Proof Positive: Secret Lives Is Shipping By July
Jeff VanderMeer • June 11th, 2008 @ 6:38 pm • News
I’ve received the signing sheets for the long-delayed Secret Lives book, which was supposed to be published by Prime in 2005. It’ll be published by July. I’m turning around the signing sheets tonight. When I have the actual book in hand, I’ll blog that too, as indisputable evidence that it exists!
Jeff
June 11, 2008 at 7:56 pm
My only question is: how do late comers to this little corner of cyberspace get their mittens, grubby or otherwise, on a copy? I assume that all the pre-orders have sold out. Long ago by the sound of it. :(
June 11, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Nope–actually you can order it on Amazon. The delay has meant that after the initial spate of orders, orders dropped off. Also, the publisher page is no longer accurate on what exactly it contains.
http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Tales-Secret-Lives-VanderMeer/dp/080951088X/
But I will send my publisher the link to this post so he can comment further.
June 11, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Excellent news!
June 11, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I guess I know what I’ll be asking for my birthday then, if this comes out before the 17th :P
June 11, 2008 at 9:54 pm
These are, of course, short-shorts of a kind, although some top out around 2-3k.
The somewhat unique thing is that one story is printed on the endpapers, and in addition to the dustjacket a separate full-color image is printed directly onto the boards. These were ideas I thought would add some unique value to the project.
JV
June 11, 2008 at 10:08 pm
The fact that you’re still able to sign all of those after the Great Zeppelin Drawing Marathon of 2008 has me in awe, good sir. My own hand would have transformed into a wretched, shriveled claw.
June 11, 2008 at 10:14 pm
It hasn’t been fun, to be honest. Not only that, but the last 20 Steampunk orders just went out today. I’m a little pissed off, too, because media mail has been taking up to three weeks instead of the normal one.
jeff
June 11, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Cool. When I first heard about this a year or so ago, it was listed as unavailable, with a 2005 release date, so I figured it was already out of print.
Sorry it took so long, but I’m glad to know it’s not too late for us slackers.
June 12, 2008 at 5:11 am
Oh goody! It may actually arrive on my doorstep before the 25th Anniversary Little, Big which has also been coming for three years. Do you think I should remind Prime that I have one of Secret Lives on order? I’d hate to miss out.
June 12, 2008 at 6:58 am
is this different from the “Secret Life” anthology (2004, Golden Gryphon) ?
June 12, 2008 at 8:22 am
Anne: I would definitely email them.
Cleek–yes, it is totally different. I’ll do another post with more explanation soon.
Jeff
June 13, 2008 at 12:21 am
Hey Jeff. I ordered the limited edition from Prime back in 2005. I assume that order will still stand, but I’ve moved a couple times since then. Do you know who I would contact to make sure I get my copy?
Thanks.
Rajan
June 13, 2008 at 6:25 am
Hm. I’m looking at my payment receipt for Secret Lives from Jan 05 and it says “wildside press.” Now I’m concerned… I don’t even know who to write to.
June 13, 2008 at 8:09 am
I’m going to send this thread to the publisher and have them respond. Rest assured you’ll be covered.
Prime is an imprint of Wildside.
jeff
June 13, 2008 at 10:06 am
As Jeff has indicated, the book is finally coming out later this month. The lettered edition has indeed been cancelled, due to our inability to replace our original slipcase manufacturer, and we have several options: we can do partial refunds and replace it with the limited; or trade the difference with other books from our catalog; or do a full refund. I apologise for this state of matters, and I hope that anyone who had an order for either edition that doesn’t get contacted in the following few days (to update snailmail addresses) would drop me a line at prime@prime-books.com.
In the end I think you’ll be extremely happy with the final result of Secret Lives.
July 4, 2008 at 7:56 pm
is this still available anywhere?
according the link you posted, it’s no longer available new on amazon with only 1 used copy at almost two-hundred dollars.
July 5, 2008 at 8:31 am
Eeee. It should be on Amazon. They’re just out of stock. But you can buy it through Ziesing Books, no problem!! They have an online location.
July 5, 2008 at 10:08 am
thank you, sir!