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Post by wordsworth on Aug 2, 2023 17:08:10 GMT
Those with long memories may remember us back from c 2009 onwards when we had quite a quite a lively spell on here in relation to our Mystery & Supernatural series when I and my daughter Emma used drop in with news updates on forthcoming titles.
Then Emma left to get a proper job, the series rather fell apart due to poor sales and the embarrassment resulting from the abysmal covers used on our classics caused us to sink slowly out of sight. I've just set up this account only to stumble across our old one (no idea of the login details, although I see I was apparently identifying as female then).
As a result of Emma coming back to work with us - full time eventually - , a new team on the design front starting to produce covers that we think are pretty good, and at least the possibility of a new title in the M & S series (and a general redesign in the pipeline) we thought it might be good to show our faces again.
It would be good to hear back.
All the best,
Derek (and Emma, Tuesdays only at the moment)
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Post by jamesdoig on Aug 2, 2023 21:09:57 GMT
and at least the possibility of a new title in the M & S series (and a general redesign in the pipeline) Good to hear from you Derek - it's a great affordable series. From recent discussions The Smoking Leg would be a great candidate for a new title. |
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Post by Michael Connolly on Aug 2, 2023 22:19:34 GMT
Those with long memories may remember us back from c 2009 onwards when we had quite a quite a lively spell on here in relation to our Mystery & Supernatural series when I and my daughter Emma used drop in with news updates on forthcoming titles. Then Emma left to get a proper job, the series rather fell apart due to poor sales and the embarrassment resulting from the abysmal covers used on our classics caused us to sink slowly out of sight. I've just set up this account only to stumble across our old one (no idea of the login details, although I see I was apparently identifying as female then). As a result of Emma coming back to work with us - full time eventually - , a new team on the design front starting to produce covers that we think are pretty good, and at least the possibility of a new title in the M & S series (and a general redesign in the pipeline) we thought it might be good to show our faces again. It would be good to hear back. All the best, Derek (and Emma, Tuesdays only at the moment) Arthur Machen is in the public domain now. The Three Impostors could anchor a collection of his best stories. |
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Post by Knygathin on Aug 2, 2023 22:26:04 GMT
Exciting! I hope these great little books with the embossed glossy skull and blood return. I prefer the black/dark grey design more than the later red.
A few possible candidates:
Clark Ashton Smith
M. P. Shiel
Walter de la Mare
Charles Birkin
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Post by humgoo on Aug 3, 2023 4:56:20 GMT
As readers we are very happy to report that many previously unavailable (as in neither for love nor money) collections/novels have been reprinted in the last decade thanks to the efforts of many big and small publishers. Some exist in the form of paperbacks, some in e-books and some in both, sometimes in multiple editions.
Several authors, the quality of whose works has been vouched by many Vault members, are yet to "break into" paperbacks though, notably Frederick Cowles. It would be wonderful to have an omnibus, paperback edition of his works. His first two collections ( The Horror of Abbot's Grange and The Night Wind Howl) are available as e-books by Black Heath while his third and posthumous collection ( Fear Walks the Night) is available as an e-book by Ash-Tree. |
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Post by dem bones on Aug 3, 2023 7:34:37 GMT
Lovely to hear from you, Derek and Emma. I remember your first spell on here as one of the happier times on this forum, and there's no question the Wordsworth Mystery & Supernatural series had much to do with that.
Fair to say the 'classic' covers raised a few eyebrows on here as elsewhere — I'm sure they are highly collectible! I always liked the M&S design, and if the particular volume came with a Nathan Blair cover painting, then even better.
I wish you every success with the relaunch and hope you will keep us updated. From the above, I take it you've decided on the potential new addition to the M & S series. If not, then I'll second Mr. Humgoo.
My best to you both. It's good to have you back.
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Post by andydecker on Aug 3, 2023 9:59:07 GMT
Great to hear from you, Derek and Emma. I also bought a few like Mr. Doig's and some Sherlock Holmes.
I'll also second Mr. Humgoo. A Cowles edition would be great. It's good to have you back. |
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Post by ramseycampbell on Aug 3, 2023 12:37:33 GMT
Splendid news!
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Post by wordsworth on Aug 4, 2023 15:03:29 GMT
Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.
Working on the original series was great fun, and the response it was received was really pleasing. Our difficulty was that, because of our low prices, we depend on volume sales to make it work and after the devotees of the genre had bought their copies, sales dropped off alarmingly and one by one the bulk of the series went out of print, leaving the more mainstream titles, which continue to sell well on the whole.
Because of this, our choice for new material is not going to be adventurous as we want to test the market first. Arthur Machen and Algernon Blackwood have both come out of copyright in recent years and were on our 'to-do' list until we ceased adding to the series. Overall, sales of their titles in the UK aren't great, but we now now have a substantial market in the USA, I think Machen is the slightly better bet, as he seems to be bracketed with Lovecraft & Co, which are good sellers for us over there. So I think the plan might be Machen first, and then if we are sufficiently encouraged Blackwood, and we'll see where it leads us.
If my idea gains support from the team, then I'll probably get David Stuart Davies on the case to start compiling it with a view to launching it when we start redesigning the covers. I suspect we could drop the 'Mystery' from the series name, as not much has survived in that sector.
If we're off and running then I'll pop back for some suggestions for stories to be included.
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Post by jamesdoig on Aug 4, 2023 22:32:28 GMT
Machen sounds like a winner. I do have whole shelf of the Wordsworth M&S series, marred only by a couple of the later editions:  |
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Post by helrunar on Aug 4, 2023 22:52:35 GMT
Impressive! And reassuring to this reader, since I'd seen a worrisome rumor of your de-accessioning sections of your formidable library.
cheers, Hel.
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Post by jamesdoig on Aug 5, 2023 1:54:19 GMT
I'd seen a worrisome rumor of your de-accessioning sections of your formidable library. Oh, that's just a crazy rumour going around. |
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Post by Knygathin on Aug 5, 2023 5:05:03 GMT
I think it is a safe bet that all those Wordsworth books of a unique and innocently experimental era on jamesdoig's shelf, will now suddenly and quickly rise in collector's value.
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Post by andydecker on Aug 5, 2023 9:46:28 GMT
Impressive shelf, James.
Seeing this, I wonder if someone has ever read Varney, the Vampire from the first to the last page (except the poor editor of course).
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Post by dem bones on Aug 5, 2023 12:26:34 GMT
Impressive shelf, James. Seeing this, I wonder if someone has ever read Varney, the Vampire from the first to the last page (except the poor editor of course).
I did, and enjoyed doing so pre-Vault, circa gloompunk. A library loan, (Dover?) 2 or 3 vols, though I'd never have attempted the Wordsworth; the micro print is just too cruel. One of the loveliest M&S covers, though.  Malgorzata Maj, Dust in the Wind |
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