I’m really, really gutted to report this, especially at such a late stage, but the US publication date for Red Country is dropping back three weeks to the 13th November.
UK publication remains unaffected.
Turnaround was a lot tighter on this book than it has been previously but, as far as I was aware, I and my editors on both sides of the pond had consulted the relevant people and quite carefully worked out a schedule for delivery of the manuscript which would give everyone time to get the books ready for publication. We then stuck to that schedule and delivered in what we thought was good time, but once the manuscript was turned in it gradually became apparent that there had been one or more serious miscalculations or miscommunications somewhere and there wasn’t going to be enough time for proof-reading, setting, and the various necessary file jiggery-pokery to get the books printed and distributed across the US for the 23rd October publication date. Believe me when I say we’ve done everything possible to rush things through but the very soonest we can make the book available is now the 13th November.
I hear from a couple of people that amazon.com have emailed them to say delivery of preorders will be delayed until Nov 28th – Dec 4th. I suspect they’re being cautious and I very much hope that books will get to readers a good deal sooner. The 13th November should now be a firm date for Red Country to be available across the US.
Not much else to say, except that I’m very, very sorry for the delay.
75 comments so far
Unacceptable. I’ve already booked my Glokta costume for the opening day party. Have you ever heard of the phrase “non-refundable deposit”? What am I to do just wait a few more weeks? A thousand lashings for you Abercrombie!
Unacceptable. I’ve already booked my Glokta costume for the opening day party. Have you ever heard of the phrase “non-refundable deposit”? What am I to do just wait a few more weeks? A thousand lashings for you Abercrombie!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Now you have to recommend a book or two to hold us over for the extra month! 🙂
Good job I ordered mine from the UK. Waiting even longer would kill me!
A short story about Shenkt from Best Served Cold will suffice to appease my bloodlust, Mr. Abercrombie. Keep it coming!
Ouch! Guess I’m glad to be in the UK… I suppose these kind of things have to be really disappointing for authors like you Joe, as they are kind of beyond your control…
Grrrr….
Recalling some instructive tale about one marshmallow now versus two later. OK. I’ll wait patiently. Sort of.
Appreciate the heads up.
Looking forward to it.
I order from Amazon UK so that I get all my To Reads earlier than the US releases. Plus, Joe’s books have better covers when coming from the UK versus the US.
This is why I just order the UK editions of your books. Well, the better covers, actually, but still.
If I buy via amazon UK or something, can they still deliver the UK version to the states? I assume so. I like those covers better anyway.
Absolutely! I live in Ohio and have never had a problem. You get the UK version a few days after it releases there.
I guess this means you’ll just have to reward us loyal US peeps with say… another excerpt?
What about your poor, suffering Canadian readers? Do we get the US date, the UK date, or something else…
There will be mourning at my appartment.
Fine with me – I always order from the UK to get the superior cover art.
Not your fault Joe you did your job. Sometimes things go pear shaped. Maybe you could do some more recommended works though, I read a few of the westerns you posted about and was greatly pleased. Patience is’nt a virtue it’s a survival trait thank you for keeping us up to speed with the process. Cheers.
No worries Joe, im sure it will be awesome whenever it comes out.
[…] from the horse’s mouth: I’m really, really gutted to report this, especially at such a late stage, but the US […]
Does that include the kindle edition?
Ian,
The Kindle version from amazon.com, yes, I would think so.
Indigo.ca is still showing an October 23rd release date for Canada.
Crossing my fingers so hard right now.
Liam,
In theory Canada and Australia get the UK version, and those should be printed start of October, so I would hope books will be available there on or soon after the UK date, October 18th.
Getting the UK version anyway…
I demand the names of the henchmen responsible for this societal upheaval and grave catastrophe.
For there will be spoilers on the webz. Spoilers I tell you!
*grabs his weathered sword, lynching rope, and rides into the dimming sunset*
That settles it. I’m ordering the UK version with it’s extra awesome cover.
Its…not it’s. I’m so ashamed.
Nooo! Worse news EVER!! Why, God?! Why????!
Those DIRTY BASTARDS….I say we go all MONZA on them.
You guys know they fly planes from the USA to London every day, right?.
Seems like it wouldn’t be too much to tell the significant other “Just popping out to the corner* bookshop, dearest, may be a while”.
* You just don’t mention the particular corner in question is at 262 Piccadilly St.
About the Australian release date, when I went to my local bookstore to pre-order, I was told to my great dismay that the Australian publication date was not until October 30th.
Like many here, I’ve ordered my copy (what seems like a lifetime ago) from the UK amazon. Started with The Heroes this way and I was very happy with the service (shipping to Canada).
This can be risky, I’m looking at you Clive Barker, but your work is the first to get me pumped about reading something the day it’s released since Robert Jordan passed away.
Keep writing, Joe! Your books have got me by the fruits!
You must be a secret agent for Audible.com, because October was going to be my last month as a member. Now I have to find something to spend my credit on next month while waiting for November. Well played Agent Abercrombie, well played.
Well gives me time to re-read every book that you’ve written. Cant believe its been 3 years since I read the trilogy. Also I guess this is kind of what we get for getting The Heroes a couple of weeks early when it was released.
Is this really a secret ploy to show our dominance over our little brother that is America?
See America, Joe is upset with you! You should have remained our colony dammit!
What about e-books, cocksucer? Is this because you secretly loathe fat Americans who call you cocksucker? I knew it.
Never mind that Joe … I’ve just looked at what I’ve got coming from Amazon and Red Country is arriving the same day as Scott Lynchs new one – now that’s a release date problem !
In fairness to all I should simply have to give reading preference to whichever one postie delivers first but I suspect I’m going to be stood there, one in each hand wondering what the fuck to do…;-)
Eeny meeny miney moo…
Joe – Did you get any feedback from the US about publishing a book called “Red Country” either before (or now after) the US election? Trying to lure in a few republicans? 😉
@Gordon – I never thought of that… now that’s freaking hilarious! And you know you’re right, it would absolutely impact sales in some way.
No sweat, Joe. Good things are worth waiting for.
A dark plot twist worthy of your work, Joe. Still reading it on day one.
It is good news for Joe more than likely. Should promote higher sales of E-book versions which translates to a higher % of royalties. 😀
I just preordered a copy to be mailed to my home in Massachusetts from amazon.com/uk. It’s going to run me 30 us dollars, nearly triple the price, but it’s worth it!
Whew… Glad I pre-ordered from Amazon UK! By the way, Does anyone else here, including Mr. Abercrombie, watch the show,”Hell on Wheels?” Each time I watch it, I think the guy that plays “The Swede” would make a fantastic Glokta should these wonderful books ever make it to the big screen. Anyone else think so?
You’ve just gotta be realistic. A little bird from the UK mentioned looking into book depot as a way to get books in the UK to US (free shipping!) Its the way to go.
http://www.bookdepository.com/
Better covers(in my worthless opinion) and I get to spend halloween in the Red Country!
Thanks again Joe!
On the e-books question, I would imagine US e-books will appear alongside the US paper version, but amazon.com is listing the kindle version for October 18th, for some reason. I’ll check with the US publisher and clarify that.
Lannasdad,
Check with the relevant authorities, but I share an editor with Scott and I’m pretty sure his book’s not finished yet, so I fear amazon are giving you an old placeholder date there, sadly. On the upside, it makes your choice a lot easier…
Wheeewwww! Now that 50 bucks I spent to get the much better looking UK edition doesn’t seem like such an extravagence.
Who is going to be reading the AudioBook? Steven Pacey or Michael Page?
I can’t think of a better working example of why print should quickly give way to digital publication. Unless I’m missing something here, why the hell can’t the UK version be made available for download through any of the major e-book distributors (maybe its proprietary?)in the US? Not to be persnickety, but it can’t be that much work to add the u’s to “color” and replace s’s with z’s in “specialization” if its an issue of formatting/editing. 🙂
Brian,
Pacey.
Not happy about this… Noooooooooo ………. Been waiting so long and now another month.
How about some more whisky deathmatch to soften the blow?
{{Lays head on the keyboard and weeps uncontrollably}}
is there any information about the german release (via Heyne, i think)? 😡
nah, that last smiley wasn’t supposed to look that angry ^^
Micha,
It will be Heyne, but they only just bought the book so I imagine it’ll be a while yet. Best off checking with them.
[…] carte a lui Joe Abercrombie. Asteptata initial pe 23 octombrie in Statele Unite, ea a fost amanata pentru 13 noiembrie; data lansarii in Marea Britanie a ramasa neschimbata: 18 […]
okay, i hope they’re doing fast!
thank you for the reply 🙂
Shut and Take my Money!
Hey Joe do u know when the release of the best served cold limited edition is going to be. Feels like eternity since I pre ordered.
Scott Lynch’s book not finished yet ? Wasn’t that what happen ed when you released The Heroes … Or was it Best Served Cold … no it was Last Arguement – hang on… (only joking I am certain it will be worth the wait)
Still, makes the decision easier – was going to ask you and Scott to decide it with a penalty shoot out 😉
BTW is Stephrn Pacey Tarrant ?
*Inhales*
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.
FUCK.
..Meh, shit happens.
Still love you, Joe.
Fear not Americans. You can preorder the UK version from amazon.co.uk, which will ship on the original release date. Who wants paperback anyway?
I’m in the states, but i preordered the UK version through Amazon U.K. Does that mean ill get the book on time?
I am definitely looking forward to it, but I am hard pressed to find anything in life anymore that I have to have right now. Another 3 weeks is nothing. I will probably dig into it over the Thanksgiving holiday while watching some football.
It is what it is. Not much of a wait…even between books compared to many!
On one hand I am saddened, in fact a tear just dripped onto my keyboard. On the other I am quietly relieved because I have zero money to my name at the moment and I was going to have to dip into my emergency funds to buy it (I DO have my priorities right – buy Abercrombie – then pay bills!). It also allows me to power through a few other novels before hand. I am looking forward to reading RED COUNTRY. I love every book you write more than the last, and THE HEROES was the best so far.
have a great day!
Hey there Joe…
Do you know when we can expect the audiobook release of Red Country (also – is it Pacey again?).
If you don’t know – can you pick a date out of your arse and pretend that its a fact?
Then I will be happy enough to wait it out…
Cheers,
Amazon.com delivered Red Country as an ebook to my Kindle today. I’m a bit confused but very pleased. Now I can read it before Swecon.
I just want my kindle copy asap thank you 🙂
Pacey? Damn. Insert annoying whine. Page’s Cosca is one of my all time favorite audiobook interpretations of your characters! He’s a veritable one man stage show(both Cosca and Page) Pacey’s take on Cosca kinda sounds like he should be riding around with Lord Humungous out in Australian wasteland. But maybe Pages take on the character formerly known as “the bloody nine” would be less appealing than Paceys? I don’t care. The audiobooks are such a great supplement to reading the books, they make it feel like the books are getting all the more closer to making it to the big/small screen!
In Canada I can still pre order and get the book in the October release but if I try and pre order the Kindle edition on the UK site I am told I must order it from Amazon.com and get it in November. Globalization really hasn’t reached the publishing industry.
Not to worry Joe – I am ordering the hardcover for my bookshelf at home but I travel muchly and need my Kindle. Do you have an eReader of some sort?
I’m not even mad. I have waited ~2 years for the latest Abercrombie book, what’s 3 more weeks?
It’s not delayed in Canada but we are getting the same lame cover-art as the US.
Wednesday, the 25th… thank you Amazon.com UK!
The cover alone will, erm… COVER the cost of shipping to The States. 😛