Wednesday 8 April 2009

Curious

Is there not going to be a new title published in April?

10 comments:

Tim Stretton said...

I asked Will about this a while ago. MNW are moving away from the "one book a month" hardback model where there are good reasons.

The novel that would have been April's, as I understand it, is Maggie's "Beachcombing" which is now coming out as a summer-read paperback original instead.

Ryan David Jahn said...

Interesting, and, I think, cool. Seems that, for a writer trying to get a foot in, the paperback original is a really good way to do it. I imagine a lot more people will be willing to take a chance on a paperback than a hardback, and the more exposure to readers, the better.

Maggie Dana said...

As the author of aforementioned paperback, I certainly hope so!

Eliza Graham said...

Maggie is a trailblazer!

My third novel will come out as a paperback. It's a bit of a relief because although the hardbacks are gorgeous, it can be hard work flogging them at the moment.

Alis said...

Hooray for paperback originals - I've always wondered whether hardbacks hadn't rather had their day... I'll look forward to it Maggie!

Maggie Dana said...

I do love hardbacks, though (hardcovers in the US). They fall open and stay there, then close nicely. The binding stays secure, the pages don't swell, and the cover doesn't get dog-eared.

That said, I love trade paper, too. You get the same inside design (decent type size, generous leading and margins) without the weight and heft of a hardback.

David Isaak said...

I think the one-a-month model was a good one for planting the imprint's flag, and going solely hardback was needed for Macmilan's commitment to be taken seriously.

But with both of those goals accomplished, I can see why MNW would want to adopt a more flexible business model.

Tim Stretton said...

I like American trade papers, which retain the noble proportions of a hardback at lower cost; but UK tpbs are so rigidly glued that they can be subdued only with the utmost violence. Who wants a paperback that can only be kept open with both hands?

Doug Worgul said...

More curiosity:

When MNW titles first published as hardbacks are re-released as mass market paperbacks, is it in trade paperback format?

drw

Tim Stretton said...

I seem to remember Will saying to me that The Dog of the North was not in trade format. I don't think Testament was either when I picked it up in the bookshop.

I'm not sure if this is a consistent position.