The Awesomeness of Subterranean Press

Okay folks. I know you’ve seen a lot of blogs full of donations for the Heifer Fundraiserlately. Don’t get jaded on me. This one is something new. Something ginchy.I’ve known the folks at Subterranean Press for a long while. They were the first publisher to ask if I’d like to contribute a story to an anthology. Bill Schafer actually contacted me two weeks after TNOTW hit the shelves. It was one of the first clues I had that I might have done something right in the book.

What’s more, I’m currently working with an illustrator on a not-for-children children’s book that will be published through through them. (Details on that will be forthcoming.)

Subterranean Press publishes gorgeous books. Beautiful paper. Beautiful bindings. Stuff by great authors. Stuff that’s out of print. Stuff by Neil Gaiman, Tim Powers, Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury….

The last time I bought stuff off their website, I looked at my shopping cart and found myself thinking, “Next time I sell them a story, I should just negotiate my contract in store credit and cut out the middle man.”

So when Bill contacted me, saying he was willing to donate some books to my Heifer Fundraiser, I was understandably delighted. Thrilled, in fact.

Then he sent me the list. I was stunned. 120 books. Beautiful hardcovers. Many of them limited editions. Many of them sold out. Most of them signed.

All told, over 8,000 dollars worth of books.

Yeah. They’re awesome.

Subterranean Press has Donated

10 copiesof each of the following. 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Call was the book that really convinced me Tim Powers was brilliant, and the two sequels are just as good. These are matched, limited-edition, numbered sets, signed by Tim Powers himself.

I have it on good authority that owning these books will give you the strength of ten men, cure any illness afflicting you, and grant you eternal youth.

If you don’t believe me, then how about trusting the Los Angeles Daily News when they say Last Call is “Riveting…lyrical and brutal…a thrilling tale of gambling, fate and fantastic adventure.”


 

 

This is a book of revived, never produced (except for a pilot to the series the book was to have become) teleplays by Robert A. Heinlein, mainly adapted from his stories. Paul Di Filippo, for SciFi Weekly says, “All these narratives are gripping and full of hooks and typically engaging Heinlein characters [….] The stories have proved themselves in print for half a century, and their virtues survive the transition to a different medium.”

 

Ursula K. Le Guin tells us, “Keep your eye on Kage Baker! You never know where she’s heading next, but its always worth going there. She’s an edgy, funny, complex, ambitious writer with the mysterious, true gift of story-telling.”

 

 

According to author Charles de Lint, “Blaylock allows us to see the mundane world through new eyes, to perceive the familiar as strange, and therefore exciting.”

 

 

An anthology of stories by Bruce Sterling, who, according to

Strange Horizons, “has done perhaps as much as the work of any other single author to define cyberpunk, steampunk, post-cyberpunk and indeed, the broader course of the genre’s development in the last three decades.” 

 

 

 

Years ago, I was at a party at Worldcon, desperately trying to and prove that I fit in with all these other writer types. After a while, I ended up in a conversation that included a bunch of aspiring writers (myself included) and Larry Niven. We were talking about all sorts of things. Writing, the portrayal of magic… general geeky writing talk. Good stuff.

I mentioned Bridge of Birds by Barry Hugart as being a gorgeous book. Nobody else in the group had read it… except Larry Niven, who agreed enthusiastically. Needless to say, I felt pretty cool….

Hugart’s books have been out-of-print for a long while. But they’re back, collected here. So now you can read them and feel cool too.

In a starred review, Publisher’s Weekly says, “Reading Hughart’s endearing historical fantasy trilogy, first published almost 20 years ago, is much like ‘wandering blindfolded through a myth devised by a maniac,’ in the words of Master Li, the greatest and most frequently intoxicated wise man in a colorful seventh century ‘China that never was.’ Their rollicking adventures pit them against everyone from murderers and thieves to emperors and gods. Numerous Chinese legends, filtered through Ox’s simple perspective, blend seamlessly into both lighthearted and heartrending.”

 

 

 

Publisher’s Weekly says, “With six-guns blazing and tentacles flailing, this nifty all-original anthology delivers impressively on the “pure storytelling” promise Lansdale (Flaming London) makes in his intro. The dozen authors manage to address serious issues while remaining true to their roots and the book’s theme.” 

 

 

Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly said in a starred review: “Lansdale’s The Nightrunners (1987), the centerpiece of this chilling collection, set new standards of graphic violence and is probably the best novel of its type between Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs… This upsetting look at the human capacity for evil breaks with crime novel conventions when a supernatural element enters the story in the form of the grotesque deity known as the God of All Things Sharp. Twenty years later, The Nightrunnersretains its ability to awe and to horrify. Six short stories that grew out of the novel, one previously unpublished, round out the volume.” 

 

 

This book should look familiar to some of you, as it’s similiar to the one I posted up myself in the original blog when I started the fundraiser. However, these books are much cooler, as they’re signed by ALL the authors.

Booklist said this about the anthology, “All the contributors share a gift for sharp-edged prose that keeps the reader pleasantly perturbed for hours.”

 

 

Joe Hill’s first novel won a lot of awards, including the Locus Award for best debut fantasy of 2007. Good on him.

His book was described by the Herald Tribune as “a wild, mesmerizing, perversely witty tale of horror [….] In a book much too smart to sound like the work of a neophyte, he builds character invitingly and plants an otherworldly surprise around every corner.”

 

Want to know how to win these books and other fabulous prizes while making the world a better place? Check OVER HEREfor the blog that describes it all.

 

Lastly,

some people have been asking me if I plan on continuing to match all the donations made. Some people have expressed concerns that I will end up homeless on the street, eating tuna out of a can with my fingers and talking to invisible people.First, let me reassure you that I will be continuting to match donations until December 11th. I can afford it for now, and honestly, if I’m going to be irrisponsible with my money, this is the way I want to go. This is my preferred flavor of stupidity. And besides, if I don’t do something like this, I’d just end up blowing it on something cool but stupid.

Second, don’t overestimate my current lifestyle. Anyone who has met me in person knows I pretty much look like a hobo anyway. I only own one pair of shoes, and when you come right down to it, there’s nothing wrong with eating tuna out of the can with your fingers. It saves you the trouble of washing a fork afterwards.

And I already talk to invisible people. I’m a writer. That’s pretty much my job.

So yeah. I’m still matching donations. Bring it on. I’d love to hit $40,000. Let’s show them what happens when high-minded geeks set their minds on making the world a better place.

Hugs and kisses,

pat

This entry was posted in cool things, Heifer International, recommendations, Worldbuilders 2008By Pat21 Responses

21 Comments

  1. Kanna
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 5:04 AM | Permalink

    Can’t…think…complete..sentances1)Pat? Book? sigh2)eeeeeeeeeppppp!!!!!3)10 of each?!?Okay better now, sorry… Adorable picture by the way.

  2. Anonymous
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 5:26 AM | Permalink

    Pat, you’re pure Evil!The more books you post, the longer my Amazon wish list becomes.You’ve proven you’re a better writer than I am, mainly by having the balls to show someone your work and get published. You’re more altruistic, better sense of humor, you can actually grow a full beard and you generously signed my copy of “Name” at Galaxy Comics…Could you at least have the decency to go bald so that I can use Asimov’s line when he was forced to acknowledge Clarke’s accomplishments?Good for you, Pat; the world needs more of this kind of evil! Keep it up and best wishes to you this holiday season (yes, I donated).

  3. Likana
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 5:39 AM | Permalink

    OMG. I… wow… pretty books… ‘drool’ Pat you are an amazing human being. I am feeling pretty inspired right now. And amazed. And impressed. And… well you’re a writer, there’s lots more words in the dictionary to describe your awesomeness and my awe and I’ll let your creative brain be the one to come up with them because mine is overwhelmed by the sight of all the pretty pretty books.

  4. Andrew SJ
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 6:02 AM | Permalink

    I must say Pat, I am impressed. Not everyone could keep the fame from getting to their head, and you’ve shown that you are truly a good man. God bless.

  5. Michaela Deas
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 10:19 AM | Permalink

    I am speechless and everyone who knows me can assure you what a feat that is. What an amazing donation!! Oh, and I happen to know someone who’d be right there with you blowing money on those lasers.. awesome!!You’re a good man :)

  6. pangalactic
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 12:53 PM | Permalink

    Subterranean Press do make stunning books. If I get anything out of this I want one of those or one of the maps. The maps are also awesome.But seriously. What you’re doing here is amazing. I’m in the camp of not wanting to leave you destitute afterwards, and I have absolute respect for you for admitting in one of the older posts that you might have to put the brakes on this thing. Heifer have got a great patron in you. I hope they appreciate what you’re doing.-Chris/pangalactic, whose livejournal won’t let him use his ID here. Bastards.

  7. chris
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 2:31 PM | Permalink

    I love subterranean press. They are a class act.I do hope that they eventually put TNOTW into a super sweet edition ;)

  8. Sailor Matt
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 3:01 PM | Permalink

    @chris: A super sweet edition? Perhaps made out of chocolate. An edible edition could also feed the homeless.

  9. chris
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 4:01 PM | Permalink

    A chocolate version of TNOTW? I would have to read pretty fast then!

  10. Sailor Matt
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 4:04 PM | Permalink

    Perhaps with a delicious candy coating, so that it melts in your mouth, not in your hand.

  11. Lisa (former Master Rothfuss student)
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 5:30 PM | Permalink

    I just wanted to throw this out there when Pat talks about looking like a hobo and only having one pair of shoes, he may only have one pair, but they are a really nice pair, Eccos in fact. I should know, I sold them to him when I was in college working at Shippy Shoes in Steven Point

  12. Nick
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 5:32 PM | Permalink

    Look at the power you have pat!On a side note, to all who have Kvothe widthdrawl can take a look at an excerpt from Wise Man’s Fear on < HREF="http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2008/12/exclusive-excerpt-from-patrick-rothfuss.html" REL="nofollow">Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist<>

  13. Judy
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 7:21 PM | Permalink

    Hi Pat – Yes, you have succeeded – I have just donated a third time. Those books have such a clarity, sharpness, and beauty to them….. wow. If I am lucky enough to win ANYTHING (and, honestly, my original 2 donations were just to help you reach your goal, and to show appreciation of how many others were contributing their own works and skills…. THIS one is to help me win something!!) I hope it is one of the 10 sets…… I’ll have to wear white gloves while reading them, so I can frame them afterwards!!!! :DJ

  14. QueenNaxen
    Posted December 4, 2008 at 10:50 PM | Permalink

    @ Nick:You…! You…! evievilEVIIIIL! Giving that link was like offering a bottle to a drunk getting sober! Eeeevil!Yeah, anyway, I’ll agree with Anonymous above. Thanks to you, Pat, I no longer need to wonder about what else to read! Which is both good and bad, seeing as I have semestrals coming up.Haven’t been able to donate, but I will as soon as I can.

  15. Malikelm
    Posted December 5, 2008 at 4:21 AM | Permalink

    I’ll just say this…WMU Police Station Permanent Profile Me1. Biting a kid at school in the third grade…date unkown.2. Public masterbation in school library. Website; Patrickrothfuss.com. Date; 12/04/08

  16. Malikelm
    Posted December 5, 2008 at 4:27 AM | Permalink

    Hey guys this is malik. I read TNOTW when it first came out, like literally before anyone heard of Pat Rothfuss. i have posted some, but im the reserved, sexy type of guy that doesn’t say much. Meaning that i would follow the blog religiously but just that. However, this calls for an exception.AWESOME!

  17. Anonymous
    Posted December 5, 2008 at 8:24 AM | Permalink

    I just wanted to tell you, you make me happy. Also, you have given me some faith that the world isn’t full of bad men always trying to make more money than the other bad men.

  18. marky
    Posted December 5, 2008 at 12:37 PM | Permalink

    The Awesomeness of subterranean press indeed. How much do I want to read Barry Hughart now.Nearly at 30k. No way!Owning a piece of meteorite and the best laser in the world is cool. However, it’s not as cool as food in hungry bellies. (And there’s always next year for such cool presents)@Malikelm, I’m well glad I don’t share a library with you dude!:-)

  19. Malikelm
    Posted December 6, 2008 at 5:06 AM | Permalink

    Speaking of awesome cover art…I’m confused as well as a tad bit jealous. It is to my understanding that Pat is from the west, so why is it that the english are getting the better Covers? Have you guys seen the European cover for book 2?http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wise-Mans-Fear-Kingkiller-Chronicle/dp/0575081422/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228538907&sr=8-1

  20. Captain Joe
    Posted December 6, 2008 at 8:36 AM | Permalink

    This is awesome. So, so awesome.And that last pic makes it clear what this whole thing is really all about.Happy to be a part of this show,Cap’n Joe.

  21. Captain Joe
    Posted December 6, 2008 at 8:47 AM | Permalink

    Heh – saw how close the counter was to $30,000 and couldn’t help myself… broke the line, baby.Go forth, young water buffalo, and do good in the world.

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