Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site topaz.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!topaz!@RUTGERS.ARPA:AXLER%Upenn-1100%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa From: @RUTGERS.ARPA:AXLER%Upenn-1100%upenn.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers Subject: True Names Re-release Message-ID: <356@topaz.ARPA> Date: Mon, 21-Jan-85 21:46:09 EST Article-I.D.: topaz.356 Posted: Mon Jan 21 21:46:09 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 23-Jan-85 07:49:39 EST Sender: daemon@topaz.ARPA Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 25 From: "Don't worry, I'll tell you later." Like many readers of sf-lovers, I've been awaiting the re-release of Vernor Vinge's "True Names", one of the best novels about computers, hackers, and artificial intelligence. Last night, I spoke with Bob Walters, who did the cover and interior art for the new edition, and he provided me with the following news: The book, complete with an afterword by Marvin Minsky, was scheduled for an October release, and was so announced in Publisher's Weekly and other trade magazines. However, due to various foulups at BlueJay Books and/or St. Martin's Press (BlueJay's distributor), it was not actually released until late December or early January. Despite this, Jim Frenkel, BlueJay's editor- in-chief, did not revise the book's copyright date to read 1985. Many bookstores, including the major chains such as WaldenBooks, Crown, and Dalton's, have a buying policy which prohibits the purchasing of "old" releases unless they are either proven sellers or specially-ordered by the customers. "True Names", because of its '84 copyright, is considered as "old" even though it never reached the shelves, and thus never had a chance to demonstrate whatever selling power it might have. If you want this book, you will have to go and order it. I strongly urge all sf-lovers readers to do this, and to get their friends to do it, too. If enough special orders for the book start piling up at the various chains, they may choose to stock it. --Dave Axler