similar idea for DIFFERENT SEASONS once upon a time, I think it's a neat way to approach the book.

Ooh, do tell.

[Joe315]

...I wish King would shut it down...

To my knowledge (and I remember reading this somewhere here), King doesn't have a say as to what limiteds are done (at least as it pertains to books whose publishing rights belong to a publishing house). It's the publisher that holds the rights and permits a limited to be completed.

[Bev Vincent]

Sorry, but that's not true.

[Theli]

Thanks for the input Brian, I think you're correct. I haven't bought every PS book, though I have grabbed a few, no one is forced to buy any book they do not want, even if they feel the need that is their decision. I like the idea of the 3 volume version of 'Salem's Lot, despite owning the CP edition and pre-ordering the CD edition, I will order this one too. I did end up skipping on Skeleton Crew though, the "gift" edition missing The Revelations of 'Becka Paulson was a major faux pas in my opinion. But hey the decision's mine to make, others may have jump on it.

Here's an interesting question: Would anyone here be interested in a new limited/gift set of the Dark Tower series, maybe something done like CD's Doubleday Years or PS's anniversary editions? Or would that be overboard?

[Cwalker]

@ Theli

Strictly from the perspective of a new collector, one unlikey to ever have a complete Grant set, i would be all in favor of a new limited DT printing. When i look at a set of books on a shelf and see that they all have a similar design on the spines i get a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that they are part of the same series. Right now, when i look at my set of mixed Viking and Grant, i love the fact that i have them, but i still have a feeling of....incompleteness.

Of course that could all be symptomatic of some flavor of OCD as well.

[Roseannebarr]

1

[Merlin1958]

Sorry, but that's not true.

Can you expand on that, Bev?

[Bev Vincent]

Sorry, but that's not true.

Can you expand on that, Bev?

Nothing is ever done with a book without the author's permission and full agreement. It's all handled by contract. A publisher can't do a limited edition if the author hasn't agreed to it. The publisher can't force an author to sign a limited edition if the author hasn't agreed to it as part of the contract. The contract specifies exactly what the publisher can and cannot do--what rights are being assigned to them.

[Merlin1958]

Sorry, but that's not true.

Can you expand on that, Bev?

Nothing is ever done with a book without the author's permission and full agreement. It's all handled by contract. A publisher can't do a limited edition if the author hasn't agreed to it. The publisher can't force an author to sign a limited edition if the author hasn't agreed to it as part of the contract. The contract specifies exactly what the publisher can and cannot do--what rights are being assigned to them.

Thanks, Bev. I thought as much, but I'm not in the "Biz" so to speak. Good to hear from an authority.

[Joe315]

Sorry, but that's not true.

Thanks for the clarification. I could have sworn I read that here.

[Merlin1958]

Sorry, but that's not true.

Thanks for the clarification. I could have sworn I read that here.

One of the unique things about this site. Folks like, Bev actually post and inter mingle here. Many thanks, Bev!!!

[frik]

Here's an interesting question: Would anyone here be interested in a new limited/gift set of the Dark Tower series, maybe something done like CD's Doubleday Years or PS's anniversary editions? Or would that be overboard?

Yes, it would be.
But I wouldn't hesitate for one single moment to sign up for a complete set.

sk

[webstar1000]

I agree... A GE set of the Dark Tower done right would be amazing... Would love CD to do this too... And do something out of the box kinda thing...

[T-Dogz_AK47]

I agree... A GE set of the Dark Tower done right would be amazing... Would love CD to do this too... And do something out of the box kinda thing...

I hope they do a "Viking Years" set. All my favourite Stephen King books are in the Viking era....

[Merlin1958]

Re-printing the Dark Tower series seems like a great idea to me. I wonder what the arrangement is with DMG regarding the rights and such. Is DMG the only publisher that can print these stories, or is there wiggle room? Very interesting idea IMHO

[zelig]

Looks like I'm the only one here thinking less reprints please. I do see the appeal of a DT or Viking set, but there is only so much disposable income to drop on books and I would rather spend it on the original S/L's, etc. as opposed to reprints. Just my opinion.

[Merlin1958]

Looks like I'm the only one here thinking less reprints please. I do see the appeal of a DT or Viking set, but there is only so much disposable income to drop on books and I would rather spend it on the original S/L's, etc. as opposed to reprints. Just my opinion.

I hear you, but a uniform, well done GE of the entire DT series is very appealing for sure. I generally do not cotton to all these reprints myself, but that one I would definitely go for in a heart beat.

[AKC]

How is the completion of the Deluxe Thinner shaping up Pete? Light at the end of the tunnel?

BUMP

[T-Dogz_AK47]

How is the completion of the Deluxe Thinner shaping up Pete? Light at the end of the tunnel?

BUMP

After a quick check, it seems Pete has not logged onto this site since 28th July.....

[TCCBodhi]

I hope they do a "Viking Years" set. All my favourite Stephen King books are in the Viking era....

Yes, there are plenty of deserving mid-career books that haven't gotten any kind of special attention first, BUT there IS a certain attraction to having a nice UNIFORM set of DT novel rather than/as well as the Grants which, amazing as they are, are a bit of a challenge for my brain that craves uniformity in a "set".

[allasorte]

Looks like I'm the only one here thinking less reprints please. I do see the appeal of a DT or Viking set, but there is only so much disposable income to drop on books and I would rather spend it on the original S/L's, etc. as opposed to reprints. Just my opinion.

I'm thinking the same thing you are. Less to catch up with the disposable income. Before we know it, there will be 10 different editions of The Cell. Why?! lol

[biomieg]

I agree as well, although my opinion does not really matter because I'm not buying most of them anyway. But I do like it when something interesting is done with the book, like the three-novella version of 'Salem's Lot. If the artwork on that one looks good I will get a copy. People tend to compare PS and CD in terms of production values but I think PS does a better job in terms of creativity.

[webstar1000]

I agree as well, although my opinion does not really matter because I'm not buying most of them anyway. But I do like it when something interesting is done with the book, like the three-novella version of 'Salem's Lot. If the artwork on that one looks good I will get a copy. People tend to compare PS and CD in terms of production values but I think PS does a better job in terms of creativity.

Really??? I have to disagree. Let's just compare the last Lettered from PS... Carrie... NOTHING stands out for this book at all. Now lets look at CD's Carrie... although not signed.. it was a much nicer looking book and much better made. I am not sure "more creative" is what I would say...

[biomieg]

.. it was a much nicer looking book and much better made.

I would say those are 'production values'. I'm not saying that each and every PS book is put together in a creative way but I like their idea for 'Salem's Lot and I love what they did with the multiple Colorado Kid editions. I also really like the various slipcases of the recent PS reissues. And I love the looks of the forthcoming Joe Hill reprint (the slipcase especially, again).

To me those things are more interesting than using a certain paper stock or binding. When I look at CDs books (especially the lettereds with their decadent satin-lined traycases) I just go 'mehhh'.

But hey, to each their own, right?