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The strange case of the Wilderness & Other Stories release date
August 29, 2014
March 22, 2014:
I order my copy of the Wilderness and Other Stories MP3-CD on Amazon.com. The release date is listed as September 9, 2014 but the order confirmation says:
Your estimated delivery date is:
We’ll notify you via e-mail when we have an estimated delivery date for this item.
August 21, 2014:
Amazon sends me a delivery update which says:
Your new estimated delivery date is:
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
August 26, 2014:
My item has been shipped. Accordingly I’m told:
Your estimated delivery date is:
Thursday, August 28, 2014
August 27, 2014:
I get another delivery update which says:
New Delivery Estimate: September 04, 2014
August 27, 2014:
My package arrives.
August 29, 2014 (today):
Amazon’s page still lists September 9, 2014 as the release date.
Really, what am I supposed to list as the publication date for this item in the book? Here are my options:
- September 9, 2014, the “official ” release date according to Amazon, oh, and the Brilliance Web site too.
- August 28, 2014, based on the fact that pre-ordered items shipped via two-day shipping, generally arrive on their release date.
- August 27th, 2014, the day I got it, one day after it was shipped via two-day shipping.
Argh!
October Dreams 2 — Last Chance to Order the SIGNED Trade Hardcover!
August 29, 2014
This weekend will be your last chance to order SIGNED copies of the TRADE HARDCOVER of October Dreams II edited by Richard Chizmar & Robert Morrish, the long-awaited follow up to one of the most acclaimed Halloween anthologies ever!
The editors will be making time to personally sign these trade hardcovers and since neither of them do many book signings or conventions these days, it’s likely you’ll never have another chance to get your book signed by them! Order the special signed trade hardcover on the October Dreams II page before time runs out!
Featuring Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Robert McCammon, Robert Bloch, Stewart O’Nan, Glen Hirshberg, Joe R. Lansdale, Al Sarrantonio, Whitley Strieber, Lisa Morton, Matthew Costello, Elizabeth Massie, and dozens of others, this oversized volume will contain spooky Halloween short fiction, dozens of authors and artists recalling their own personal memories of Halloween, and essays detailing the “history” of Halloween.
Many of the contributing authors will also autograph the signed editions, which we don’t expect will last long considering the popularity of the original October Dreams and the low print runs we have planned for these special editions!
About the Book:
The long-awaited follow up to one of the most acclaimed Halloween anthologies ever! This oversized volume will contain spooky Halloween short stories, dozens of authors and artists recalling their own personal memories of Halloween, and essays detailing the “history” of Halloween. Many of the contributing authors will also autograph the signed editions, which we don’t expect will last long considering the popularity of the original October Dreams and the low print runs we have planned for these special editions.
via Cemetery Dance.
Wilderness and Other Stories delivery date changes again
August 25, 2014
And this morning Amazon tells me “New Delivery Estimate: September 02, 2014.” 😛
Barb's Bookshelf: The City
August 23, 2014
If you’ve been following my columns for a while, you already know that I am a rabid Dean Koontz fan, most notably of his “Odd Thomas” novels. I think I’ve read every one of his books, and own quite a few to re-read occasionally. However, he’s definitely struck another home run with The City. It’s weird, it’s magical, and it’s spooky too, all the things that make up a marvelous Koontz story!
Jonah Kirk is eight years old when we meet him, and his personality and insightfulness is similar to that of Odd Thomas. Jonah is the son of a wondrous singer still looking for her big break, and the grandson of an even more wonderful piano player. He loves the city, but not for its tall buildings, parks, and museums where he wanders, or the nightclubs where his mamma sings. He loves the city for its people.
Read the full review @ The Forest Blade.
Ben Affleck: He Really Was The Bomb In Phantoms!
August 23, 2014
The average Joe is Sheriff Bryce Hammond as portrayed by Ben Affleck. There’s a priceless throwaway line in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back where Affleck, as Holden McNeil, declares to Jay and Silent Bob that although he wasn’t impressed with Good Will Huntinghe thought that “Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms.” The reasons that I find myself watching bad movies are strange ones, indeed.
There is truth to that quote, however. Affleck really is the bomb inPhantoms. He’s one of the two characters, along with Liev Schrieber (who plays the creep card so well in this one but then again when has he not), who looks like they’re having any fun. He’s also the only character other than Joanna Going as the town doctor that keeps a clear head amidst the chaos.
Read the full article @ Moviepilot.
Darkfall trade paperback
August 23, 2014
This one managed to sneak up on me somehow: Berkley will be releasing a trade paperback edition of Darkfall on 9 September 2014 with a list price of $16.00.
Wilderness and Other Stories release date confusion
August 21, 2014
Amazon is still listing the release date for Wilderness and Other Stories on MP3-CD as September 9th. However on Tuesday Amazon told me my delivery date would be August 25th. Then today, they told me it would be August 27th. Yeah, I’m confused.
Ask Anna moved up
August 14, 2014
According to Amazon, Ask Anna is now coming out on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, instead of October 28th. Unfortunately, Amazon also says the book is currently unavailable for ordering. (Center Street is part of Hachette and is therefore stuck in the middle of the fight between Hachette & Amazon. Google it if you don’t know what I’m talking about.)
Korean Odd Thomas advertisements
August 13, 2014
Picked up this Korean one-sheet recently. Film ad on one side, books on the other. Those book covers are so cool, I’m now on the hunt for a set despite having no idea how to read Korean.
Kidnap insurance
August 12, 2014
I just read that many wealthy people buy kidnap insurance. Why would they want to ensure they'll be kidnapped?
— Dean Koontz (@deankoontz) August 12, 2014
Wilderness and Other Stories MP3-CD
August 11, 2014
This is due out on September 9, 2014. Here’s the details on what’s included:
“Wilderness,” a darkly intriguing short story first published as an e-book original, was written as prelude to Dean Koontz’s novel of mystery, suspense, and strange wonder—Innocence.
Twelve of the other fourteen short stories and novelettes included in this audio anthology were most recently reissued in a print collection entitled Strange Highways, published by Warner Books (1995). The other two—”The Scariest Thing I Know” (2000) first published in Martha Stewart Living magazine and “Hostage Situation” (2009) in The New York Times Summer Thriller series.
Only the short work “Down in the Darkness,” has ever been produced for audio.
From this description I could probably predict the titles of the unspecified titles based on the TOC of Strange Highways, but instead I think I’ll leave it for now and just post the 100% accurate version once I have a copy in hand.
Edible Dean Koontz books?
August 9, 2014
Someone in Titusville, PA made food based on a Dean Koontz book!
Benson Memorial Library wanted to be a part of the annual Oil Festival, so they threw their hat into the ring with the first ever “Incredible Edible Book Challenge,” and it was a hit with festival patrons.
The challenge, which took place outside the library on Friday evening, featured 13 edible works of art, based on a variety of books.
…
The adult top prize went to Nicole Schmidt, whose creation was based on “The Mask,” by Dean Koontz.
I do plan on trying to track down more details, hopefully photos. Read the full article @ The Titusville Herald.
Discuss the City
August 9, 2014
The site Book Browse has an online discussion, with starting questions, for The City. Check it out @ BookBrowse.com. (Free registration is required to participate.)
I thought that sounded familiar…
August 8, 2014
If you thought that the title “The Scariest Thing I Know,” Dean’s contribution to the previously mentioned October Dreams II, you’re right. It was first published in the October 2000 issue of Martha Stewart Holiday.
Dean's in Focus
August 8, 2014
Dean is currently the “Writer in Focus” on the UK Nook site.
Announcing October Dreams 2: A Celebration of Halloween From Cemetery Dance Publications!
August 8, 2014
Hi Folks!
We’re very pleased to announce we’re working on October Dreams II edited by Richard Chizmar & Robert Morrish, the long-awaited follow up to one of the most acclaimed Halloween anthologies ever!
Featuring Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Robert McCammon, Robert Bloch, Stewart O’Nan, Glen Hirshberg, Joe R. Lansdale, Al Sarrantonio, Whitley Strieber, Lisa Morton, Matthew Costello, Elizabeth Massie, and dozens of others, this oversized volume will contain spooky Halloween short fiction, dozens of authors and artists recalling their own personal memories of Halloween, and essays detailing the “history” of Halloween.
Many of the contributing authors will also autograph the signed editions, which we don’t expect will last long considering the popularity of the original October Dreams and the low print runs we have planned for these special editions!
Special Note For Collectors:
For a very limited time only, we are also accepting orders for copies of the trade hardcover personally signed by the editors. There is no extra charge for these copies and this offer will not last long!
About the Book:
The long-awaited follow up to one of the most acclaimed Halloween anthologies ever! This oversized volume will contain spooky Halloween short stories, dozens of authors and artists recalling their own personal memories of Halloween, and essays detailing the “history” of Halloween. Many of the contributing authors will also autograph the signed editions, which we don’t expect will last long considering the popularity of the original October Dreams and the low print runs we have planned for these special editions.
Dean’s contribution is “The Scariest Thing I Know.” Read more and order @ CemeteryDance.com.
Koontz digital comics
August 6, 2014
Interested in reading digital editions of the Fear Nothing graphic novel or the Frankenstein: Prodigal Son comics? You can find them on the Dark Horse Web site. (Yes, they were published by Dynamite, but Dark Horse is hosting the digital editions.)
Dean on writing his first book
August 5, 2014
Dean Koontz (first book Star Quest): I was teaching under Title III of the Appalachian Poverty Program and tutoring kids from families deep in poverty. And I was likewise deep in poverty. I thought, I don’t want to keep this forever because I was selling short stories. I wanted to write a novel, so I took a job at a regular school teaching English. I had been reading sci-fi from about when I was 11 or 12. It was the preponderance of what I had read and that’s what my short stories became, and I proceeded to write a novel called Star Quest the summer between those jobs. It was a pretty lame novel. It met the length requirements of a novel but it was like an expanded short story.
Read the full article @ BuzzFeed Books.
The Dail Mail "introduces" Dean to the UK
August 4, 2014
From Dean Koontz to Anita Shreve: Between them they have sold 23 million books in the UK… but who are they?
You might know Stephen King or Danielle Steel. But what about Lesley Pearse or Karin Slaughter? These authors have sold an amazing 23, 342, 129 copies in the UK alone. So before you take them on holiday let Max Davidson make some introductions…
Dean Koontz
Total UK sales: 3.6 million
Who is he? A 68-year-old from Pennsylvania who had an abusive childhood. Converted to Catholicism when he was a student. Published numerous books under pseudonyms before achieving his breakthrough.
Read the full article @ The Daily Mail.
Dean's Worldwide Rights
August 3, 2014
This is the Dean Koontz page for the Lennart Sane Agency which, as far as I can tell from looking through the site, is the agency that represents Dean for worldwide (i.e. non-US) rights. (Warning: thir home page auto-plays music.)
