03.
01.
2008News from Elastic PressFirstly, there’s a Norfolk motto which is “do different”
(deriving from the old saying, “People in Norfolk do things
different”), and we’ve been following that statement since I began
Elastic Press five years ago. This is evident from the diverse
titles and genres we’ve published, and the various ways in which
we’ve held launches for our books. However, 2008 is going to be an
extra special “do different” year for us, because as well as doing
things differently from other publishers, we’ll actually be doing
things differently to the way that we do them ourselves!
Confused? Here’s the low down.
1. All our single-author collections next year will feature
introductions – something we’ve only done with our anthologies so
far. We hope this will add an interesting angle to the reading
experience;
2. For the first time, we’ll be publishing a second collection
of stories by someone we’ve already published;
3. In May and August we’ll be publishing two books instead of
the usual one;
4. We’re also going to republish a collection of short stories
that originally appeared in the 1970s;
5. We’ll be giving away a free book next November!
Those are the basics, here are the specifics in our exciting
publishing schedule for 2008:
Andrew Humphrey’s “Other Voices” will be published on the 1st
February. Five years ago we published Andrew’s “Open The Box” to
great acclaim, and this second collection will feature thirteen new
stories with an introduction by Eric Brown and cover art by Nicola
L Robinson. This title is currently available to pre-order through
the website, and there are also 26 signed and lettered hardbacks up
for grabs so email me if you want one of those for £16.50 inc
p&p (in the UK). A launch will be planned for early February,
and more information on that – and the book in general – will
follow next month. Pre-order now, and avoid the post-Christmas
rush!
The 1st May will see publication of two SF titles. Firstly,
“Another Santana Morning” by Mike Dolan, which is a revised and
updated version of “Santana Morning”, a title originally published
in 1970. Mike’s been in hiding ever since, and this version –
together with some new stories written in the same period – should
put him back on the literary map. Much lauded by Ray Bradbury in
his youth, this book will have an introduction by Chaz Brenchley
and a cover by Dean Harkness.
Mike Dolan is American, and so is Daniel Marcus, the author of
our second 1st May collection, “Binding Energy”. The book features
nineteen SF stories, many reprinted from Asimov’s where Dan has
been making his reputation, and the book will feature an
introduction by Carter Scholz with a stunning cover design by
Richard Marchand.
In August there’s another blast of SF with collections “The Last
Reef” by Gareth L Powell and “The Turing Test” by Chris Beckett.
More information on these will follow, but I’m sure you’re already
drooling in anticipation.
This leads us to November 2008 with “Subtle Edens: The Elastic
Book of Slipstream”, edited by Allen Ashley (for which we’re still
reading submissions, keep scribbling!). “Subtle Edens” will be the
thirtieth Elastic Press title, with cover art by Eran Cantrell, and
should round the year off in style. To celebrate, all orders sold
directly through us will come with a copy of “Six Silly Stories” by
Geoffrey Maloney: a book which everyone should have on their
shelves – well, who wouldn’t want a free book…
So, a few tweaks here and there to the Elastic campaign for
world domination! Of course, as well as “do different” there’s
another local saying which is “normal for Norfolk”. The letters
‘nfn’ often appeared on doctor’s notes for potential mental health
patients before that kind of comment became outlawed. So, are we
mad at Elastic or inspired? Salvador Dali wrote that, “There is
only one difference between a madman and me. I am not mad.” We tend
to believe that too.
Thanks once again for reading. For those of you who take part in
the forthcoming festive celebrations have a very merry Christmas,
and we wish all of you a happy and prosperous 2008!
All the best
Andrew Hook
www.elasticpress.com
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