Warewolf
March 15th, 2002, 05:32 AM
So I got frustrated with not being able to buy Steven Erikson's books in the U.S. What did I do? I used the power of the Internet to try to do something about it. I went to company websites and sent e-mails to Tor, Bantam Spectra, DAW, Del Rey, Harper Collins/Eos, and Warner/Aspect asking why no one had picked up the rights. Here's the e-mail I sent:
Hi,
I live in the U.S. and it seems that, unfortunately, Steven Erikson's books aren't published here. I've heard rumors that U.S. publishers have turned him down on the grounds that his books are too sophisticated or too complicated for American readers. I find this very difficult to believe. His books sound so intriguing that I can't believe a U.S. publisher wouldn't snatch up the rights. My question is, what can I do about this? What would it take to get DAW (or the appropriate company) to pick up the U.S. publishing rights for these books. The discussion boards I frequent are filled with readers who are frustrated that these amazing sounding books are unavailable in this country.
I've received 2 responses so far, both from DAW. Thought you'd be interested in reading them:
To be honest, I don't know what the situation is regarding those books in the US. I don't remember them ever being submitted to DAW. The rights may have been bought for the US by another publisher but for some reason they're being delayed.
Debra Euler
Managing Editor
DAW Books
and then later
OK, it looks as if the US rights are available, so we're going to take a look at them. Can't promise anything though--it's hard to pick up a series when it's already been published abroad, and we've very overstocked, to be honest.
Debra Euler
Managing Editor
DAW Books
My thinking is, if more people wrote in to various publishers asking about Mr. Erikson's work, it would eventually be published here.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
[This message has been edited by Warewolf (edited March 15, 2002).]
Hi,
I live in the U.S. and it seems that, unfortunately, Steven Erikson's books aren't published here. I've heard rumors that U.S. publishers have turned him down on the grounds that his books are too sophisticated or too complicated for American readers. I find this very difficult to believe. His books sound so intriguing that I can't believe a U.S. publisher wouldn't snatch up the rights. My question is, what can I do about this? What would it take to get DAW (or the appropriate company) to pick up the U.S. publishing rights for these books. The discussion boards I frequent are filled with readers who are frustrated that these amazing sounding books are unavailable in this country.
I've received 2 responses so far, both from DAW. Thought you'd be interested in reading them:
To be honest, I don't know what the situation is regarding those books in the US. I don't remember them ever being submitted to DAW. The rights may have been bought for the US by another publisher but for some reason they're being delayed.
Debra Euler
Managing Editor
DAW Books
and then later
OK, it looks as if the US rights are available, so we're going to take a look at them. Can't promise anything though--it's hard to pick up a series when it's already been published abroad, and we've very overstocked, to be honest.
Debra Euler
Managing Editor
DAW Books
My thinking is, if more people wrote in to various publishers asking about Mr. Erikson's work, it would eventually be published here.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
[This message has been edited by Warewolf (edited March 15, 2002).]