What bugs me about HFQ

40 posts • Page 1 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4

What bugs me about HFQ
by Randomiser » Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:30 pm
Randomiser Rear Admiral Posts: 1452 Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 2:41 pm Location: Scotland	What bugs me about HFQ is knowing that it is out there, sitting on TORs servers, essentially complete, and yet they won't sell it to me for at least 8 or 9 months yet. If it wasn't finished that would be different, but it's just sitting there ... OK it's silly but it still bugs me
Top

by Randomiser » Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:30 pm

Posts: 1452
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: Scotland

What bugs me about HFQ is knowing that it is out there, sitting on TORs servers, essentially complete, and yet they won't sell it to me for at least 8 or 9 months yet. If it wasn't finished that would be different, but it's just sitting there ...

OK it's silly but it still bugs me :roll:

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by n7axw » Fri Sep 05, 2014 7:37 pm
n7axw Fleet Admiral Posts: 5997 Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:54 pm Location: Viborg, SD	Randomiser wrote:What bugs me about HFQ is knowing that it is out there, sitting on TORs servers, essentially complete, and yet they won't sell it to me for at least 8 or 9 months yet. If it wasn't finished that would be different, but it's just sitting there ... OK it's silly but it still bugs me Just think of all the fun speculating we'd miss if we had it in our grimey, grubby little hands! Don When any group seeks political power in God's name, both religion and politics are instantly corrupted.
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by n7axw » Fri Sep 05, 2014 7:37 pm

n7axw
Fleet Admiral

Posts: 5997
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:54 pm
Location: Viborg, SD

Randomiser wrote:What bugs me about HFQ is knowing that it is out there, sitting on TORs servers, essentially complete, and yet they won't sell it to me for at least 8 or 9 months yet. If it wasn't finished that would be different, but it's just sitting there ...

OK it's silly but it still bugs me

Just think of all the fun speculating we'd miss if we had it in our grimey, grubby little hands! :lol:

Don

When any group seeks political power in God's name, both religion and politics are instantly corrupted.

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by DrakBibliophile » Fri Sep 05, 2014 7:43 pm
DrakBibliophile Admiral Posts: 2311 Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:54 pm Location: East Central Illinois	Silly? I won't go that far. I'm no expert on the publishing industry but it is my understanding that publishers have to schedule when their upcoming books will come out months in advance. They don't want too many of their books coming out in a given month or too few of their books coming out in a given month. Of course, there are other aspects to publishing a book. While David Weber has completed it, IIRC it still needs proof-reading by TOR's staff in order to catch any little mistakes David Weber may have made. David may be the Magnificent Mighty Wizard Weber, but even he can make mistakes and proof-reading is necessary. Of course, there are lots of other parts of publishing a book that have to wait until the "book is in hand" at the publisher. So the book isn't "just sitting there", it's being worked on as well. Finally, I WANT IT NOW as well but I know that it just not possible. Randomiser wrote:What bugs me about HFQ is knowing that it is out there, sitting on TORs servers, essentially complete, and yet they won't sell it to me for at least 8 or 9 months yet. If it wasn't finished that would be different, but it's just sitting there ... OK it's silly but it still bugs me * Paul Howard (Alias Drak Bibliophile) * Sometimes The Dragon Wins! [Polite Dragon Smile] *
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by DrakBibliophile » Fri Sep 05, 2014 7:43 pm

DrakBibliophile
Admiral

Posts: 2311
Joined: Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:54 pm
Location: East Central Illinois

Silly? I won't go that far.

I'm no expert on the publishing industry but it is my understanding that publishers have to schedule when their upcoming books will come out months in advance.

They don't want too many of their books coming out in a given month or too few of their books coming out in a given month.

Of course, there are other aspects to publishing a book.

While David Weber has completed it, IIRC it still needs proof-reading by TOR's staff in order to catch any little mistakes David Weber may have made.

David may be the Magnificent Mighty Wizard Weber, but even he can make mistakes and proof-reading is necessary.

Of course, there are lots of other parts of publishing a book that have to wait until the "book is in hand" at the publisher.

So the book isn't "just sitting there", it's being worked on as well.

Finally, I WANT IT NOW as well but I know that it just not possible.

Randomiser wrote:What bugs me about HFQ is knowing that it is out there, sitting on TORs servers, essentially complete, and yet they won't sell it to me for at least 8 or 9 months yet. If it wasn't finished that would be different, but it's just sitting there ...

OK it's silly but it still bugs me

*
Paul Howard (Alias Drak Bibliophile)
*
Sometimes The Dragon Wins! [Polite Dragon Smile]
*

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by jgnfld » Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:39 pm
jgnfld Captain of the List Posts: 468 Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:55 am	DrakBibliophile wrote:Silly? I won't go that far. I'm no expert on the publishing industry but it is my understanding that publishers have to schedule when their upcoming books will come out months in advance.... It's not like they'd LOSE any money publishing it now.
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by jgnfld » Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:39 pm

jgnfld
Captain of the List

Posts: 468
Joined: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:55 am

DrakBibliophile wrote:Silly? I won't go that far.

I'm no expert on the publishing industry but it is my understanding that publishers have to schedule when their upcoming books will come out months in advance....

It's not like they'd LOSE any money publishing it now.

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by Starsaber » Fri Sep 05, 2014 10:45 pm
Starsaber Captain (Junior Grade) Posts: 255 Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:40 am	DrakBibliophile wrote:Of course, there are lots of other parts of publishing a book that have to wait until the "book is in hand" at the publisher. So the book isn't "just sitting there", it's being worked on as well. Indeed, like producing the audio book version so we don't have to deal with all the oddly spelled names (and can read it while sitting at my computer at work writing code. )
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by Starsaber » Fri Sep 05, 2014 10:45 pm

Starsaber
Captain (Junior Grade)

Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 9:40 am

DrakBibliophile wrote:Of course, there are lots of other parts of publishing a book that have to wait until the "book is in hand" at the publisher.

So the book isn't "just sitting there", it's being worked on as well.

Indeed, like producing the audio book version so we don't have to deal with all the oddly spelled names (and can read it while sitting at my computer at work writing code.

)

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by CSB » Fri Sep 05, 2014 11:11 pm
CSB Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Posts: 39 Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:17 am	DrakBibliophile wrote:While David Weber has completed it, IIRC it still needs proof-reading by TOR's staff in order to catch any little mistakes David Weber may have made. David may be the Magnificent Mighty Wizard Weber, but even he can make mistakes and proof-reading is necessary. Tor's proof-reading is rather awful, though. Obviously, it would be best if authors never made any mistakes ever, but this is the real world, and catching those mistakes is what editors are for. (Also, not introducing NEW errors, and we've had a fair bit of that.) One of the middle books of the series, I forget which one, had two to three pages where a group of people were repeatedly described as "Chisholmian" when the context clearly established that "Corisandian" was intended. THIS IS NOT THE SAME. Names are screwed up often enough that it's irksome. Not just one-off characters, either, but people like members of the Go4, Paityr Wylsynn (NOT some variant on "Patrick"), etc. Look, Safehold is a series where the names are challenging and non-standard. That means you TRIPLE-CHECK, editors! Spell-check with a series-specific whitelist! Lest you think I'm being too hard on Tor specifically, I've seen really egregious errors on the part of other major publishing houses as well. An example, from yesterday at the bookstore: DAW just released the latest book in an urban fantasy series by Seanan McGuire. At the very bottom of the front cover, you can see the words "An October Day Novel", referring to the main character of the series...October Daye. SERIOUSLY? (The Toby Daye series is good, if you like urban fantasy. It's set in San Francisco; the supernatural elements are changeling/faerie mythology; and despite the female protagonist, it's actually urban fantasy, not paranormal romance. There are some relationship arcs, but they are usually part of character development, not plot development.)
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by CSB » Fri Sep 05, 2014 11:11 pm

CSB
Lieutenant (Junior Grade)

Posts: 39
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:17 am

DrakBibliophile wrote:While David Weber has completed it, IIRC it still needs proof-reading by TOR's staff in order to catch any little mistakes David Weber may have made.

David may be the Magnificent Mighty Wizard Weber, but even he can make mistakes and proof-reading is necessary.

Tor's proof-reading is rather awful, though. Obviously, it would be best if authors never made any mistakes ever, but this is the real world, and catching those mistakes is what editors are *for*. (Also, not introducing NEW errors, and we've had a fair bit of that.)

One of the middle books of the series, I forget which one, had two to three *pages* where a group of people were repeatedly described as "Chisholmian" when the context clearly established that "Corisandian" was intended. THIS IS NOT THE SAME.

Names are screwed up often enough that it's irksome. Not just one-off characters, either, but people like members of the Go4, Paityr Wylsynn (NOT some variant on "Patrick"), etc. Look, Safehold is a series where the names are challenging and non-standard. That means you TRIPLE-CHECK, editors! Spell-check with a series-specific whitelist!

Lest you think I'm being too hard on Tor specifically, I've seen really egregious errors on the part of other major publishing houses as well. An example, from yesterday at the bookstore:

DAW just released the latest book in an urban fantasy series by Seanan McGuire. At the very bottom of the *front cover*, you can see the words "An October Day Novel", referring to the main character of the series...October Daye. SERIOUSLY?

(The Toby Daye series is good, if you like urban fantasy. It's set in San Francisco; the supernatural elements are changeling/faerie mythology; and despite the female protagonist, it's actually urban fantasy, not paranormal romance. There are some relationship arcs, but they are usually part of character development, not plot development.)

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by Randomiser » Sat Sep 06, 2014 4:38 am
Randomiser Rear Admiral Posts: 1452 Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 2:41 pm Location: Scotland	Yes, Drak, all that stuff, plus the judgement call about how frequently the book-buying public will hand over $25 or so for a new David Weber book are what make my reaction somewhat irrational. It still creeps up on me from time to time though. Mind you, I'd probably be too tight to buy the E-arc even if TOR did them, which makes it even sillier.
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by Randomiser » Sat Sep 06, 2014 4:38 am

Randomiser
Rear Admiral

Posts: 1452
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: Scotland

Yes, Drak, all that stuff, plus the judgement call about how frequently the book-buying public will hand over $25 or so for a new David Weber book are what make my reaction somewhat irrational. It still creeps up on me from time to time though.

Mind you, I'd probably be too tight to buy the E-arc even if TOR did them, which makes it even sillier.

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by Invictus » Sat Sep 06, 2014 6:47 am
Invictus Commander Posts: 215 Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:00 am Location: Perth, WA	Personally, I think Tor are missing out. I tend to purchase E-arc and EPUBs because of the easy delivery, (I need my fix now dammit! ) But I always get the hardcover when it comes out because I still prefer an actual book. That being said, some of what Ebooks are doing now is pretty impressive. I recently read the Ciaphas Cain books on EPUB, and was very impressed with how the footnotes were hyper-linked throughout the novels. One tap to advance to the footnote, another to get back to where you were. It always seems to be the little things "When you talk about damage radius, even atomic weapons pale before that of an unfettered idiot in a position of power." Sam Starfall
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by Invictus » Sat Sep 06, 2014 6:47 am

Invictus
Commander

Posts: 215
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:00 am
Location: Perth, WA

Personally, I think Tor are missing out. I tend to purchase E-arc and EPUBs because of the easy delivery, (I need my fix now dammit! :lol:

) But I always get the hardcover when it comes out because I still prefer an actual book.

That being said, some of what Ebooks are doing now is pretty impressive. I recently read the Ciaphas Cain books on EPUB, and was very impressed with how the footnotes were hyper-linked throughout the novels. One tap to advance to the footnote, another to get back to where you were. It always seems to be the little things :lol:

"When you talk about damage radius, even atomic weapons pale before that of an unfettered idiot in a position of power." Sam Starfall

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by pokermind » Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:45 am
pokermind Fleet Admiral Posts: 4002 Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:58 am Location: Jerome, Idaho, USA	One wonders why more publishers don't do eARCs, cost is minimal, and if released early enough you get many proof readers to spot errors, and don't have to pay them Nor do you lose sales as you need to buy the proofed version too. It's a win-win situation fans get the books earlier, sales are increased as they buy both the eARC and the edited book, and if released early enough free proof reading. Poker CPO Poker Mind and, Mangy Fur the Smart Alick Spacecat. "Better to be hung for a hexapuma than a housecat," Com. Pang Yau-pau, ART.
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by pokermind » Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:45 am

pokermind
Fleet Admiral

Posts: 4002
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:58 am
Location: Jerome, Idaho, USA

One wonders why more publishers don't do eARCs, cost is minimal, and if released early enough you get many proof readers to spot errors, and don't have to pay them

Nor do you lose sales as you need to buy the proofed version too. :lol:

It's a win-win situation fans get the books earlier, sales are increased as they buy both the eARC and the edited book, and if released early enough free proof reading.

Poker

CPO Poker Mind

and, Mangy Fur the Smart Alick Spacecat.

"Better to be hung for a hexapuma than a housecat," Com. Pang Yau-pau, ART.

Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ
by alj_sf » Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:08 pm
alj_sf Commander Posts: 218 Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:26 pm Location: confluent of 3 rivers : Rhone, Saone & Beaujolais	pokermind wrote:One wonders why more publishers don't do eARCs, cost is minimal, and if released early enough you get many proof readers to spot errors, and don't have to pay them Nor do you lose sales as you need to buy the proofed version too. It's a win-win situation fans get the books earlier, sales are increased as they buy both the eARC and the edited book, and if released early enough free proof reading. Poker I must say that I buy eARC but not final ebooks. I may buy hardcover. There is 2 authors that I buy both in english and when they are translated in French a few years later (RFC and Pratchett). The latter because the translator (which is always the same) does a very good job of rewritting the untranslatable jokes and puns to the point it is almost a different book but as good as the original. but in any case eARC are costlier (at least at Baen) than the final book so it is still a win for the publisher.
Top

Re: What bugs me about HFQ

by alj_sf » Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:08 pm

alj_sf
Commander

Posts: 218
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:26 pm
Location: confluent of 3 rivers : Rhone, Saone & Beaujolais

pokermind wrote:One wonders why more publishers don't do eARCs, cost is minimal, and if released early enough you get many proof readers to spot errors, and don't have to pay them Nor do you lose sales as you need to buy the proofed version too. It's a win-win situation fans get the books earlier, sales are increased as they buy both the eARC and the edited book, and if released early enough free proof reading.

Poker

I must say that I buy eARC but not final ebooks. I may buy hardcover. There is 2 authors that I buy both in english and when they are translated in French a few years later (RFC and Pratchett). The latter because the translator (which is always the same) does a very good job of rewritting the untranslatable jokes and puns to the point it is almost a different book but as good as the original.

but in any case eARC are costlier (at least at Baen) than the final book so it is still a win for the publisher.

Top

40 posts • Page 1 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4

Return to Safehold

Topic Actions

Topic Search

Who is online

What bugs me about HFQ