The Jim Butcher Files: Dresden . Codex Alera . Cinder Spires & More

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Yeah, The Last Dance was a nice read (in last months First Reads). Cpt Aames sure is a unique character.

Finished off The Last Dance. A very good read indeed. I'm reminded a bit of Asimov's robot books. The framework style is a bit like the first I, Robot and the mystery tie in reminds me of his The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by cc_in_oh

Just an FYI - when I sent mine in I got a reply that the full body photo doesn't have to be nude...

Was that a reply, or a panicked request???? ;-)

Hitch

[cc_in_oh]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Was that a reply, or a panicked request???? ;-)

Hitch

Actually I've gotten several more replies now - it's starting to look like it might be another stalker...

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Finished off The Last Dance. A very good read indeed. I'm reminded a bit of Asimov's robot books. The framework style is a bit like the first I, Robot and the mystery tie in reminds me of his The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun.

I wasn't sure that is exactly a style. It makes a lot of sense when you got many interviews, and you don't want to clutter the book needlessly with dialogue. One little nitpick about The Last Dance is how one interview continues to the next and extends on the story. As if the people planned it that way.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

I wasn't sure that is exactly a style. It makes a lot of sense when you got many interviews, and you don't want to clutter the book needlessly with dialogue. One little nitpick about The Last Dance is how one interview continues to the next and extends on the story. As if the people planned it that way.

Apparently, a couple of the interviews started off as short stories that the author later brought into the framework. The framework style was a style that I've seen used by various authors in order to use previously written short stories in a book.

Actually, I think the "as if the people planned it that way" was something the writer was trying to convey.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Apparently, a couple of the interviews started off as short stories that the author later brought into the framework. The framework style was a style that I've seen used by various authors in order to use previously written short stories in a book.

I am not so sure, unless you researched it a bit. When I read it, I thought it amazing that he created short stories just to make the interviews more personal. It is complicated to make a good short story to begin with. I mean, there is only a limited amount of words to bring the point across that needs to be made. Plus he cheated once by

Spoiler:

ending a story with: I could tell you more about this and that, but everything was highly predictable and planned out, so I bother you the details. I didn't need it filled in, I filled it in myself. I even made extraordinary room for special plans. I got to appreciate, by that time, the difference between a normal plan and the execution, and that particular plan and not so normal execution.

Actually, I think the "as if the people planned it that way" was something the writer was trying to convey.

And the reader was supposed to guess at it early around? I understand that ultimately it is the author himself to make up the story as a whole. Either way it was done obvious enough and leaving enough doubt as to how. Mhh, that is funny, I just read about that. File it for later, as sure it might get explained. Or maybe not.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

I am not so sure, unless you researched it a bit. When I read it, I thought it amazing that he created short stories just to make the interviews more personal. It is complicated to make a good short story to begin with. I mean, there is only a limited amount of words to bring the point across that needs to be made. Plus he cheated once by

Spoiler:

ending a story with: I could tell you more about this and that, but everything was highly predictable and planned out, so I bother you the details. I didn't need it filled in, I filled it in myself. I even made extraordinary room for special plans. I got to appreciate, by that time, the difference between a normal plan and the execution, and that particular plan and not so normal execution.

And the reader was supposed to guess at it early around? I understand that ultimately it is the author himself to make up the story as a whole. Either way it was done obvious enough and leaving enough doubt as to how. Mhh, that is funny, I just read about that. File it for later, as sure it might get explained. Or maybe not.

Well, he mentioned I think in the afterwards that a couple of the interviews were short stories that had appeared elsewhere. Murder on the Aldrin Express appeared in 2013 and Brigas Nunca Mais in 2015.

[Tarana]

Just finished reread of Death Masks. Last read in 2014, so it was pretty fresh. Will move on to Blood Rites on Monday. Mostly listening when on errands or working on Ebay (downsizing, so selling lots of stuff). I am endlessly selling or giving away books. Makes me glad I have ereaders...

[DuckieTigger]

Just seen this today on "upcoming works," not sure how long it has been there. A little progress, if it means that the version that the publisher has is now completely edited and final. Up to the publisher now to finish up layout and set a release date.

PEACE TALKS IS FINISHED, AND REVISIONS ARE COMPLETE!

ETA: Also found a (fake?) entry on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Talks-D.../dp/B07SZLRHMT
Complete with size and such (everything in bold is mine and suspicious):

Print Length: 640 pages
Publisher: Orbit; Digital original edition (April 16, 2020)
Publication Date: April 16, 2020
Language: English
ASIN: B07SZLRHMT
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:
Not Enabled
Word Wise: Not Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Not Enabled

Thoughts?

My thoughts are that it could be real or fake. The size would suggest that they have some idea for an estimate (if not an early version). It is also in line as similarly long as the last two novels (Skin Game and Aeronaut's Windlass). But the publisher makes no sense. Orbit is Hachette owned, not Randy owned. Unless the publishing houses merged behind my back? The best to go on so far. If it is fake, the real date will likely be even later. Sooner? They would probably have a real page, even if not yet preorderable.

So a much longer wait yet than expected. Almost guaranteed to NOT release this year yet. Looks more like maybe summer of next year.

[Dazrin]

Not that most people here need this any longer but Side Jobs is on sale for $1.99 today at Amazon US.

https://www.amazon.com/Side-Jobs-Dre...dp/B0043RSIV4/

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Just seen this today on "upcoming works," not sure how long it has been there. A little progress, if it means that the version that the publisher has is now completely edited and final. Up to the publisher now to finish up layout and set a release date.


ETA: Also found a (fake?) entry on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Talks-D.../dp/B07SZLRHMT
Complete with size and such (everything in bold is mine and suspicious):


Thoughts?

My thoughts are that it could be real or fake. The size would suggest that they have some idea for an estimate (if not an early version). It is also in line as similarly long as the last two novels (Skin Game and Aeronaut's Windlass). But the publisher makes no sense. Orbit is Hachette owned, not Randy owned. Unless the publishing houses merged behind my back? The best to go on so far. If it is fake, the real date will likely be even later. Sooner? They would probably have a real page, even if not yet preorderable.

So a much longer wait yet than expected. Almost guaranteed to NOT release this year yet. Looks more like maybe summer of next year.

Some years ago, I was told that it was normally about a year from the time the final draft was turned in until the book actually hit the book stores. That could vary some depending on what was already on the publisher's schedule and if it was a name author who they needed to fit into a slot. I don't know if that basic timeline has changed much over time or not.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Some years ago, I was told that it was normally about a year from the time the final draft was turned in until the book actually hit the book stores. That could vary some depending on what was already on the publisher's schedule and if it was a name author who they needed to fit into a slot. I don't know if that basic timeline has changed much over time or not.

Two years at most trade publishing houses. Not one.

Hitch

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Some years ago, I was told that it was normally about a year from the time the final draft was turned in until the book actually hit the book stores. That could vary some depending on what was already on the publisher's schedule and if it was a name author who they needed to fit into a slot. I don't know if that basic timeline has changed much over time or not.

Originally Posted by Hitch

Two years at most trade publishing houses. Not one.

Hitch

That is unfortunate. So by the time Peace Talks comes out, he should already be half way through the next Cinder Spires? There is hope.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

That is unfortunate. So by the time Peace Talks comes out, he should already be half way through the next Cinder Spires? There is hope.

Only if he's back on his former schedule. I mean...guys, he may be tiring of Harry. It happens. Or maybe he's burned through his supply of previously-considered story arc.

I've moved on. I know, I know, heresy, but god knows, there are enough wizards out there (Alex Verus, etc.) to keep me occupied. How long's it been now? (And no, novellas, short stories, don't cut it for me.) I know it sounds selfish and trite, but as I said previously, all the "personal problems" aside, it feels like quite frankly, he takes us for granted. Melanie Rawn pulled this crap decades ago and I decided then that I'm not going with it.

The rest of us all have to survive "personal problems" and still show up to work every day. Yeah, yeah, creatives are "speshul" but somehow, the rest of us manage to work when our life isn't going so damned great.

Hitch

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Only if he's back on his former schedule. I mean...guys, he may be tiring of Harry. It happens. Or maybe he's burned through his supply of previously-considered story arc.

I've moved on. I know, I know, heresy, but god knows, there are enough wizards out there (Alex Verus, etc.) to keep me occupied. How long's it been now? (And no, novellas, short stories, don't cut it for me.) I know it sounds selfish and trite, but as I said previously, all the "personal problems" aside, it feels like quite frankly, he takes us for granted. Melanie Rawn pulled this crap decades ago and I decided then that I'm not going with it.

The rest of us all have to survive "personal problems" and still show up to work every day. Yeah, yeah, creatives are "speshul" but somehow, the rest of us manage to work when our life isn't going so damned great.

Hitch

I suspect that most do that because they have to. One would assume that Jim Butcher has enough money that he doesn't have to write any more to pay the bills.

Of course, I do agree with your overall premise, which is after a period of time, the prudent thing is to move on to other writers. I have no idea if Patrick Rothfuss is going to ever finish Stone Door or not, it's been a long, long time. I'll likely read it if he does, but I'm not counting on it.