Chemosh (although it could be Ariaken), Mina, and Zeboim are on the cover
Looks like Mina is wearing the Dark Queen's outfit.
k, thats all...
Burger
Any idea when the book will be released?
Okay, so the painting of her is hot.
So what if it's flat?
Can't flat girls be cute too?
Oh, you mean it's two-dimensional "flat".
Still...
Mina's hot.
IIRC it is scheduled for softcover release in February.
what about the hardcover?
Read Chemosh's description in Amber & Ashes. Looks just like the picture.
what about the hardcover?
Except for the Dark Chronicles trilogy, I would not expect any more DL hardcovers in the near future.
It seems that, at least for DL, there is a shift in strategy again. This time, toward less hardcovers, rather than more.
Margaret has said that there may be a special edition hardcover down the road for Amber & Iron, but there is no guarantee that that will happen.
Except for the Dark Chronicles trilogy, I would not expect any more DL hardcovers in the near future.
It seems that, at least for DL, there is a shift in strategy again. This time, toward less hardcovers, rather than more.
Margaret has said that there may be a special edition hardcover down the road for Amber & Iron, but there is no guarantee that that will happen.
They should have completed the Trilogy with hardcovered books and not stop part way in the middle of the trilogy.
They should have completed the Trilogy with hardcovered books and not stop part way in the middle of the trilogy.
EXACTLY, that's a bunch of BS!!! I collect all the DL the books, not only to read, but as a centerpiece in my "library", to publish the first book in a trilogy as a hardcover and the subsequent two as paperback makes absolutely no sense; just finish out the last 2 as hardcover and then revert to paperback for future pubs.
Wizards of the Coast has decided that Amber and Iron and Amber and Blood, the next two books in Margaret Weis's Dark Disciples trilogy, will appear first in hardcover and subsequently in mass market paperback editions. Amber and Iron will release in February 2006, as originally announced.
I hope all of you will enjoy the next installment in Margaret's exciting saga of Mina, Rhys, and the gods of Krynn.
Peter Archer
Executive Editor, Novels
Wizards of the Coast
For those looking for Amber and Iron in hardcover, Peter Archer of Wizards of the Coast made the following announcement today:
Yeah, that announcement came about 2 hours after I made my post about NOT expecting hardcovers.
Wait, so the hardcover will first appear in February? Man, I heard it was coming out at X-mas.
The book was never scheduled for Chrismas - it was originally scheduled for hardcover this past August, but was pushed back to February when they announced it would be paperback.
And now it will now be the hardcover that comes out in February, not paperback.
Wizards of the Coast has decided that Amber and Iron and Amber and Blood, the next two books in Margaret Weis's Dark Disciples trilogy, will appear first in hardcover and subsequently in mass market paperback editions. Amber and Iron will release in February 2006, as originally announced.
I hope all of you will enjoy the next installment in Margaret's exciting saga of Mina, Rhys, and the gods of Krynn.
Peter Archer
Executive Editor, Novels
Wizards of the Coast
:headexplo :headexplo :headexplo Poor people screwed over yet one more time. :headexplo :headexplo :headexplo
Patience is a virtue I guess
Poor people screwed over yet one more time.
Well, most everybody should have access to a library.
No, I don't feel this is screwing 'poor people' over. If anything, those of us who bought Amber & Ashes in hardcover felt we were being screwed over.
And while it is mostly inconsequential with regards to how pretty our bookshelves look, we are the ones that did pay for hardcover for Amber & Ashes and are showing WotC incentive to continue publishing books in hardcover.
fantastic. i'm glad they came to their senses; the whole no hardback thing was a slap to the hardcore. i wouldnt mind if they never did another hardback again, but stopping in the middle of a trilogy is just bad form.
Agreed. Personally, I prefer paperback and didn't like that the core novels were being printed in hardback now. I'd prefer it if they went back to straight paperback.
But it was annoying as hell that they were going to stop in the middle of the trilogy. I'm glad they're going to at least finish out the trilogy in hardback.
I was happy when I heard that A&I was coming out in paperback first. I don't collect hardcovers. They are too damned bulky to read on the train. But I guess all the whiners finally got their way, huh?
I took the side that said, even if the paperbacks come out first, release the hardcovers anyway, since people should get their collections complete.
Now I think I may just have to change my stance on DL. I was dead set on buying everything DL that comes out these days. I have a stack of the gameplay materials, even though I don't use them. I have a ton of the novels, including A&A.
Now that WotC has decided to kick me in the pants, I guess I will have to sacrifice my favorite character Mina, and just stop buying the books.
So gloat all you like hardcover fans. I just hope WotC realizes that they have made at least me angry about this. Hopefully others will feel the same. Think about it this way, now the paperback fans have been lied to.
:hoppingma 
:thumbsdowWell, now I guess it's my turn to be angry then.
I was happy when I heard that A&I was coming out in paperback first. I don't collect hardcovers. They are too damned bulky to read on the train. But I guess all the whiners finally got their way, huh?
I took the side that said, even if the paperbacks come out first, release the hardcovers anyway, since people should get their collections complete.
Now I think I may just have to change my stance on DL. I was dead set on buying everything DL that comes out these days. I have a stack of the gameplay materials, even though I don't use them. I have a ton of the novels, including A&A.
Now that WotC has decided to kick me in the pants, I guess I will have to sacrifice my favorite character Mina, and just stop buying the books.
So gloat all you like hardcover fans. I just hope WotC realizes that they have made at least me angry about this. Hopefully others will feel the same. Think about it this way, now the paperback fans have been lied to.
Now we know why you are "TheFool", at least they are releasing the paperbacks; originally they weren't even going to release them in hardback at all (which would have screwed us who had already bought A&A that way). It makes total sense to release the HB first (as is traditionally done), but in this case they should probably release the PB at the same time (or at least a month after the HB to get those hardcore collector sales out of the way). What makes little to no sense is to abandon a world you seem quite committed to because they pushed back a PB release (even I'm not that drastic/dramatic, and for those who know me that's saying a lot). I haven't seen any of the HB collectors gloating, but we are happy to at least be getting our books.
I'm with Brim, when this trilogy is complete go back to all PB books; even for those of us who make a decent living, HB purchases are a sting to the wallet. I only buy them at Amazon, where they are generally $8 - $10 cheaper and bundle with some other PB to get free shipping, but there were WAY too many HBs coming out these days and I'll be happy to see WotC revert back AFTER this trilogy.
::EDIT::
Oh yeah, thanks for the good news Tramp-man.
Very well said Rath!
(even I'm not that drastic/dramatic, and for those who know me that's saying a lot).
Hey...I wasn't going to say anything...but since you brought it up....
but there were WAY too many HBs coming out these days and I'll be happy to see WotC revert back AFTER this trilogy.
No doubt, it was really starting to hurt my limited shelf space.
WRONG! It was never said that there would be no hardcover. As a matter of fact, when the Queen of Darkness herself announced that the softcover would come out first, she plainly stated that she hoped the hardbacks would make it to shelves, but she didn't know for sure.
It was never said that they wouldn't come out at all.
Plain and simple, I was lied to. To begin with, I am sick and tired of waiting for at least months for a book to be released in a format convenient to me. I could have dealt with it though, had the decision been made up front to do hardcover first. However, as it stands, we were promised paperback to debut. Now WotC decides that they want to make the HC people happy. So people like me get left behind.
As you said, the people who collect the hardcovers are hardcore collectors. Wouldn't it have been more prudent to simply announce that hardcovers were being released, at a later date, but definitely released. Then everybody is happy. Instead, I get to watch other people post how good the book is, while I wait months for a copy to be released for me.
As I have stated before, I was all for the eventual release of a hardcover version. I agree that it would have been unfair to anyone who began their collections with A&A.
So again, I will just have to debate whether it is that important to me to continue to support companies that go back on their word. It's a shame though, since I am willing to bet those at Sovereign Press had little to do with the decision. I hold nothing against them. I think Cam's work is fantastic. Jamie's as well. And without needing to say it, Ms. Weis is a fantastic writer. But I now have a very sour taste in my mouth.
Call me a fool if you like. But read my post. I was never against you guys getting your format. I was simply excited that for once, someone cared enough about the readership to release the format that was most convenient to us. Your solution to release both versions within a month of each would more than satisfy me. It wouldn't be a big deal for me to wait an extra month, even two. However, as WotC loves to do, they will milk the HC for everything they can, then in a year or so, I will finally have a chance to read the book. Sorry if that angers me, but then again, no I'm not.
You were not being lied to. At the time the paperback was announced, that was what the publishers planned on doing.
Cheers,
Cam
Now WotC decides that they want to make the HC people happy. So people like me get left behind.
Not really left behind...not in this instance. It has only been 4 months since you could have first bought/read, for those of us that bought the hardback, it has been 14 months. So, if we want to talk about getting left behind...your wait would have been 7 months while ours could have easily been (if we were lucky enough to get a hardback) 27 months at least.
Now it will be a 17 month wait between books for us and maybe 18 months for you (if the time between the hardback release and paperback is similar this time).
Of course I think that sucks for you guys hard core because you probably just got told "Sorry, your book is coming out a year later than you thought it was." Which, although is better than the "Sorry, not sure if you're ever going to get your book" comment that we got, it still sucks.
Did WotC make the right decision in deciding to continue on with what they already started with book one, yes I think so. Did they handle it right? No, I really think in this situation, they should release them simultaneously. But, I also understand that there is no way that's going to happen. By the very nature of it, if they're going to have a hardback version, they're going to want to make at least some money on it (and from what I understand, they really don't make that much money on the hardback version...I think Margaret brought that up a while back) they're going to have to release it first.
So, I am truly sorry that you're getting shafted (and yes I believe that is happening) with the release schedule of this book, but I really don't think you should take it so personally. They aren't doing it out of spite against those who won't purchase their hardbacks. They did what they're doing so that all their customers can get what they want, unfortunately they did it in a way that is going to be profitable for them...they're a business that's what they do. You shouldn't feel personally offended by that. Upset? Sure. Offended? That's taking things a bit too far, I think.
There is a difference between a person or company lying to you, and a person or company changing their product schedule or publication plans. One is malicious in intent; the other is a response to circumstances ranging from printing deadlines or costs to reaction from the distribution and fan networks.
You were not being lied to. At the time the paperback was announced, that was what the publishers planned on doing.
Cheers,
Cam
You are absolutely right Cam. Perhaps lied is the wrong term to use. But you are also spot on about caving to "fan networks." Enough crying and moaning resulted in the HC side getting even more than they asked for. It still doesn't change the fact that I didn't get what I was told I would.
MW never even confirmed there would be a HC edition. So this isn't about deadlines, or cost. Also, given the fact that someone from WotC felt it necessary to go to the DL forums and triumphantly proclaim that the HC was being released in February was more proof that WotC is just trying to please that section of the fan base.
Again, I think you do fantastic work. I actually like it so much that I buy products I will never use like KoD and SoS because I want to see what you come up with. I don't mean this as an attack on you or others who aren't directly involved with the process. I am just really upset at the way I feel I have been treated. And this is not about being selfish. I am sure there are others who feel just like I do, since when the whole process started with the complaining about no HC, there were quite a number of people who said an emphatic "FINALLY! We get it OUR way for once. I am not about to go speaking on others' behalf though.
To support my non-selfish argument, if you look back at the posts on the DL forums, and locate the ones I made, it is quite clearly stated that I was highly in favor of the HCs coming out at some point. I was elated that the paperbacks that I love were getting the initial release, but I also felt for those who began, and expected to complete, their collections.
Like I have said already. Chances are, those who are going to buy the HC version in February would have bought it in August, if they were told it would be released in August. I however, will not buy the HC in February. It is wholly inconvenient to carry a hardcover on the train, where I read the most, so I will never purchase a hardcover. So how many sales were actually gained in this process? Given the frustration I feel now, it would appear that at least one sale is potentially lost.
I have to say, your last post helped me feel a slight bit better. It was there when my screen refreshed after my last post.
You know, honestly, I think I felt more slighted by the community, that was so happy they got their way, that they seemed not to care about those of us who stood by them when they were getting screwed.
I appreciate that you understand my point, however much I may have overstated it. Thanks.
I have to say, your last post helped me feel a slight bit better. It was there when my screen refreshed after my last post.
That's good. We were getting no where (on either thread) and I felt like I wasn't getting my feelings across on the matter. So I thought I'd try and start over from scratch. I think I finally communicated my feelings accurately on this. My apologies if there was confusion before.
I appreciate that you understand my point, however much I may have overstated it. Thanks.
Well, it's a very valid point. I still think WotC should release both at the same time. Or at the very least, not make the wait between the two version the usual 10+ months. Here's hopin'!
And Alio, I am truly sorry for your loss. Take care.
You are absolutely right Cam. Perhaps lied is the wrong term to use. But you are also spot on about caving to "fan networks." Enough crying and moaning resulted in the HC side getting even more than they asked for. It still doesn't change the fact that I didn't get what I was told I would.
And this is where I call BS.
What "caving in" is WotC doing by putting this book out in hardcover, as it originally was, as it always should have been? Hardcovers make more money for all involved and they bring greater attention and notoriety for the novel in question.
Seeing as how I bought the hardcover for Amber & Ashes, the "caving in" was the decision to change Amber & Iron to a paperback release because of complaints of fans who don't buy hardcovers.
Well, since you felt the need to call me a fool, I will respond.
Actually, you call yourself a fool; I simply said (and quoted you) now I know why you go by said moniker.
MW never even confirmed there would be a HC edition.
Thing is, many of us HB fans felt more slighted than you because there was never a confirmation that the HB would EVER be released; she just hoped it would be released at some time. At the very least you KNOW FOR FACT that your version is going to be released, albeit not when originally scheduled (but then again, none of our versions are being released when originally scheduled, so we're all getting screwed).
To support my non-selfish argument, if you look back at the posts on the DL forums, and locate the ones I made, it is quite clearly stated that I was highly in favor of the HCs coming out at some point. I was elated that the paperbacks that I love were getting the initial release, but I also felt for those who began, and expected to complete, their collections.
It's not like the HB collectors all of a sudden don't care about the PB collectors, on this page alone it has been stated a couple times (including by me) that they should be released close together to satisfy both sides of the coin. Actually, many of the HB collectors whom I've come across are in support of the close release dates of the HB and PB versions of A&I. The only thing HB people were so inflamed about was that we probably wouldn't be able to finish out the collection; it's not like we said "You have to release only the HB and screw the PB". Please realize that we're all on the same side against the big business fat cats here and as a HB guy I support your stance as a PB guy (or gal as the case may be). I hope you don't leave the world over the release of one book in a trilogy; I've stuck it out longer than a few months when they weren't releasing ANYTHING after "Summerflame", so please try to stick it out and keep enjoying your favorite character and the world we all love.
Hey...I wasn't going to say anything...but since you brought it up....
I put that comment in there for the benefit of you and Tramp (and a few others who know me from my lurkings here) and knew you'd be the one to comment. HAHAHAHA :D
As far as the whole argument went, again, I am very happy that you all are getting the hardback. As I have said all along, it is only right that you do! I was only upset that after having anticipated a release in February of the softcover, I now have to wait indefinitely, and I have to avoid any spoiler threads until I get it and read through it.
Yes, if we could get a simultaneous release, it would make everyone happy. But I am 99.99999% sure that will never happen. ;)
I must learn patience. Is there a Monk of Majere in the house willing to take on a pupil? :D
Rath, it's cool. I was playing the part rather well yesterday. I deserved the quip!
Again, thanks all for the understanding. I am still a bit peeved over the pushing back of my version, but oh well. Such is life. And no, I couldn't possibly let go of Krynn. Later all!
Everyone should understand that authors rarely (if ever) have final say on the format their book is published. That is determined by the publisher. Margaret has often publicly stated her opinion that she would love to see paperback editions come out first, and then special hardcover editions for certain books to come out later.
Speaking for myself, I'm sorry to see that expectations have changed with the publisher -- but on the bright side at least, over time, both hardcover and paperback collectors will get their preferred edition of the book. For those who prefer paperback, I suggest borrowing the hardcover from a local library or a friend to get a chance to read the book before it comes out in paperback. Perhaps not the ideal solution, but everyone should read this great book and get ready for some eyebrow raising events and revelations about the world of Krynn and a certain dark disciple.
And I hope you enjoy the Appendix in the back!
** Jamie
Everyone should understand that authors rarely (if ever) have final say on the format their book is published. That is determined by the publisher. Margaret has often publicly stated her opinion that she would love to see paperback editions come out first, and then special hardcover editions for certain books to come out later.
I think many of us understand where Margaret is coming from on this.
I also think that those of us who purchased the hardcover for Amber & Ashes agree that the decision to change from hardcover to paperback in the middle of the trilogy is a bad one.
Now, in the future, if WotC decides to take this strategy, of printing in paperback with a special hardcover later, that's great. As long as they do it with a new series/trilogy, rather than in the middle of one.
For me, the main problem was Margaret's post (at least n Dragonlance.com) was that a hardback edition "might" be released "someday." (quotes are mine...I'm paraphrasing since I'm too lazy to go get the link)
Tell me the paperback is coming out on date X and the hardback is coming out 6 months later...I'll be sad for waiting, but I'll deal with it. No "maybe's" please.
Oggie
For those who haven't viewed the 2006 page under Products, both editions are being released in February.
Maybe it was a typo yesterday. Because it's not there now.
Oggie
Yah, I just checked and *poof*. Are we getting jerked around again? Or is this more of that 'Under Construction" garbage?
WotC has been, traditionally, a little slow on getting their Products section up to date and accurate.
I see also that only in the last few days did they finally get one of the DL YA novels added... the one that's out this month, in fact.
Maybe they should switch to monthly updates on the Products section?
Oggie