The Shining S/L from Subterranean Press

[George at C-Springs]

think there has been some discussion earlier about this but I guess I am just slow because I am not understanding this concern about lack of publicity. Lack of publicity on the day (and prior to the day) the book went on sale worked to our advantage. We were all able to easily place our orders. Had there been worldwide print and media exposure and publicity the website would have surely crashed. As it was (IIRC) it went rather smoothly.

Publicity usually costs money and by not buying publicity Bill Schafer has a larger profit margin for Sub Press on this particular book. Again, that seems like a good thing to me.

I'm not saying people are wrong for feeling the way that they do I am just trying to understand why some feelings are hurt or why some people feel offended by all of this. It seems like Sub Press wins and the plugged in collectors (i.e. TDT.org members) have won too. And the book did eventually sell out.

I agree with Bob. Not to sound selfish or uppity, but anything that makes it easier for us (me) to buy a book that I want to buy without having to fight websites or other people is more than welcome. I don't feel badly for the rest of the world's reading populace ... if they care and are interested enough, with a little bit of homework they can find out about new publications the same way we do. It's when something is advertised greatly that Joe Schmoe jumps on board solely for the purpose of getting a King collectible, just knowing it'll be worth money. He couldn't care less about collecting King for King, or reading, or enjoying.

My two cents.

[tippy4]

I'm one of those people that wants the books I buy to sell out.

I guess I like the idea of knowing that something I own is in demand.....even if I have no intention of selling.

That being said, I don't think it is a publisher's job to make a customer excited about a purchase he or she has already made.

[Merlin1958]

I'm not sure I really understand the debate here. The book sold out, we all (pretty much) got what we wanted and are relatively satisfied, right? So why the debate? Pardon my ignorance on the subject.

[neosatus]

I don't care if they sell out but they give virtually no publicity to what is considered a classic book that they have the good fortune to be publishing

I think there has been some discussion earlier about this but I guess I am just slow because I am not understanding this concern about lack of publicity. Lack of publicity on the day (and prior to the day) the book went on sale worked to our advantage. We were all able to easily place our orders. Had there been worldwide print and media exposure and publicity the website would have surely crashed. As it was (IIRC) it went rather smoothly.

Publicity usually costs money and by not buying publicity Bill Schafer has a larger profit margin for Sub Press on this particular book. Again, that seems like a good thing to me.

I'm not saying people are wrong for feeling the way that they do I am just trying to understand why some feelings are hurt or why some people feel offended by all of this. It seems like Sub Press wins and the plugged in collectors (i.e. TDT.org members) have won too. And the book did eventually sell out.

Completely agree. It's The motherfuckin' Shining. What advertising is necessary? Unless it was overproduced, it was going to sell out eventually. Why spend money on ads? And where? High cost collectible editions is incredibly niche. I wouldn't even begin to guess where advertising dollars would be well spent. The people who typically buy these things know about the book due to communities like this one.

Spending [wasting] money on creating a frenzy among non-hardcore collectors would be incredibly foolish, imo. If they were needing to sell 5000 copies, maybe. 1500? No way. Bill made the right call. Money allocated for advertising dollars would just raise the cost for customers.

[neosatus]

I like to be excited for a book that I love especially when it is being published in a deluxe edition. The fact that I was able to obtain a copy means nothing if I'm not excited about what I'm buying. I don't care about bills profit margin. That's his issue. Show a little enthusiasm for a classic book.

What does that mean, exactly?

You're not excited by the thing itself? You need to see ads plastered all over the place somewhere to know that you want something? I don't even think I completely understand what you mean, because as it is, what it seems you're saying is that you eagerly enjoy not thinking for yourself and being a mindless consumer. Please feel free to change my mind about that. Because I can't get my mind around what it is you're upset about.

[Lookwhoitis]

I think I have asked this question before but I either didn't understand the answer or didn't get much response. When this book was announced I was happy to be able to place my order and get the editions I wanted. For me that was enough and then began the long wait for the book to be published. I didn't care when or if any of the editions sold out. My collection had been taken care of and I had gotten what I wanted.

I continue to be puzzled by the attention paid to how many copies remain to be sold and how fast they are selling. And some collectors really seem to take it personally that a book doesn't sell as quickly as they think it should. Obviously we are of different mindsets on this issue. I'm just happy knowing the books I wanted to buy will someday come. Can anyone enlighten me on collector mindsets who are taking this personally or are upset that sales seemed to be lagging?

It is probably the collectors who were planning on buying multiples and flipping for profit who are butthurt over the lukewarm marketing.

[neosatus]

I would not count on that.

The GE of Doctor Sleep has yet to sell below retail.....and this title has an even lower print run.

I'm not saying you will pay a huge mark-up (maybe 25-50%), but I just don't see this title at this print run selling below issue price any time soon.

But then again, I was surprised it took 11 months to sell out (it was marketed rather poorly though).

Completely agree.

The numbers support a high demand for this edition. 1500 is quite a low run for such a beloved book. DT V and VI gift editions had higher limitation runs and now sell for 3+ times issue price.
IT 25th had a limitation of 2750 and now you're lucky to find a copy for under $300.

There may be some copies sold for around issue price by people wishing to unload them to get their money back if they need it, but the long term value will almost certainly appreciate, and in my opinion, that will be a considerable amount.

[CyberGhostface]

I don't care if they sell out but they give virtually no publicity to what is considered a classic book that they have the good fortune to be publishing

I think there has been some discussion earlier about this but I guess I am just slow because I am not understanding this concern about lack of publicity. Lack of publicity on the day (and prior to the day) the book went on sale worked to our advantage. We were all able to easily place our orders. Had there been worldwide print and media exposure and publicity the website would have surely crashed. As it was (IIRC) it went rather smoothly.

Publicity usually costs money and by not buying publicity Bill Schafer has a larger profit margin for Sub Press on this particular book. Again, that seems like a good thing to me.

I'm not saying people are wrong for feeling the way that they do I am just trying to understand why some feelings are hurt or why some people feel offended by all of this. It seems like Sub Press wins and the plugged in collectors (i.e. TDT.org members) have won too. And the book did eventually sell out.

Completely agree. It's The motherfuckin' Shining. What advertising is necessary? Unless it was overproduced, it was going to sell out eventually. Why spend money on ads? And where? High cost collectible editions is incredibly niche. I wouldn't even begin to guess where advertising dollars would be well spent. The people who typically buy these things know about the book due to communities like this one.

Spending [wasting] money on creating a frenzy among non-hardcore collectors would be incredibly foolish, imo. If they were needing to sell 5000 copies, maybe. 1500? No way. Bill made the right call. Money allocated for advertising dollars would just raise the cost for customers.

Yeah. I don't really see much in the way of advertising period of LE books outside of the usual places like Liljas-library and whatnot.

[tippy4]

Today a newsletter from SubPress went out and there was no mention of the book whatsoever. As I mentioned above, I don't think it is the publisher's job to get me "excited" about my purchase, but it is his or her job to keep his customers informed (IMO). A couple sentence update would have been appreciated.....especially since by his last update, the GEs should be in his hands now.

[CyberGhostface]

Well he said they'd start shipping mid-January so we have still about a week.

[swintek]

There's a few pics of the Limited (and traycase) on Subpress' Twitter today. https://twitter.com/subpress (because posting pics here is still too much like math to me).

[needfulthings]

Not sure if I like the pale blue spine LUCKILY it will be hidden behind the dust jacket & only once see the light of day. Kind of a nice classic look to the traycase for an old (?) classic book.

[Br!an]

There's a few pics of the Limited (and traycase) on Subpress' Twitter today. https://twitter.com/subpress (because posting pics here is still too much like math to me).

I'm good at math.

[webstar1000]

Do you guys like it?

[mistercrowley]

Not even a little bit

[Br!an]

Not even a little bit

What he said.

[evilash]

I really like it. Maybe its just me but I appreciate that it doesn't look like every other limited edition.

[Jimimck]

I WANT to like it, but am a bit underwhelmed at the moment.... The classical look of the tray case doesn't really match the feel of the dustjacket art IMO.

[tippy4]

I like the book....lukewarm on the traycase.

[Roseannebarr]

Do you guys like it?

Its like the person with the ugly kid. The Shining is my favorite book (along with Salem's Lot). I would like it no matter what it looks like! I was 16 and will never forget reading the Shining or Salems lot (or Cujo, Pet Semetary, Firestarter....).

[biomieg]

The DJ does not go well with the book and slipcase, IMO. But I kind of dig the look of the book/slipcase - I've always had a preference for understated (is that the right word?) S/Ls without DJs.

[webstar1000]

This might be one we have to hold to get a good feel for... I am going to reserve judgement until I get it in my hand

[carlosdetweiller]

This might be one we have to hold to get a good feel for... I am going to reserve judgement until I get it in my hand

That is how I feel too. I'll admit to not being overly impressed with the photos but they are not high quality photos. I think it will be a very nice book. Hope so anyway.

[divemaster]

I'm confused. Is this the S/L'd edition? Or some sort of non-signed gift edition?

[stroppygoblin]

Tray cased -I assume S/L'd