Not Simultaneous
So I have some good news and some bad news.
Actually, scratch that. I have some GREAT news which comes with a mildly unpleasant ripple effect that most of you will never notice.
For those of you who purchased the US hardback edition of The Warded Man (Left), you’re in luck, because it’s about to become a collector’s edition. Del Rey books has decided to retire the original cover design for various reasons. If you love that cover, or if you’re a collector, there are only a limited number remaining in stores and no more will be printed, so grab a copy now while you still can.
For those of you who didn’t love the cover (ahem) the great news is that not only will there be a new cover design for the US mass market paperback edition (on sale from all major US booksellers on March 23, 2010!), but that design will be the spectacular Larry Rostant cover that was used in various overseas editions, beginning with the UK version, The Painted Man. It’s a great iconic image, and I’m thrilled they’re using it.
Check it out:
Even better, this means that the US hardback edition of The Desert Spear will have the Rostant cover right from the start, which I am estatic about, because I fucking LOVE that cover. I’ll post it again here, because I never tire of putting it up:
Sadly, because of a slight production delay stemming from the decision to change the covers, the release of the US and UK editions of The Desert Spear will no longer be simultaneous, though both will remain in April 2010. The US version will officially go on sale April 13, 2010, whereas the UK hardback edition of The Desert Spear will still be released as previously scheduled on April 5, 2010 (though some individual stores may put it out on the shelves a few days early, as the UK is less strict about such things).
So once again, the UK edition will publish first, though only by about two weeks instead of 7 months as was the case with the first book. I think you’ll agree the cover change is worth the extra wait, even if it gives a slight edge to the UK fans. I think they’ve earned it, as they have all been quite forgiving after learning their version would be delayed a few months because I am such a slow-ass writer.
Okay, enough blogging. Back to work on The Daylight War.
The party never stops.
YES!
I was decorating my college dorm door and I too chose the UK over US cover. It does kind of give more the effect of “Woosh! This is one bad ass book you should totally be reading” effect.
Awesomely exciting!
(“Author of the Desert Spear”<– US paperback of TWM is coming out after the hardcover of TDS is out? Or is that just a random “we want text and may as well gloat here” thing?)
Anyhoo, rest in peace US cover.
8 MONTHS UNTIL THE DESERT SPEAR! Get your countdown clocks going now.
hi, have you got any idea when the uk paperback of desert spear will be out?
Hi Giacomo. Honestly, I don’t know the answer to that. I’m not even sure Voyager has scheduled it yet. My best guess would be 8-10 months after the hardback, but don’t quote me on that.
Once I am given a clear date, I will post it on the blog.
Hey peat, i’m a big fan of you’re book. Seems like an obvious thing to say since i’m writing on your blog but hell might as well start simple. I’ve read a hell of a lot of books and i really only re-read the ones that i’ve thought are really good, for example i’ve gone through lord of the rings three times and about ten re-reads of david eddings belgarion, and i think you’re books fantastic! Just finished reading it again and you have no idea how gutted i am to know that i’ve got to wait 8 months for the next one, i almost cried when i walked into amazon fresh faced and excited on august 1st only to be told the book comes into print in 2010! Hope you keep up the standards for book 2, although in fairness you could do alot worst than the painted man and still have a bestseller. As long as you keep the Herb Gatherers sassy! Funniest parts of the book 🙂
Thanks, Matt. While book quality is of course subjective in many ways, I assure you I put my all into making sure The Desert Spear is made of awesome, and I am very proud of it. I am as impatient as anyone to see it on shelves. Here’s hoping all my readers like it as much as I do.
peter, I have just finished reading the painted man on my e-book reader, it was a fantastic book that drew me in to a world which fed my dreams (perhaps I shouldnt read so late). Thank you for that. Are there any plans to release The Desert Spear as an e-book any time soon??
Thanks, Mark! The eBook of The Desert Spear should come out right when the hardcover releases in April 2010.
2010 im sure i saw the book for sale in sydney australia, when i picked up the copy of the painted man?
a little confused if possible can u clear it up
Hey Chris. Not sure what you saw in the store, but it definitely wasn’t The Desert Spear. I only finished writing it a couple of weeks ago, and it’s still being copyedited. Sorry.