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Category Archive: PS Announcements

PS Newsletter, July 2008

Posted by Peter Crowther on July 10th, 2008 at 8:00

Hi everyone!

I'm writing this on a fairly blustery but sunny afternoon on Hornsea seafront, about 500 yards from the PS offices (and, more importantly, from the telephones!). I hope the weather and the world is treating you just as kindly wherever you call home.

Out-of-office alert - 6th to 28th July

First off, I'm going to be away for three weeks starting Sunday 6 July. There'll be someone in the office acknowledging website orders but no books will be sent out until week commencing 28 July. There'll probably (from my mouth to God's ear!) be a bit of a build-up of orders but rest assured that they'll be dealt with in the strict sequence they were placed. I'm expecting us to be caught up by the start of the following week.

Stock arrivals

Just yesterday, Robert Jeschonek's Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal, the third Showcase volume, arrived at the PS warehouse -- along with Jack Dann's The Economy of Light. We'll be sending orders out as soon as we get back from the US.

Feel free to place orders in our absence, though! Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal is available in regular hardcover (£10 / $20) or jacketed hardcover (£25 / $50); The Economy of Light comes in unjacketed (£10 / $20) and jacketed hardcover (£25 / $50) flavours, too.

Crimson Guard proofreading problem

The dust has pretty much settled on the Crimson Guard proofing debacle, with free books going out to all who'd ordered a copy of Cam's wonderful novel. My thanks to everyone for their understanding and their generous comments on the way in which we dealt with the problem. Further proof -- if any were needed -- that we truly have the best customers in the business. If anyone is still missing their free book then please do drop us a line to service@pspublishing.co.uk (In fact, please make sure that, in future, all order queries, enquiries and inquiries are sent to that address and not to me personally, or any other address. Huge thanks for that.)

Postscripts #15 - the all-SF issue

All systems are go for the trade copies of the big blustering bug-eyed monster that is our special all-SF 15th edition of Postscripts magazine to be at WorldCon in Denver for when the Con begins on 6 August. We were hoping that we'd also have the special signed editions there as well but, alas, the signing sheets -- five of the blighters! -- are still going the rounds and so won't be ready in time. You'll have to order your copy either direct from us or from your usual high quality outlet of superior literature.

To order directly from us, follow these links: it's available in super-special signed and slipcased hardcover (£75 / $150), signed hardcover (£30 / $60) and regular hardcover (£15 / $30).

FantasyCon novella launches

James Barclay - VAULT OF DEEDS

Talking of superior literature (though what else would we be talking about?!), James Barclay has handed in his new novella, Vault of Deeds . . . and it's a total blast. We're aiming to get the whole thing edited (correctly, this time!), proofed up and printed so that we can launch it at FantasyCon in September -- James is one of the Guests of Honour. We'll be doing 300 signed jacketed hardcover copies (£25 / $50) and 500 unsigned unjacketed hardcover copies (£10 / $20). (Of course, if you're at the Con then you'll be able to buy one of the £10 copies and get James to sign it. Just one of a myriad great reasons to be at the Convention.)

Stephen Erikson - REVOLVO

Another reason to attend FantasyCon this year is Steve Erikson's new novella, Revolvo. We're launching that there, too. Again, there'll be 300 signed jacketed hardcover copies (£25 / $50) and 500 unsigned unjacketed hardcovers (£10 / $20). Steve and his wife and son have been staying with us here at PS Towers while Steve built up his strength for the signing tour Transworld organised for Toll The Hounds, the eighth volume in the truly epic Malazan Book of the Fallen series... and just to give him a little practice, we presented him the sheets for Revolvo.

Both of these are remarkable novellas and we recommend you place your order as soon as you're able, particularly for the jacketed hardcover editions. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Mark Samuels - GLYPHOTECH

Also launching at FantasyCon will be Mark Samuels's Glyphotech, the fourth in our increasingly popular Showcase series of short story volumes. Jason Van Hollander will be providing cover art and Ramsey Campbell is handling the introduction duties. For this title there'll be 200 jacketed hardcover copies (signed by Mark and Ramsey) (£25 / $50) and 300 unjacketed hardcovers (signed by just Mark) (£10 / $20)... and both Mark and Ramsey will be at the Con, so a nice crisp £10 note will secure a fully-signed copy of the cheaper edition.

Ray Bradbury - THE DAY IT RAINED FOREVER

We're in the final stages of designing our edition of Ray Bradbury's The Day It Rained Forever. We had a little hold-up because we were trying to secure something extra-special for the deluxe edition ... and we've done it. The top set of 100 copies will include a special PS edition of the author's A Medicine for Melancholy. As I'm sure you'll already know, Medicine and Rained were essentially the same book re-titled for the split between UK and US audiences... but with four stories different in each title (ie. there are four in Rained that are not in Medicine and vice versa). This has been on the stocks for a long time, so a hearty Bravo! to all those who pre-ordered when we first announced it. So, in addition to the two editions we'd already advertised -- an unsigned unjacketed hardcover (£20 / $40) and a 200-copy jacketed and slipcased hardcover signed by Ray (£50 / $100) -- there'll be a 100-copy special two-book set signed by Ray and Caitlin Kiernan, who wrote the intro -- the price will be £250 / $500.

Ray Bradbury - SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, THE HALLOWE'EN TREE & THE OCTOBER COUNTRY

And finally, at least for this note, we've secured a real gem of a three-book set that we're aiming to bring out just in time for Christmas. Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Hallowe'en Tree and The October Country . . . all three of them in one slipcase, only 300 copies -- 26 lettered (£375 / $750) signed by Ray Bradbury himself (and possibly others involved) and 274 unsigned sets (£100 / $200). And that's the lot -- just 300 copies and then they're gone. There'll be some extras included but we can't say what they'll be at this stage. For the record, this project came about because Ray called to say how much he liked what we'd done with Dandelion Wine and he wondered if we'd like to do the same with Wicked, Hallowe'en and October. Well, need I say more?!

And that's about it. There are other things I could mention but we'll leave those for another time. Suffice to say that both Nick Gevers and I are pursuing some exciting new projects and, of course, we've been making great progress on some we've announced previously. But it's always nice to have something to tell you all about another day.

Enjoy your summer, make sure you wear your sun cream and if you're aiming to be at this year's NeCon then be sure to say Hi. Until we chat again, look after each other . . . and happy reading!

Pete

‘Postscripts #15′: the all-sf/Worldcon 2008 special issue - table of contents announced!

Posted by Paul Raven on June 23rd, 2008 at 12:45

Postscripts #15 - Worldcon 2008 special editionPostscripts #15 will be the biggest issue yet of PS Publishing's award-winning short fiction magazine. Not only that, the entire issue will focus on the science fiction genre, with a positively stellar list of contributing authors and work which, now finalised, we can formally announce.

Just take a look through this table of contents - while keeping a strong focus on featured author Paul McAuley, it's like a roster of the genre's brightest lights both old and new, opening up with an introduction from the late and legendary Sir Arthur C Clarke.

Not only is Postscripts #15 a Paul McAuley special, but it's a Worldcon 2008 special edition as well. What that means is, should you go the distance and plump for the extremely limited slipcased edition, it will come signed by not merely editors Nick and Peter, but by the majority of the contributing authors, plus all of the interior artists and cover artist Al Feldstein.

As special editions and collectable volumes are concerned, we challenge you to suggest a more special and affordable example - especially one with as much awesome fiction in it as Postscripts #15! Click through below to secure your copy ahead of the rush:

Don't forget that four issue subscriptions to Postscripts are also available, and that every current and paid-up subscriber will receive a copy of our bonus seasonal chapbook, round about the end of the year.

PS Showcase #3 - cover art for Robert T Jeschonek’s Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal collection

Posted by Paul Raven on June 17th, 2008 at 9:27

Ladies and gentlemen, PS Publishing are proud to present the complete jacket layout (based on Tomislav Tikulin's striking artwork) for our third Showcase collection featuring fiction maverick Robert T Jeschonek - Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal.

jeschonek-mad-scientist-meets-cannibal.jpg

Pretty, ain't it? Here's the jacket blurb to whet your appetite further:

Welcome to the world of Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal. Where else can you come face to face with a giant rhinoporcupine? Dream the future in a jazz tune from Hell? Hunt down outlaws who commit the crime of love? Eat a walking, talking human feast? Find passion behind the lab coat of a smoking hot mad scientist?

Only in Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal.

In these pages, Robert T. Jeschonek will take you on a tour of the wildest places and people you've never imagined. You've never met anyone quite like Dr. Hildegarde Medici, the mad scientist worshipped from afar by her twisted assistant, Glugor...or the Genebillies of Best Virginia, rip-snortin' genetic engineers in the moonshiner tradition...or Manny the Ration, an edible man who feeds more than empty stomachs in an alien landscape gone berserk.

If you're looking for something mind-blowing, you've come to the right place. In Mad Scientist Meets Cannibal, gonzo fictioneer Robert T. Jeschonek sets his wild imagination loose in five free-for-alls that set a new standard for storytelling. It's all about a cutting edge mêlée style, an in-your-face storytelling for the 21st century that mashes up genres, tones, expectations, and the most fundamental rules of stories and language. At the core of this engine of big ideas, startling imagery, and unexpected connections, you'll always find a pounding heart of love and longing and wonder, its power amplified by the revolutionary matrix roaring around it.

Take your first step into this breakthrough literary mêlée and experience a convergence of science fiction and fantasy...thrills and theories...tears and laughter...truth and lies...insanity and enlightenment. Ask yourself "What if?" and "Why not?" and "What the hell was that?" Most of all, kiss your preconceptions goodbye.

You're standing at the door to a big new treasure house, waiting for a key. And Robert T. Jeschonek just handed you a stick of dynamite.

What more can we say? To get your hands on a copy of this explosive mixture of genre tropes as soon as it becomes available, click through below to pre-order your copies right away!

Crimson Guard proofreading - an apology, and an offer of recompense

Posted by Peter Crowther on May 31st, 2008 at 16:14

Hi everyone;

Return Of The Crimson Guard by Ian C Esslemont I thought I should take a moment or two to offer my apologies for the standard of proofreading for the two-volume slipcased edition of Ian Cameron's excellent new novel RETURN OF THE CRIMSON GUARD.

I don't propose to go into the why's and wherefore's on this: goof-ups happen, and I'm pleased to see that the copy-editor/proofer we hired to do the job - a seasoned professional, I might mention here - has seen fit to put his hand in the air. Good for him, I say . . . but I confess I would not have expected less. However, it's on my desk that the buck will and should stop.

The gentleman concerned has asked that I do not disclose his identity and I'm going to respect that request. So anyone expecting an outpouring of vitriol and general nastiness from me about the job is going to be disappointed. That's just not our style here at PS Publishing. I can assure you that this particular proofreader takes his work seriously. I can further testify that this is most certainly a long way below his usual standard. There are some good reasons why he dropped the ball but, of course, they're not much consolation to people who have shelled out good money for what will be regarded as a substandard job.

There's nothing much we can do to rectify it at this stage but, by way of some small recompense, all customers who have purchased a copy are hereby entitled to a free PS book . . . one that has been properly edited and proofed. Just drop us a line to editor@pspublishing.co.uk with your name, address and (where possible) your original order number and, as soon as we've confirmed that you did indeed buy a copy, we'll send your free book to the address used on the original order. If you ordered your set from somewhere other than direct from PS Publishing then let us have all the relevant details in your email and we'll verify your purchase with the appropriate vendor.

The free book should be chosen from our pre-2008 titles - check the Store. No pre-2008 titles are out of bounds - if we have copies left then we'll send one out to you . . . but give us a couple of alternative choices in case a particular title has recently sold out.

And if you haven't as yet ordered a copy but were thinking of doing so then we'll gladly offer the same deal completely up-front: order your copy through the PS Publishing website for the advertised price plus postage and choose a free book from our pre-2008 titles.

I know that this will not fully address the problem, nor will it restore in full the levels of pleasure you had expected on reading the book. But then nothing is going to be ideal in this situation and I hope you'll agree that what we're offering is a genuine gesture. I hope also that this unfortunate incident will not dissuade you from trying us with something else a little farther down the line.

Thanks for listening.

Best wishes -

Pete Crowther

A change of PS Personnel

Posted by Peter Crowther on April 18th, 2008 at 9:52

Just a quick note to let our regular readers and customers know that our former press, publicity, marketing etc. guy, Darren Turpin, is no longer with us, having taken on a full-time position as a marketing exec with Orbit Books.

Our new press, publicity, marketing etc. guy is Paul Raven (of Velcro City Tourist Board and Futurismic fame) and he's currently in the process of finding his feet whilst hitting the ground running (and reading through a couple of hundred handover-related emails from Darren).

So please do bear with us during this transitional phase, especially if you've emailed us recently with regard to anything press, publicity or marketing-related and we'll be in touch as soon as we possibly can.

Cheers!
Peter Crowther, Publisher, PS Publishing.

‘Basil Copper: A Life in Books’ launch event - great time had by all!

Posted by Peter Crowther on March 14th, 2008 at 11:49

'Basil Copper: A Life in Books' by Stephen JonesThe launch of Stephen Jones's marvellous Basil Copper: A Life in Books went swimmingly on Saturday 23rd Feb, thanks in no small way to the book's editor (and Mandy Slater, who was allergied up to the eyebrows on the night of the event and unable to attend) and, of course, those tried-and-tested stalwarts of the British Fantasy Society.

Basil was a real sweetie and we also had contributors Randy Broecker, Les Edwards, Mike Marshall Smith and, of course, Steve himself signing copies... and even I got roped in to sign a few as publisher.

Fantastic turnout with appearances from master anthologist Hugh Lamb, plus Paul McAuley, Kim Newman, Andrew Hook, Sarah Pinborough, Allen Ashley, David Sutton, Christopher Fowler, Mark Samuels and many others... not least BFS regulars Peter and Jan Coleborn, Paul and Marie Kane, Sylvia Starshine and Gary Couzens. Nice too to see Suzanne Barbieri again (Hi Suzanne) though we were sorry to miss out on husband Richard, who was in 'training' for an important tennis match (for those who don't know, Richard is keyboard-player for the remarkable Porcupine Tree, who feature regularly on the CD players dotted around Crowther Towers).

Manning (personing? personning?) the sales counter were Amanda Foubister (welcome to Blighty, Amanda) ably assisted by Nicky Crowther. A real hoot of a night... though I'm pleased I don't need to do it every week!

Here are a few pics taken on the evening by Peter Coleborn (many thanks to Peter for permission to reproduce them here!):

Basil Copper & Stephen Jones
Hugh Lamb, David Sutton & Randy Broecker
The Book Display, shortly before the punters got stuck in...
Peter Crowther
Basil Copper

And event attendee Gary Power has posted a number of pictures from the evening over at his website, www.GarysStrangeWorld.com. Thanks Gary!

In Stock and Shipping Now: Bradbury, Clarke & Coney slipcased editions

Posted by Darren on February 6th, 2008 at 8:50

We're happy to confirm that the three slipcased titles that had been delayed recently due to technical hitches are all now in stock and have been shipping from our despatch company over the past week or so to all our pre-order customers.

Just for the record, those three editions are:

The slipcased hardcover edition of Dandelion Wine is also available, signed by Ray Bradbury, and priced £50.00 ($100.00 approx.)

If you have any questions about your order for one of these three titles, please address them to the enquiries email address. Details are on the Contact page of the Webstore.

‘Dandelion Wine’ shipping update

Posted by Darren on January 23rd, 2008 at 15:16

Sincere apologies to any customers experiencing a delay in receiving a pre-ordered or recently ordered slipcased or deluxe two-volume set of our 50th Anniversary edition of Ray Brabdury's classic Dandelion Wine.

We now have the deluxe two-volume edition in stock, and orders are being shipped this week, but alas there was a problem with the slipcase for the slipcased edition, and we've had to ask the printers to re-run them, which means a delay of a week or so before we can start shipping them.

Again, we do apologise, and please rest assured we'll do our utmost to fulfil the outstanding orders as soon as we possibly can.

‘Basil Copper: A Life in Books’ launch event, London, February 23rd

Posted by Darren on January 18th, 2008 at 17:20

'Basil Copper: A Life in Books' by Stephen JonesHosted by the British Fantasy Society and PS Publishing, the bio/bibliography Basil Copper: A Life in Books, compiled and edited by Stephen Jones, will be launched on Saturday, February 23rd at The Upstairs Bar, Ye Olde Cock Tavern, 22 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AA from 6.00 p.m. onwards.

Among those signing copies will be Basil Copper, editor/co-designer Stephen Jones, artists Randy Broecker and Les Edwards, co-designer Michael Marshall Smith and publisher Peter Crowther. Special Guests (subject to commitment) include legendary anthology editors Hugh Lamb, Michel Parry and David A. Sutton.

About the Author:

Basil Copper became a full-time writer in 1970. His first story in the horror field, 'The Spider', was published in 1964 in The Fifth Pan Book of Horror Stories, since when his short fiction has appeared in numerous collections and anthologies, and been extensively adapted for radio and television.

Along with two non-fiction studies of the vampire and werewolf legends, his other books include the novels The Great White Space, The Curse of the Fleers, Necropolis, The Black Death and The House of the Wolf.

Copper has also written more than fifty hardboiled thrillers about Los Angeles private detective Mike Faraday, and has continued the adventures of August Derleth's Sherlock Holmes-like consulting detective Solar Pons in several volumes of short stories and the novel Solar Pons Versus the Devil's Claw.

About the Book:

Concluding three years' extensive research, multiple award-winning editor and writer Stephen Jones was given unprecedented and unrestricted access to the books and papers of renowned British macabre and crime writer Basil Copper.

The result is Basil Copper: A Life in Books, a unique and in-depth study of the author and his works. Not only does this volume contain the most comprehensive Working Bibliography ever compiled of Basil Copper's productive output – including Macabre and Supernatural Novels and Collections, the 'Solar Pons' series, the 'Mike Faraday' series, Short Fiction and Novellas, Media Adaptations, Unpublished Works and much more, enhanced with commentary by the author himself – but it also features several rare and obscure articles covering everything from Arkham House creator August Derleth to a brief history of Count Dracula.

There are also a number of short stories, most of them original to this volume, ranging from his very first published work back in 1938 to a brand-new “Mike Faraday” detective adventure, along with a complete television script based on M.R. James' classic horror story 'Count Magnus'.

With an in-depth look at the author's life and career by acclaimed ghost story editor Richard Dalby, and Basil Copper's inspirational Guest of Honour speech from the 1977 British Fantasy Convention, Basil Copper: A Life in Books is illustrated with numerous cover reproductions, artwork and unique personal photographs.

The book will be published in two editions:

Special Offers:

If you cannot make it to the signing, but still want to pre-purchase a personally-signed copy (or copies) please contact us for details of how to place your order. Dealer's enquiries welcome – trade discounts available.

BFS BONUS!!! On the night, a number of specially-priced copies of the PS hardcover anthology Don't Turn Out the Light will be available on a first-come basis. Edited by Stephen Jones, this third volume in the acclaimed new 'Not at Night' series features work by Basil Copper, Paul McAuley, Mark Samuels, Jay Russell, Randy Broecker, Les Edwards and many others (including Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Charles L. Grant and Hugh B. Cave...)

Finished Cover: ‘The Economy of Light’ by Jack Dann

Posted by Darren on January 16th, 2008 at 14:31

Another finished cover for you, and it's another gorgeously rich and textured piece by the one and only Vincent Chong, this time for The Economy of Light, Jack Dann's magnificent new novella: a journey into and beyond the heart of darkness...

Vincent Chong's artwork for Jack Dann's 'The Economy of Light'

We're publishing later in the year.

Announcing the next six PS Showcase Titles

Posted by Darren on January 7th, 2008 at 16:37

Our first PS Showcase mini-collection, Gary Fry's Sanity and Other Delusions has been a huge success so far, and we're delighted to be able to confirm initial details of the next six additions to the Showcase range:

Full catalogue pages will be added to the webstore once we've finalised a few more details, such as ISBNs and, hopefully, cover artists for all six.

Out Now: new titles from Bradbury, Clarke, Hughes, Coney, plus: Postscripts #13!

Posted by Darren on December 21st, 2007 at 14:26

We're absolutely delighted to announce that no fewer than six brand new titles have now come back from the printers and will start shipping at the end of next week, for delivery in early January.

And those titles are: