Why are Discovery novels $20

[Allyn Gibson]

For close to fifteen years, I've expected Star Trek fiction to make the jump to trade exclusively. They're a higher price point, yes, so bookstores are naturally going to prefer them (more dollars per transaction), but publishers also prefer them (more profit margin per book). Yes, the higher price point means that some buyers will drop out of the market, but with the higher margin the publishers still come out even, even ahead. I have wondered if the Discovery books were meant to test the waters for such a move, though with the future of Star Trek fiction from S&S uncertain the format of the extant Discovery novels may not mean a thing.

 

[yenny]

Trade Paperback are the same sides as comic books, it would be price as hardbacks regardless of author or genra. I have seen trade paperback in book store with prices from $10-$50.

 

[Timewalker]

Actually, they're probably trade paperbacks because Discovery is in comparatively limited distribution: you need a broadband connection AND a subscription to a paid service in order to see it, as opposed to it showing up on commercial television, or even in theatrical release.

That's not the case in Canada. All I need is a cable TV subscription, plus the extra $$ to get the Space Channel.

No computer is required.

Good thing there are older Star Trek series on Space, since I was extremely underwhelmed with what I saw of DiscoTrek.

As for the books... even if I liked Disco, that's priced way out of what I'd be willing to pay for a Star Trek book.

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Trade Paperback are the same sides as comic books, it would be price as hardbacks regardless of author or genra. I have seen trade paperback in book store with prices from $10-$50.

Actually, not if it's a typical TPB and a proper hardcover. Hardcovers are, unless really, really cheap, either Smyth-sewn, side-sewn, or cleat-sewn, processes that all involve stitching the pages together with bindery thread. Whereas all but the very most expensive of paperbacks are "perfect-bound," i.e., held together with nothing but padding adhesive.

 

[Jinn]

Whereas all but the very most expensive of paperbacks are "perfect-bound," i.e., held together with nothing but padding adhesive.

Oh, so that's what they mean when they say the story is padded

 

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Oh, so that's what they mean when they say the story is padded

Pun my word.

 

[Therin of Andor]

IIRC, the authors get a bigger royalty if their novel is released in hardcover or trade, and then get another (regular) royalty if/when the book is rereleased as a Pocket MMPB. So there is a prestige in having your book chosen to come out in hardcover/trade.

In the past, the now-Gallery trade imprint, with its less-regulated(?) path-to-publication, permitted some novels and novelisations to come out that otherwise may not have. I recall the novelisation of the finale of VGR (with sample chapters of the first post-series novel) being one. Originally we were told there was no room on the MMPB schedule for a novelisation, and then suddenly it was a (oops, edit) trade.

 

[tomswift2002]

IIRC, the authors get a bigger royalty if their novel is released in hardcover or trade, and then get another (regular) royalty if/when the book is rereleased as a Pocket MMPB. So there is a prestige in having your book chosen to come out in hardcover/trade.

In the past, the now-Gallery trade imprint, with its less-regulated(?) path-to-publication, permitted some novels and novelisations to come out that otherwise may not have. I recall the novelisation of the finale of VGR (with sample chapters of the first post-series novel) being one. Originally we were told there was no room on the MMPB schedule for a novelisation, and then suddenly it was a MMPB.

When was “Endgame” released in MMPB? I only heard and seen it in Trade.

 

[Avro Arrow]

When was “Endgame” released in MMPB? I only heard and seen it in Trade.

Based on the actual premise of that paragraph, one would assume this is merely a case of accidentally typing the wrong acronym at the end of the last sentence.

 

[Jinn]

the novelisation of the finale of VGR (with sample chapters of the first post-series novel)

That's kind of genius

 

[seigezunt]

I'd have preferred hardcovers. I can't stand trade paperbacks; I seem to wear them out much faster than MMPBs. Which means I usually get the ebooks.

 

[David cgc]

That's kind of genius

It worked on me, especially considering how abrupt Voyager's ending was. Even just three chapters of denouement-ing showing implicit stuff like Tuvok being cured and various phone calls to Earth helped ease in. Though I never actually read the Golden novels and only got on-board the Voyager relaunch with the Beyer, so maybe it didn't work, after all.

 

[JD]

I've always been a bit annoyed with how abruptly Endgame ends. I would have liked to have seen them get home either right at the beginning of the finale, or even an episode or two before it, so we could get to see the reactions to their return and how the crew dealt with being back home.
At least we did get the relaunch to cover that, although I've only read a tiny bit of Homecoming ages ago, and don't remember it at all.

 

[Therin of Andor]

When was “Endgame” released in MMPB? I only heard and seen it in Trade.

I said "if/when".

"Endgame" was only ever in trade. (Although the preview extracts at the end were included in the first post-series MMPB.)

Based on the actual premise of that paragraph, one would assume this is merely a case of accidentally typing the wrong acronym at the end of the last sentence.

Yes, sorry. It was meant to say "trade".

That's kind of genius

Yes, I thought it was a clever idea.