First Edition, Second Edition
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 08:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rolanniA “first edition” is the first (hard) format bound run of a book. In this day and age, we pretend that this doesn’t mean Advance Reading Copies by saying that ARCs are “unedited,” which is to say, not the finished work.
A “second edition” is the next altered printing — for instance a mass market paperback edition, or a printing that incorporates Significant Alterations in the text.
A “first edition” may go back to press many, many times, at the publisher’s whim.
Now, pay close attention, because I’m only going over this once more:
1. Lee and Miller had an arrangement with Baen, said arrangement being that L&M would receive, as part of their advance, Saltations sufficient to cover the subscriber books — some 1200 novels.
1a. Baen printed what its many years of experience had taught it was entirely enough books to cover its contractual obligation to Lee and Miller, and probable bookstore sales, as supported by the evidence of bookstore pre-orders.
1b. For some reason outside of Lee and Miller’s and Baen’s control, a large number of books were ordered at the last minute by bookstores. The books were early in the warehouse; the warehouse filled the orders, with the result that. . .
1c. When Baen Management issued the order to transfer inventory from the warehouse to Lee and Miller in Maine, the day before Saltation’s street date, essentially all of the books were in the distribution channel, covering orders.
1d. Baen Management immediately sent Saltation back to print, in order that it might honorably discharge its contractual obligation to Lee and Miller, and through them, the subscribers, and (one devotely hopes) to cover the bookstore re-orders even now clogging the ordering system.
2. The above series 1 is a Good Thing because…
3. The early, unexpected movement of Saltation from warehouse to bookstores resulted in the early and highly gratifying movement of Saltation into the hands of readers, which resulted in Lee and Miller’s appearance on the Wall Street Journal’s bestselling SF list, which is one of those resume building things that are important to authors if they want to keep writing.
4. Writing me a nasty note about how you’re disappointed that you’re going to be “stuck with” a “second edition” when you were “promised” a “first edition” (which you were never promised; you were promised a “thank you book” signed by the authors) only irritates me and reveals you as someone of inferior understanding. Also? Don’t expect a reply; I am hereby serving notice that any more such mail goes straight into Trash.
Thank you for your attention to and understanding of this situation.
Originally published at Sharon Lee, Writer. You can comment here or there.
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Date: 2010-05-02 12:28 pm (UTC)I feel sorry for those who cannot do that also.
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Date: 2010-05-02 12:28 pm (UTC)Sympathies on the rag-mannered readers.
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Date: 2010-05-02 12:46 pm (UTC)Some people's children . . .
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Date: 2010-05-02 01:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 02:03 pm (UTC)rude people
Date: 2010-05-02 02:23 pm (UTC)I have a feeling that Saltation, Mouse and Dragon, and Carousel Tides will all arrive on the same day, and I'll be like the donkey between two piles of hay! (But a very happy donkey)
Sue H
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Date: 2010-05-02 02:24 pm (UTC)Congrats, contrats, contrats! on selling through the first printing of Saltation! That's wonderful news.
Adrianne
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Date: 2010-05-02 03:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 03:34 pm (UTC)Getting all those books to us is a daunting task. I congratulate you on the undertaking and will wait patiently for mine. Some people have no manners. I am happily amazed for you and hope Saltation goes through many printings.
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Date: 2010-05-02 03:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 05:59 pm (UTC)I do wonder how long such people would last on Delgado or Liad. Or even Surebleak...
I happen to have a "first edition first printing" copy, because I ordered it from Amazon ages ago knowing that Our Authors would have to get the copies, sign them, post them, and then the Post Orofice take several weeks to deliver them, and I wanted a copy to read before that (the same happened with Fledgling; in fact with that I ended up with three copies because Amazon were slow getting them as well so I bought one from anothe bookseller first). If I ever get to somewhere the authors are again, and have that copy of Saltation with me, I may ask them to sign it, if not then I have an extra copy anyway. Not a problem, I can find it a deserving home...
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Date: 2010-05-02 03:58 pm (UTC)I firmly believe that you and Steve ought to be selling lots and lots of books and gaining more recognition for your talents.
When it arrives with autograph, it will be added to my treasured collection of Liaden books. I bought the ebook as soon as it was available and have already read it twice. I can be patient because I know how the story changed from the web version.
Thank you for writing such compelling books.
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Date: 2010-05-02 04:07 pm (UTC)And even if it were a valid complaint (hah!), what in the name of little green apples do they expect you to do about it? Generate more first-edition first-printing copies out of moonbeams and good thoughts?
Rag-mannered indeed. I regret that you have been exposed to such fools; may they soon come to a proper understanding of proper behavior.
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Date: 2010-05-02 04:12 pm (UTC)I suppose they want that wrapped with a bow, too?
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Date: 2010-05-02 04:15 pm (UTC)Something odd is happening this Spring, not that I'm complaining. Another relatively obscure Baen author (whose works I'm fond of,) has just had the first print run of her most recent novel sell completely out at the warehouse. I really don't know what's causing this, but we need more of it.
As to which print run my copy of Saltation comes from: I don't care. When I sent in my contribution I was thinking that I was enabling a couple of authors whose work I enjoy reading to produce more books for me to read. An autographed copy of the book was a potential bonus, since I don't think you had sold the book when I made my contribution. My book will arrive when it arrives, and I will be happy to have it, whatever print run it comes from.
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Date: 2010-05-02 04:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 05:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 05:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 10:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 11:58 pm (UTC)"The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
But feel free to use my wording if you want to.
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Date: 2010-05-03 12:22 am (UTC)editions and idiots
Date: 2010-05-02 04:21 pm (UTC)Nanette
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Date: 2010-05-02 04:38 pm (UTC)I've been practically euphoric over the fact that the books sold out. And it's not even my book. Whichever copy I get that's signed will make me ludicrously happy.
Those guys are bozos. Don't let 'em drag you down. You and Steve are doing something really wonderful. Thank you.
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Date: 2010-05-02 04:40 pm (UTC)If I were on the NYT Bestseller list I'd be tempted to put a sign up in my front yard, with balloons!
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Date: 2010-05-02 04:53 pm (UTC)First Editions just don't seem to have the value they used to, anyway. I was trying to help a friend find some floor, and when we tried to value some of the books, it just wasn't seeming to make much difference which edition. But signed copies - ah, those are MUCH better! Which my (eventual) copy will be! Not that I'd ever part with it, but there.
So, consider the rude people as so many drops of water off the duck's back, and get back to celebrating!
Woot!
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Date: 2010-05-02 05:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 07:00 pm (UTC)Not that I don't personally treasure my little collection of signed books, but that's because of the sort of mystical connection of Being Physically Touched By Object Of Admiration. (Sorta like that Eric Bogle song, "I have candle that was lit from a candle, that was lit from a candle, that was lit by the Dalai Lama")
But the sort of ill-bred person who would send such a note is obviously more concerned with eBay resale values than emotional connections.
Short version: pfui.
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Date: 2010-05-02 08:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 10:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-02 10:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-03 08:08 am (UTC)Yay! (Kermit flail)
Congratulations! Most splendiferous and magnificent news! I am speechless and without words to begin to think about how best to accurately convey my excitement and pleasure at hearing of such an incomparably wonderful event!
And to the cause of the announcement: "Phtttpt!"
Congratulations
Date: 2010-05-03 10:31 am (UTC)congratulations on the Wall Street Journal listing. I have watched your wonderous journey to national prominence in the science fiction world over the years, having read Carpe Diem first when it came out in paperback years ago (best I can remember, in the 19080's). Of course, as well as watching, I have throughly enjoyed the books and chapbooks. I expect one of these days "Lee and Miller" to be as well known as Asimov, Heinlein or Weber. Again, Congratulations.
As for those who write the nasty notes, well I would say just ignore these people. I have always believed that there are inferior people in the world. Many times my beliefs are justified.
Bill Cowell
We will be happy with whichever edition we get, however long it takes to arrive.
Date: 2010-05-03 11:40 am (UTC)Woot!
Date: 2010-05-04 05:24 pm (UTC)Julie Wray Herman
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