The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
11197 Posts
    
The Dark and Forbidding Lands of The Necromancer.
 | | 06/08/2005 8:08 PM |
| | recovered topic 4568 | |
Ghendar - Bringin' the snark!
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I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
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The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
11197 Posts
The Dark and Forbidding Lands of The Necromancer.
| | 06/08/2005 8:08 PM |
| He sells well. They're just taking advantage of that.
I've always enjoyed his work. | |
Ghendar - Bringin' the snark!
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Cthulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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Hero of the Force
Siddartha of Suburbia
Underboss
2277 Posts
| | 06/08/2005 10:06 PM |
| | There are other, equally prolifice writers in the D&D genre. Weis and Hickman? They probably have a similar number of books under their belt. | |
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Fun Guy from Yuggoth
Cthulhufnord
Warlord
10787 Posts
Umass Amherst Baby!
| | 06/09/2005 1:21 AM |
| | I liked his first couple of Dritz books, but I've pretty much strayed to older/dead authors at this point. | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 2:08 AM |
| I've read most of his books -- all of his FR books. He is a good author. However, WotC is having a huge trend of reprinting a lot of their classic novels with new covers by different artists.
Personally, I think it's annoying as hell. The reprints actually cost more than the original runs. I don't need a different cover when the originals were far better! [:P] | |
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devasque
Sergeant
874 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 2:38 AM |
| There are some unfortunate truths about WoTC and probably first and foremost is that they're a corporation and their aim is to make money. Hence the heavy rounds of repacked novels that have proven to sell and continue to sell. The newer packaging in hopes of catching the younger readers and new bodies to D&D.
They've narrowed the field of new books going to print as well compared to a few years ago. Another reason why you've perhaps seen the flux of trilogy books, anthologies ect. Some of them are good, a few even better, but I miss the stand alones. Anyone remember the Harper's series from the Forgotten Realms line? | |
You see! There ARE others out there just like me. What? Why are laughing? | |
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Testament
Underboss
1397 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 3:36 AM |
| Like what covers Dariustad? The main ones that jump into my head when i think of the reprinted covers are the first two Starlight & Shadows novels. I mean, even if Todd Lockwood made Liriel Baenre the FRealms' answer to Jennifer Love Hewitt (do none of her shirts have the top three buttons or something?), at least she actually looks elven!
And the new covers for the Dark Elf trilogy also rock. About the only inferior covers I can think of are the Avatar series, but there's no evidence to suggest that anyone cares about those metaplot based PC strangling novels. | |
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Monsoon28
Underboss
2290 Posts
Toronto
| | 06/09/2005 4:50 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Testament
Like what covers Dariustad? The main ones that jump into my head when i think of the reprinted covers are the first two Starlight & Shadows novels. I mean, even if Todd Lockwood made Liriel Baenre the FRealms' answer to Jennifer Love Hewitt (do none of her shirts have the top three buttons or something?), at least she actually looks elven!
Hmmmmmmmm Jennifer Love Hewitt.....uuuuuggggghhhh :drools:
Oh sorry couldn't help myself [:D]
While there are a few books coming out repacked that I want (the Giants Trilogy, missed it the first time around.) I don't pay it any attention, Salvatore sells and so long as he sells well they'll repack his books almost as often as the LotR trilogy gets repacked.
Yes I remember the Harpers series I wouldn't mind getting a collection version of that since most of the books were pretty good (though I few stank so bad I've block all memory of them from my mind.)
As for the covers I think some are improvements such as the Starlight & Shadows, but some of the old covers were just great, like the Crystal Shard series. IMO...YMMV | |
"I was sittin' here eatin' my muffin, drinkin' my coffee, replayin' the incident in my head, when I had what alcoholics refer to as a moment of clarity." - Jules Winnfield
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The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
11197 Posts
The Dark and Forbidding Lands of The Necromancer.
| | 06/09/2005 6:45 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Monsoon28
quote:
Originally posted by Testament
Like what covers Dariustad? The main ones that jump into my head when i think of the reprinted covers are the first two Starlight & Shadows novels. I mean, even if Todd Lockwood made Liriel Baenre the FRealms' answer to Jennifer Love Hewitt (do none of her shirts have the top three buttons or something?), at least she actually looks elven!
Hmmmmmmmm Jennifer Love Hewitt.....uuuuuggggghhhh :drools:
Oh sorry couldn't help myself [:D]
Do you need to be alone for a few minutes? [:o)] | |
Ghendar - Bringin' the snark!
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Cthulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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Bonepinhimer
Sergeant
480 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 9:21 AM |
| | I like how they are reprinting some of the older books. Not necessarily the Salvatore stuff since I have all of it already, but other things like the Giants Trilogy and the Moonshae(sp?) Trilogy I missed the first time around. Its nice to have a shot at picking those up. | |
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Avatar of the Irrelevant
Diomedes
Commander
3173 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 9:37 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Siddartha of Suburbia
There are other, equally prolifice writers in the D&D genre. Weis and Hickman? They probably have a similar number of books under their belt.
I'm not 100% sure, but it does feel like Salvatore grows books like tomatoes on the vine (with a tip of the hat to Calvino).
-Diomedes
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PatEllis15
Commander
4462 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 10:19 AM |
| Well, Salvatore's contract is actaully up with WotC. Will he do more with them? I think it likely.
But now that the swords trilogy is complete, the best way to keep him fresh, and provide fresh product is to make sure that his older books, whose prints runs are probably nearly sold out, are available for new fans to find.
I have a first printing of the Crystal Shard. I actually got him to sign it when I got my Guen figure. I'd love for my kids to someday read it, but, as a collector, I'd rather they not snap the spine in half on that one. The Crystal shard was also never published in hardcover ( I believe...). My wife just picked it up for me at a Book publishers show in NY, and I was pretty pleased.
It is smart business sense, that they keep his books in publication, and in forms that may attract repeat purchases by some people.
Pat E | |
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The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
11197 Posts
The Dark and Forbidding Lands of The Necromancer.
| | 06/09/2005 11:35 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Bonepinhimer
I like how they are reprinting some of the older books. Not necessarily the Salvatore stuff since I have all of it already, but other things like the Giants Trilogy and the Moonshae(sp?) Trilogy I missed the first time around. Its nice to have a shot at picking those up.
There's always used copies on ebay. probably get them cheaper there too. | |
Ghendar - Bringin' the snark!
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Cthulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
11197 Posts
The Dark and Forbidding Lands of The Necromancer.
| | 06/09/2005 11:39 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by PatEllis15
I have a first printing of the Crystal Shard. I actually got him to sign it when I got my Guen figure. I'd love for my kids to someday read it, but, as a collector, I'd rather they not snap the spine in half on that one. The Crystal shard was also never published in hardcover ( I believe...). My wife just picked it up for me at a Book publishers show in NY, and I was pretty pleased.
That series was grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! (a little homage to Thurl Ravenscroft RIP. The voice of Tony the Tiger.)
It was probably the first TSR book I ever read. | |
Ghendar - Bringin' the snark!
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Cthulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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Monsoon28
Underboss
2290 Posts
Toronto
| | 06/09/2005 1:21 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Ghendar
Do you need to be alone for a few minutes? [:o)]
Thanks that time alone was most excellent, spent some time with Christina Ricci while I was at it! [)]
Crystal Shard would also be the first novel I read from the FR setting. But DL Chronicles would have been the first TSR novel set I read overall. | |
"I was sittin' here eatin' my muffin, drinkin' my coffee, replayin' the incident in my head, when I had what alcoholics refer to as a moment of clarity." - Jules Winnfield
Sales/Trades Bad (1): Ironfist Boulderbender
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Champion of Gem Dragons, VINDICATED Squire of Duergar Commander, Knight of the Astral Stalker.
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Professional Fan of DDM
Shoe
Sergeant
804 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 1:33 PM |
| Darkwalker on Moonshae was the first FR book I read (after I read Dragons of Autumn Twilight a week or two before). Then I followed it up with The Crystal Shard and then both series (FR & DL) really started to take off...
As others have mentioned, Salvatore is very popular. Especially when he writes about Drizzt or drow.. Having reprints keeps those books in circulation, and new covers give something to die-hard collectors (we don't know any of those here on Maxminis, though). Hopefully we'll get more new blood, or more work from some of the better contributors to the lines.. | |
Professional Fan of DDM | |
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B
Underboss
1189 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 3:07 PM |
| | Yeah, as soon as I started this thread I knew that I'd get a lot of people saying that he sells well [:D] I guess that my biggest problem is that I've read most of the older WoTC books (I loved the first book in the harpers series), and I was kind of excited to see what books were in the works. I opened the catalogue and kind of went..."read it, that too, read that one a couple of times.." and was a little disappointed with the focus on a couple of authors. I used to love the Salvatore stuff, but now I'm getting to the point where I can't palate it. There's just too much. I guess I'm too much of a counter culture junkie [:D] If it's popular I don't like it....goodbye DDM [:D] | |
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.--Dylan Thomas
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Kiirnodel
Sergeant
484 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 3:14 PM |
| | Frankly, I think he's a good writer, mind you I still need to get that last book in the series, but I've been lazy. Why not Salvatore? | |
Official Smiter of Min/Maxers and Powergamers. | |
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B
Underboss
1189 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 5:22 PM |
| | Oh, I don't have a problem with salvatore per say, it's just that they have devoted the bulk of their catalogue to one writer. I just happen to have read all of his books, and there is not much coming out for me to read. | |
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.--Dylan Thomas
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Grim
Sergeant
482 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 5:30 PM |
| | I have to agree with B on this one. Where are the new writers? Salvatore is an automatic moneymaker but you can only go to the well so many times (The Thousand Orcs trilogy was proof of that for me) before readers want something new (or something to actually be resolved). Other novel lines won't have a chance to build their following if they are shoved aside and there goes Salvatores replacement (and WotC's new cashcow) for when fans have read enough of R.A. and want something new. | |
I am a leaf on the wind...Urrk!!--Wash, "Serenity" | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 5:53 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Testament
Like what covers Dariustad? The main ones that jump into my head when i think of the reprinted covers are the first two Starlight & Shadows novels. I mean, even if Todd Lockwood made Liriel Baenre the FRealms' answer to Jennifer Love Hewitt (do none of her shirts have the top three buttons or something?), at least she actually looks elven!
And the new covers for the Dark Elf trilogy also rock. About the only inferior covers I can think of are the Avatar series, but there's no evidence to suggest that anyone cares about those metaplot based PC strangling novels.
I mean their titles in general, not just Salvatore. The DragonLance Chronicles were reprinted, and they replaced the Larry Elmore art -- whom I considering the quintessential DL artist (esp. Chronicles). It wasn't necessary; the originals were fantastic.
The originaly cover to "The Crystal Shard" was (is) one of my favorite book covers, ever. There are others.
Yes, I am a fan of Larry Elmore art. I simply don't see the point in spending money on new cover art. I don't really enjoy the thought of potentially paying more for a book I could have (or did) get a few years ago for less. It's another ploy for even more money -- one I don't agree with. Reprint with what you have, and let new players see the history and nostalgia of the originals. | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 5:58 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by PatEllis15
Well, Salvatore's contract is actaully up with WotC. Will he do more with them? I think it likely.
Not the first time this has happened. Last time, they said they were going to give Drizzt and team to another author to write. No one took WotC up on the offer, so they hired him back.
quote:
I have a first printing of the Crystal Shard. I actually got him to sign it when I got my Guen figure. I'd love for my kids to someday read it, but, as a collector, I'd rather they not snap the spine in half on that one. The Crystal shard was also never published in hardcover ( I believe...). My wife just picked it up for me at a Book publishers show in NY, and I was pretty pleased.
It is smart business sense, that they keep his books in publication, and in forms that may attract repeat purchases by some people.
Pat E
Nice. That's a good book to have in first edition, signed. However, the Icewind Dale Trilogy *is* getting reprinted in Hardback. Only the Halfling's Gem hasn't been added to the calendar, yet. The Crystal Shard came out in March 2005. Streams of Silver is out next month (July). | |
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wicked cool
Underboss
2083 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 7:18 PM |
| Ive read all the salvatore books and i dont understand the hate for him. Hes not taking away from other good authors. Drow are popular because of him. Its not his fault players want to play drow in campaigns its the players limited imagination. I look forward to RA salvatores next book. Its a fun quick read that makes me feel like im inside the D&D world. Not many other WOTC authors are as good as him or make it seem like you are in the D&D world. If there were then i would read them 2 and their characters would be just as popular.
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B
Underboss
1189 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 7:40 PM |
| | Yes, I look forward to his next work as well....but not at the expense of new writers. | |
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.--Dylan Thomas
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Testament
Underboss
1397 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 8:16 PM |
| Larry Elmore's art may be a bad example, owing to the fact that he's a real stickler for owning the copyright to his work. Wizards probably didn't want to have to shell out more cash to him to continue to use it.
I dunno, nostalgia probably has a lot to do with it, but I don't carry that baggage. I didn't grow up with it, and quite frankly, don't give a rats about most of this product. I only read Starlight & Shadows because I had 4 hours to kill at uni one day, and saw it on the table in the rec library. And I just don't care for Dragonlance. | |
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My Have/Want List, (Updated July 6 2004, will be updated soon)
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Grim
Sergeant
482 Posts
| | 06/09/2005 11:45 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by wicked cool
Ive read all the salvatore books and i dont understand the hate for him. Hes not taking away from other good authors. Drow are popular because of him. Its not his fault players want to play drow in campaigns its the players limited imagination. I look forward to RA salvatores next book. Its a fun quick read that makes me feel like im inside the D&D world. Not many other WOTC authors are as good as him or make it seem like you are in the D&D world. If there were then i would read them 2 and their characters would be just as popular.
At this point, there are probably as many people who say, "Enough with the Drow already!" as say "Give me more Drow goodness!" Oversaturation has removed any and all of the "coolness" of the dark elves IMHO. Your point that he is not taking away from new authors is incorrect in that publishing houses have limited slots for novels each year and if they are all filled with Salvatore reprints then new fantasy authors have lost another outlet to potential readers. Oh, and not to derail the issue, but I have to go on record as hating the characterization of dwarves in Salvatores books. It's not the Scottish burr that gets me(I kind of enjoy that); it's the names. I read to escape reality for a bit and everytime I find a dwarf named Dagnabbit it rips me out of the page. I can't care about anyone named after an exclamation one normally hears in an episode of "Gunsmoke." Or Bouldershoulder. Or....You get my drift. Do dwarven parents really name their children this way or is it a variation of Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue?" to toughen them up by getting constantly made fun off and pounded. | |
I am a leaf on the wind...Urrk!!--Wash, "Serenity" | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 06/10/2005 2:03 AM |
| Actually, there was one book with a male Dwarf named Jill. No joke!
As for Salvatore's Dwarven names: I tend to like them. He's trying to have some fun in rather serious moments. Besides, the Bouldershoulders have to be two of the craziest Dwarves I've ever read about -- sometimes, Ivan is more reckless than his brother, Pikel. | |
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Frederyck
Sneak
133 Posts
Uppsala, Sweden
| | 06/10/2005 7:18 AM |
| quote:
[i]Originally posted by dariustad[/iI mean their titles in general, not just Salvatore. The DragonLance Chronicles were reprinted, and they replaced the Larry Elmore art -- whom I considering the quintessential DL artist (esp. Chronicles). It wasn't necessary; the originals were fantastic.
Perhaps they don't have the publishing rights to Elmore's works anymore? | |
If voting could really change things, it would be illegal. | |
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B
Underboss
1189 Posts
| | 06/10/2005 2:58 PM |
| | Whou would name their child after a condiment?!? PICKEL?? | |
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.--Dylan Thomas
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Grim
Sergeant
482 Posts
| | 06/10/2005 4:50 PM |
| | And it's no coincidence that much of him is green. R.A. naming his brother Ivan had me wondering what was next....a gnome named Steve? Imagine if Tolkien had done this; Gimli could have been named Giggles or Grumpy. The dwarf Dagnabbit does that to me. Reminding me of a Disney cartoon is no way to craft serious fantasy. Driz'zt is in the fight of his life with the fate of hundreds on the line and the green bearded dwarf says, "Oi Oi!" Mood officially spoiled. | |
I am a leaf on the wind...Urrk!!--Wash, "Serenity" | |
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Username
Warlord
5623 Posts
| | 06/10/2005 5:46 PM |
| Speaking of Salvatore (and no Drizzt)-
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0786938234/qid=1118439803/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-5084939-5678441?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 | |
Originally posted by Schooly_D
Username - he deals in minis
Champion of Lhesh Haruuc Shaarat'kor | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 06/10/2005 7:22 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by B
Whou would name their child after a condiment?!? PICKEL??
Actually, I asked Salvatore this in person.
His name is pronounced "Pie-kle" (a Pike with an L added on the end)
He is not (a) "pickle." (Not even kosher or kill. Not sandwich sliced, salty, or a gerkin in the rough!)
Hee Hee Hee. [)] | |
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