A Wizard of Mars Publish Date

[irisofisis.livejournal.com]

Hi,

I have some news on the new book that you all might be interested in. I had heard that A Wizard of Mars was to be published in Spring of 2009. However,  none of the bookstores I looked at showed it being released or even existing. So I called Harcourt Trade Publishers and asked for the publishing date. They told me April 1st....2010.

I'm really mad about this. When the book was supposed to come out in August of 2008 and we hadn't heard anything, I called and they told me April 1st of this year. I know that it's the publisher's discretion as to when a book is published, but can anyone explain the process better to me?
Is the book not finished? If it is, I don't understand why we have to wait for close to two years to read it. Does anyone know a way to get in contact with Diane to ask her about it?

Thanks

Iris

Comments

[starlady38.livejournal.com]

I have no specific information about A Wizard of Mars, sadly, but publishers often do move all but toplist authors' books around to suit various internal schedules, such as marketing. Other people might know more about the specifics of this particular situation.

[chattycheese.livejournal.com]

I went to Borders to ask just this question yesterday, and my favourite person ever at out local store gave me a half hour lecture on how publishers work and can change the date at any time to suit their needs. (Or because the book isn't done, or because it needs further editing to make the publisher happy, the list of things went on and on)

I do recall there being a publication date of july 2007, too. Amazon has this funny habit of listing publication dates and getting our hopes up. I stopped trusting it after the second bad date they listed.

Someone's going to say it, and I know, we only have to wait a few years, and we know there's going to be another book. After AWAb, there was a ten year (?) break in books, no guarantee that there would be another. We're lucky all we have to do is wait for the book. (But I don't care, I really really want it :D)

[yukinoomoni.livejournal.com]

GOOD GOD.

I think I should just cancel my preorder then. I've been waiting way too long for this.

[fiveforsilver]

It's a book. It will come out eventually. Why are people getting worked up about this?

[sylviamaris.livejournal.com]

Maybe because we're excited to read it? That's why I'm worked up about this, but I'm sure I can't speak for everyone.

[fiveforsilver]

I'm a fan, I'm excited at the prospect of another book as well, but there's a big difference between "excited to read it" and "pissed off at the publisher". There are lots of other really good books out there that have already been published that we can read in the meantime. Getting upset about something we have no control over does nobody any good.

[lheena.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'm 'upset' in the way that the way it's been delayed multiple times without so much as a peep from Harcourt is an unprofessional way to run a business.

It's the same as if it was anything else with a release date; just because it's a book doesn't give it magical excemption status, especially because it's been written for three years. It's different if it's held up in the writing process; creativity is creativity, and you can't make writing come if it won't. (See also: Melanie Rawn, GRRM.)

However, on the publishing side, at the very least there should be information about the book, even if they're going to delay it. And if they're going to delay it, they should make it clear, not just let it slide. They're a company, and there are people who want to give them money. That money also brings with it a responsibility to the consumer, because otherwise, they may lose customers and also brand loyalty.

Which is why I check the imprints of the books I'm about to buy, and if the imprint's shafted me in the past, I look for the book in e-book form or audiobook (by a different publisher, if available), or try for it used instead of buying it from them.

I also look on the Author's page for a donation button.

[eavanmoore.livejournal.com]

That's really interesting. I'm unaware of any controversy, other than the witchcraft problem. Would it be too intimidating to go back and as

[eavanmoore.livejournal.com]

k?

[sycophantdreams.livejournal.com]

I guess means that I have time to reread the series again... and then again.

Possible dates.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm not sure what all is going on with the publisher's or D.D. herself. I do know that everywhere i've been has been unusually unhelpful on even a possible date. The only place I could find a date was on a site called Fictiondb.com. It gave me Jul 2009 as the date. I have no idea how reliable either this site or the date are. especially when I can find no other confirmation of this after nearly 5 hours of searching.

Also according to Amazon the paperback version will come out april next year. but i'm not willing to trust that after seeing that the hardback version was supposedly to be published april this year.

i will continue to search for more information. And int he meantime hope somebody gets there butt in gear and gets this process moving along before I die of waiting at 17.

For anyone who wants the fictiondb site url is http://www.fictiondb.com/author/diane-duane~a-wizard-of-mars~260014~b.htm

Hello!

[(Anonymous)]

the release date is now April 14 2010

[kisseeovyfy.livejournal.com]

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