| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| WhrenKehrsyn |
Posted - 03 Jun 2008 : 23:55:50
Hi there. Do we know yet if the upcoming books Sentinelspire, the Fractured Sky (and its later followup), and Blackstaff Tower are pre or post Spellplague? I suspect the Empyrean Odyssey trilogy is a 4e lead in so Im thinking that may be pre, during, and post a la the Haunted Lands series. |
| 29 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 18:01:41
One of the biggest problems of a used book store is that they offer to buy books. If they pay cash out, they get a lot of books, but no one buys, so they have to cut back on the payout they can give. If they give store credit, you limit the people willing to sell the books since most are looking to off-load and not trade.
Of course, eBay has also seriously cut into both sides of their equation. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 17:37:39
I think its all of those things but economic recession. Most of the places folded years back, so it's hard to argue recession for them. Not only that, but you'd think that used bookstores would flourish in a recession -- because if money is tight and you want new stuff to read, a used bookstore would be great. In fact, I stopped hitting my fave used bookstore as oft when I got to where I could afford new books instead of used ones. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 17:18:02
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Or just economic recession?
And online shopping ?
That too. |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 17:09:52
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Or just economic recession?
And online shopping ? |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 17:07:50
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
There used to be several of them around here, including one I frequented for several years. But they've all folded. I think the last one went like 2 or 3 years ago.
Yet another casualty of the Video Game Era...
Or just economic recession? |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 16:17:01
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
There used to be several of them around here, including one I frequented for several years. But they've all folded. I think the last one went like 2 or 3 years ago.
Yet another casualty of the Video Game Era... |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 03:09:10
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I don't like having to give the book back to the library. I try only to use used book stores for books that are out of print or of authors that I am not overly familiar with. If it is a book in print by an author I know I like, I try to buy new to help support them (most of the time).
I wish I had a used book store close to where I live. If I did, I'd definitely use it!
There used to be several of them around here, including one I frequented for several years. But they've all folded. I think the last one went like 2 or 3 years ago. |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 26 Aug 2008 : 01:18:46
quote:
Originally posted by HawkinstheDM
I don't like having to give the book back to the library. I try only to use used book stores for books that are out of print or of authors that I am not overly familiar with. If it is a book in print by an author I know I like, I try to buy new to help support them (most of the time).
I wish I had a used book store close to where I live. If I did, I'd definitely use it! |
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 15:47:18
No, your ears you shall keep...
Ahh, good times.
*ahem* Back on topic. I think it's safe to assume that any ongoing series/trilogies/etc. will wrap up pre-Spellplague. New series will be be (most likely) post-SP. (which caused me to think up this: http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11420) |
| monknwildcat |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 15:29:49
**using Ring of Instigation**
To the death?
No! To the pain...! |
| The Sage |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 14:31:00
So, what... pistols at dawn, then?  |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 13:27:37
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
If you are an old, dyed-in-the-wool Realms fan, you will have no trouble with this book.
Wait!?! Are you calling me old, friend Erik?  
I do believe his is Sirrah!
Now cal him a young upstart and lets get ready to rumble already!!!  |
| WhrenKehrsyn |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 06:19:03
I guess I get that 'vote with my wallet' attitude because even though Ive been a good girl and always fill out the cards at the back of my roleplay books, I participate in the surveys and what not WotC emails me quarterly, I still end up with something that doesnt resemble the Realms I love all that much. Then I read Mr.Bakers comments about how people who didnt like the setting didnt like certain things and thats why the changes occur, and I realize that saying I DO like those things doesnt matter. For all of that, the better part of a decade of telling them what I like coupled with two decades of buying everything with the logo on it, in the end, not throwing money at the stuff is what got paid attention to. So I guess thats why I feel like not buying stuff is the only way I can 'vote'. Maybe I will write a letter, I just dont feel like anyone who reads it will give it any real consideration.
I had decided a couple months ago I would walk away from the entire setting once I had completed my collection of current 14th century stuff. Now that I have Im finding it was an easy thing to say but is a much more difficult thing to do.
Sage, are you trying to say your NOT old!? I think I see moss... =0) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 21 Aug 2008 : 01:05:05
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
If you are an old, dyed-in-the-wool Realms fan, you will have no trouble with this book.
Wait!?! Are you calling me old, friend Erik? |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 21:09:47
Stone of Tymora by R.A. and Geno Salvatore is set several years before the spellplague. And the way I see it, is that it will most likely be followed up by sequal/sequals by Geno alone in the same time period. |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 20:07:14
You're very welcome sir, and thank you for your high praise!
I might try to comment on that last bit, if you wouldn't mind . . .
quote:
Originally posted by WhrenKehrsyn
If novels are set in the 14th century Realms I will buy those. Im just worried if I buy all the post Spellplague novels the powers that be at Wizards will think 'Well, that persons throwing money at the novels, they must love what weve done!' It doesnt matter if I say I dont like it, what matters is whether or not I spend money on it.
Y'know, it seems like a lot of people are expressing that attitude, and based on my experience, it ain't gonna happen.
The individual reader (or writer, for that matter) doesn't have that sort of power. You'd have to buy up a several THOUSAND copies of the novels you like, and not do that for the novels you don't, for the sales numbers to make that sort of difference.
I mean yeah, sales numbers do help. But unless you can spark a buzz that turns one of us little guys/gals (or even the medium guys/gals) into Bob or Ed or Paul, sales is not going to be your avenue.
And why bother, when you can be more direct? (see below)
A lot of FR novels sell to an established fanbase, who just go out and buy most new FR novels right off the shelf. If one book sells substantially fewer copies than another, it might easily be dismissed as an outlier, or a problem with that particular *author*, not the lore that surrounds the book. Easy to give that author less work and focus elsewhere. No change to the lore.
Let's face it, Wizards is not going to change a course they have invested so much money and time and effort into that easily.
So.
You want to create buzz and help steer an evolving novel (or sourcebook) line? Here's what you do.
The best (and perhaps only) thing to do is to write letters to the publisher (as Garen Thal has suggested, elsewhere on these boards) saying things like:
"This is what I want. This is what will get me to spend money on your products. These are the authors I like. This is why I like them."
Letters like that make them see what they're doing *right* and push them to do more of it.
Avoid the negativity--"I don't like this" will get you ignored. It's easy for an editor to say, "well, this guy doesn't like that novel, but then it sold XXXX copies anyway, so it doesn't make that much difference." Instead, tell them what you *want*, and at least you'll have a chance of getting their attention.
Particularly talk about how "all my friends" or "lots of people on the web" are saying the same sorts of things. You like these things, and you want *more* of them.
They'll look at your letter, see the impassioned arguments for the *good* things in the novels they're already releasing, and think that maybe more people would go for that, too.
When it comes down to it, we--authors, editors, publishers, designers, the whole gang--we're a SERVICE industry. We provide an entertainment service to people. So people need to tell us what entertains them (not what *doesn't* entertain them). And not just tell us, but *show* us. Through examples, passion, and word of mouth.
(Also--tangentially--online reviews help, help, HELP.)
Cheers |
| WhrenKehrsyn |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 19:25:13
Hawkins, thats why Ive always had trouble making myself go to the library. Putting a book I just finished next to the others on my book shelf is a big part of it for me. Ive borrowed a book from a friend in the past and never felt right until years later when I bought it just to put it on my shelf. I also try to buy them new as well, for several reasons. Two of which are to support the author and to support something I like.
Mr. deBie, I really appreciate you commenting. You are one of the authors whos work Ive really enjoyed. Depths of Madness sat right next to Alabaster Staff at the beginning of my shelf as one of my two favorite FR novels. Kehrsyn (as evidenced by my name here) from Alabaster Staff and Fox at Twilight are my two favorite Realms novel characters.
If novels are set in the 14th century Realms I will buy those. Im just worried if I buy all the post Spellplague novels the powers that be at Wizards will think 'Well, that persons throwing money at the novels, they must love what weve done!' It doesnt matter if I say I dont like it, what matters is whether or not I spend money on it. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 17:55:55
I don't like having to give the book back to the library. I try only to use used book stores for books that are out of print or of authors that I am not overly familiar with. If it is a book in print by an author I know I like, I try to buy new to help support them (most of the time). |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 17:29:29
The way I understand the direction of their novel line from what was said at the Secrets of the Realms seminar, most novels that come out from now on will be post-Spellplague, set in around the year of the Ageless One.
Some novels will be set in the 14th century (Bob's Transitions series, for instance, will be doing stuff in the 3e Realms, and Ed's last KoMD book will be 14th century), and some will discuss events during, around, and shortly after the Spellplague or in some other sense (RLB's last Haunted Lands, Cordell's Abolethic Sovereignty). I think novels and stories set outside the late 15th century from here on out will be the exception rather than the rule. Otherwise, authors can (and will) refer back to past events, either through people telling stories/legends or through flashbacks (more of the former, I expect).
Small personal plug: Without revealing anything about the story/plot itself, I will say that Downshadow is a veritable Easter Morning in this sense. Though it's a 4e novel and can certainly be enjoyed in a vaccuum (i.e. for readers totally new to the Realms), it also rests on a solid foundation of Realmslore, as I think all FR novels should. If you are an old, dyed-in-the-wool Realms fan, you will have no trouble with this book.
In general, I truly believe that you should read the novels you like, regardless of when or where they may or may not be set. A good Realms story has a certain timelessness, and you can enjoy it regardless of the lore. I will advise you not to discount some really excellent novels that are coming out (Blackstaff Tower, which I'm currently reading, being one of them) just because the FRCG rubs you the wrong way (or hits you, or kicks you, or blasts you with disintegrate, etc). I'm saying this not because I'm begging you to read these books, but because I honestly think--*KNOW*--that you're missing out on some really good writing that you would otherwise really enjoy. It's really, really good stuff, people! 
That said, if it doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for you, and that's fine. No one's going to change your mind or even try to argue. Read what you like, because life's too short.
Cheers
P.S. I'm also sort of a writer-heretic in my love for libraries and used book stores. Make full use of them!
|
| monknwildcat |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 16:39:15
I second the use of the libes to explore questionable novels. Several years ago (around the time of the RotAW plot, actually) I gave up buying books for a NY resolution, and the libes became my best friend.
I buy books now, but I read everything via the libes first. It's reduced my frustration with the chaos in the novel line; if I loved a book or consider it lore for my campaign, I hunt eBay. Otherwise I write off the loss in time--not dollars. |
| DragonReader |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 14:08:37
I've said it before and I'll say it again. When it comes to the novels what is important to me is the story. If the story is interesting and its well written then I'll buy it whether it is pre- or post-spellplague.
I have not yet seen the FRCG but have tried to follow the previews on WOTC's website and to be honest I think there is alot of potential for some great novels in the "new" realms. I look forward to reading them :) |
| WhrenKehrsyn |
Posted - 20 Aug 2008 : 01:02:43
Im sure I would love Blackstaff Tower, I really liked Blackstaff. I may try the library, but I wont buy them. Buying a post Spellplague novel is just as much a vote for 4e FR as buying the FRCG is. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 19 Aug 2008 : 17:42:54
I have pretty much decided on investing in the post-Spellplague novels by authors I really think are excellent (Steven, Erik, Ed, Paul, RAS, Elaine, and maybe a couple others) because they are excellent writers, and I know I will enjoy their books. Everything else 4e I will ignore. And I will not buy the 4e rules books out of protest of what they did to the 4e Realms. This may seems contrary, but the freelance writers deserve my support, even if WotC does not anymore. |
| Rosemary Jones |
Posted - 19 Aug 2008 : 03:11:03
quote:
I really like Steve Schend, but having looked at the FRCG I just cant allow myself to spend money on anything post Spellplague. Thats too bad because I think I would have liked the novel =0(
Personally I'm spending money on Blackstaff Tower, because Steve is such a nice guy about answering my questions and I go by a general philosophy of "buy a book, feed a friendly author." And I really enjoyed his first Blackstaff novel (which is pre-Spellplague and thus you can buy it if you don't own it yet).
But there's also a wonderful institution called the public library -- you can check it out! For free! A wonderful way to try out something that you don't know if you'll like or not.
|
| WhrenKehrsyn |
Posted - 16 Aug 2008 : 06:57:54
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Blackstaff Tower takes place in the 4e timeframe, so it's in 1479 DR. This from Steven Schend "Even with that time shift, there's lots of lore hidden in these pages to fill some backstories of the intervening times. In short, our heroes help the Blackstaff against a conspiracy that claimed the life of her predecessor and could shift the balance of power all over Waterdeep."
I'm not sure about the other books.
I really like Steve Schend, but having looked at the FRCG I just cant allow myself to spend money on anything post Spellplague. Thats too bad because I think I would have liked the novel =0( |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 16:48:35
quote:
Originally posted by WhrenKehrsyn
I suspect the Empyrean Odyssey trilogy is a 4e lead in so Im thinking that may be pre, during, and post a la the Haunted Lands series.
Yes, that's correct, as Rich Baker has stated that the EO trilogy will be touching on the Spellplague. |
| WhrenKehrsyn |
Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 08:09:57
Thanks for the replies! =0) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 01:44:18
Blackstaff Tower takes place in the 4e timeframe, so it's in 1479 DR. This from Steven Schend "Even with that time shift, there's lots of lore hidden in these pages to fill some backstories of the intervening times. In short, our heroes help the Blackstaff against a conspiracy that claimed the life of her predecessor and could shift the balance of power all over Waterdeep."
I'm not sure about the other books.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 01:43:16
Blackstaff Tower is post-Sellplague. I don't know about the others, but I'd assume post-Sellplague. |
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