brandon's blog :(

[Isabel]

http://www.brandonsanderson.com/article/56/Splitting-AMOL

=
What the hell? not a memory of light because the bookstores don't like it? What nonsense is that? Would bookstores decide what the last book of Harry Potter is named? It's Jordan's book. Now it seems like that is not even honered.

So long to publish a book while with RJ it could be done in 6 weeks?

This still doesn't convince me....

There are many reasons why this book can't be out in 2009. Reason 1 the author passed away. Not needed to release a book now...

[Bayle]

From Tor's point of view, it still appears to be "AMOL":

"Tor Books is proud to announce the November 3rd, 2009 on-sale date for The Gathering Storm, Book Twelve of The Wheel of Time and the first of three volumes that will make up A Memory of Light, the stunning conclusion to Robert Jordan’s beloved and bestselling fantasy series. A Memory of Light, partially written by Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson, will be released over a two-year period."


Who knows what the actual cover will say, but in the official press release it's still being refered to, as a whole, as "A Memory of Light"

[Isabel]

From Tor's point of view, it still appears to be "AMOL":

"Tor Books is proud to announce the November 3rd, 2009 on-sale date for The Gathering Storm, Book Twelve of The Wheel of Time and the first of three volumes that will make up A Memory of Light, the stunning conclusion to Robert Jordan’s beloved and bestselling fantasy series. A Memory of Light, partially written by Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson, will be released over a two-year period."


Who knows what the actual cover will say, but in the official press release it's still being refered to, as a whole, as "A Memory of Light"

sorry what does a pressrelease mean, if it says on the book differently.......... The public won't know it's called a memory of light...

[Bayle]

I just think it's too soon to call - I have a feeling it will still say "Part 1 of A Memory of Light" on the cover, even if the overarching title is The Gathering Storm.

We'll have to wait and see what the final decision will be, I doubt that part has been nailed down yet.

But don't fret, Harriet will make sure justice is done to the work of the love of her life - of that I have no worries.

[Gilshalos Sedai]

American Bookstores demanded the first Harry Potter: "The Philosopher's Stone," be published here as "The Sorceror's Stone." The giant chain bookstores like Borders and Barnes & Nobles are powerhouses here.


Isabel, I adore you, but seriously, stop being so negative. Sanderson is doing his best. And frankly, think of your copy of Lord of Chaos! How well has that withstood the test of time, physically? How many rubber bands are holding it together? How many layers of tape? And when you get a large enough book, even a Kindle can't hold the whole thing, I think breaking it up is good. Tad Williams published his final book of "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" in two volumes, "Green Angel Tower 1 & 2."


There is no way in God's Green Earth Jordan was going to get his ONE VOLUME of AMoL. It wouldn't have happened. As a matter of fact, you all would be bitching about that happening to him, too. That he was "milking" it. Trying to make a profit from your "addiction."

I'm near the end of a 100,000 word novel that may push 150K. Until any of you have written anything that big or bigger, I really don't want to hear the bitching about length, or anyone's word count. Sanderson is trying to do his best with someone else's work.

I have been reading this series for 20 years now. And I have been VERY patient. If a few more years is required, I can wait. In the meantime, nothing's stopping me from rereading.

[Davian93]

I'm near the end of a 100,000 word novel that may push 150K. Until any of you have written anything that big or bigger, I really don't want to hear the bitching about length, or anyone's word count. Sanderson is trying to do his best with someone else's work.


My MLB preview on my blog will be close to 10 K words when its finished...and I feel it is too brief. I could probably do 30 K if I did it justice...and had a week off.

I don't get the negativity either...at least after BS's explanation (which was quite good). IIRC though, Isabel didn't even want it to be finished by anyone other than RJ originally. Weren't you one of the ones that said you'd rather just have RJ's notes as opposed to another author finishing it?

[Isabel]

Yes I was. But I understand that it has to be finished.
RJ was less far than I hoped. So I understand that a decision has been taken that someone else finshes it.

[Terez]

Weren't you one of the ones that said you'd rather just have RJ's notes as opposed to another author finishing it?
I was one of those people originally, when RJ was sick. I think I changed my mind when they announced BS was going to finish it (which was more or less one of those "well if that's what Harriet wants then I trust her" things).

[Davian93]

I'm simply excited that we'll finally have new material by the end of the year...that should give us some actual "new theories" to talk about after a long long time of nothing new whatsoever.

[Terez]

Yeah, the first volume might even resolve a few arguments. Can't wait. I wonder if they'll give us an ebook prologue...seems unlikely, huh?

[Davian93]

Yeah, the first volume might even resolve a few arguments. Can't wait. I wonder if they'll give us an ebook prologue...seems unlikely, huh?

I honestly hope not...though from what I understand there will be a reading from the prologue at DragonCon.

[Ishara]

Just to make a point:

Book titles are often changed between Europe (GB specifically) and North America. Harry Potter wasn't changed just because B&N said so (not that I'm implying that's what you said/ thought Gil), but also because the demographic that the publishers were aiming at didn't know what a philopher's stone was!

One of my favourite series, Outlander here in North America, is called Cross Stitch abroad, because Outander has significant negative connotations.

Happens all the time in the world of publishing.

Besides, I like the title. I'd rather have that than A Memory of Light, volumes 1, 2 and 3. No?

Okay, now having read the blog I totally feel for him. This obviously not a cash grab. If, for the sake of the story it needs to be told in three pieces, then so be it. I trust.

[irerancincpkc]

If I was worried about it at all, BS did a very good job of explaining the situation. I think we should be thankful he was the one that was selected...

[Brita]

If I was worried about it at all, BS did a very good job of explaining the situation. I think we should be thankful he was the one that was selected...

I agree.

[Gilshalos Sedai]

Well, he DID have to take precious writing time out to explain it all to us thick-headed HCFFs.

[SauceyBlueConfetti]

I don't care.

A book is coming! A book is coming! A book is coming!

That is all that matters to me. Even when they (the book, the author, the editor, the publisher) annoy me, I still am happy just to have the words.

Yay! A book is coming!!

[Frenzy]

Tad Williams published his final book of "Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn" in two volumes, "Green Angel Tower 1 & 2."
and they were STILL huge books. (And the ending stank on ice, but that's beside the point.)

[greatwolf]

I just think it's too soon to call - I.

Yup. Lets wait. 2020 is just around the corner.

have a feeling it will still say "Part 1 of A Memory of Light" on the cover, even if the overarching title is The Gathering Storm

Let's face it. It isn't aMoL, its a Gathering Storm and BS should take credit for it. It certainly wasn't what RJ planned. Or did he whisper aGS to someone's ear in some interview?

But don't fret, Harriet will make sure justice is done to the work of the love of her life - of that I have no worries.

Of course, she bash Tom Doherty on the head with her brolly if he doesn't sit up straight. Or do you know of any means by which she could restrain Tor from doing anything they want?

[OutFoxed]

I was wondering… with the name change and three books coming instead of one…how are we going to annotate research notes when we theorize?

[aMoL, vol. 1 tGS, Ch 14, Chapter name here] ?
Or
[tGS, Ch 14, Chapter name here] ?

Or am I just jumping the gun way too much?

Or does anybody even care yet?

[Bayle]

Let's face it. It isn't aMoL, its a Gathering Storm and BS should take credit for it. It certainly wasn't what RJ planned. Or did he whisper aGS to someone's ear in some interview?

Of course, she bash Tom Doherty on the head with her brolly if he doesn't sit up straight. Or do you know of any means by which she could restrain Tor from doing anything they want?

Wolf, did Tor harm you personally or something? I think you are overly bitter about this for some reason. It's ok that the title is altered, it's still the same story. It's ok that it's coming in 3 books, it's still the same story.

Tor still makes mention of AMoL in the press release, so there is nothing to say they won't put it on the cover as well - But if they don't? who cares.

And Harriet has contractual protections too, she is the editor. And if she really balked at something I am sure they would negotiate. This sounds to me like something she was more than willing to hedge on because it doesn't matter in the end. We still get the story, and that's that.

It's not like it's a dying man's wish that the story NEVER be published, and now they are doing it anyway, or some other such crazy scenario. They are respecting the story, respecting RJ and his memory, and respecting his wife who is in charge of the project.

I highly doubt this is something that Tom just "ordered" them to deal with, or else.

Just my two bits :)

can't wait for the book!

[Nazbaque]

I think the point there is to let people know where to find the quote so they can check for themselves. I don't see how people can complain about it if you don't down right put in the wrong chapter or something.

[Isabel]

Wolf, did Tor harm you personally or something? I think you are overly bitter about this for some reason. It's ok that the title is altered, it's still the same story. It's ok that it's coming in 3 books, it's still the same story.

That's the point: Title being altered means part of the original impact what RJ wrote is being lost. Splitting the book effects how you read it. That means it's not exact the same story.

[Bayle]

That's the point: Title being altered means part of the original impact what RJ wrote is being lost. Splitting the book effects how you read it. That means it's not exact the same story.

I disagree - Until we know better, the title isn't lost, and the story is still the same. I think the words "A Memory of Light" will appear on the cover, hence giving the impact that you think you're missing.

And even if it's gone, I think people are getting way too worked up about "The Gathering Storm"

I think it works, it's the beginning of the end, the start of what will be the most tremendous event we've read in this series. I like it.

-B

[Gilshalos Sedai]

I read the books the same no matter where they're divided. I don't see how it will matter if AMoL is 1 or 3 or 5 books.

[DeiwosTheSkyGod]

Exactly, Gil. As long as the splits make sense dramatically, I don't really see it as a problem.

I have a ton of respect for BS after reading that blog. He's clearly made a commitment to the series and to the fans, and I think it's especially awesome considering these aren't even his books to begin with. (GRRM, are you paying attention?)

[Frenzy]

To everyone who's bitchng about the books being split, just stop. now. Jordan said in his last book tour that aMoL would be the last book, even if you needed a dolly to carry it around and even if it needed to be split into different books. Remember how much we bitched when the spines of the earlier books failed? Imagine how bad it'll be with a book the size of aMoL? i want to read it, but i don't want a magnifying glass to do it. 12 point type at least, por favor.

Can someone go dig up the word count on the last 11 books so we can compare? i somehow think 300k may not be the longest.

[Isabel]

Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World: 305k
The Great Hunt: 267k
The Dragon Reborn: 251k
The Shadow Rising: 393k
The Fires of Heaven: 354k
Lord of Chaos: 389k
A Crown of Swords: 295k
The Path of Daggers: 226k
Winter's Heart: 238k
Crossroads of Twilight: 271k
Knife of Dreams: 315k

Total: 3M 304k

A Song of Ice And Fire - George R. R. Martin

A Game of Thrones: 280k
A Clash of kings: 325k
A Storm of Swords: 402k
A Feast for Crows: 300k

Total: 1M 307k

Malazan Book of the Fallen - Steven Erikson

Gardens of the Moon: 205k
Deadhouse Gates: 268k
Memories of Ice: 350k
House of Chains: 302k
Midnight Tides: 272k
The Bonehunters: 365k
Reaper's Gale: 382k
Toll the Hounds: 383k

Total: 2M 527k

[Davian93]

To everyone who's bitchng about the books being split, just stop. now. Jordan said in his last book tour that aMoL would be the last book, even if you needed a dolly to carry it around and even if it needed to be split into different books. Remember how much we bitched when the spines of the earlier books failed? Imagine how bad it'll be with a book the size of aMoL? i want to read it, but i don't want a magnifying glass to do it. 12 point type at least, por favor.

Can someone go dig up the word count on the last 11 books so we can compare? i somehow think 300k may not be the longest.

New Spring 121,815
The Path of Daggers 226,687
Winter's Heart 238,789
The Dragon Reborn 251,392
The Great Hunt 267,078
Crossroads of Twilight 271,632
A Crown of Swords 295,028
The Eye of the World 305,902
Knife of Dreams 315,163
The Fires of Heaven 354,109
Lord of Chaos 389,264
The Shadow Rising 393,823

EDIT: Darn...beat by Isabel...though mine is in order from smallest to biggest.

[Frenzy]

so 300k per book isn't all that out of whack. My copy of tSR is written in tiny print, compared to PoD. (i knew PoD would be the shortest, but i would've guessed LoC as the longest)

Jordan is verbose. i learned that editing the searchable database and trying to keep each entry under 100 words. He has sentences that are longer than 100 words. amazing.

[Zaela Sedai]

I'm adding that to my sig to Dav LOL :D

[Davian93]

I'm adding that to my sig to Dav LOL :D

Cool! I've never started a movement before.:D

[Zaela Sedai]

lol start recruiting :D

[Davian93]

lol start recruiting :D

If I still had a premium account, I'd start a faction.

[Terez]

Can I trust in Harriet instead?

[Zaela Sedai]

lol must you T? Go for it.

I can always put up a faction, what would you like it to say? :D

[Terez]

Tam would probably object. But I think I have enough factions for now.

Someone should support Theoryland and get Bela a premium account though.