Foil-Stamped and Embossed For Your Pleasure
Posted on July 20, 2006 Posted by John Scalzi 35 Comments
Tor sent me a few samples of the cover of the upcoming mass-market paperback version of Old Man’s War, which I share with you now, in all its foil-stamped and embossed glory. And not just foil-stamped and embossed in one color, but two — silver and gold. Truly, I am living the science fiction author dream. Indeed, I think it entirely possible that, however OMW fares at the Hugos this year (have you voted? Have you? Huh?), it’ll be a true contender for the 2007 Gold Leaf Award for Best Foil Stamped/Embossed Book Cover/Jacket, handed out — of course — by the Foil Stamping and Embossing Association. It’s not too much to hope for.
Seriously, though. It looks really good.
Whoa, nice! I may just have to buy another copy when this one comes out.
That’s Scalztacular!
VERY nice.
“Mass market…” Forgive my lack of familiarity with the book trade (I work in the periodical business)… would that be paperback?
What was the size of the mass market run? I hope it’s huge and that you can buy a new condo on the beach with it. You deserve it. Your books gave me untold hours away from the grind of the real world, and were therefore worth much more than the cover price.
Later Scal! (couldn’t resist)
Michael Patty:
There are two different versions of paperbacks. One is the “mass-market” paperback, which is what one usually thinks of as a paperback, and then there’s the “trade” paperback, which is larger (and slightly more expensive). OMW is currently out in trade paperback, and the mass-market paperback version will be out in January.
Well you learn something new every day. Strange, though. The copy I have is hard-cover. I didn’t even know about the trade paperback version.
BTW. Feel free to call me Michael. “Michael Patty” sounds so formal. :p
Hey, that’d put you in the some pretty elevated company!
“One is the “mass-market” paperback, which is what one usually thinks of as a paperback”
I prefer this size. Fits into a purse *much* better. (Mum’s advice: Never leave home without a book!)
Michael Patty:
John used your full name to make sure you realized he was responding to your post. With the time it takes to type out a response, it isn’t guaranteed that it will end up immediately below the post you’re responding to…
Sheesh…I really thought you made up the Gold Leaf Award. Will wonders never cease…
I would never make up an important award such as that!
Man they should call that the ‘Bling Edition’.
Now I can’t get the voice of Burl Ives out of my head! Curse you, Scalzi!
OK, Jon (not John) I give up. Why Burl Ives? (or do you often channel Burl?)
Burl Ives sang “Silver and Gold” in the Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer cartoon shown each year on television.
“John used your full name to make sure you realized he was responding to your post. With the time it takes to type out a response, it isn’t guaranteed that it will end up immediately below the post you’re responding to…”
What if I’d used “Michael” in the name field instead of Michael Patty? ;)
Oooo! Shiny!
Michael:
“What if I’d used ‘Michael’ in the name field instead of Michael Patty? ;)”
Naturally I would respond to you as such. Of course, then you would have to hope no one else named Michael shows up to add ambiguity to the discussion.
It’s much prettier than the copy I’ve got.
If you’re nice to me, maybe I’ll send you one.
Maybe.
That’s mighty purty!
Flashy, but I’m partial to my trade paperback. So, when’s Ghost Brigade coming out in trade?
“Ghost Brigade” is going into mass-market first, actually (the TradePB of OMW was something of an unusual circumstance — book usually go into mass market editions and then later into trade editions). The MMPB of Ghost Brigade is likely to come out next May or so, right in time for the hardcover release of The Last Colony.
Odd. The copy I bought (hardcover, BTW) had a completely different picture: blue backbround and you see some old people and a young body in a big “tube” to the right.
Star Chores: Band on the Run
They ran through the door of the diner, Teresa taking up the rear. As they exited, she noticed two patrons getting up and heading towards their position, and a sudden fear squeezed her stomach. She breathed deeply and just held
It’s interesting to note the difference between typical US and UK paperback designs for SF books. US books are much louder than UK ones, with foil inlays and, in general, much flashier artwork. Some of my US-edition Bujold books, for example, have astonishingly vivid covers. That OMW cover looks pretty elegant and tasteful in comparison – I like it.
I have no idea why this disparity between covers should exist, but there you go. Even when UK editions use the same cover art, they tend to use more subtle text to tone it down a bit. Weird!
When I ordered OMW, they told me at Waterstones that they had to order it from the US, since it was only out there, and that’s why it took a number of weeks before I got it.
Afterthought:
Maybe it came out here during that time, so they chose to get that edition in stead… Who knows?
When I ordered OMW, they told me at Waterstones that they had to order it from the US, since it was only out there, and that’s why it took a number of weeks before I got it.
Afterthought:
Maybe it came out here during that time, so they chose to get that edition in stead… Who knows?
Truly, I am living the science fiction author dream.
I dunno.
It’s close, but I think the title font may still be bigger than the font used for your name.
You’ve still got a little way to go.
I have just placed an order for Old Man’s War.
Also wanted to point out that your blogs are mentioned in a Locus article by Cory Doctorow.
I think he makes a good point (among many):
Thanks to the “free” writing on your blog, you’ve got another sale :)
The polite comparison would be the free food samples at the grocery store. But I’m thinking that the more apt comparison would be the dealer on the corner, “This first one’s on me…”
Scalzicce the Barefoot wrote:
If you’re nice to me, maybe I’ll send you one.
Maybe.
Would some chocolate help seal this deal? Would some CD’s heelp seal it further? Let a Chang know.
Well, first, you’d need to live in Iceland, as Mary does.
Dude, open Google Earth. Maine is closer to Iceland than Ohio.
It’ll be a short trip, then!
Are you suggesting I come to Ohio to El Scalzi Ranch and get a copy? Hmmm…
I s’pose I could pick up fireworks in PA, while I’m driving through.
Just looked at the Gold Leaf Awards (I wanted to say Foil Awards) link and decided I really like the looks of of thier Gold award winner, “Sketches from the Dream Island of Birds,” but I can’t find it on Amazon! Phooey!