Stephen King’s Battleground

[Randall Flagg]

Not yet.

[jhanic]

Barry still lists it (in his Coming Attractions page) as coming in 2011. I'm not holding my breath.

John

[Randall Flagg]

I wonder if this will every be published.

[jhanic]

I know I have a proof/ARC coming if and when it ever gets published.

John

[surly]

Actually, this was updated on their site just a couple of days ago:
Set for Publication Spring/Summer 2012

A definitive collection of Stephen King’s classic short story with which was adapted for television by Richard Christian Matheson. We start with King’s short story and then move to R.C. Matheson’s script for the opening episode of “Nightmares and Dreamscapes”, which starred William Hurt and was directed by Brian Henson. Henson will provide storyboards used for the episode which won two Emmy awards.

Those contributing include:

Director Brian Henson
Executive Producer Bill Haber
Jeff Beal, who won an Emmy for his score for Battleground
Actor William Hurt
Michael Wright, Executive Vice President and Director of Programming for TNT
Visual Effects director Sam Nicholson
Producer Jeff Hayes
Lee Romaire, Special Makeup and Effects Designer
Editing the book is Richard Christian Matheson, who also wrote the screenplay for the episode.

~~~~~~~~

26 copy Signed Lettered Edition (the ONLY version signed by Stephen King) is $1250

125 copy Signed Numbered Edition (signed by Brian Henson, Jeff Beal, Jeff Hayes, Michael Wright, Lee Romaire, Bill Haber, Sam Nicholson, and Richard Christian Matheson) is $125

Limited Edition (unsigned) is $75

Taking orders starting January 1, 2012

[Randall Flagg]

Thanks for the info.

[Shannon]

Doesn't it seem like King is involved in a new signed limited coming out every other month? It's like he's gearing up to retire, so he's trying to make as much money as possible now.

I mean, the lettered edition is ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS more than the numbered edition. All because of King's signature. Insanity. I HOPE this doesn't sell out, just to teach these fucks a lesson, lol.

[Patrick]

...
I mean, the lettered edition is ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS more than the numbered edition. All because of King's signature. Insanity. I HOPE this doesn't sell out, just to teach these fucks a lesson, lol.

It must have one hell of a traycase.

[jhanic]

Sounds like a money grab by the publisher. I doubt King gets even close to that amount per book.

John

[Randall Flagg]

I think people associated with the movie are getting a substantial cut.

[ChristineB]

Ok on the chance that I am a total ding bat here. There was a movie of this? wow I missed this one completely.

[Bev Vincent]

It was part of the Nightmares and Dreamscapes series on TNT.

[ChristineB]

OK now I remember it.

[Randall Flagg]

[Cutter]

I mean, the lettered edition is ONE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS more than the numbered edition. All because of King's signature. Insanity. I HOPE this doesn't sell out, just to teach these fucks a lesson, lol.

This was the same with the lettered edition of Richard Matheson's Nightmare at 10,000 feet. But in this case it was William Shatner signing, so it was $1,200. But this is nothing new, some of the early Bradbury Lettered Editions that Gauntlet did are priced at $1,000 while the Limited is $100. So Gauntlet's charged over a thousand for quite a few of their Lettered Editions in the past.

Anyway, finally glad to see this is coming up. I'm sure I'll get a signed numbered edition probably.

[thegreattim]

Wasn't this the same publisher that sold that Masques book signed by King for 1500 something dollars? That never sold out last time I heard? You'd think they would have learned something from that.

[Stockerlone]

Some news direkt from the Gauntlet page about the sig/lim Battleground Book.
Publication Spring/Summer 2012

26 copy Signed Lettered Edition (the ONLY version signed by Stephen King) is $1250

125 copy Signed Numbered Edition (signed by Brian Henson, Jeff Beal, Jeff Hayes, Michael Wright, Lee Romaire, Bill Haber, Sam Nicholson, and Richard Christian Matheson) is $125

Limited Edition (unsigned) is $75

http://www.gauntletpress.com/cgi-bin...R_ID=322701268

[WeDealInLead]

How long is that story again? 15 pages? $1250 seems totally reasonable.

[Tony]

I've hardly seen such a great disparity between prices for the limited and lettered editions. That traycase probably has twenty dollar bills lining the inside of it.

[Rahfa]

I bet the licensing for the script - which meant TV and literary people had to be paid - drove the necessary price point way up. I bet the profit for the publisher is much. much less than we think.

[jhanic]

I don't know about that--$1250 for one of the lettered ones (the only one with King's signature) seems very excessive. I'll be passing on that one.

John

[Randall Flagg]

I bet the licensing for the script - which meant TV and literary people had to be paid - drove the necessary price point way up. I bet the profit for the publisher is much. much less than we think.

I am not privy to the specifics, but I have been told exactly that.

[Rahfa]

I don't know about that--$1250 for one of the lettered ones (the only one with King's signature) seems very excessive. I'll be passing on that one.

John

Oh yeah, totally excessive....but I don't consider it a money grab as much as just the cost of doing business. They'll sell them - 26 copies is nothing, and even if it takes awhile, they'll get bought by somebody.

[Jimimck]

There doesn't seem to be much info about the differences between the editions...?

[surly]

I'd been thinking about whether or not I would go for the lettered edition at that price. Now that the order page is active, I figured what the hell so I placed my order. Shortly after, I got this email:
Thank you for your order. For the lettered edition of BATTLEGROUND we will be having a lottery which will be explained in our next newsletter going out Wednesday. You will be part of the lottery and once it is conducted you will be contacted as to whether you will receive a copy of the lettered or go on our waiting list.
Best,
Barry Hoffman
Gauntlet Press

I guess they are expecting the demand to exceed 26 even at that price.