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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Oct 2006 : 21:42:42
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I was curious if any one had a list of books (novels) from the Forgotten Realms campaign setting that made the NY Bestsellers Lists or any big name bestseller lists?  Let me know if you please. 
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Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 02:17:36
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| I don't know the list. But obviously the authors who now start with hardcovers are the biggest sellers. RA Salvatore and Ed Greenwood. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Uzzy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
618 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 11:37:23
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War of the Spider Queen is described as being a 'NY Times Bestselling series' so I would expect some of the books from there to be on it. Elaine Cunningham's on the list too, but for a Star Wars novel.
So yeah, its likely to just be books by Ed and Salvatore, with the latter being the most likely. |
Edited by - Uzzy on 17 Oct 2006 11:47:54 |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 12:23:41
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| So was Salvatore's books of the Hunter's blade Trilogy (Hardcover-edition) all "NY Times" Bestseller. |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 14:54:08
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| All the novels in War of the Spider Queen hit the NY Times list except for the first one, Dissolution, a fact which still irks me to this day. Dissolution did hit some other bestseller lists, however, so I guess it still counts as a "bestselling" FR book. |
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Alediran
Acolyte
Argentina
36 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 18:00:24
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| Didn't the Avatar Series hit the NY Times list? |
Alediran of House Tir'ent from Evermeet, the most knowledgeable elven family about Faer�n.
- Member of the Elven Netbook proyect |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5692 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 18:03:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
All the novels in War of the Spider Queen hit the NY Times list except for the first one, Dissolution, a fact which still irks me to this day. Dissolution did hit some other bestseller lists, however, so I guess it still counts as a "bestselling" FR book.
Well met
  Well this is surprising. I assume this must simply be down to being the first book in a series which some may have been reluctant to enter into. Dissolution is an outstanding book and certainly knocked me for six, that's for sure! |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 20:46:26
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I loved Dissolution. What a title too! Not to sound dumb but it also increased my vocabulary. I always love finiding a new word like dissolution with some bang to it. Isn't Gromph Baenre on the cover?
It seems that Drow sell well doesn't it?   |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2006 : 23:18:07
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Thanks for the kind words.
I'm reasonably certain that Dissolution has sold just as many copies as the later volumes in the series, but unfortunately, it didn't sell as many in the weeks immediately following its release. And a bestseller list looks at sales during a particular period of time. If you sell. say, a billion copies but it takes a billion years, you won't make the list.
In other words, when Dissolution came out, the audience had yet to discover the series, and it took a little time for that to happen. By the time Insurrection came out, readers already knew they were interested, so that book sold a heap of copies immediately.
Oh, and I'm told that's actually Pharaun on the cover of Dissolution, although a lot of people seem to think it looks more like their idea of Gromph. |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:13:36
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Thanks for the kind words.
I'm reasonably certain that Dissolution has sold just as many copies as the later volumes in the series, but unfortunately, it didn't sell as many in the weeks immediately following its release. And a bestseller list looks at sales during a particular period of time. If you sell. say, a billion copies but it takes a billion years, you won't make the list.
In other words, when Dissolution came out, the audience had yet to discover the series, and it took a little time for that to happen. By the time Insurrection came out, readers already knew they were interested, so that book sold a heap of copies immediately.
Oh, and I'm told that's actually Pharaun on the cover of Dissolution, although a lot of people seem to think it looks more like their idea of Gromph.
People were interested because that first book was great. But wouldn't the publisher know how many copies of books were actually sold? I'm certain they know what was published. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:30:36
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Yes. the publisher does know how many copies are sold. But (if I understand what you're getting at here) that doesn't provide some sort of back door onto the NY Times list. As I mentioned, the list looks at sales of books during a particular time period. Let's say that it takes a hundred thousand copies sold in one week to make the list. (That's an oversimplification, because really, the list looks at the top sellers, at rank order, not absolute numbers, but just go with it for purposes of illustration.) So if Dissolution ultimately sells just as many copies as Insurrection, but unlike Insurrection, doesn't sell a hundred thousand of them in the week right after its release, then unlike Insurrection, it doesn't make the list.
Clear? |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:36:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Thanks for the kind words.
I'm reasonably certain that Dissolution has sold just as many copies as the later volumes in the series, but unfortunately, it didn't sell as many in the weeks immediately following its release. And a bestseller list looks at sales during a particular period of time. If you sell. say, a billion copies but it takes a billion years, you won't make the list.
In other words, when Dissolution came out, the audience had yet to discover the series, and it took a little time for that to happen. By the time Insurrection came out, readers already knew they were interested, so that book sold a heap of copies immediately.
Oh, and I'm told that's actually Pharaun on the cover of Dissolution, although a lot of people seem to think it looks more like their idea of Gromph.
That is so odd. WIth the great networking here at Candlekeep I am so surprised that Dissolution had so little hype compared to the rest of the books in the WotSQ series. Truth be told Dissolution brought me fully back into Dungeons and Dragons. With characters like Ryld and more importantly Gromph and Pharaun I was hooked again.
I myself would like to see more Realms books hit the Bestsellers list more often. I wonder if Blackstaff or the Final Gate series got on the Bestsellers list. |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:48:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Yes. the publisher does know how many copies are sold. But (if I understand what you're getting at here) that doesn't provide some sort of back door onto the NY Times list. As I mentioned, the list looks at sales of books during a particular time period. Let's say that it takes a hundred thousand copies sold in one week to make the list. (That's an oversimplification, because really, the list looks at the top sellers, at rank order, not absolute numbers, but just go with it for purposes of illustration.) So if Dissolution ultimately sells just as many copies as Insurrection, but unlike Insurrection, doesn't sell a hundred thousand of them in the week right after its release, then unlike Insurrection, it doesn't make the list.
Clear?
To a degree. The NY bestseller lists come out weekly do they not? So if you sold 10,000 books a week for a 30 weeks and another book sold 100,000 in 3 weeks then fell off the map. In theory, the other book is a bestseller for three weeks and yours is not, even though ultimately you sold the same amount.
By the way, were the Year of Rogue Dragons bestsellers? I for one loved them. Plus, I noticed they spawned two volumes of short stories which is unusual. |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36782 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:51:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
That is so odd. WIth the great networking here at Candlekeep I am so surprised that Dissolution had so little hype compared to the rest of the books in the WotSQ series.
There's really not that many of us here... Taken from the All Forums page:
quote:
1906 of 3595 Members have made 160002 posts
While 3600 members, just over half of which have posted, isn't a bad number, we don't have the population of some of the larger forums out there. We're certainly vocal, but we are a comparatively small part of the overall demographic. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:53:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
That is so odd. WIth the great networking here at Candlekeep I am so surprised that Dissolution had so little hype compared to the rest of the books in the WotSQ series.
There's really not that many of us here... Taken from the All Forums page:
quote:
1906 of 3595 Members have made 160002 posts
While 3600 members, just over half of which have posted, isn't a bad number, we don't have the population of some of the larger forums out there. We're certainly vocal, but we are a comparatively small part of the overall demographic.
But we are a fun group dammit |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:58:32
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| Seldarine! Wooly you're right. It's just sad that the Realms book writers don't get more exposure that they deserve. Look at all the great stories they come up with! I say most of them are better than those so called "classics" that they are pushing in classrooms. Oh, if I ever have to read 'Their Eyes are Watching God' ever again I'll scream for a week straight! And then grab City of Ravens to regain my sanity. |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 02:59:14
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| Aye Merrick! True and honest words. |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 03:16:50
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Nope, the Rogue Dragon books were not bestsellers. (They did okay, though.) Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky again with The Haunted Land.
Anyway, Merrik, I'm glad you liked them. |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 03:42:36
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| Don't worry Mr Byers I will get to reading your Rage books soon. :) |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 14:00:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
All the novels in War of the Spider Queen hit the NY Times list except for the first one, Dissolution, a fact which still irks me to this day. Dissolution did hit some other bestseller lists, however, so I guess it still counts as a "bestselling" FR book.
Well met
Well this is surprising. I assume this must simply be down to being the first book in a series which some may have been reluctant to enter into. Dissolution is an outstanding book and certainly knocked me for six, that's for sure!
I can only agree on this. It was a great read and got me all excited for the rest of the series. Strange indeed that it did not make it to the best sellers list of NY Times... |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 14:05:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
While 3600 members, just over half of which have posted, isn't a bad number, we don't have the population of some of the larger forums out there. We're certainly vocal, but we are a comparatively small part of the overall demographic.
Not only a fun group, though well spoken indeed Merrik.
If I may add that we are by far the most friendly and best informed part of the overall demographic, IMO!    |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 14:28:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Nope, the Rogue Dragon books were not bestsellers. (They did okay, though.) Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky again with The Haunted Land.
Anyway, Merrik, I'm glad you liked them.
I look forward to the Haunted Land. Can you give any type of details? |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 14:47:57
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| Has anyone ever made a chart of "number sold" of each Realms novel and product? |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 14:58:09
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The marketing dudes at Wizards prolly...who else would know? Since over here in Europe the books are mainly sold in RPG-specialty stores and no book chain AFAIK is selling D&D that much if at all, there aren't any real demographics there, so the only reliable source would be Wizards, and I doubt they'll give us those numbers, cuz they might actually prove the case we are making all in all, that we need Regional sourcebooks... or they might prove us wrong.
Who knows... |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 15:00:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
The marketing dudes at Wizards prolly...who else would know? Since over here in Europe the books are mainly sold in RPG-specialty stores and no book chain AFAIK is selling D&D that much if at all, there aren't any real demographics there, so the only reliable source would be Wizards, and I doubt they'll give us those numbers, cuz they might actually prove the case we are making all in all, that we need Regional sourcebooks... or they might prove us wrong.
Who knows...
good point...but I'm sure if the regional books were big selelrs then WotC would eb shipping one out every few months |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 15:09:06
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quote:
Originally posted by kalin agrivar
good point...but I'm sure if the regional books were big selelrs then WotC would eb shipping one out every few months
Don't be so sure...to make my point a little clearer: over here we have grocery stores that employ marketing specialists to find out why cheaper (price-wise) chains make profit while the more expensive places don't.
Basically marketing might have their concept to which they stick, even if the reasons to do so are kinda...well non-existent. |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 15:21:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
Don't be so sure...to make my point a little clearer: over here we have grocery stores that employ marketing specialists to find out why cheaper (price-wise) chains make profit while the more expensive places don't.
Basically marketing might have their concept to which they stick, even if the reasons to do so are kinda...well non-existent.
I can understand that...but as I see WotC (i.e. Hasbro) treating D&D more like Pokemon, Magic and Yugi-oh (e.g. Year of the Dragon, the Miniatures, the probable Year of the Drow, etc.) to me it appears they are producing stuff the 10-16 yer old buyer would gobble up the most readily
but I'm no economist or buisnessman  |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly
- Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors
- 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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Richard Lee Byers
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
1814 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 15:47:57
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| Merrik: The Haunted Land is a trilogy set in Thay that will showcase the undead. Book One, Unclean, comes out next year. |
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VonRaventheDaring
Learned Scribe
USA
197 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 15:59:06
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| That sounds awsome Richard, i love your books and look forward to them. To be honest most of the realm writers are very good writers. I have to say i was disappointed that Mel Odom (who's shadowrun books i loved) dropped out of the War of the SpiderQueen series. |
"Develop the latent abilities within you for that is your power alone. Psionics is the ultimate art of magic and you are its practitioner. Through lifelong dedication, strive to unite your will with your physical form to become one. Only through the unrestrained union of one’s mind and body can the magic of psionics truly be mastered. Throw off the yoke of any who would impose tyranny upon you. Likewise, do not ever force another to submit to your will. Free your mind, free yourself and you have only just begun the path to true psionic mastery. Free others, open their minds to the Invisible Art, and you will show them way to Auppenser."
---Dogma of the Church of Auppenser |
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MerrikCale
Senior Scribe
USA
947 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 16:00:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Richard Lee Byers
Merrik: The Haunted Land is a trilogy set in Thay that will showcase the undead. Book One, Unclean, comes out next year.
Great. I love undead |
When hinges creak in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls, whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still, that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight. |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 18 Oct 2006 : 16:06:27
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quote:
Originally posted by MerrikCale
I love undead
That is...scary |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Bestselling Realms Books
