Mr. King is Riding on his name.

[pensandpad]

I can't believe a writer can actually sell a short story as a novella for $7.00. Mr. King is riding on his name and the Constant Reader is being taken advantage of. Just After Sunset opens with a story he claims not to be the best in the book, I haven't read a good short in Sunset. The last feew chapters of Under the Dome were excellent, though I was dissappointed in the work as a whole. I've read every thing he has written. I no longer look forward to his works but I'll still give him my money. I've been a fan of his my entire life but I feel I'm being taken advantage of.

[Spideyman]

Welcome to the SKMB. A writer writes, and a reader reads. It is a personal choice as to what one likes or dislikes about a book. If you no longer look forward to his works please note that you do not need to purchase his books in order to read them. May I suggest using the library, that way you may no longer feel that you are being taken advantage of.

[king family fan]

I don"t believe King is riding on his name. $7-$50 ain't going to make or break him. I enjoyed Blockade Billy.If you no longer look forward to his works why spend your money? I certainly wouldn"t. Most of kings fans been fans for years.

[wally wonder]

well, there is another take on it. for what it's worth, if it's even true. who's to say. but i was reading crossing to safety, wallace stegner, pretty good story, if you're interested...if you happen to read this. but there was a character in that one, published, taken to task by two other characters, professor-types, although they struggled too...they said why'd he publish this thing that sold well.

he said that had he not, he wouldn't have been able to publish 6 titles that they all agreed upon.

so...who knows...maybe one day no books will get published and then where will we be?

[blunthead]

So, you've been an sK fan for some time. What are some of your favorites? I didn't become a fan til 2006. I haven't been disappointed by anything, and I've covered much territory, so far. But, his books vary in style. I wonder whether you prefer the style of his earlier stuff, while not yet having developed a taste for anything else. Maybe you're simply biased? Anyway, to think sK's riding on his name--that's just not true. He doesn't have to, and I believe he wouldn't know how to. It would mean that he was no longer capable. He'd just retire.

And, it's illogical to believe that sK could conceive of ripping his CRs off. If the novella to which you refer is too expensive, it weren't him.

The most interesting part of your post though, is that, while aware of being taken advantage of, you intend to give him money anyway. This statement is the reason I started off acknowledging your fan-ship.

I say stay here, on the board, read, ask questions. You may end up being encouraged. It can help. It can't hurt.

[Pucker]

Why on earth would anybody buy a book they had already convinced themeselves they weren't going to like?

:oops:

[JayneH]

I used to like reading Dean Koonz books when I was younger... then I found them to be a bit on the boring side and a bit repetitive so I stopped buying them.
I respect your post regarding your views but really do not understand why you continue to buy the books if you are disheartened with them.
I am with Spidey, why not just go to the library?

Personally, I loved JAS and was pleasantly surprised with Blockade Billy - really glad I made the purchase which cost quite a bit more as it wasnt released over here (that I have seen)

I really dont think Mr King is taking advantage of his readers - I am sure he made enough money long ago that money is no longer an issue. I am sure he writes because he loves it and because he knows we love reading his work.

[scarywriter]

Maybe you should be more upset at whomever held the gun to your head and made you read it even though you didn't like it. Wait, no one did? Hmm, well then you should only be mad at yourself.
Not everyone wil like every book. If you don't simply put it down and read something else. I would guess you will never run out of options.
Long days, pleasant nights.

[GNTLGNT]

Note to self-bitter & whiny does not a true Constant Reader make...

I don't worship at a SK altar...but NO author can please us all when he or she sets fingers to keyboard...as others suggest, use the library or the net-and if you're that dis-illusioned...Walk Away!

[fushingfeef]

I no longer look forward to his works but I'll still give him my money.

Welcome to the board, pensandpad. It's normal to compare an author's work to earlier works and when that author changes direction, he doesn't always take all his readers along with him. But I don't understand why you feel compelled to continue to spend money on something you don't like? Are you hoping he'll change, maybe? Or are you just trying to be a completist and not miss any books? Those would be valid reasons, I suppose, but in reading your message, it seems you just don't like SK any more. That's okay, but he's not forcing you to buy. So what is?

I used to buy Anne Rice books but after reading the 4th or 5th one I bailed. Same with lots of other authors. Why spend money on something you don't like?

[Becks19]

I can't believe a writer can actually sell a short story as a novella for $7.00. Mr. King is riding on his name and the Constant Reader is being taken advantage of. Just After Sunset opens with a story he claims not to be the best in the book, I haven't read a good short in Sunset. The last feew chapters of Under the Dome were excellent, though I was dissappointed in the work as a whole. I've read every thing he has written. I no longer look forward to his works but I'll still give him my money. I've been a fan of his my entire life but I feel I'm being taken advantage of.

I'm sorry that you didn't like Just After Sunset. I found it to be excellent, it actually got me interested in reading his earlier short stories that I hadn't yet read. ( had always focused on novels) Not every writer ( even if he's your favorite) is going to write books that his fans "Always like". It does not mean that they are a bad author or riding on their name, it just means that that particular book isn't for you.

[mojomofo]

Maybe I am missing something, but isn't the translation of novella literally "short story"? I'm not trying to be a crab, but isn't it?

[Moderator]

May be a difference between translation and definition. By definition in publishing terms, the novella is a longer word count than a short story but not quite a novel.

[Dhasek]

I dont think he uses his name to make money at all. He is human, and while he is a damn good author, some works are going to be better than others. I totally disagree when you say you couldnt find a good story in Just After Sunset. I loved the stories in that book. I agree however about Under the Dome. UTD was a big disappointment for me, as I have stated in other posts. That comes with having a favorite author. I love Mr. King's style, his ideas, and the journey that he always conjures for me to go on. Some are better than others, but Im happy that I take something away every single time that makes life a little better :biggrin2:

[guido tkp]

i am a constant reader...been reading kings works since SL was published in paperback...my first hardback was dead zone, and i haven't looked back since.

in my humble opinion, like any creative artist, uncle stevie has had his ups and his downs...but, also, imho, like many artists of his age, he seems, sometime ago, to have crested some sort of imaginary bump and come up with a whole new slew of just dandy creative writing.

blockade billy may have been a bit slight for all the fuss that (mostly) we made over it, but, it wasn't that bad, either. just a pretty good short story: not his best, not his worst.

i liked JAS jus fine, thought cell was a great read, and loved UTD...thought blaze was a bit too short, i wanted more (same, actually, for BB)...

the one thing i have never felt, even with the wee ones i didn't like so much was that i was being ripped off or taken advantage of...

no one forces me, or anyone else for that matter (king does NOT have the 'push' as far as i can tell: i only watched that werecat movie once!) to buy a book/cd/movie...whatever...if anyone is actually silly enough not to at least look at what they are thinking of buying...they deserve what they get...

there was more than enough info all around this great big beautiful world that could've clued even the clueless in...when it comes to purchasing any item, wake up and take responsability for your own actions

[Mugwomp]

Shouldn't Mrs. Mod kill these "hit and run" threads and perhaps even kill the guy's account?
Seems like he has no plans to join in the discussion he started...

[CDennisMoore]

I liked Blockade Billy BECAUSE it was so short. I read it in one stretch while out on a walk one afternoon. I'm all for paying $7.99 for a book I can read it on sitting, I LIKE being able to do that. And it happens so rarely with King novels. I liked the characterization, although it was nothing out of the ordinary for King characters, honestly, and I loved the ending. Good book as far as I'm concerned. I'd like to see more like it, in fact.

[VladTepes]

I just have to say that I have never been dissapointed paying for a book by King. Other authors, yes, but not king.

[guido tkp]

i've only been 'disappointed' twice...in 35-40 years, that's a very good record.

and i did not, even at paying near full hardcover price, feel like i had been ripped off or decieved with either of those books.

not everyone can get a hit a every at bat, never mind a home run.

unka stevies been veddy veddy good to me...

[Bryan James]

I really don't think he wakes up every morning thinking "I'M THE STEPHEN KING!" and then sets out to Bernie Madoff people.

He's an artist. Sometimes great artists fork up--but don't realize it--and they are such a power in the industry that the "Yes Men" outweigh the (sometimes non-existant) "No Men."

No one "bats a thousand." He struck out with BB. It happens.

[boogerb53]

Has anyone looked at the posters page? He/she hasn't been back since they started the thread.

[Boni]

Anyone could tell me if BB is a novel, novella or short story, I'm still string to figure this out...

[blunthead]

According to the promotional page here at this site, Blockade Billy is a novella.

[Princemeister]

I must admit that when i 1st recieved delivery of this book (i ordered it from the internet as I was having trouble finding it in shops) i was a bit disappointed at the size of it for the £10 (roughly $16 i think) i paid and wondered as to why it wasn't part of a collection instead of a stand alone novella.
And then i read it and really enjoyed it, even more so because of its 'one sitting' length.
From what i've read Mr King is a big baseball fan so I think maybe he wanted this to be seperated from his other short collections as a sort of nod to something he loves.

These are just my views though so please be gentle with me if you disagree as this is my first post !

[GNTLGNT]

I must admit that when i 1st recieved delivery of this book (i ordered it from the internet as I was having trouble finding it in shops) i was a bit disappointed at the size of it for the £10 (roughly $16 i think) i paid and wondered as to why it wasn't part of a collection instead of a stand alone novella.
And then i read it and really enjoyed it, even more so because of its 'one sitting' length.
From what i've read Mr King is a big baseball fan so I think maybe he wanted this to be seperated from his other short collections as a sort of nod to something he loves.

These are just my views though so please be gentle with me if you disagree as this is my first post !

Your views are valid and not inflammatory...we only take exception when the poster seems to "lob a grenade" and then leave-then we take issue...you are well met and glad you enjoyed it...:smile2:

[dspear237]

King is not riding his name. Do you honestly think that any true artist sits there and prices their own work? No. As a musician, I'd gladly give my music away for free to anyone who'd listen to it...but the distibutor that handles my music would not allow me to do so. What you are paying for is materials, advertising, distribution (read: the salary of every single person in the supply chain that gets King's art to your local store). Same with CDs/DVDs/Video Games...you're paying for the medium, not the art.

[JohnDalglish]

Has anyone looked at the posters page? He/she hasn't been back since they started the thread.

Hi,

Yep, Booger, August last year.

I reckon we're flogging a dead horse here.

Or at least, an ailing Troll!

Long days and pleasant nights

[CCAL]

yup- definitely got us a dead hoss here folks--and its starting to turn I'm afraid.:eek2: So before I click outta here, let me take a quick swing at it too (keep in practice), I read (ages ago) where SK was answering Q's from people about the costs of his books, and (I dont recall exact wording but) SK was fine with those who couldnt afford his books to go to library or use the free'glass books' (that were just coming out on internet). He advised as how he'd already made his money & wouldnt grudge someone else,especially if they couldnt afford it.
Now thats mighty big of a man to do such a thing! Sure to buy his book would be great, but theres a place for others to access same materials for free. Ofcourse SK didnt 'invent' libraries, but I first discovered HIM in a library! Initially, if I'd run across one of his books in store I wouldnt have bought it, but since it was a library-what did I have to lose?? nothing.
ok. I tossed my stick down & washed my hands of this dead hoss....next?? lol

[boogerb53]

Hi,

Yep, Booger, August last year.

I reckon we're flogging a dead horse here.

Or at least, an ailing Troll!

Long days and pleasant nights
Yeah...Just had to explain to CCAL about Trolls....

[steelhorseclub]

I don't know Mr. King personally but in interviews he seems to be a pretty straight forward guy. He admits he finds the business part of writing to be fascinating and of course, I am sure, he would be the first to admit that his name does carry some weight. But the fact is, that if he wrote bad books, consumers and reviewers would not hesitate to turn their backs on him. The truth is, he still writes great books and stories. I havn't liked everything he has ever done but look at Duma Key or Bag of bones. They are two of the best books he has ever written.(I havn't read UTD yet;p) I guess the poster of this thread is getting a kick out of rattling us fanboys and girls.lol

[~Ally~]

$7.00 for a new story is a very reasonable price to pay actually...especially in Hard Cover. Heck, I don't think you can buy a new Paperback for less than $10 now, unless it's on "offer" somewhere. I paid $25 for my copy, as many others here did, and it may not have been the best story King has ever written, but he also didn't force me to buy it.

[Connie Reader]

This is a topic? Really? ridiculous. I get it, free speech and all, so my two cents is that your two cents are worthless.

[hink64]

I have been a King fan for over 30yrs, there a several books I have stayed away from because the subject doesnt interest me. Not every book can appeal to every fan. Bones is by far my favorite, but Duma Key is not far behind along with 11/22/63. This shows that he still writes very amazing stories

[J.T. Adams]

This is a topic? Really? ridiculous. I get it, free speech and all, so my two cents is that your two cents are worthless.

Agreed, Miz Connie. They aint worth a dime. :oo:

[Sigmund]

Hi!

This thread should just die it's ugly, mean and untrue death.

Stephen King 'riding' on his name? Let's discuss that.

Stephen King funding an organization that gives a gazillion dollars to worthy charities. Stephen King that helps people who cannot afford to pay their utility bills. Stephen King who goes out his way to 'meet and greet' fans who are truly, honestly, respectfully and grateful to get a glimpse of him and meet the author who touched them and their lives in a positive way when they felt alone or 'different'. Stephen King who writes and takes us away from all our stress, hardship(s) and offers us a respite from life.

Let's talk about THAT Stephen King.

Peace.

[king family fan]

Well if thats what hes doing. I would like to ride on his name too. Can I come along for the ride.LOL

[weezergirl]

Well hey, you know what this thread makes me wanna do? Go read this book ASAP so I can see what all the fuss is about. AND if I pay for it and then decide I don't like it, I'll pass it on to one of my buddies cuz maybe they will.

People are silly :grinning:

[Sue Masens]

I don't agree with you! I have read Under The Dome and it was one of the best pieces of fiction I have ever read he hooked me in from page one and I could not put it down. as for the Short storys I love them he never lets me down I only ever read one I did not like and it is one of his best sellers so I think that was me not him he is brilliant and deserves any money he gets!

[WesleyGman]

I loved Blockade Billy, thought it was a great story...