The First Law Trilogy was first published in 2006 – nearly 20 years ago, if you can believe it – but in all that time – aside from some small format book club editions and some beautiful but highly limited editions from Subterranean Press – there has been no US hardcover. With the help of the wonderful folks at Lit Escalates, I hope to put that right.
Yes, indeed, as some among you may already have heard, from November 21st, for one month, we will be running a kickstarter campaign to make available a special hardcover edition of that seminal trilogy of noughties grimdark fantasy The First Law. The Blade Itself, Before They are Hanged, and Last Argument of Kings, each with lashings of art produced using old school stuff like oil paint and human hands by Joel Daniel Phillips (who was responsible for the internal art in the Devils). These editions will include full wraparound covers, illustrated endpapers, and special gold-foiled boards. Signing and dedication will also be available in limited but generous quantities by my own pen, and there will very likely be additional First Law themed goodies for those who desire them.
You can follow the Kickstarter RIGHT NOW, and it will go live with a host of additional details, full specifications, reveals of the art etc. from the 21st. I can’t say much more until then, but a couple of things:
These WILL be available for shipping outside the US, though shipping costs will be higher.
In order to make the sums add and for this to go ahead we need to sell at least 2,000 of each book. Given there are already over 4,000 people following the kickstarter that seems very likely but it’s not absolutely guaranteed.
Because of the logistical challenges these will not be signed and dedicated direct to page but via a bookplate, however they will be sumptuously full-colour illustrated bookplates, bespoke to each book and in keeping with the art style.
28 comments so far
Very interested.
Please sign me up.
You can never have too many editions of The First Law…
I am interested
To quote Barney (Gumble, not the dinosaur) “Hook it to my vein!”
Yes please
Very interested. Will be a great christmas gift for my husband
Can’t wait!
Sign me up!!
Excited!!
Love these books, definitely interested
I’m interested, thanks.
How do I sign up?! I don’t want to miss out, it’s my favorite series of all time
Glokta … best character… love the books can’t wait to see what these look like in the shelf
Yes, please.
This is awesome. I’d love to get it as a Christmas present for my Dad. Is it likely they’ll ship before Christmas this year?
Very tempting indeed. Due a reread as well.
Need
Always up for shiny new special editions, especially for my favourite series
I’ll steal the all money from my husband’s grass cutting stash!
I’m interested
I can’t wait to buy them, admire them and not let anybody (including me) touch them.
Would be a lovely Christmas present
Sign me up!
We have one trilogy, yes. But what about second trilogy?
(any future plans for matching editions of Best Served Cold, Red Country, and The Heroes?)
I justtt found out about these special signed editions but the campaign is already over. Is there any other way to procure a set?
Get in touch with Lit Escalates and ask – there may be some copies left over after all the orders are fulfilled.
You can’t take my money quick enough.