What are we going to read in this group?

[Werner]

Simon, I've only read one of Campbell's stories myself, but I know he has a substantial reputation in the genre; I'm sure any book by him would be a popular group read, and probably generate a lot of discussion! Since you don't have a specific book in mind, we can leave the December plan as it is for now, as you said; but between now and the next poll (which should be in late December), you or any Campbell fans reading this can use the time to come up with a specific suggestion.

[Simon]

I have had recommended to me by someone familiar with his work: Alone with the Horrors: The Great Short Fiction of Ramsey Campbell 1961-1991 so that might be a good suggestion? Although I have got a copy his novel Midnight Sun on my shelf...

[Werner]

Simon, if you're asking me, I'm sure either of those books would be viable suggestions; but not having read them, I don't have any useful feedback about which one would be better to nominate. Maybe someone who's read one or both could give you some advice on that! Any Campbell fans out there in SFR group land?

[[deleted user]]

I've read "The Count of Eleven" & it was weird maybe cool. I pictured the main character as 'Hugh Grant' (lol, I kid you not) I scored a copy of "The Overnight" & plan on reading that. He's from England & they are on another continent.

[[deleted user]]

December 1st, yay so if you still need a copy of Never Ceese don't hesitate to contact me for a $5 plus shipping deal on the hardback or you can go anywhere else in the known world to order both it or the paperback.

Just a quick reminder to let you know Never Ceese was in fact short-listed in 2006 for a Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel and garnished a review from the British Fantasy Society who came back before the second book in my series, Forever Richard, was even finished to request an ARC of it.

It is marketed as Young Adult so you might want to keep that in mind as you read however I've just as many adults enjoying these series as I do younger ones. ;)

It is also been called Christian fiction because of a slightly evangelical theme, (which just happened to be a coincidence) and therefore many CBA Christian market readers picked it up thinking it was published by a CBA affiliated publisher. Oddly enough, they enjoyed it. My publisher isn't affiliated with this exclusive group though and produces fiction for general market readers but are respectful of all faiths (a daunting task sometimes.) Nevertheless Never Ceese and Forever Richard have been approved by Spring Arbor for distribution to the Christian market, not the CBA Christian market though so you won't find it being talked about in these circles. CBA publishers don't allow for vampires and werewolves of lore to be written about. They've told me this themselves.

But anyway, I'm looking forward to some discussion here!

[[deleted user]]

Sweet I tried looking for Never Ceese at the store and couldn't find one Sue, but if I could buy one from you that would be great!

[[deleted user]]

Levi, you can order Never Ceese all day long. Because my first publisher went under I had to republish my paperback, (same text) through Lightning Source which puts my traditionally published book back in POD status which larger bookstores give the cold shoulder too despite whether it's selling. Sad but true. They can however order the book. I'm working to get back in with a traditional press right now so I can get the distribution that the larger bookstores like.

I'd be more that happy to send you a copy of the hardbacks I'm trying to get rid of though. $5 plus postage. Send me a private message with your address and I'll check on postage and get back with you. ;)

[Werner]

Lightning Source works much like Lulu, as I understand it; so Sue, your situation with Never Ceese is something like mine with Lifeblood (my publisher also went out of business). There are a couple of issues operating here. Both of our current printing services will print anything, unlike traditional presses (and bookstores know this, and distrust them for it, even if the book happens to be one that stood on its own merits with a traditional publisher); they also don't --or at least Lulu doesn't-- give bookstores a discount off list price. But you're right; there's also some prejudice against the POD technique itself --which is a wholly separate issue, since many small traditional, royalties-paying presses use it (Silver Lake did). It's part of the larger stigma attached to small presses in general; sort of a "you're not in the same league as the BIG boys" mentality.

Meanwhile, the old mainline houses of Big Publishing still play a game of trying to guess how big a run of books to print every time they publish a book, and almost invariably wind up remaindering or pulping literally tons of their stock, all at a loss. That business model is so insane, and the use of POD so sensible, that their attitude boggles the mind. My guess is that eventually, as the hidebound generation of CEOs passes from the scene and is replaced by a generation more comfortable with, and aware of the possibilities of, computer technology, POD will become the industry standard. But as yet, it's still like trying to get Big Business to switch to green energy.

[[deleted user]]

Yeah. What Werner said. LOL It is tough however, as Werner can vouch, to go from a press with legitimate distribution to all major bookstores, to publishing through PODs who all major bookstores frown on and for mostly good reasons. It's why I sought out a traditional publisher in the first place. It's all good because my second novel was picked up by a mid-range traditional publisher based on the success of my first book , so I guess I'm moving up the very, very, very, did I say VERY tall ladder that seems to have no top. But at least I am moving up. And quite rapidly as I'm told by others in the industry (racket.) Lord help us all. LOL

[Werner]

At this time, I'm going to invite nominations for our January common read. Sorry I'm only now getting around to this; the past week has been wildly hectic! I'll try to get a poll set up this coming Friday.

I've decided not to nominate Water Witch after all. Overall, I did like the book, and it has a lot of positive features; but the language is really bad. Since we're a diverse group with a variety of ages and tastes, so as not to offend anyone unnecessarily, I try to ensure that my common read suggestions aren't R rated. (Some of them might be PG-13. :-)) Simon, do you have a specific book by Campbell in mind by now that you'd like to suggest?

[[deleted user]]

Hi,
Werner, Simon :)

I know the question isn't aimed at me but I wanted to suggest the 4 Campbell books that I still have in my paperback library.. Hope no one minds.
The Overnight by R.C.
Secret Story by R.C
Demons by Daylight by R.C
Last but not Least: The House on Nazareth Hill by R.C

[Werner]

Always, the floor's open to everyone for nominations, so your input's completely appropriate! (I mentioned Simon just because he'd posted about Campbell earlier, but I'm sure we're both glad to get specific ideas from any Campbell fans out there.) Would we necessarily want to have four different Ramsey Campbell titles in the poll, though? That shouldn't pose a problem if he's the only author we consider this time around (which is okay with me); but if anyone nominates a book by someone else, four Campbell choices might tend to scatter his voting strength. Does any of these four lend itself to discussion better than the others?

[Simon]

I've heard good things about "Demons by Daylight", it's supposed to be a good collection, representative of his best work.

[Henrik]

I'd gladly nominate Campbell's Alone With the Horrors. I've read some of the short stories therein and find it quite good.

If a novel is more up people's alley--hey, yes, Midnight Sun would be great. Then I can actually participate in a discussion without having to read a whole new book from cover to cover, since I read it not that long ago;-)

[Werner]

Well, I'll put those six titles in the poll. Since Campbell is such a prolific and popular writer in the field, and we usually don't repeat authors on our common reads (at least, we haven't yet), I don't think it would be a bad idea to devote a poll just to his work. After all, we do a common read every month now; so other authors will have plenty of chance to get selected in the following months.

[Simon]

One thing I've noticed about Campbell's work is that he seems to polarise his readers; they either love or hate it. This makes me very curious and eager to try it.

[[deleted user]]

Doesn't any 1 else have Ideas for a January Read?
I was just throwing out the Campbell books I have in my stack that keep saying 'Read Me, Read Me, README'
Anybody feel free to nominate Other Writers?

[[deleted user]]

Werner wrote: "Well, I'll put those six titles in the poll. Since Campbell is such a prolific and popular writer in the field, and we usually don't repeat authors on our common reads (at least, we haven't yet), ..."

You know Werner, I just got a copy of 'Floating Dragon' or 'Shadow Land' by Straub. I know how much you enjoyed Ghost Story. Plus I scored a copy of 'Dark Matter' (uncorrected proof) but that book is suppose to come out in February.....
So I guess what I'm babbling about is nominating 'Floating Dragon' for the New Year :)

[Werner]

Always, I'll put Floating Dragon in the poll, and I'm sure it would be a good pick. Don't nominate a book on my account, though; I expect to sit next month's common read out. For one thing, I know I'm getting Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse for Christmas, and am anxious to read it (besides having a daughter champing at the bit for me to do so!); and I'm also wanting to read Forever Richard soon, and not put it off any longer. But for various reasons, I wasn't planning to suggest either of them as a choice for a common read.

I know what you mean about having piles of books all saying "Read me, read me, READ ME!" At last count, I have 60-some in the piles in my office, and seem to hear that chorus every time I walk in the door. :-)

[Simon]

If there are going to be other authors in this poll, might I suggest that we restrict the Campbell options to one novel and one short story collection?

I would be in suggest "Demons by Daylight" and "Midnight Sun".

[Werner]

Simon, that sounds to me like a good idea! We could always put some of the other titles in a later poll; even if the group votes for one of the Campbell titles this time, we do common reads oftener now than we used to, so there's no real reason why the same author couldn't be featured in more than one, if the group likes his work. Always and Henrik, would you be happy with narrowing the Campbell nominations to those two choices for now?

[[deleted user]]

That's fine by me, I would nominate 1 of the 4 titles I have in my stack that I listed above... Feel free to pick 1 of those titles... I couldn't do it.

[Werner]

I'd noticed that Demons by Daylight is on your list of four, Always, so it should fit the bill there.

[Werner]

Okay, everybody, the poll for the January common read is up and running! It will be open until Monday, Dec. 28, and I'll announce the results then.

[Werner]

To my great chagrin, I just discovered that I forgot to tell the computer to "feature" the current poll, so it's not at the top of the list. Instead, they made it #7 on the list! What the logic behind that is, I don't know; but it means you have to scroll down a ways in order to vote this time. The program doesn't allow me to edit the poll at all after it's saved, so I can't go back in and feature it now. Sorry for the inconvenience!

[Simon]

Werner,

You should be able to edit the poll from here. I can't do it because I didn't create the poll but you should be able to. There should be an "edit this poll" link to click on.

[Jim]

It's not very intuitive, but you can edit the poll. (I know this because I've NEVER gotten one right the first time!) I made it featured, Werner. It should be on top now.

[Werner]

It is at the top of the list now, Jim. Bless your heart, and thanks for your help! (You see why it's a great idea to have two moderators? :-)) And Simon, thanks a bunch for that link. I know I'll make plenty of use of it in the future!

[Werner]

All the votes on the current poll are in, and it's official --our three-way tie has been broken! For January, our common read to start off the new year will be Demons by Daylight, by Ramsey Campbell. I'll start that thread as soon after New Year's Day as possible, unless somebody beats me to it. :-)

[Werner]

It's hard to believe how time flies; but it's not too early to begin thinking about suggestions for our February common read (if we continue to try to do one every month). So, everybody, put on your thinking caps! Any ideas?

[Werner]

Normally, this would be about the time that I'd put all the suggestions for the February common read into a poll, to allow it to be up for a couple of weekends and still leave time for those who wanted to to get a copy of the book. This time, though, we didn't have any suggestions for the common read. Although previous poll results have indicated that the group favors doing common reads, they've been polls where very few of us have participated. There are 436 of us now --which is GREAT; I never dreamed the group would take off that successfully when I started it!-- and it's unrealistic to get many people from this large and diverse a group to read one book at the same time. It's becoming obvious to me that a highly structured, rigidly scheduled approach to the common reads isn't working any more.

My co-moderator Jim and I both belong to another group that does occasional common reads on a more ad hoc basis: someone will post a message suggesting that we do one, and proposing a book; and if enough people express interest, they go ahead and do it. (It doesn't have to be strictly tied to a calendar month, either.) So we've decided to try that approach here. Any of you who want to can post a suggestion for a common read whenever you want; and if enough people like the idea to make it viable, you can set up a thread and go to it! :-) (There's no reason we can't have more than one going at a time, either, if it happens to work out that way.)

Our policy about keeping the group's "currently reading" shelf for common reads, of course, was based on the idea that we'd have one going every month. With this change, I'd say that after the end of January, anyone can post any supernatural book he/or she is reading to that shelf --that'll keep our home page from looking too barren and drab!

[Simon]

I would have suggested a book but I am planning on reading "Hellhouse" next month which has already been a group read.

But yeah, given the level of participation with this month's group read I think what you're suggesting is the right way to go.

[Werner]

Thanks, Simon! I'd have made a suggestion myself, but like you, I'd already picked my reading for February --and in my case, it wouldn't be the best choice for a group read, being the fourth installment of a four-book series.

You're right about the low level of participation this month; the fact that only four people voted in that poll probably should have cued us. Sorry more of us haven't joined you, and chimed in with comments. You've shared some worthwhile insights, though, and written a good review of a book you obviously enjoyed! Besides, January isn't over yet, and at least one person has marked Demons by Daylight as "to-read." :-)

[[deleted user]]

The House that Jack Built by Graham Masterton. Did my good deed for the day :)

[Werner]

Thanks, Always; your good deed is appreciated! :-) How about it, folks --anyone interested in joining Always in that discussion? (If you've read the book already and remember it, you can chime in, too.)

[Saytchyn]

Omigosh, he's the one who wrote Walkers! (Masterton)That book changed my life when I was a teenager. It made me want to be a writer. But I've never read another book by him for some bizarre reason. I'm in!

[Werner]

Being a librarian, I've heard of Masterton. I've never read any of his work, but I know he's one of the better known contemporary writers of supernatural horror.

Any other takers for The House That Jack Built? Always, how many other people would you want to have join in, to make a common read worthwhile?

[[deleted user]]

I've never read any Masterton either. 'The House' sounded interesting, so I suggested it... If anyone else wants to read it... Why Not try for a group read..
Is it just me or has participation gone down recently?

[Werner]

Yes, Always, I've noticed too that participation in the common reads has dropped from the original high level with the first read, back in 2008. That may be partly due to the fact that some of the early books we picked had more features that elicited debate and discussion, but also to the growth of the group: we're larger and more diverse than we used to be, and it's harder to lasso everybody and get them all reading the same book. That's some of the reasoning behind my latest idea of making the common reads more ad hoc and grassroots-initiated. :-) Your suggestion fits that mold perfectly, and I hope you and Sandra get some other folks to join you in it! I would myself; but I've got some other reading in mind for the next few months that, for various reasons, I need to not put off any longer. (If someone would just invent a 48-hour day, I could make a lot more headway on my to-read lists!)

Interestingly, two of the more active groups I'm in here on Goodreads don't do common reads at all. They just carry on a lot of discussion on the other threads. Of course, sometimes discussion tends to die down (or goes in spurts) on older threads, as people feel they've exhausted, for the moment, what they have to say on a particular topic. New topics are always encouraged! One that was suggested for this group, a while back, is the role of folklore in supernatural fiction. Since a couple of our members have expressed an interest in that area, I'm hoping to start a thread about that soon --but anyone who's interested is perfectly welcome to beat me to it!

[[deleted user]]

I'm going to read the book anyhow & invite anyone else who might want to join in... Just let me know when we're ready :)

[Werner]

Sounds good, Always! As far as when to start, hmmm... I see you're already reading three books. What would you say to starting around the first of February? We don't have to tie common reads to a calendar month, but that would give you a chance to dispose of your current reading first. Either you or Sandra can start a thread around that time --or maybe I will, if I can find some background information on Masterton. I hope some other folks will join you as well!

[[deleted user]]

2 of the books are shorts stories, so I read those when I get tired of reading the novel... Otherwise, I'm flexible.. February or March? ?)

[Werner]

Always, either of those months sound good. Since you made the suggestion, I'd say we'd all be comfortable letting the timing be your call. Just start a thread whenever you're ready (put it in the Common Reads "folder"), and go to it!

[[deleted user]]

If anyone is interested.. I would think March best.. Give everyone a chance to get a copy..It's been out a few years... :)

[John]

Always wrote: "I've never read any Masterton either. 'The House' sounded interesting, so I suggested it... If anyone else wants to read it... Why Not try for a group read..
Is it just me or has participation gone..."


I'm trying to check in more often. Just don't have much time for pleasure reading these days so it takes me a while to work through an entire book.

[Werner]

Always, March sounds like a good time frame!

[Werner]

Okay, you all will have just now received your official invitation to a common read for the month of March! One correction --it does NOT take place at 4:01 in the morning on March 1! I meant to indicate that it started on March 1 and ran through April (the fourth month) 1. But there are evidently some features of the invitation system that I'm not adept at using yet, since this is our first time trying it! Anyway, I hope a lot of you will take part, and that you'll enjoy it!

[Jim]

I didn't get an invitation, Werner. No worries on the 4am invite. That's a little early even for me. I generally sleep in until at least 4:30 & can't read until somewhere into the first cup of coffee!

[[deleted user]]

I totally agree... If I'm up, I'm on the Internet until the coffee wakes me up then I can start reading but then if I have to go to work, I have to wait til I get home.... The weekends are another story... Good Story

[Werner]

Hmmmm! Jim, not sure why your invitation didn't come through --I'm sure I clicked on the little box by your name, like I did everybody else's, and the computer did say "463 people invited." Did anyone else NOT get an invitation? (Isn't technology wonderful? :-))