Frederik Pohl - Gateway

Valhalla · 06-10-2014, 06:32 PM

I have been waiting for the first in the Heechee series for a long time. I now see this.

http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Heeche.../dp/B00KVSWZB8

I think I'm getting paranoid especially after the Zelazny debacle. I'm not sure this is the real deal. The cover looks scanned and I didn't think Macmillan had the rights. Anyone know any more about this?

Thanks
Glenn

Valhalla · 06-12-2014, 12:57 AM

Mmmm - now has a different cover but still looks like a poor scan. Sold by Amazon Digital Services - doesn't that mean it's self published? Still seems suspect.

HarryT · 06-12-2014, 02:52 AM

When I follow your link it shows as a publisher of Macmillan. That's certainly legit. The release date was November 2013, so it's been around for a while.

GeoffR · 06-12-2014, 03:02 AM

But why isn't it listed on Macmillan's website along with the other two in the Heechee series that Macmillan is selling?

Valhalla · 06-12-2014, 03:13 AM

The release date is wrong. It has only just appeared in the last few days. I have been keeping an eye out for it and had it on my watchlist at ereaderiq. If the publisher is Macmillan, why is it sold by Amazon? When I look at other titles I see the Publisher as the imprint (eg Tor or Orb) and sold by Macmillan. Also, Gateway is not listed on the Macmillan website but some other Heechee titles are.

Interestingly, the cover that was showing yesterday had 'del rey books' printed on it. AFAIK, del ray is NOT a Macmillan imprint.

HarryT · 06-12-2014, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valhalla

Interestingly, the cover that was showing yesterday had 'del rey books' printed on it. AFAIK, del ray is NOT a Macmillan imprint.

No, it's an imprint of Random House. Perhaps it would be worth reporting to Amazon if you have concerns about it?

Valhalla · 06-12-2014, 03:46 AM

I have reported it to Macmillan.

HarryT · 06-12-2014, 03:54 AM

Please do let us know the outcome. Your researches do make it sound rather suspect.

AnemicOak · 06-12-2014, 03:55 AM

The book says Publisher: Macmillan, but Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. Sometimes authors self-pubbing their backlist will fill this in wrongly with the books old publisher.

Publisher can be filled in by the seller on KDP IIRC. If you look at a for sure legit Pohl book it says Sold by: Macmillan with the Publisher listed as a Macmillan imprint, Orb (part of Tor)...
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Blue-Ev.../dp/B00G1CZ9QQ

Certainly makes it look questionable. I do notice it has the no DRM, copyright infringement boilerplate I've seen in legit Tor/Macmillan books, but also notice the books description is missing the stock Tor line about being sold with out DRM at the publishers request.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valhalla

I have reported it to Macmillan.

Certainly there or to Tor directly (I don't know how you'd report it to Mr. Pohl's estate). Any take down action, if necessary, would need to start from there. It could also be possible that the rights have reverted to the Pohl estate and they are the ones putting this out I suppose (it was published about a month after he died), but....

HarryT · 06-12-2014, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Certainly there or to Tor directly (I don't know how you'd report it to Mr. Pohl's estate). It could also be possible that the rights have reverted to the Pohl estate and they are the ones putting this out I suppose.

This is happening with an increasing number of backlist books - eg Heinlein. But if that were the case here, one would imagine it would not have the Macmillan boilerplate text in it, nor list "Macmillan" as the publisher.

AnemicOak · 06-12-2014, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

This is happening with an increasing number of backlist books - eg Heinlein. But if that were the case here, one would imagine it would not have the Macmillan boilerplate text in it, nor list "Macmillan" as the publisher.

One would think, but I've seen some weird things on KDP books being self pubbed by authors or their estates. It certainly is very questionable at the very least.

HarryT · 06-12-2014, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

One would think, but I've seen some weird things on KDP books being self pubbed by authors or their estates. It certainly is very questionable at the very least.

Agreed. I'll be interested to hear what Macmillan's response is (if any).

I was surprised when I recently bought Heinlein's "Rocketship Galileo" to discover that it had been published directly by Heinlein's literary estate.

Valhalla · 08-04-2014, 07:32 PM

Macmillan finally got back to me. Here is their response.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Glenn,

Thanks for sending this in! I want to let you know that we found no infringements at this link. The book appears to be a legitimate copy on sale at Amazon. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me, and keep sending in anything suspicious you find.

We appreciate your help fighting piracy!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Not sure why they would say it appears to be legitimate. If they are the rights holders, wouldn't they know? Maybe they don't have the rights after all.

Reviews say the formatting of the book is awful. It looks like this might be the best we will ever get.

GeoffR · 08-06-2014, 12:36 PM

I asked Macmillan if there would be an epub version of Gateway by Frederik Pohl, and their response was that they don't hold the rights to this book.

darryl · 08-06-2014, 01:02 PM

You've done more than could reasonably be expected of you and received the all clear. Now sit back and enjoy the writing. I loved the whole Heechee saga. Some of the ideas explored were simply brilliant. The "prayer fans" were a particularly nice touch, as were the lottery ticket trips on craft so advanced as to be virtually magic. And the CHOGM food. I think I'll go away and re-read the series.

06-10-2014, 06:32 PM	#1
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Frederik Pohl - Gateway I have been waiting for the first in the Heechee series for a long time. I now see this. http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Heeche.../dp/B00KVSWZB8 I think I'm getting paranoid especially after the Zelazny debacle. I'm not sure this is the real deal. The cover looks scanned and I didn't think Macmillan had the rights. Anyone know any more about this? Thanks Glenn

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06-12-2014, 12:57 AM	#2
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Mmmm - now has a different cover but still looks like a poor scan. Sold by Amazon Digital Services - doesn't that mean it's self published? Still seems suspect.

06-12-2014, 02:52 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	When I follow your link it shows as a publisher of Macmillan. That's certainly legit. The release date was November 2013, so it's been around for a while.

06-12-2014, 03:02 AM	#4
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	But why isn't it listed on Macmillan's website along with the other two in the Heechee series that Macmillan is selling?

06-12-2014, 03:13 AM	#5
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The release date is wrong. It has only just appeared in the last few days. I have been keeping an eye out for it and had it on my watchlist at ereaderiq. If the publisher is Macmillan, why is it sold by Amazon? When I look at other titles I see the Publisher as the imprint (eg Tor or Orb) and sold by Macmillan. Also, Gateway is not listed on the Macmillan website but some other Heechee titles are. Interestingly, the cover that was showing yesterday had 'del rey books' printed on it. AFAIK, del ray is NOT a Macmillan imprint.

06-12-2014, 03:46 AM	#7
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I have reported it to Macmillan.

06-12-2014, 03:54 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Please do let us know the outcome. Your researches do make it sound rather suspect.

08-04-2014, 07:32 PM	#13
Valhalla Zealot Posts: 109 Karma: 495253 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Macmillan finally got back to me. Here is their response. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hi Glenn, Thanks for sending this in! I want to let you know that we found no infringements at this link. The book appears to be a legitimate copy on sale at Amazon. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me, and keep sending in anything suspicious you find. We appreciate your help fighting piracy! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not sure why they would say it appears to be legitimate. If they are the rights holders, wouldn't they know? Maybe they don't have the rights after all. Reviews say the formatting of the book is awful. It looks like this might be the best we will ever get.

08-06-2014, 12:36 PM	#14
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	I asked Macmillan if there would be an epub version of Gateway by Frederik Pohl, and their response was that they don't hold the rights to this book.

08-06-2014, 01:02 PM	#15
darryl Wizard Posts: 3,108 Karma: 60231510 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kindle Oasis, Huwei Ascend Mate 7	You've done more than could reasonably be expected of you and received the all clear. Now sit back and enjoy the writing. I loved the whole Heechee saga. Some of the ideas explored were simply brilliant. The "prayer fans" were a particularly nice touch, as were the lottery ticket trips on craft so advanced as to be virtually magic. And the CHOGM food. I think I'll go away and re-read the series.

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