Fate of the New Crucible-Short Stories?

[Kopernikus]

A while ago, when the cancellation of the Crucible-Hardcover-omnibus was announced, David posted what was planned for the book:

The cancellation of the Crucible hardcover marks a disappointment for me, of course, but it had little to do with anything other than the harsh economic climate pervading the country in general and the publishing industry in particular. Contrary to one post, concrete information was available for the omnibus, including its table of contents, which I offer again here.

• "Talismans and Spells" (new preface)
• "The Potentials of Emptiness" (new short story)
• Provenance of Shadows
• "The Delicate Currents of the Past" (new short story)
• The Fire and the Rose
• "The Weight of Too Few Years" (new short story)
• The Star to Every Wandering
• "Into the Void" (new short story)
• "Confluence, Enduring" (new short story)

I completed writing the additional material prior to the cancellation of the project.

Are there any new developments about what's going to happen with the new material? Stored until further notice? Completely abandoned? I still hope to see these new stories in print (Hell, I would even overcome my bias against ebooks and read them in that form...)

 

[Defcon]

From another current thread:

David, I know you were working on some new material for the hardcover - is there any chance that any of it will ever see the light of day, anywhere?

^ It's possible, Clay, but it's unclear just when or where. I, of course, would love to see the hardcover collection resurface at some point, but that seems like a long shot at the moment.

By the way, I wasn't just working on new material. I completed a new preface ("Talismans and Spells") and five new short stories. I wrote two Guardian of Forever tales called "The Potentials of Emptiness" and "Confluence, Enduring," as well as new follow-up stories for each of McCoy, Spock, and Kirk; these were entitled "The Delicate Currents of the Past," "The Weight of Too Few Years," and "Into the Void," respectively). At least, I finished first (and, I believe, second) drafts of each. Oh, well.

And thanks for the kind words about my work.

 

[JWolf]

I would love to see the new material surface an an eBook. That would be great.

 

[ShinRa Actual]

I've been wondering if the cancellation is more related to the ongoing Ellison lawsuit. If so, any for-profit release (including eBook) is not going to happen until that is resolved.

 

[Technobuilder]

Haven't gotten around to Crucible yet so if this ever does come back, I wouldn't hesitate picking it up as collection.

(And yes, I have all three Crucible books already sitting on my shelf...waiting to be opened.)

 

[KimMH]

^^^ Me too. Wiating for time in my life to do reading them justice.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

A couple of days ago, I wrote on my blog a post about ten Star Trek books a new fan, fresh from the movie, can (and should) pick up and read in my completely unbiased opinion. One of the ten was an outright cheat, as Crucible is three books, not one.

This is part of what I wrote about Crucible and why it made my list:

Crucible... told an epic tale that spanned the the lives of these characters, showing how a single event — the death of Edith Keeler — altered their lives forever. Each book is different, as befits their titular characters. McCoy, frankly, is my favorite of the three (and there are some truly gutwrenching moments in the book). Spock is a challenging, nuanced piece of fiction. Kirk is a surprisingly different sort of novel; it’s a dizzingly mind-blowing novel of action. What these novels have in common is not just their root in the events of “City on the Edge of Forever,” but an examination of the concept of love, how these characters define love and their lives, and the lengths to which these men, each in their own ways, will pursue the love in their lives. If you want to know who these characters are, read these books.

There's a romantic undercurrent to the books that I found surprising, and several months later I found welcome in dealing with the wreckage of a relationship gone wrong. Don't find the time for the trilogy; make the time for it. It's worth it.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Even though I already own (and have read) all three books in the Crucible trilogy, if the proposed hardcover with the new material were ever to return to the schedule, I would buy it in a heartbeat. I was very disappointed when it was cancelled, and it was even more disappointing when I later found out that all the new material had already been written.

 

[ClayinCA]

I've been wondering if the cancellation is more related to the ongoing Ellison lawsuit. If so, any for-profit release (including eBook) is not going to happen until that is resolved.

That's what we need, more rumors about the Ellison lawsuit.

A couple of days ago, I wrote on my blog a post about ten Star Trek books a new fan, fresh from the movie, can (and should) pick up and read in my completely unbiased opinion. One of the ten was an outright cheat, as Crucible is three books, not one.

This is part of what I wrote about Crucible and why it made my list:

Crucible... told an epic tale that spanned the the lives of these characters, showing how a single event — the death of Edith Keeler — altered their lives forever. Each book is different, as befits their titular characters. McCoy, frankly, is my favorite of the three (and there are some truly gutwrenching moments in the book). Spock is a challenging, nuanced piece of fiction. Kirk is a surprisingly different sort of novel; it’s a dizzingly mind-blowing novel of action. What these novels have in common is not just their root in the events of “City on the Edge of Forever,” but an examination of the concept of love, how these characters define love and their lives, and the lengths to which these men, each in their own ways, will pursue the love in their lives. If you want to know who these characters are, read these books.

There's a romantic undercurrent to the books that I found surprising, and several months later I found welcome in dealing with the wreckage of a relationship gone wrong. Don't find the time for the trilogy; make the time for it. It's worth it.

Absolutely. Give up eating or sleeping for a week or so, if necessary - it's more than worth it!

And I love what you've written about the book(s), Allyn - it's a wonderful analysis of what makes all three such compelling (and in my opinion, required) reading.

Even though I already own (and have read) all three books in the Crucible trilogy, if the proposed hardcover with the new material were ever to return to the schedule, I would buy it in a heartbeat. I was very disappointed when it was cancelled, and it was even more disappointing when I later found out that all the new material had already been written.

Me too, in spades. Of all the Star Trek books I was looking forward to this year (and there were/are many), this hardback was the one I was anticipating the most eagerly. I wish there was some way we could voice our support for the book to Pocket...

 

[Stevil2001]

I avoid reprints of old material like the plague when I own even a fraction of the content... but I was gonna buy the Crucible omnibus so hard.

 

[Mysterion]

Even though I already own (and have read) all three books in the Crucible trilogy, if the proposed hardcover with the new material were ever to return to the schedule, I would buy it in a heartbeat. I was very disappointed when it was cancelled, and it was even more disappointing when I later found out that all the new material had already been written.

What he said.

Was very disappointed when this got canceled. And I feel bad for Mr. George having worked on the new material only to have it go unpublished.

 

[S. Gomez]

I've been slightly out of the TrekLit loop (don't worry, I'm getting caught up) so I never heard that there was even a plan for such an omnibus. I'd snatch it up, of course, especially if it had new short stories. Speaking of which, how exactly were they going to tie in to the trilogy? (I'm not really asking for spoilers with that question.) More tales of the Trio and the Guardian?

 

[Stevil2001]

I've been slightly out of the TrekLit loop (don't worry, I'm getting caught up) so I never heard that there was even a plan for such an omnibus. I'd snatch it up, of course, especially if it had new short stories. Speaking of which, how exactly were they going to tie in to the trilogy? (I'm not really asking for spoilers with that question.) More tales of the Trio and the Guardian?

http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?p=2921256#post2921256

 

[Ktrek]

I own and loved the Crucible trilogy. If a hardcover version were to see the light of day I would re-purchase the series in the hardcover format. Not only to have a better quailty pressing but to support David R. George III and help ensure Pocket considers him for future books. He's one of my favorites of the newest generation of Trek writers. When will we see a new book from him? That's what I want to know!

Kevin

 

[S. Gomez]

I've been slightly out of the TrekLit loop (don't worry, I'm getting caught up) so I never heard that there was even a plan for such an omnibus. I'd snatch it up, of course, especially if it had new short stories. Speaking of which, how exactly were they going to tie in to the trilogy? (I'm not really asking for spoilers with that question.) More tales of the Trio and the Guardian?

http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?p=2921256#post2921256

Ahem. Right. I'll just be going on my way now...

 

[Stevil2001]

Not only to have a better quailty pressing but to support David R. George III and help ensure Pocket considers him for future books. He's one of my favorites of the newest generation of Trek writers. When will we see a new book from him? That's what I want to know!

David has a short (ha!) novel in the upcoming Myriad Universes: Shattered Light (August 2010).

 

[Claudia]

David has a short (ha!) novel in the upcoming Myriad Universes: Shattered Light (August 2010).

I've already been looking forward to the next MyrU-book, but reading this I just got a bit more excited.

And BTW, is the "ha!" meant as "Ha, DRG for once actually managed to stay within the wordlimit" or as "DRG delivered once again a massive ouevre. Ha, editors, that's what you get trying to get him to write a *short* novel"?

 

[Stevil2001]

The "ha!" is "As if David R. George III could ever write anything short!"

 

[KimMH]

The "ha!" is "As if David R. George III could ever write anything short!"

as so many other things in this life longer TrekLit is better than short TrekLit . . .

 

[Stevil2001]

Longer is not always better.

The only thing that is always better is better.

Fortunately, David R. George III is always better.