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BountyHunter
Seeker

Canada
61 Posts

Posted - 27 Feb 2018 :  22:23:37  Show Profile Send BountyHunter a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Excited to hear that new books are coming. I became reinterested in FR in time to find out the novels were stopping, so I was worried that I had jinxed it or something. #128516;
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe

Portugal
508 Posts

Posted - 01 Mar 2018 :  19:47:22  Show Profile Send Tanthalas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
While I'm a sucker for happy endings, it's great to see a new Drizzt book is going to be released.

I hope this means that new Realms novels are on the way. I love Drizzt, but we need more stories.

Agree on the cover though, I really dislike it. I miss the covers by Todd Lockwood.

EDIT: Drizzt being traied by Kane seems odd, but I guess it's not completely out of nowhere. So he's like a Fighter/Barbarian/Ranger/Monk now, give him another century or two and he'll have more classes than Elminster.

Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage".

Edited by - Tanthalas on 01 Mar 2018 19:50:24
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader

USA
2708 Posts

Posted - 01 Mar 2018 :  21:46:28  Show Profile Send CorellonsDevout a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas

While I'm a sucker for happy endings, it's great to see a new Drizzt book is going to be released.

I hope this means that new Realms novels are on the way. I love Drizzt, but we need more stories.




Yay, someone else who likes happy endings lol. I was pretty content with the ending of Hero, and part of my fear of a new trilogy is it the end isn't going to be as happy LOL. But, by the same token, I do have some unanswered questions, and while I think they could be answered in a short story, if it takes a new trilogy to answer them, fine.

I also hope this means more Realms novels to come. So far, it's only Salvatore, but I hope that changes.

Sweet water and light laughter
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Thoth
Acolyte

Canada
31 Posts

Posted - 02 Mar 2018 :  15:33:16  Show Profile Send Thoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Well, honestly any news is good news on the novel front.

I think we are all looking forward to ANY new novels.

I am so so on this one, but I know I'll pick it up like most of you will!

;)

T
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John Daker
Seeker

USA
78 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2018 :  21:46:26  Show Profile Send John Daker a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Short video interview with Salvatore about the new series:
http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/eccc-2018-r-a-salvatore-goes-behind-the-scenes-on-his-new-drizzt-trilogy
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Lamora
Seeker

USA
81 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2018 :  22:30:14  Show Profile Send Lamora a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Hmm... That interview definitely suggests that Salvatore will be the only books we will be receiving in the Realms unless this trilogy sells way more than Harper Collins expects and feels that more Realms books will be worth it.
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe

Portugal
508 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2018 :  22:41:32  Show Profile Send Tanthalas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Yeah that interview really makes it sound like it was RAS' initiative to find a new publisher, and that this isn't a new strategy of WotC.

Well, I still hope this leads to more FR books.

Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage".
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore

1621 Posts

Posted - 13 Apr 2018 :  14:30:11  Show Profile Send Gyor a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas

Yeah that interview really makes it sound like it was RAS' initiative to find a new publisher, and that this isn't a new strategy of WotC.

Well, I still hope this leads to more FR books.



Still the door has been opened and Salvatore novels sell the best, but they aren't the only ones that sell well, now that the door has been opened and the method understood, there is no reason other authors can't do what Salvatore did, especially Kemp and Erin M. Evans.
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire

USA
15724 Posts

Posted - 13 Apr 2018 :  14:54:11  Show Profile Send Markustay a Private Message  Reply with Quote
*Meh*

Drizzt is so '2005'

Now its all about super-Drizzit - a four-armed drow half-demon who quadrupel-wields 6' Greatswords (each attuned to a different energy-type).

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone

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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 13 Apr 2018 :  18:53:45  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Gyor

quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas

Yeah that interview really makes it sound like it was RAS' initiative to find a new publisher, and that this isn't a new strategy of WotC.

Well, I still hope this leads to more FR books.



Still the door has been opened and Salvatore novels sell the best, but they aren't the only ones that sell well, now that the door has been opened and the method understood, there is no reason other authors can't do what Salvatore did, especially Kemp and Erin M. Evans.



Except for the fact that WotC still has to agree to it, since they own the characters and the IP.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

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John Daker
Seeker

USA
78 Posts

Posted - 13 Apr 2018 :  20:05:41  Show Profile Send John Daker a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Except for the fact that WotC still has to agree to it, since they own the characters and the IP.



But no one at WotC ever (publicly) said they didn't want more novels, only that they didn't want to be the ones publishing them. And now they're not the publisher, HarperCollins is. So why would WotC veto a compelling pitch for a novel from an established and talented author?

I can think of two reasons why they might say no:

1) They have stated many times that the slow publishing pace for 5e (three RPG books a year, though maybe four in 2018) is absolutely deliberate. It is a result of their (probably correct) belief that many potential players were turned off by the huge number of supplements for previous editions. They might want to keep new D&D-branded novels to a similarly slow pace, for the same reasons. This might be why it appears that Timeless might be published without any D&D or FR branding on the cover.

2) Like any custodians of a valuable brand, their top priority is "don't damage the brand." It's possible they want to keep the game as PG as possible -- or as PC as possible. And some of the existing Realms novels are neither.

These are both wrongheaded, and I hope they don't represent WotC's actual thinking about the matter. But it's certainly possible.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 13 Apr 2018 :  20:19:28  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by John Daker

quote:
Except for the fact that WotC still has to agree to it, since they own the characters and the IP.



But no one at WotC ever (publicly) said they didn't want more novels, only that they didn't want to be the ones publishing them. And now they're not the publisher, HarperCollins is. So why would WotC veto a compelling pitch for a novel from an established and talented author?

I can think of two reasons why they might say no:

1) They have stated many times that the slow publishing pace for 5e (three RPG books a year, though maybe four in 2018) is absolutely deliberate. It is a result of their (probably correct) belief that many potential players were turned off by the huge number of supplements for previous editions. They might want to keep new D&D-branded novels to a similarly slow pace, for the same reasons. This might be why it appears that Timeless might be published without any D&D or FR branding on the cover.

2) Like any custodians of a valuable brand, their top priority is "don't damage the brand." It's possible they want to keep the game as PG as possible -- or as PC as possible. And some of the existing Realms novels are neither.

These are both wrongheaded, and I hope they don't represent WotC's actual thinking about the matter. But it's certainly possible.



I'll answer your question with another: Why would WotC decide to get out of the more profitable business of novels to focus exclusively on game material?

The business decisions of WotC are oft unfathomable.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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John Daker
Seeker

USA
78 Posts

Posted - 13 Apr 2018 :  21:28:52  Show Profile Send John Daker a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:

The business decisions of WotC are oft unfathomable.



Well, I won't argue with that part. But this part:

quote:

the more profitable business of novels



is no longer accurate, though of course it once was so. Commercially, fifth edition D&D is a mega-success. The sales figures are unprecedented.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 13 Apr 2018 :  21:39:38  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by John Daker

quote:

The business decisions of WotC are oft unfathomable.



Well, I won't argue with that part. But this part:

quote:

the more profitable business of novels



is no longer accurate, though of course it once was so. Commercially, fifth edition D&D is a mega-success. The sales figures are unprecedented.



Perhaps so, but from what I understand, it costs less to bring a novel to market and thus there was a considerably higher profit margin on novels. But the company had some fundamental opposition to being a company that published novels, so even though it made more money for them, they got out of it.

Candlekeep Forums Moderator

Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe

595 Posts

Posted - 14 Apr 2018 :  18:39:24  Show Profile Send Mirtek a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by John Daker

quote:

The business decisions of WotC are oft unfathomable.



Well, I won't argue with that part. But this part:

quote:

the more profitable business of novels



is no longer accurate, though of course it once was so. Commercially, fifth edition D&D is a mega-success. The sales figures are unprecedented.



Perhaps so, but from what I understand, it costs less to bring a novel to market and thus there was a considerably higher profit margin on novels. But the company had some fundamental opposition to being a company that published novels, so even though it made more money for them, they got out of it.

The question is whether the FR novels in particular were actually more profitable, not just novels in general.

For what it's worth someone once tried some analysis of Amazon sales ranks on one of the Brimstone novels and concluded that it sold less than 1 book a day on amazon.

Seems like in the end the only FR novels really selling significant numbers were Drizzt's
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Lamora
Seeker

USA
81 Posts

Posted - 14 Apr 2018 :  19:49:22  Show Profile Send Lamora a Private Message  Reply with Quote
You got to remember though that other sites sell books plus people still buy at actual bookstores. So those books would have sold much better overall than those numbers might indicate. Erin was selling well enough that they put her books into hardcover if I remember right. That is usually only done if there are enough sale's numbers.
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe

595 Posts

Posted - 14 Apr 2018 :  20:11:21  Show Profile Send Mirtek a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Lamora

You got to remember though that other sites sell books plus people still buy at actual bookstores. So those books would have sold much better overall than those numbers might indicate.
Even if Amazon only has a 20% share (I'd guess more than that), that's still not that many books (if the analysis was valid in the first place)
quote:
Originally posted by Lamora

Erin was selling well enough that they put her books into hardcover if I remember right. That is usually only done if there are enough sale's numbers.
Or it was agreed in advance based on memories of better times for sales of FR novels.

Remember, they even wanted to leave the series unfinished and she had to fight to get the last novel released at all.
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe

Portugal
508 Posts

Posted - 16 Apr 2018 :  21:03:59  Show Profile Send Tanthalas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Mirtek
The question is whether the FR novels in particular were actually more profitable, not just novels in general.

For what it's worth someone once tried some analysis of Amazon sales ranks on one of the Brimstone novels and concluded that it sold less than 1 book a day on amazon.

Seems like in the end the only FR novels really selling significant numbers were Drizzt's



Who knows how many units her book sold, but amazon isn't the only place to buy books from. For example, many EU countries stopped being eligible for amazon free delivery, and instead get them from bookdepository.

Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage".
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader

USA
2708 Posts

Posted - 16 Apr 2018 :  21:31:47  Show Profile Send CorellonsDevout a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Maybe they would find more profits if they acutally gave copies for bookstores to stock again. I go into a B&N store and all I see is Drizzt.

Sweet water and light laughter
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe

595 Posts

Posted - 16 Apr 2018 :  22:26:38  Show Profile Send Mirtek a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas

For example, many EU countries stopped being eligible for amazon free delivery, and instead get them from bookdepository.
Or simply use their local amazon.fr/.es/.it/.de/.co.uK/.etc instead of .com
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Tanthalas
Senior Scribe

Portugal
508 Posts

Posted - 17 Apr 2018 :  21:06:55  Show Profile Send Tanthalas a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Plenty of EU conutries don't have a local amazon though, that and bookdepository prices are often cheaper.

Sir Markham pointed out, drinking another brandy. "A chap who can point at you and say 'die' has the distinct advantage".
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe

595 Posts

Posted - 17 Apr 2018 :  23:51:01  Show Profile Send Mirtek a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Tanthalas

Plenty of EU conutries don't have a local amazon though, that and bookdepository prices are often cheaper.

But with the six big european sites, amazon is including the smaller countries (e.g. portugal being covered by amazon.es and BeNeLux, Austria, Switzerland being covered by .fr and .de) But that's off topic

Amazon has a huge market share in books, dominating both printed and ebook markets for a reason.

B&N and other chains, the small independent stores, bookdepository, etc. are all way behind Amazon's share. Even all of them put together may not not beat amazon.

But even if we're being generous and saying amazon only has a quarter of the book sales, less than 1 book per day times four still isn't much.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
Moderator

USA
36779 Posts

Posted - 18 Apr 2018 :  03:09:10  Show Profile Send Wooly Rupert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I would also question what that one book was, when this analysis was taken as opposed to when the book was published, and how large a span of time this analysis covered.

One of the interesting things about numbers like that is you can make them dance and sing and tell any story you want, just by how you collect and present your data.

If the book in question was long out of print and only being sold by resellers, when this analysis was done, then yeah, one book a day is to be expected. Or if it was the first book and the analysis only covered a period of time after the release of the last book. Or if the analysis was only covering a three-day span in the middle of a non-gift-related holiday week. And so on.

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Petra_W
Acolyte

Germany
30 Posts

Posted - 04 Nov 2018 :  15:24:06  Show Profile Send Petra_W a Private Message  Reply with Quote
This drizzt novel is a bit different. So I asking myself, is it canon? Haven't red it yet, but normally novel stuff is transportet into the FR. Like jarlaxle/luskan and the dragon heist adventure.
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CorellonsDevout
Great Reader

USA
2708 Posts

Posted - 04 Nov 2018 :  16:12:36  Show Profile Send CorellonsDevout a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Petra_W

This drizzt novel is a bit different. So I asking myself, is it canon? Haven't red it yet, but normally novel stuff is transportet into the FR. Like jarlaxle/luskan and the dragon heist adventure.



Pretty sure it's canon (most FR novels are). It's a continuation of where Hero left off, so it is at least canon with the Drizzt storyline, and deals with plot points started in Homecoming.

Sweet water and light laughter
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KraziJoe
Acolyte

USA
17 Posts

Posted - 19 Feb 2019 :  16:07:30  Show Profile Send KraziJoe a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Just saw that Timeless is on sale at US Amazon for $2.99 for Kindle edition.
Might be for certain people so Your mileage may vary.
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