Severance Package is being delayed.
Until late spring/early summer 2008.
Yeah, I know. I'm bummed, too.
If you were able to snap up an ARC of the would-be hardcover at BookExpo, you're one of the lucky few--those suckers are about to become as rare as hen's teeth. If you were one of those who received the cool 50-page "pink slip" excerpt, and were eagerly awaiting more... all I can say is, mea culpa, man.
Why oh why, you ask? Well, there's one simple reason: St. Martin's is retooling it as a trade paperback original. And that means launching it from scratch, starting this August. (The production/publicity machine takes a while to reboot.) I truly believe this is a smart move in the long run, otherwise I would have slit my wrists by now. Truth is, I've long thought my stuff is better suited for paperback. Far more readers are willing to take a $12 chance on something that looks potentitally cool than spend $25 on something that very well may be a dud. I should know--I'm one of those readers. (Yeah, I buy hardcovers. But only when I absolutely have to.)
So yeah, you have to wait until May or June of next year to read Severance Package.
However, this November brings The Crimes of Dr. Watson, my first interactive mystery for Quirk Books. (I say first because I'm in talks now to do another one, which would be released next July.)
And this November also brings the trade paperback of The Blonde, which will include a bonus novella sequel, "Redhead."
And if all goes well, my next novel will be released in October or November 2008, just six short months after Severance Package.
Finally, I've also been working on a few projects I can't talk about now, but will see the light of day in 2008. It's killing me not to be able to tell you, but I've been sworn to secrecy.
In short: you've going to have Swierczy out the ass in 2008.
See? Not so bad.
(If anyone needs me, I'll be out in the garage.)
"Swierczy out the ass?"
ReplyDeleteEWWW. They have antibiotics for that right?
I couldn't agree more with your opinion on trade versus hardcover. This is exactly the scenario I found myself in with EAT THE DARK, and after a moment of being deeply bummed I realized this is the best thing for getting the book into the hands of those who'll love it most.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I wish I could've gotten my hands on one of those ARCs.
Who do I have to kill to get an ARC, Swierczy?
ReplyDeleteIt worked pretty well for Charlie Huston's career. His first book was a hardcover, but he didn't take off until he went to trade.
ReplyDeleteDave: Use only as directed.
ReplyDeleteJoe: I'm with you, bro. Bummed as I am, I think this is a good move in the long run. The long, long run...
Cameron: About 25 people.
Roddy: I cling to Charlie Huston's example like a newborn with a binky.
Oh, bugger. I've quite enjoyed reading your books in the fall. They make my job seem less depressing, and the past couple years around October/November it's helped to drag myself into work with the cheery thought that I am unlikely to be shot, stabbed, etc. in the course of a normal day at the office.
ReplyDeleteThere's part of me that is still conditioned to think "book" = "$5 mass market with Elmore or Whelan cover art" so on some visceral level the HC/TPB thing doesn't matter quite so much to me personally. Though for what it's worth (which is, apparently, nothing) you're on my HC autobuy list.
The Charlie Huston example is a good one. I've been with ya since The Wheelman so hard cover or trade paperback, I'm there.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhh MAN!!!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to have Swierczy out the ass in 2007.
Wait... that didn't sound right.
Good luck. My guess? It's for the best.
Megan: Glad I could be your fall pick-me-up! I'm honored to be on your autobuy list.
ReplyDeleteCraig: Thanks, man. And you know, Huston's back in hardcover next month, proving you can always go home again.
Mike: Yes, asses will be relatively free of Swierczy the rest of the year. Um... that didn't sound right, either.
Welcome to the trade paperback club. Jump in the deep end. The water is warm and the beer is cold. You'll like it here.
ReplyDeleteVictor Gischler
Well, there goes my book review schedule for November. Oh, well.
ReplyDeleteIf there's one thing I've learned from reading these agent and writer blogs is that the only certainty in the pub biz is uncertainty.
Duane, I admire your optimistic attitude in the face of unexpected change.
Best,
Josephine Damian
Bad news...but your fans (including myself) will truly be slavering for it when it finally gets here.
ReplyDeleteI think trade paperbacks are fine. Then, after thirty years, the collector's gilt-edged hardcover edition.
I love trade paperbacks. It will be worth the wait, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit bummed when I got my new book contract, going from hardcover to mass market paperback, but then realized that a lot more people will be inclined to shell out 7 bucks than 25 on someone they don't know yet.
It makes sense to start new authors out in paper.
Victor: there's cold beer in the trade bk. club? Sold.
ReplyDeleteJosephine: Thanks. And yeah, this stuff comes with the publishing territory. But through it all, I remind myself: people are paying you for your fiction, you big dork. And that makes it better.
Ethan: I like how you think, bro.
Karen: totally agree. I was honestly surprised St. Martin's didn't start me out in paperback and let me graduate up to hardcover... but until recently, that was their m.o. with new fish. So I do love the format, but as Tom Petty once said: the waiting is the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure this isn't just because they spelled your name wrong again and had to start over?
ReplyDeleteJeff: Well, yeah, there's that, too.
ReplyDeleteTrade paper original is a great format. Best of luck to you.
ReplyDeleteHeard about this at Brian Keene's board. I am hardcore bummed. Perhaps a good move in a business sense, but I was so looking forward to this. Patience has never been one of my virtues. Oh well, I'll get over it. Hope the book's a huge success when it does come out.
ReplyDelete