“After reading The Witching Tree by Brian Keene, I can comfortably say that he has become the 21st Century’s answer to Manly Wade Wellman.” Bob Freeman, via Twitter
This pleases me to no end, as I’m one of the biggest Manly Wade Wellman fans you’re ever likely to meet.
The Witching Tree (a novella included in the Is There A Demon In You anthology) is the latest chapter in the saga of ex-Amish occult detective Levi Stoltzfus. It takes place immediately after the events in A Gathering of Crows and features the return of one of Levi’s sidekicks from Ghost Walk. If you haven’t read it yet, click here to buy a copy of Is There A Demon In You, and see for yourself if Bob is right.
I would love to read this, but $50 is a lot to drop on a 300 page book in this economy when 2 of the authors are unknowns to me.
How many years will we have to wait until it is available in another format?
It will be several years before it is available in another format. For $50, it’s the same price as a standard video game or a deluxe CD Box set. It’s also a signed, limited collector’s item (which a video game is not).
Yes and no. A video game has a ton of replay value, making the game somewhat justifiable. The book, albeit signed and all, is expensive. Once read, at least for me, it’s shelved.
It’s one well known author.
I have to agree with you Norym.
Everything in the economy is going up besides the salary’s people make. We need to stop somewhere.
…if only Camelot Books would quote the shipping cost before I place the order…somewhat important when ordering from Germany
ROD said: “Yes and no. A video game has a ton of replay value, making the game somewhat justifiable. The book, albeit signed and all, is expensive. Once read, at least for me, it’s shelved.”
BRIAN says: That’s you. Many people re-read books the way you re-play games. This is a book for those people. You should probably wait for a cheaper edition.
ROD said: “It’s one well known author.”
BRIAN says: Actually, two well-known authors, one semi-known author, and one newbie.
ROD said: “Everything in the economy is going up besides the salary’s people make. We need to stop somewhere.”
BRIAN says: Then don’t buy the book. That’s okay. Seriously. There will eventually be paperback and digital editions, but they are a long time off. This announcement is for people who prefer signed, limited editions or who want to read the book now, rather than wait for a cheaper edition. Respect those customers, and don’t complain about the price. Publishers have been producing signed, limited editions since the 1800′s. Remarkably, the price has remained just about the same, even throughout the Great Depression.
Those that want this type of book should buy it. Those that don’t should wait for a cheaper edition. But nobody should be hassling me about it.
And understand, I’m not grumbling at you guys. It’s just gets very tiring repeating this every time a limited edition collectible book comes out. There are collectible, limited edition toys, CDs, comics, DVDs, cards, plates, glasses, coins, etc. Some people like and can afford collectible books. Some don’t and can’t. Either way, that’s okay. Complaining about it to me only succeeds in creating stress and frustration for us all.
So frustrating every time i see people complain about this.
Limited editions are not for everyone. If it’s not for you…MOVE ON!!! Don’t complain about it on the author’s website.
I personally love limited editions. If I have the money, I buy it…If I don’t, i patiently wait for a cheaper version.
Keep pumping out both limited and mass market cheaper editions Brian and I’ll keep buying as long as i’m able.
If not, rest assured I wont’ be complaining on your site!!!
My only gripe… And it is a small one… I wanted Fast Zombies Suck but
instead I got Baby Teeth. Luck of the draw. Not saying Baby Teeth
was bad. Don’t sic Ob on me.
Thanks for the great reads.
No one is forcing you to buy the book. Writing a book takes time effort and skill. Brian should sell his books at whatever price he can. He obviously loves his craft but the guy has to eat, support a family etc so stop your whining. I would love to buy a signed copy but I know that at the moment I can’t afford it. I buy the paper books and kindle editions. that’s my way of making sure Brian contines to write the stuff that messes with my head and scares the crap out of me.
Why should he have to justify what he charges and ergo earns to anyone? Stick around on this of and you will see he does a hell of a lot more for his fans than any other author I know of. Didn’t you read a FREE novel called Deluge?
Okay enough of my Brian Keene lovefest. :0)
CyberPackRat said: “My only gripe… And it is a small one… I wanted Fast Zombies Suck…”
BRIAN says: Stay tuned next week for something I think you’ll like. It will also answer the question “What am I going to follow Deluge with if I’ve put Dead Air on the back burner…”
Thats funny about Wellman. A few weeks ago I read THE BLACK DRAMA(my first Wellman story) and though his reoccurring character Judge Keith kinda reminded me of Levi. A couple similarities at least. Any suggestions for other Wellman reads or under his pseudonym?
This book is worth every penny of that $50. Not only are the stories awesome, it’s just a gorgeous book. Do it. Do it.
I agree with steveo, heck I even got a dead, pressed fly in my copy.
Now I’m going to have to look up Manly Wade Wellman to find out what he writes.
I’m totally out of touch. The extent of my knowledge of horror writers includes Stephen King, Dean Koontz (his newest book is DEFINITELY horror), H.P. Lovecraft and a few others. Bram Stoker, of course, and Bentley Little.
Besides you, that’s about the extent of my knowledge.
Brian, Wrath, Mary and Nate have the right to release their work in whatever format they desire. It’s their work. If they (and their publisher; keep that part in mind) insist on asking $50 for a collectible and no one pays it, then Brian, etc. are goofy. Since people are paying it willingly, they’re not goofy. This is called the Free Market (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_market).
Complaining about the cost of the book as though you have an inherent right to someone’s work at a certain price…well, it’s a logic fail. If everyone felt like you, there’d be no market for collectible books, and therefore, no collectible books. Relax and buy something else from them; they’ve all been published multiple times in various, more affordable, formats.
The people complaining for the price of collectible books at $50 who put food on the table for the people writing them probably think that Stephen King should be releasing all future works for free since he’s already a millionaire and set for like right?
Brian, I’m just upset you’re calling Wrath a newbie.
Looking forward to whatever that may be.
Feb 1st is my birthday. I will consider this some form of a
gift. Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me.
“Sic pereant omnes inimici tui”
Suggested Wellman reading list: What Dreams May Come, The School of Darkness, The Third Cry to Legba and Other Invocations, John the Balladeer
As to Levi, I’ll be counting down the days until we meet again.
I think it’s worth $50 dollars if four people signed the book, but I still have a little more money to save before I can pick up a copy.
My bank punishes me if I go below a certain number in my account, and I’ve been saving all my money so I don’t get penalized for having less than that required amount.
Anyway, it’s almost back up to the right amount.
In another month I’ll have a copy of the book.
“What am I going to follow Deluge with if I’ve put Dead Air on the back burner…”
Wow, I didn’t know it WAS on the back burner, but I will wait until next week to see why I shouldn’t pout LOL!
Pingback: On Collector’s Editions, a Consumer Point of View | The Jake of All Trades