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ABOUT THE STORE : NEWSLETTER
DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER
Events and News from Borderlands Books
March, 2012
Chapter One - Event Information, News, and Special Features
Upcoming Author Events
We're pleased to announce that we've moved all of our author
events to
Borderlands Cafe, right next door at 870 Valencia Street! Now you can
enjoy a snack or beverage while you listen to your favorite author.
Melanie Rawn, TOUCHSTONE (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) - Saturday, March
10th at 3:00 pm
David Constantine, THE PILLARS OF HERCULES (Night Shade Books, Trade
Paperback, $14.99) - Sunday, March 11th at 3:00 pm
Caitlin Kittredge, THE NIGHTMARE GARDEN (Delacorte, Hardcover, $17.99),
with special guest Ben Macallan - Saturday, March 17th at 3:00 pm
Seanan McGuire, DISCOUNT ARMAGEDDON (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) -
Saturday, March 17th at 6:00 pm
SF in SF (at the Variety Preview Room, 582 Market Street) with authors
Claude Lalumiere and Richard A. Lupoff - Saturday, March 17th at 7:00 pm
Robert Balmanno, SEPTEMBER SNOW (Regent Press, Trade Paperback, $15.95)
- Saturday, March 24th from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Scott Sigler, NOCTURNAL (Crown, Hardcover, $26.00) - Monday, April 2nd
at 7:00 pm
(for more information check the end of this section)
Coming up in the Spring: events with Christopher Farnsworth,
Walter Mosley, and Jack Campbell, among many others!
News
* Ebook agency sales model under fire from the Department of
Justice. The DoJ is planning on suing Apple and five of the big
six US publishers for anti-trust statute violations stemming from their
adoption of the "agency model" for ebook sales. The results of
this dispute are liable to shape bookselling for publishers, authors,
readers and booksellers for a long time to come. Details here http://tinyurl.com/8yodqll and
here http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203961204577267831767489216.html
.
* Don't miss the Borderlands Spring Rummage Sale coming up May
12th! When you keep a store in one space for more than ten years,
all sorts of interesting stuff tends to accumulate, so come and look
for bargains on cool and bizarre things that ended up in the
basement. More details to follow in next month's newsletter.
* Thanks to Locus Magazine for the following: author Frank Robinson is
auctioning off his entire mind-blowing collection of pulp magazines,
"including complete files of all science fiction magazines from 1926
through 1990. Condition on the items is “near mint” to “mint,” and
titles include such gems as Amazing Stories, Miracle Science and
Fantasy, SCOOPS (the first British science fiction magazine, from 1932)
and more. Included are the first Arkham editions of Lovecraft and
Robert E. Howard. For more information, contact
gunnison@adventurehouse.com."
* Del Rey Spectra and Suvudu are calling for fan art to enhance their
science fiction and fantasy characters' cage match! (This time
there are 64 characters involved.) I don't even know how to begin
explaining this to you, so I'm just going to link to it: http://sf-fantasy.suvudu.com/2012/02/cage-match-2012-call-for-art.html
* J.K. Rowling's next book will be an adult book, and a radical
departure from Harry Potter: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/deals/article/50754-j-k-rowling-inks-deal-with-little-brown-for-adult-book.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly%27s+PW+Daily&utm_campaign=0c8492380b-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email
* Congratulations to the 2011 Nebula Nominees! The complete list
is here: http://www.sfwa.org/2012/02/2011-nebula-awards-nominees-announced/
* Two "A Game of Thrones" Season Two trailers! (1) http://sciencefictionworld.com/tv/fantasy-tv/961-new-trailer-for-game-of-thrones-season-two.html
, (2) http://sciencefictionworld.com/tv/fantasy-tv/979-new-game-of-thrones-trailer.html
* Deeply disturbing: THE SHINING mashed up with "Toy Story" for "Toy
Shining": http://kylelambert.co.uk/gallery/toyshining/index.html
From the Office
Why Best Sellers Matter
by Alan Beatts
The New York Times Best Seller list has been produced every week since
1942. Even with massive influence on book buying habits by
Amazon, a Stanford Business School analysis strongly suggests that most
book buyers look to the Times list for book purchase suggestions.
Although the effect of getting a book on that list is not huge for
well-established authors, it can make the career of a new or previously
mid-list author. Making the list leads directly to larger advance
payments, bigger print runs, and greater publicity expenditures for
later books, not to mention much higher sales numbers for the current
book and the consequent greater royalty payments.
Short of prestigious awards like the Pulitzer or Nobel Prize, there is
probably nothing that can have a greater instant effect on an author's
future and income.
The exact details of how placement calculation is performed for the
Times list is a trade secret, kept by the News Surveys department of
that paper. Even the staff of the Book Reviews section, which
publishes the list, doesn't know how it is calculated. In general
however, each week sales figures are collected from a selection of
independent and chain bookstores (of which Borderlands is one), along
with other sales outlets such as drug stores, supermarkets and gift
shops. Wholesalers are also included but the figures are weighted
so that the final figure is based more on books sold to actual readers,
rather than the number of books shipped to stores (which might languish
on the shelves for a month or more before being returned).
A result is the Times list's reputation as one of the best, if not the
best, measures of a book's immediate popularity.
Please note the words "immediate popularity". Many, many books
sell a huge number of copies over the course of their time in print and
yet never end up on the Best Seller list because the sales are spread
out over months or years. As the name suggests, the list measures
what sold best _in a specific week_. Like many scales, it's
useful as long as you understand what it is meant to measure. It
helps to look at the Times List this way -- any book on the list has
sold a lot of copies -- but not all books that sell a lot of copies end
up on the list. It all depends on how many copies of the book
sell in a short period of time, usually during the all-important first
week that the book is on sale.
Which is a major portion of why the concept of a "strict lay-down date"
exists. Most book buyers have never heard of lay-down dates, but
some of you probably remember hearing about how the later Harry Potter
books were shipped to bookstores with an explicit, legally binding
agreement that the seals on the boxes wouldn't be broken until 12:01 AM
on the day that is was supposed to go on sale. That was an
extreme example of a lay-down date. In the case of Harry Potter,
the restriction on sales before the date was more of a marketing
gimmick than an actual attempt to ensure that all the sales would take
place during the first week of reporting to the Times. After all,
by the middle book, there was no doubt that it would hit the bestseller
lists. But it was an extension of the basic goal of publishers
for mid-list and potential best-selling titles -- get as many sales as
possible in the first week so that the book has the best chance of
getting on the list.
All of this might seem like silly marketing games and, for the
publishers, perhaps it is (though remember -- most book buyers at least
look at the Times list every week or are made aware of the results
through other channels). But for an author? It's no game
because of how seriously the publishers themselves take that list.
For years at Borderlands we've taken on-sale or lay-down dates pretty
casually. Books come in. We inventory them and put 'em on
the shelves. If they're out a little early, who cares?
Unless, of course, the publisher went to extraordinary lengths to
enforce the date. In which case we'd play along.
In part I felt that our attitude was justified in a large part because
of the habits of big retailers, chain bookstores and Amazon. The
chains made it a habit to do the same thing we do -- as soon as books
arrive, they go on the shelves. Unless the publisher, blah, blah,
blah. Likewise Walmart and the other non-book retailers.
And, many of those companies would get their books shipped directly
from the printer, rather than going through the intermediary step of
the publisher's warehouse, because their orders were so large.
Which meant they had the book in stock as much as a week before we did.
And Amazon would often list a book as being for sale (as opposed to
available for pre-order) a month before it even had shipped from the
printer. Customers would order the book, get told that it was
"back-ordered" (despite it not having ever arrived in Amazon's
warehouse), and patiently wait for it to ship.
In light of all that, it seemed only reasonable to me that I play the
game the same way. As far as I saw it, no one was getting
hurt. However, based on what I've told you about how the New York
Times Best Seller list works, you can see how offering books for sale
early has an effect on the chance of it being accurately represented on
that list.
But recently something happened to an author who is both a friend of
mind and a strong supporter of the store that changed my mind.
Their book, which stood a chance of getting on the Times list, was
offered for sale at Amazon more than two weeks before the lay-down
date. The author noticed this and got in touch with both their
publisher and Amazon requesting that it be removed until the right
date. Neither the author nor their publisher had any success in
having the book removed until, finally and through back channels that I
can't detail, the book was taken off sale. It wasn't set to be
pre-ordered (which is what the status should properly have been), but
at least people could no longer buy it.
But, before that happened, a virtual flood of emails arrived in the
author's in-box from a legion of very, very angry readers who preferred
ebooks. It seems that they had noticed that the print version of
the book was on sale, whereas the ebook was not going to be available
until the (correct) on-sale date. The conclusion that these
people had come to was that the author was deliberately delaying the
ebook to force people to buy the physical copy. In addition to
the laughable assumption that an author has _any_ control over when and
where their books are available, these ebook fans had completely missed
the point. But that didn't stop them from writing some really
nasty things, including but not limited to a comprehensive survey of
obscene pronouns and a range of physical threats.
But the whole thing wasn't done yet. At almost exactly 5 pm, East
Coast time on the following Friday, the book was put back up for sale
at Amazon. I suppose that it's possible that the timing was an
accident but it seems strange to me that the status change happened
right at the beginning of the weekend when no-one would be in the
office at the publisher to do anything about it for over 48 hours.
Once again the author tried to get something done without
success. Even the back-channel route that had worked previously
wasn't fruitful. Then, on the following Monday afternoon, the
publisher's calls had an effect and the book was pulled again.
It will be hard to tell how this all plays out until the Times Best
Seller list comes out the week after the book's proper on-sale
date. But all those orders in advance of the on-sale date are
certain to have an effect, if not on whether the book makes the list,
then at least on the position that it gets.
After seeing all of this happen, I realized that putting a book on sale
early can have an effect. So we're not going to do it here any
longer. Granted, it may cost us some sales, but we see ourselves
as being part of a larger community of readers, writers and
publishers. It behooves us to play by the rules and not take
action that hurts the other members of the community.
Wouldn't it be nice if some of the largest and most influential members
of the bookselling community thought the same way?
Top Sellers At Borderlands
Hardcovers
1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2. Distrust That Particular Flavor by William Gibson
3. Orb Sceptre Throne by Ian Cameron Esslemont
4. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
5. Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds
6. Nested Scrolls by Rudy Rucker
7. The Mirage by Matt Ruff
8. Reamde by Neal Stephenson
9. 11/22/63 by Stephen King
10. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi
2. Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
3. Apocalypse to Go by Katharine Kerr
4. After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn
5. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
6. Soulless by Gail Carriger
7. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
8. Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
9. Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
10. The Great Game by Lavie Tidhar
Trade Paperbacks
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Embassytown by China Mieville
3. Orb Sceptre Throne by Ian Cameron Esslemont
4. City of the Lost by Stephen Blackmoore
5. Surfing the Gnarl Plus . . . by Rudy Rucker
Book Club Info
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 11th, at 5
pm to discuss THE YEAR'S BEST SCIENCE FICTION 28th ANNUAL
COLLECTION edited by Gardner Dozios, from "Under the Moons of
Venus" by Damien Broderick to "Dead Man's Voyage" by Robert Reed.
Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at
cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, March
18th, at 6 pm to discuss THE THREE STIGMATA OF PALMER ELDRITCH by
Philip K. Dick. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for
more information.
Upcoming Event Details
Note: We have moved all of our author events to Borderlands
Cafe, directly next door to the bookstore at 870 Valencia Street.
We now have more room, and you can enjoy your hot cocoa while listening
to your favorite author!
Melanie Rawn, TOUCHSTONE (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) - Saturday, March
10th at 3:00 pm - Please join us in welcoming the prolific and talented
Melanie Rawn back to Borderlands! From the book jacket: "Cayden
Silversun is part Elven, part Fae, part human Wizard -- and all rebel.
His aristocratic mother would have him follow his father to the Royal
Court, to make a high society living off the scraps of kings. But
Cade lives and breathes for the theater, and he’s good -- very, very
good. With his company, he’ll enter the highest reaches of society
and power, as an honored artist -- or die trying. Cade combines
the talents of Merlin, Shakespeare, and John Lennon: a wholly charming
character in a remarkably original fantasy world created by a mistress
of the art. Although TOUCHSTONE can stand alone, it is the first
book of a brilliant, utterly engaging new fantasy series from the
author of the bestselling Dragon Prince series."
David Constantine, THE PILLARS OF HERCULES (Night Shade Books, Trade
Paperback, $14.99) - Sunday, March 11th at 3:00 pm - We're pleased to
welcome author David Constantine, presenting his novel THE PILLARS OF
HERCULES! "Alexander the Great, warlord of Macedon, is the terror
of the world. Persia, Egypt, Athens . . . one after another, mighty
nations are falling before the fearsome conqueror. Some say Alexander
is actually the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and the living
incarnation of Hercules himself. Worse yet, some say Alexander believes
this . . . . The ambitious prince is aided in his conquest by
unstoppable war-machines based on the forbidden knowledge of his former
tutor, the legendary scientist-mage known as Aristotle. Greek fire,
mechanical golems, and gigantic siege-engines lay waste to Alexander's
enemies as his armies march relentlessly west -- toward the very edge
of the world. Beyond the Pillars of Hercules, past the gateway to the
outer ocean, lies the rumored remnants of Atlantis: ancient artifacts
of such tremendous power that they may be all that stands between
Alexander and conquest of the entire world. Alexander desires that
power for himself, but an unlikely band of fugitives -- including a
Gaulish barbarian, a cynical Greek archer, a cunning Persian princess,
and a sorcerer's daughter -- must find it first . . . before Alexander
unleashes godlike forces that will shatter civilization. THE PILLARS OF
HERCULES is an epic adventure that captures the grandeur and mystery of
the ancient world as it might have been, where science and magic are
one and the same."
Caitlin Kittredge, THE NIGHTMARE GARDEN (Delacorte, Hardcover, $17.99),
with special guest Ben Macallan - Saturday, March 17th at 3:00 pm -
We're delighted to host urban fantasy sensation Caitlin Kittredge at
Borderlands once again! This time she's presenting THE NIGHTMARE
GARDEN, the second Iron Codex book. Caitlin's special guest will be Ben
Macallan, (aka Chaz Brenchley, aka Daniel Fox) whose novel DESDAEMONA
will soon be followed by PANDAEMONIUM.
Seanan McGuire, DISCOUNT ARMAGEDDON (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) -
Saturday, March 17th at 6:00 pm - We're thrilled (and a little wary) to
welcome Seanan McGuire and the whole crazy musical circus back to
Borderlands! Seanan's latest book is DISCOUNT ARMAGGEDON, the
start of a brand-new urban fantasy series telling the extremely
complex, kinda violent, and incidentally very funny story of the Price
family. DISCOUNT ARMAGEDDON focuses on Verity Price, (early 20's,
cryptozoologist, waitress at a strip joint, and competitive ballroom
dancer) on her own in New York for the first time. Well, except
for the hyper-religious mice, her cousin the cuckoo, various beasties,
that really attractive guy from the genocidal religious cult, and maybe
even a dragon. All in a day's work. We hope you'll join us
for the fun, the songs, the raffle prizes and the madness!
SF in SF (at the Variety Preview Room, 582 Market Street) with authors
Claude Lalumiere and Richard A. Lupoff - Saturday, March 17th at 7:00
pm - We are so happy to help SF in SF welcome these authors! Each
author will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from
the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. Authors will
schmooze & sign books after in the lounge. Books available for sale
courtesy of Borderlands Books. Seating is limited, so first come,
first seated. Bar proceeds benefit Variety Childrens' Charity -
learn more at <http://www.varietync.org/>.
We REALLY encourage you to take BART into the City, or use MUNI to get
here - parking can be problematic in San Francisco, to say the
least. We are less than one block away from the Montgomery St.
station. Trust us - you don't want to be looking for parking and
be late for the event! Phone (night of event) 415-572-1015.
Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.
Robert Balmanno, SEPTEMBER SNOW (Regent Press, Trade Paperback, $15.95)
- Saturday, March 24th from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Meet vivacious local
author Robert Balmanno, who will chat informally about his Blessings of
Gaia series, a dystopian story where mankind and the physical life of
the planet are on a collision course.
Scott Sigler, NOCTURNAL (Crown, Hardcover, $26.00) - Monday, April 2nd
at 7:00 pm - Don't miss this opportunity to meet podcast sensation and
local author Scott Sigler! Scott's new novel is NOCTURNAL, and
his homicide detective protagonist Bryan Clauser is losing his
mind. How else to explain the eerily prescient dreams he keeps
having about the gruesome serial murders that are taking place? From
the book description: "As Bryan and his longtime partner, Lawrence
'Pookie' Chang, investigate the murders, they learn that things are
even stranger than they at first seem. For the victims are all enemies
of a seemingly ordinary young boy --a boy who is gripped by the same
dreams that haunt Bryan. Meanwhile, a shadowy vigilante,
seemingly armed with superhuman powers, is out there killing the
killers. And Bryan and Pookie’s superiors -- from the mayor on
down -- seem strangely eager to keep the detectives from discovering
the truth." We know you'll enjoy this evening spent with Scott's
twisted imagination!
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are
welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be
autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at
the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many
books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the
event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available
books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the
book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to
you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live
out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be
signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Jude Feldman
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts
Guest Contributor - Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of
Borderlands Books
866 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
415-824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Note - Guest article, "Creating Timelines" by Chelsea Quinn
Yarbro copyright Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, 2012.
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com
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