Subterranean Magazine Online, and a Sale
Posted on November 13, 2006 Posted by John Scalzi 55 Comments
Happy November 13! Have a present: The entire Subterranean Magazine #4 — guest edited by me — is available for you to download here, absolutely free. Why? Well, because we sold out the entire print run, for one reason, and for another reason we thought that these stories were just so damn good that as many people as possible should see them. And you’re as many people as possible! Congratulations.
Seriously, I’m extremely proud of this magazine. It’s a great mix of new and established authors, each of them taking some of the grand cliches of the genre and breathing new life into them. I got rather more than I expected when I signed up to edit this, and since I was expecting, you know, a lot, I was pretty dizzy with happiness at the finished product. I think you will be too. Read these stories! Love them! Nominate them for major awards!
The magazine is in pdf format so you can see the layout and art just as it was. Enjoy! Also, please feel free to spread the word — we like sharing this good writing.
And as long as you’re enjoying some fine written entertainment from Subterranean, let me also point out that until the 17th, Subterranean is having a 40% off sale on some of its hottest titles, including my very own You’re Not Fooling Anyone When You Take Your Laptop Into a Coffeeshop: Scalzi on Writing. This on top of books by Poppy Z. Brite, Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, Joe Lansdale, Cherie Priest, Robert Silverberg and Connie Willis, among many others. Get ’em while they’re hot and cheap!
Thanks, and I didn’t get you anything. I’m so ashamed.
Well, November 13 came around so suddenly this year.
Hah! Fooled you! I went and paid for a four-issue subscription in August, so I already… wait a minute…
Hah! Fooled you! I went and paid for a four-issue subscription in August, so I already… wait a minute…
Heh. You’ll still get your subscription’s worth, I assure you.
Heh. You’ll still get your subscription’s worth, I assure you.
Indeed, I feel I have. In fact, I offer this testimonial: Folks, if you can download only one free PDF of SF short stories this year, make it this one! You may anticipate, by the theme and cover art, that the collection will be merely a goofy, knock-about kind of good. But then you’ll read Rachel Swirsky’s first story and think, “Oh, I get it. It’s all kinds of good.”
Indeed, I feel I have. In fact, I offer this testimonial: Folks, if you can download only one free PDF of SF short stories this year, make it this one! You may anticipate, by the theme and cover art, that the collection will be merely a goofy, knock-about kind of good. But then you’ll read Rachel Swirsky’s first story and think, “Oh, I get it. It’s all kinds of good.”
Yes! Exactly. I’m very happy to have published her first, by the way (not to mention being the first to publish Ann Leckie, David Klecha and Dean Cochrane).
Yes! Exactly. I’m very happy to have published her first, by the way (not to mention being the first to publish Ann Leckie, David Klecha and Dean Cochrane).
It’s a great promotional idea, since the print run sold out. Looking forward to reading it.
More free stuff, you spoil us! The cover alone is worth the price, I look forward to reading this.
I think it’s a great idea to offer something since you have already sold your print run, I hope your circulation increases because of this.
More free stuff, you spoil us! The cover alone is worth the price, I look forward to reading this.
I think it’s a great idea to offer something since you have already sold your print run, I hope your circulation increases because of this.
Yeah, this is pretty much the coolest thing you’ve done so far. Thanks!
It’s one day early but…
Wow, John! Thanks for the really nifty birthday present. I’m gonna kick back tonight in front of my computer and read. A very pleasant way to ease into being, y’know, old.
john, let me just say again here for the record that i know that book-long, coffee-shop swipe is about me (as is everything negative you write) and i sooo don’t appreciate it that i now promise to dog the metaphorical online steps of that book and point out the real, published writers who write in coffee shops every time you try to pimp that book.
i’m not going to do it right this second of course, just in general. because i really have to get my list of writers together. you know, who write in coffee shops. okay.
john, let me just say again here for the record that i know that book-long, coffee-shop swipe is about me (as is everything negative you write) and i sooo don’t appreciate it that i now promise to dog the metaphorical online steps of that book and point out the real, published writers who write in coffee shops every time you try to pimp that book.
i’m not going to do it right this second of course, just in general. because i really have to get my list of writers together. you know, who write in coffee shops. okay.
13 November! It’s Kilt Day! And my son is home sick and can’t wear it.
How could we have forgotten?
John, my son is raving about TGB and is highly annoyed that I’m not reading it fast enough for him to talk to me about it. He’s working on a hero based the CDF to play on City of Heroes.
13 November! It’s Kilt Day! And my son is home sick and can’t wear it.
How could we have forgotten?
John, my son is raving about TGB and is highly annoyed that I’m not reading it fast enough for him to talk to me about it. He’s working on a hero based the CDF to play on City of Heroes.
ok
ok
Oh, fine. I already paid for mine.
Oh, fine. I already paid for mine.
I don’t think you’ve mentioned anywher that Ann Leckie’s “Hesperia and Glory” has been selected for Rich Horton’s Science Fiction: The Best of the Year anthology next year. The publisher has posted the stories that have been confirmed so far:
http://oldcharliebrown.livejournal.com/85502.html
I believe it’s out in January.
I don’t think you’ve mentioned anywher that Ann Leckie’s “Hesperia and Glory” has been selected for Rich Horton’s Science Fiction: The Best of the Year anthology next year. The publisher has posted the stories that have been confirmed so far:
http://oldcharliebrown.livejournal.com/85502.html
I believe it’s out in January.
Woo! I was wondering if the news about “Hesperia and Glory” was out. Seeing all the Subterranean 4 threads pop up, I was bursting with wanting to mention it!
CONGRATULATIONS, ANN!
Woo! I was wondering if the news about “Hesperia and Glory” was out. Seeing all the Subterranean 4 threads pop up, I was bursting with wanting to mention it!
CONGRATULATIONS, ANN!
Now, that’s a heckuva consolation prize for all of us who didn’t make the cut. Thanks Subterranean!
Now, that’s a heckuva consolation prize for all of us who didn’t make the cut. Thanks Subterranean!
Thanks!
Damn, I gots to get me some subterraneanisms.
Where’s my visa, please-a!
I am a couple of stories in. So far, so excellent. Thanks!
I am a couple of stories in. So far, so excellent. Thanks!
The fabulosity meter is off the scale.
Last weekend at TusCon, I had someone come up to me and compliment me on “Labyrinth’s Heart” in SUBTERRANEAN #4.
It’s always nice to know that someone has actually, y’know, read something I’ve written. (Sometimes a story gets published, and you don’t even get the faint splash at the end of a long drop.)
Last weekend at TusCon, I had someone come up to me and compliment me on “Labyrinth’s Heart” in SUBTERRANEAN #4.
It’s always nice to know that someone has actually, y’know, read something I’ve written. (Sometimes a story gets published, and you don’t even get the faint splash at the end of a long drop.)
Given the number of downloads yesterday, Bruce (i.e., somewhere in the area of 5,000), you can bet people are reading it.
Having actually bought the original paper version, with real money, I considered getting annoyed for a second there. But I’m happily over it because, well, first I hate reading stories on a computer, and second it’s not as if I lost anything, and the magazine was well worth the price I paid so why should it bother me if they dropped it afterwards?
But I would recommended, well, you know, printing more of them… A free version is a good promotional material. I know that I personally bought books after sampling free versions, and I can’t be the only one. And selling the entire print should be a good indication they could sell a few more copies if they make them.
Having actually bought the original paper version, with real money, I considered getting annoyed for a second there. But I’m happily over it because, well, first I hate reading stories on a computer, and second it’s not as if I lost anything, and the magazine was well worth the price I paid so why should it bother me if they dropped it afterwards?
But I would recommended, well, you know, printing more of them… A free version is a good promotional material. I know that I personally bought books after sampling free versions, and I can’t be the only one. And selling the entire print should be a good indication they could sell a few more copies if they make them.
Thanks for the free PDF — it’s a deliciously evil PR move. I’m webbing on a compact Fujitsu tablet PC, whose screen is 1024 x 600, which means I have to keep scrolling up and down to read the columns on a page. Obviously this is a plot to teach me a lesson for not ordering the hardcopy. (grin)
The only downside I can see is that raft of new writers who will find it, and start submitting cliche stories everywhere. Cliches are a dangerous tool in the unschooled hands of the grasshoppers…
Dr. Phil
Just as a side note, Locus also has a link to the PDF. The fame is spreading far and wide.
Great job with the #4 issue! I’ve linked to it on my blog and I’m urging people to read it.
I especially enjoyed the story with the many Shakespeares and typewriters. (Now, picture an alternate version with 100 Charles Bukowskis, 100 typewriters and 1,000 bottles of booze…)
Great job with the #4 issue! I’ve linked to it on my blog and I’m urging people to read it.
I especially enjoyed the story with the many Shakespeares and typewriters. (Now, picture an alternate version with 100 Charles Bukowskis, 100 typewriters and 1,000 bottles of booze…)
This is an awesome download! Thank you kindly. Can’t wait to read it.
This is an awesome download! Thank you kindly. Can’t wait to read it.
And just look, in the first couple of pages there’s a full-page ad for TAD where the sheep are chiming in on how wonderful they think the book is. Hmm, I smell a stealth sales campaign. You know, to go with the full-bore, open-market campaign. :)
Can’t wait to actually read the stories, but the magazine looks great. Thanks again.
Hey! Thanks for the link to the PDF mag. Very nice. I noticed an ‘Elizabeth Bear’ in the PDF credits as well as a link to a person of the same name in your SF author list. I’m guessing they’re the same person. I did check out the site link, but couldn’t find an answer to this: Is Elizabeth Bear any relation to the SF author Greg Bear? I read Greg Bear’s book ‘Blood Music’ ages ago and enjoyed it, so I was curious when I caught Ms. Bear’s name in relation to SF writing.
Pretty sure they’re not related.
Pretty sure they’re not related.
What’s the chance of another chiche issue?
I’d bet that there are more authors who would love a crack at this idea. Especially since your newfound Campbell fame and the intarweb grooviness of sharing the love of the first issue.
I bought one, but thanks for allowing me to send links instead of parting with my copy!
I’d buy another.
Mensley:
“What’s the chance of another chiche issue?”
At the moment, low. Editing takes up a lot of time, which I don’t have right now. But I wouldn’t mind doing something similar in the future.
Elizabeth Bear is a pen name; her real last name is not Bear, so no, she’s not related to Greg Bear. Though she is conveniently placed next to him on the bookshelves.
Good to see you again at Philcon, John. BTW, where the hell is the PDF for the cliche issue? Neither of the links in this post seemed to direct me to the appropriate place.
Thank you for the PDF, although I’m not in love with the format. I read a lot of SF from Baen in Palm format (some of which I pay for!). I find reading on the Palm much more convenient, even though my laptop has more than 14 times the pixels.
Being an obedient blog reader, I also jumped over to the 40% sale. The description for Laptop / Coffeeshop is ambiguous about whether I’m getting the trade edition or a signed hardcover. I’m not sure it matters — it’ll make an excellent Xmas present for A Young Writer In The Family.
BTW, the link you give for the PDF appears to be incorrect. Did you mean http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/2006/11/18/subterranean-4-read-it-for-free/ ?
Thank you for the PDF, although I’m not in love with the format. I read a lot of SF from Baen in Palm format (some of which I pay for!). I find reading on the Palm much more convenient, even though my laptop has more than 14 times the pixels.
Being an obedient blog reader, I also jumped over to the 40% sale. The description for Laptop / Coffeeshop is ambiguous about whether I’m getting the trade edition or a signed hardcover. I’m not sure it matters — it’ll make an excellent Xmas present for A Young Writer In The Family.
BTW, the link you give for the PDF appears to be incorrect. Did you mean http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/2006/11/18/subterranean-4-read-it-for-free/ ?
I fixed the link, Graeme.
How many copies in the “whole print run” that was sold out?
Facts are friends! ;-)