Conference noted::sf

It's supposed to be out this month or next, I believe. A friend of mine got
a review copy, read it, and gives it a thumbs down. He says it's nothing
more than a rewrite of NINE PRINCES IN AMBER, with Corwin's son taking the
place of Corwin. The ending is virtually the same as in NINE PRINCES, even
to the gimmick of ending the book mid-way through a sentence.

I've been very disappointed with Zelazny lately. Other than DOORWAYS IN THE
SAND and ROADMARKS, he hasn't written a decent book since CREATURES OF LIGHT
AND DARKNESS.


--- jerry

Being a big fan of Nine Princes, I'm anxiously awaiting this new book. Even
if it's as bad as you say I'm probably one of many who gets so wrapped up
in a series that I'll like it anyway.  Same goes for Dune, some are really
not very good on their own merit but I enjoy any new insites they may give
if nothing better than to escape back into a familiar world.

By the way, does anyone know where or how I can get a review copy ???  I'd
be willing to purchase someone's copy if they're willing to part with such
a treasure(?).

((mike))

Well, my friend gets review copies because he does reviews for SCIENCE FICTION
CHRONICLE. He's also a collector, so he doesn't sell his review copies.

Anyways, be patient. TRUMPS OF DOOM is a May release from Arbor House ($14.95).
In theory, going by the usual actual release vs. release date, it should be in
the bookstores now or Real Soon Now.

--- jerry

Great, I can't wait.  By the way, do you know who came up with that awful 
title ?  Sounds like a Spielberg movie that didn't quite make it.  I can
see it know.... Harrison Ford IS Corwin of Amber.... James Earl Jones IS
the Evil Lord of Chaos.... Jan Michael Vincent IS....

((mike))

re: .2

Read "COILS", a joint effort between Roger Z and Fritz Saberhagen, in the
expensive easy-to-read-for-those-who-should-wear-glasses-but-claim-it-spoils-
their-looks format. The nickel review: Blech.
Also read "EYE OF CAT" - pretty much the same review.
Which is really too bad, because I personally, like, grooved on Doorways
in the Sand. It was way rad and totally fine. Now if I could only figure
out, like, why I'm talking this way...

Max

Ah, Max, that's *Fred* Saberhagen...

--- jerry

   By the way, Trumps of Doom is now out in hardback. Spike McFee's
bookstore in Harvard Square has it.  For people into such things,
the first printing only numbers 8500 copies.  A second printing is 
scheduled.


                                       Larry

I bought a copy but there is no indication of a first printing. Are 
there any identifiable markings or codes that would indicate it as
such ?

With that particular publisher (Arbor House), I'm not sure. I don't think so,
but I'll have to check other AH books I have.

In general, each publisher has his own system. Most do, however, have "first
printing" or "first edition" on the copyright page. Another system, sometimes
is a string of numbers, the lowest of which indicates the printing. So, a
first edition may have

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

on the copyright page, with or without the legend "first edition". Some
publishers (such as Viking, for example) *won't* say anything if it's a first,
but *will* give the number of the printing if it's not. There are even trickier
systems that have been used in the past. If one wants to be a collector, one
just has to learn which publishers do what.

--- jerry

	I've also noticed that some publishers are not even consistant
	among themselves. Take ,for example, the Dune series.  Some
	have no indication of first edition ( but *will* list later
	printings such as Messiah, God Emperor.  Heretics had a
	"limited first edition" for it's first edit. Very nasty of
	those guys (Putnam) isn't it.

	Anyway, I just finished Trumps, and am torn.  On one hand I have
	to admire "Z" for taking a proven and "cultish" series in a very
	new direction.  The DJ indicates that it is the start of a new
	Amber series. This is obviously true. This is not the old Amber
	that so many of us came to know and love.  

	The writing style is more 80'ish (for lack of a better word),
	and seems to be heading towards more scifi/techno than a
	fantasy/swashbucklng flavor as was the case with the other five.
	I have to agree with the previous comments; this is *not* as
	well written or as captivating as the originals series. It is
	very quick reading ( of the 180+ pages I read about 125 in 
	one evening -- a few hours) without even trying to rush.

	However, (I am really a sucker sometimes) there are some good
	parts in it, and it *is* Amber, and some of our favorite
	characters are there, and, and.... So I bought it, and will
	probably buy the next one too, and help "Z" retire comfortably
	in Los Angels (or wherever) without much effort at all.

	Sucker for a series,

	((Mike))

Actually, GOD EMPEROR..., HERETICS..., and CHAPTERHOUSE... all have limited,
signed editions, but none of them are true first editions (even if they say
so). They were all release at the same time as their trade counterparts.
I have first editions of all of the Dune books (except the first), and none
of them give any indication of the first printing. They will indicate,
though, if it's not a first.

This might be a good place to point out to anyone who has a mind to get into
collecting first editions that in the majority of cases, the various limited,
signed editions are not firsts. If they are from the same publisher as the
trade edition (such as the Dune books), they are issued simultaneously. If
they are from small-press publishers, they are often issued after the first
trade edition. Not that this is intentional. Most small presses fully intend
their edition to be a first, but they may run into production problems, or
the trade publisher will ship early, or somesuch.

If you want to collect limited, signed editions, do so for the fact that they
*are* limited, signed, sometimes slipcased, and are beautifully produced
books. Don't do so because they are supposed to be first editions. Don Grant's
edition of THE TALISMAN, for example, was issued about two months after the
trade edition appeared, but oh! what a gorgeous book it is! Definitely the
pride of my collection, and worth every penny of its price (Grant is a per-
fectionist).

--- jerry

    First off...
    
    I have read all of Zelazny's Amber novels, and I enjoyed them. 
    But...
    Does anyone know if he is ever going to write the next book in the
    series of "The Changeling" and "Madwand"?  It seems that I've been
    waiting forever...
    
                                                                  -mishel