[ShadowOwl]

With so many fans of the series interested in reading the 'already written and approved for release' prologues, you'd think a publisher would respect those fans and want to promote good will and foster further interest in the series for the author. This publisher seems intent on ticking off the waiting fans, and I really don't get it, why are they doing this? What could they possibly expect to gain from the delay?

[Jorram]

Maybe they're just lazy to put it up in a ready for deliverance form? ;p

[Mithfanion]

Quote

This publisher seems intent on ticking off the waiting fans, and I really don't get it, why are they doing this? What could they possibly expect to gain from the delay?

They don't gain anything nor are these evil entities trying to ruin lives

Trust me , I see your point. But clearly the publisher simply doesn't treat it as a priority to get these prologues out to the fans, whereas the fans are checking the site daily to see if it has come up. Particularly with a completely new book and series like Return of the Crimson Guard you don't know what to expect and anticipation is high.

The bummer is just that it takes way too long between the announcement that the prologue will come and it's actual arrival ( if released at all).

[Dancer+]

The publishers don't treat it as a priority, but they should. As I've said before, us fans will always keep coming back. We are insensitive/inelastic and need to come back for our fix of the author(s), despite the publishers.

I think the decision is in the fans hands, if we boycott other books in the publishers line then they are set to suffer. This is an example of changing the market they look at, we shouldn't be seen as inelastic, we care about prologues and treats, and arguably deserve them. The problem is, these events don't give the publishers particularly tangible benefit but that isn't to say that it's not profitable in the long run. We should fight with our rights/choices as consumers against their powers of withholdal as publishers.

I for one, if this goes any further will boycott further books in the publishers line. If I was sure of no ramifications I would take this matter further. It gradually goes past the matter at hand and becomes a matter of beliefs rather than concrete evidence and a contexual situation.

[Mithfanion]

Quote

I think the decision is in the fans hands, if we boycott other books in the publishers line then they are set to suffer

Nah. It won't matter one bit. You don't really think Bantam as a whole and the Transworld division in particular will even notice if some Malazan fans start boycotting books from their line do you? Ask people here how many other Transworld books they're buying. It won't be much, that's for certain. The group is far too small and the relevance to other Transworld products is far too minimal for it to have any effect whatsoever.

[Dancer+]

I disagree. It's all about a small sector of the market, if we boycott it because of mistreatment, it could set a precedent. Is releasing the long promised prologue too much to ask for, especially when it has been in the air for a long time.

I have various blogs and methods of rallying support.

In one way, I agree with you. It's unlikely to make a difference but it incurs unnecessary losses of profit for Bantam/Transworld. It sets a bad precedent, a company is in business to provide a good product or/and service, they should aim for this, otherwise it is poor management and I should know considering all things.

[Aptorian]

Are you people stupid? If and when we get the prologues, it's because Hetan has made numerous polite requests. Giving us the prologues isn't something they owe us. It would be a favor or a gift.

And please, keep shit like boycotting a publisher for not satisfying your lack of patience out of this thread. I doubt the Mods would be happy with hearing that kind of talk anywhere on the forum.

[Dancer+]

Apt, with all due respect I know a bit about the publishing business. I am not personally renegading to get the prologue for myself, I would happily wait until the book was released. I don't see why I should justify myself anyhow. I will leave it at this and leave the subject.

[Skywalker]

Aptorian;259759 said:

Are you people stupid? If and when we get the prologues, it's because Hetan has made numerous polite requests. Giving us the prologues isn't something they owe us. It would be a favor or a gift.

And please, keep shit like boycotting a publisher for not satisfying your lack of patience out of this thread. I doubt the Mods would be happy with hearing that kind of talk anywhere on the forum.

Hey - that is uncalled for! If you have a point, make it politely. I think this post is rude!

[Imperial Historian]

Ok, keep calm guys, the prologues will come when they come.

Be glad we're no longer in the bad old days of having to go to a bookshop when the mmpb came out and stand their reading the prologue, and then come back to discuss what we thought we remembered.

Hetan and patch have done a great deal to get us the prologues on the forums. the publishers will give us a copy when they are sure that it will be the final form of the prologue.

Until then patience.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Mithfanion;259752 said:

Nah. It won't matter one bit. You don't really think Bantam as a whole and the Transworld division in particular will even notice if some Malazan fans start boycotting books from their line do you? Ask people here how many other Transworld books they're buying. It won't be much, that's for certain. The group is far too small and the relevance to other Transworld products is far too minimal for it to have any effect whatsoever.

You wrong us...

"krys"

It would be nice to have a small update at least. It seems Kallor, hetan and co. have, to quote the song, caught the last train to the coast.

Now stay back Apt, I have a sharp book end. :hand:

[Abyss]

Imperial Historian;259770 said:

Ok, keep calm guys...
Until then patience.

Yeah, what he said.

- Abyss, notes, as an alternative, you could bring me their brainzzzzzzzzz....

[Aptorian]

I'm sorry if I sounded a bit rude, but after hearing people complain for a couple of months and then start demanding stuff... I thought that was rude. Both towards the publishers, that in my opinion don't owe us a thing, and people like Hetan who really are working on it and doing what they can.

[Dancer+]

Apt I apologise for coming off so strongly, it probably appeared inprudent and disrespectful and I do fully see your point. I just strongly believe in meeting deadlines and putting a focus on customer service when trying to operate a business. I think the lack of time management, and the lack of contact have been subpar, but perhaps they owe us neither. I feel protective of the readers of the forum in general and they have been suffering. The amount of times people have suffered disappointment because of the subdued prologue annoys me somewhat. Let's just say if I was running the business things would go slightly differently, however I'm not and there's probably a reason for that (not just age)!

I think Hetan and Patch have done an excellent job in securing the prologues now and in the past, I have no quip or disrespect towards them. I fully appreciate their efforts.

[Aptorian]

As I understand, and I've only spoken briefly with Hetan, Hetan is awaiting conformation on a whole list of querries. She doesn't just want the prologues, she's asking for confirmation on some other projects and as such she doesn't want to push for one thing and have to wait for another.

[Dancer+]

Good luck to her with that.

The big gulf of difference is between the reality of the company and my ideals. I was told SE and ICE both completed the prologues in part to make sure we got to see them as soon as possible, I was hoping their wishes would be taken into account and this would reflect without Hetan having to query and balance separate issues with them.

Anyway this is fruitless discussion, I'm not going to change the companies attitude or plans.

[cloud strife]

wtf we are waiting for the prologue not whatever other stuff hetan is getting for herself this shit is pissing me off to no end we where promised MONTHS ago its finished and ready but we still don't have it its enough to make me stop reading their books there's plenty of other good books i could read instead.

[Skywalker]

WHOA there dude! Time to apologize!

[Optimus Prime]

cloud strife;260904 said:

wtf we are waiting for the prologue not whatever other stuff hetan is getting for herself this shit is pissing me off to no end we where promised MONTHS ago its finished and ready but we still don't have it its enough to make me stop reading their books there's plenty of other good books i could read instead.

Calm down.

We all want the prologues but it is in NO way Hetan's fault we don't have them. She gets what she is given. There are a lot of "yes" answers that have to be given before those prologues can be posted.

You are new here so maybe they'll give you a benefit of the doubt...but going after Hetan isn't a good idea.

Please don't piss off the people who bring us the goodies.

In short,

Shut the hell up.

[Ain't_It_Just_]

Yeah. No wonder you have minus fifteen rep with that 'tude.

I say we just relax and wait... and chew on the carpet in our impending insanity at not getting the prologue.

"starts chewing carpet"