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A Song of Ice and Fire / Announcements / Lates ASoS info from GRRM

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Ran
User ID: 0867924 Jun 16th 6:06 AM
This is from a mail GRRM has sent to various folk, webmasters and such, which contains information on ASoS's publishing dates, covers, and MS size, the U.S. paperback of ACoK, and the Meisha Merlin editions:

A couple of bits of news...

There has been some confusion about the publication dates of A STORM OF SWORDS. It appears there are several different dates posted at various places on the web, particularly in regard to the British edition from HarperCollins Voyager. I asked my editor at Harper to clarify. Her reply:

"We'll now have bound stock July 21 and the book will be in the shops shortly thereafter, from July 28"

That is the latest and most reliable information I have.

The American edition of A STORM OF SWORDS, from Bantam, will be released in hardcover in October. It will be preceded in September by the release of the US paperback of A CLASH OF KINGS, which will contain a sample chapter from SWORDS ... the first Sansa chapter.

Another source of confusion has been the number of pages in the book. In manuscript, A STORM OF SWORDS weighed in at 1500+ pages, some 350 pages
longer than A CLASH OF KINGS. But those are manuscript pages. All books shrink somewhat when set in type. I have corrected page proofs of SWORDS, and it will come in at just under 1000 pages.

Various readers tell me that Amazon has it listed at 600 pages, and want to know if half the book has been cut out. No. Nothing has been cut out. I have no idea where Amazon got that number. It means nothing.

There is yet further confusion about the cover of the book. Several different versions of the British cover seem to be up on the web.

The Harper cover can be found at http://images.amazon.com/images/P/ 0002245868.02.LZZZZZZZ.gif

The US cover can be seen at http://www.mandala.net/vsa/martin/storm.html

Finally, the Meisha Merlin deluxe limited edition of A GAME OF THRONES continues to move forward. Jeffrey Jones has completed all the interior illustrations, as well as the four color paintings. I am told that the 52-copy lettered edition is almost sold out; seven copies remained as of a few days ago, for those who might want one. There are still plenty of the numbered edition available, but we expect those to go quickly as well, once Meisha Merlin's ads begin to run.

And no, for all those who keep asking, I have not yet started on A DANCE WITH DRAGONS. I'm still dealing with A STORM OF SWORDS at this point --
correcting proofs, working with the mapmakers, attending to revisions and copyediting, etc.

Ran
User ID: 0867924 Jun 18th 9:36 AM
Ahh, well. Found it quite readable, myself.

The U.K. mass market paperbacks appear to usesmaller type than the U.S. edition (AGoT being the only one with a perback so far), because the U.K. editions strive to get exactly the same page count as the hardbacks for some obscure reason.

Kristin
User ID: 0422394 Jun 18th 9:55 AM
My trade paperback of ACoK has held up quite well, actually.

Nenz
User ID: 9182423 Jun 18th 11:41 AM
I actually find it easier to read the mass market paperbacks without breaking the spine than the trade paperbacks. I also find the print size of mass market paperbacks very readable, although that might be because I'm fairly shortsighted.

Gap Hermit
User ID: 2073324 Jun 18th 11:47 PM
If the U.K. mass market paperbacks are the same number of pages as the hardbacks, then they must just reduce the type from the same plates they use to print the hardbacks. U.S. paperbacks are typeset a second time and reprinted from a new set of final copy (used to be on film flats, now the books go on disks to the printers). Thus, there is a delay in the U.S., from hardback to mass market paperback, while in the U.K. they come out at the same time. Probably makes sense in both countries from a population standpoint--more readers in the U.S., keep the hardbacks on the bookshelves longer, a year or so later when the hardbacks are not selling much anymore, out come the paperbacks.

MAD-ness
User ID: 3612744 Jun 19th 9:57 PM
I read anywhere. I used to read while walking home from school (that one got me the weirdest looks of all). I read the first third of Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson, while sitting on the floor of a terminal at Midway Airport in Chicago on Saturday, and more of it on the plane flight. All the way through school I would bring a book to class and read it all day. After the first 50-60 times of teachers asking me what I was reading that was so interesting and hassling me in front of the class, I lost any reading taboos I might have otherwise had. ;)

KAH
User ID: 0541004 Jun 26th 10:40 AM
Whenever I get a book I've been eagerly waiting for a long time, I immediately go into a drooling state of euphoria, close myself in at home, and down-prioritize every other thing I can possibly postpone (food and sleep, for instance), until I've finished the book.

ACoK lasted three days, IIRC, and I'm not a fast reader.

Ghost
User ID: 9704903 Jun 28th 6:01 PM
I used to hate myself when I wanted to read for an hour or so before sleeping and found myself still reading when it was time to get up. Now, I just don't care anymore. Getting up at 4 a.m. to get something to eat whilst falling over every peace of furniture in the house becouse i'm still reading is just something that belongs with reeding a good book.

Something else that belongs with reading a good book is reading it again and paperbacks just aren't made for that. Both my GoT and CoK are in bad shape. I just reckon I buy a book for reading, not for impressing visitors with my bookcase. For impressing visitors I'll buy some deluxe version when the serie is complete and when I'm rich, which should be at about the same time.

I'll do the rest of my dreaming in bed, goodnight y'all

Nynaeve
User ID: 2345204 Jun 28th 10:52 PM
Usually when I'm nearing the end of a great book, I have to be in private. Otherwise I can't make strange facial expressions and/or cry. I prefer reading in private in general. I read the majority of ACoK on a plane. I must've been a hoot to watch - ignoring my fool plane mates and evoking all manner of emotion on my own face.

Nyn

Ants
User ID: 2240694 Jun 29th 2:12 AM
You need sufficient pacing room. That way whenever something frustrating/exciting happens you can get up and pace.

Ser Benjen
User ID: 2122084 Jun 29th 6:42 AM
You are so right, Ants.

Ser Gary
User ID: 1523284 Jun 29th 7:54 AM
I prefer total quiet when I read. No TV, no radio, just solitude. With a good book, you're never alone anyway.

WeissVan
User ID: 8966303 Jun 29th 10:16 AM
Ser Benjen, maybe you posted this on another thread-- but I am totally with you. You said you try to keep yourself to 3 or 4 chapters a day.

I did that both with aGoT and aCoK even though it was extremely hard at times, and I certainly don't regret it.

But it's hard to do less. I tried to limit myself to one chapter a day, and could not do it.

Ser Benjen
User ID: 2122084 Jun 29th 10:28 AM
So true WeissVan, keeping it to 3 or 4 is hard enough.

Ran
User ID: 0867924 Jun 29th 10:33 AM
We're going to have start an Iron Constitution club for all you (very) deliberate readers. I certainly don't qualify. I'm likely to finish it and flip right to the beginning to run through a second time to keep a 48-hour reading experience. ;)

KAH
User ID: 0541004 Jun 29th 10:55 AM
Aye, that's more or less what I do as well.

Reflection and such only comes with the immediate second read.

Lodengarl
User ID: 0798784 Jun 29th 11:40 AM
Are you guys serious? I mean seriously...you guys will devour the book in 1 sitting?? Then re-read? -> Lodengarl finds his member extremely small and wrinkled.

Errrr...I thought doing the book in a weekend was a fast pace...are you guys professionals, like, "don't try this at home" kind of guys?

Ser Benjen
User ID: 2122084 Jun 29th 12:07 PM
Ran, that is f___ing unreal! I just can't read that fast. Not to mention that my son will not let me read peacefully for more that 15 minutes in row while he is awake.

Markus
User ID: 8820133 Jun 29th 12:21 PM
Well, I don't plan to read it two times in a row -- although I will probably reread the one or other scene -- but I certainly don't plan to take longer than a day to read it. That's just sensible since I would probably have difficulties to stop midway and concentrate upon something different anyway.;)

Ser Benjen
User ID: 2122084 Jun 29th 12:25 PM
Ah, Markus, Ran and KAH.

How could I possibly make it last a couple weeks with you all pounding out theories about the 5 year gap and DwD? I won't be able to read the board then.....

You guys are truly testing my resolve.

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Ran User ID: 0867924	Jun 16th 6:06 AM This is from a mail GRRM has sent to various folk, webmasters and such, which contains information on ASoS's publishing dates, covers, and MS size, the U.S. paperback of ACoK, and the Meisha Merlin editions: A couple of bits of news... There has been some confusion about the publication dates of A STORM OF SWORDS. It appears there are several different dates posted at various places on the web, particularly in regard to the British edition from HarperCollins Voyager. I asked my editor at Harper to clarify. Her reply: "We'll now have bound stock July 21 and the book will be in the shops shortly thereafter, from July 28" That is the latest and most reliable information I have. The American edition of A STORM OF SWORDS, from Bantam, will be released in hardcover in October. It will be preceded in September by the release of the US paperback of A CLASH OF KINGS, which will contain a sample chapter from SWORDS ... the first Sansa chapter. Another source of confusion has been the number of pages in the book. In manuscript, A STORM OF SWORDS weighed in at 1500+ pages, some 350 pages longer than A CLASH OF KINGS. But those are manuscript pages. All books shrink somewhat when set in type. I have corrected page proofs of SWORDS, and it will come in at just under 1000 pages. Various readers tell me that Amazon has it listed at 600 pages, and want to know if half the book has been cut out. No. Nothing has been cut out. I have no idea where Amazon got that number. It means nothing. There is yet further confusion about the cover of the book. Several different versions of the British cover seem to be up on the web. The Harper cover can be found at http://images.amazon.com/images/P/ 0002245868.02.LZZZZZZZ.gif The US cover can be seen at http://www.mandala.net/vsa/martin/storm.html Finally, the Meisha Merlin deluxe limited edition of A GAME OF THRONES continues to move forward. Jeffrey Jones has completed all the interior illustrations, as well as the four color paintings. I am told that the 52-copy lettered edition is almost sold out; seven copies remained as of a few days ago, for those who might want one. There are still plenty of the numbered edition available, but we expect those to go quickly as well, once Meisha Merlin's ads begin to run. And no, for all those who keep asking, I have not yet started on A DANCE WITH DRAGONS. I'm still dealing with A STORM OF SWORDS at this point -- correcting proofs, working with the mapmakers, attending to revisions and copyediting, etc.
Ran User ID: 0867924	Jun 18th 9:36 AM Ahh, well. Found it quite readable, myself. The U.K. mass market paperbacks appear to usesmaller type than the U.S. edition (AGoT being the only one with a perback so far), because the U.K. editions strive to get exactly the same page count as the hardbacks for some obscure reason.
Kristin User ID: 0422394	Jun 18th 9:55 AM My trade paperback of ACoK has held up quite well, actually.
Nenz User ID: 9182423	Jun 18th 11:41 AM I actually find it easier to read the mass market paperbacks without breaking the spine than the trade paperbacks. I also find the print size of mass market paperbacks very readable, although that might be because I'm fairly shortsighted.
Gap Hermit User ID: 2073324	Jun 18th 11:47 PM If the U.K. mass market paperbacks are the same number of pages as the hardbacks, then they must just reduce the type from the same plates they use to print the hardbacks. U.S. paperbacks are typeset a second time and reprinted from a new set of final copy (used to be on film flats, now the books go on disks to the printers). Thus, there is a delay in the U.S., from hardback to mass market paperback, while in the U.K. they come out at the same time. Probably makes sense in both countries from a population standpoint--more readers in the U.S., keep the hardbacks on the bookshelves longer, a year or so later when the hardbacks are not selling much anymore, out come the paperbacks.
MAD-ness User ID: 3612744	Jun 19th 9:57 PM I read anywhere. I used to read while walking home from school (that one got me the weirdest looks of all). I read the first third of Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson, while sitting on the floor of a terminal at Midway Airport in Chicago on Saturday, and more of it on the plane flight. All the way through school I would bring a book to class and read it all day. After the first 50-60 times of teachers asking me what I was reading that was so interesting and hassling me in front of the class, I lost any reading taboos I might have otherwise had. ;)
KAH User ID: 0541004	Jun 26th 10:40 AM Whenever I get a book I've been eagerly waiting for a long time, I immediately go into a drooling state of euphoria, close myself in at home, and down-prioritize every other thing I can possibly postpone (food and sleep, for instance), until I've finished the book. ACoK lasted three days, IIRC, and I'm not a fast reader.
Ghost User ID: 9704903	Jun 28th 6:01 PM I used to hate myself when I wanted to read for an hour or so before sleeping and found myself still reading when it was time to get up. Now, I just don't care anymore. Getting up at 4 a.m. to get something to eat whilst falling over every peace of furniture in the house becouse i'm still reading is just something that belongs with reeding a good book. Something else that belongs with reading a good book is reading it again and paperbacks just aren't made for that. Both my GoT and CoK are in bad shape. I just reckon I buy a book for reading, not for impressing visitors with my bookcase. For impressing visitors I'll buy some deluxe version when the serie is complete and when I'm rich, which should be at about the same time. I'll do the rest of my dreaming in bed, goodnight y'all
Nynaeve User ID: 2345204	Jun 28th 10:52 PM Usually when I'm nearing the end of a great book, I have to be in private. Otherwise I can't make strange facial expressions and/or cry. I prefer reading in private in general. I read the majority of ACoK on a plane. I must've been a hoot to watch - ignoring my fool plane mates and evoking all manner of emotion on my own face. Nyn
Ants User ID: 2240694	Jun 29th 2:12 AM You need sufficient pacing room. That way whenever something frustrating/exciting happens you can get up and pace.
Ser Benjen User ID: 2122084	Jun 29th 6:42 AM You are so right, Ants.
Ser Gary User ID: 1523284	Jun 29th 7:54 AM I prefer total quiet when I read. No TV, no radio, just solitude. With a good book, you're never alone anyway.
WeissVan User ID: 8966303	Jun 29th 10:16 AM Ser Benjen, maybe you posted this on another thread-- but I am totally with you. You said you try to keep yourself to 3 or 4 chapters a day. I did that both with aGoT and aCoK even though it was extremely hard at times, and I certainly don't regret it. But it's hard to do less. I tried to limit myself to one chapter a day, and could not do it.
Ser Benjen User ID: 2122084	Jun 29th 10:28 AM So true WeissVan, keeping it to 3 or 4 is hard enough.
Ran User ID: 0867924	Jun 29th 10:33 AM We're going to have start an Iron Constitution club for all you (very) deliberate readers. I certainly don't qualify. I'm likely to finish it and flip right to the beginning to run through a second time to keep a 48-hour reading experience. ;)
KAH User ID: 0541004	Jun 29th 10:55 AM Aye, that's more or less what I do as well. Reflection and such only comes with the immediate second read.
Lodengarl User ID: 0798784	Jun 29th 11:40 AM Are you guys serious? I mean seriously...you guys will devour the book in 1 sitting?? Then re-read? -> Lodengarl finds his member extremely small and wrinkled. Errrr...I thought doing the book in a weekend was a fast pace...are you guys professionals, like, "don't try this at home" kind of guys?
Ser Benjen User ID: 2122084	Jun 29th 12:07 PM Ran, that is f___ing unreal! I just can't read that fast. Not to mention that my son will not let me read peacefully for more that 15 minutes in row while he is awake.
Markus User ID: 8820133	Jun 29th 12:21 PM Well, I don't plan to read it two times in a row -- although I will probably reread the one or other scene -- but I certainly don't plan to take longer than a day to read it. That's just sensible since I would probably have difficulties to stop midway and concentrate upon something different anyway.;)
Ser Benjen User ID: 2122084	Jun 29th 12:25 PM Ah, Markus, Ran and KAH. How could I possibly make it last a couple weeks with you all pounding out theories about the 5 year gap and DwD? I won't be able to read the board then..... You guys are truly testing my resolve.