Comments on: Constellation Games: debut sf novel floored me with its brilliance http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: jhoosier http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1664136 jhoosier Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1664136  Ditto.  Almost didn't get it, but now I will.  Ditto.  Almost didn’t get it, but now I will.

]]> By: len http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1662780 len Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1662780 "Hey, Ash, whatcha playin'?" *groan* I demand a refund. “Hey, Ash, whatcha playin’?” *groan* I demand a refund.

]]> By: Bryce Anderson http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1662774 Bryce Anderson Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1662774 Well, I try not to read anything that's broken into the Kindle Top 100,000.  But the sample was pretty addictive. Well, I try not to read anything that’s broken into the Kindle Top 100,000.  But the sample was pretty addictive.

]]> By: Aaron http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1662295 Aaron Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1662295 I just finished the book after purchasing it on the recommendation of this review (and the fact that is was less that  5USD yesterday through Amazon)...and it was absolutely outstanding. There are...layers...that I wasn't expecting. And some that I was. And together this builds a story of comfort and disquiet. I am pleased. I just finished the book after purchasing it on the recommendation of this review (and the fact that is was less that  5USD yesterday through Amazon)…and it was absolutely outstanding. There are…layers…that I wasn’t expecting. And some that I was. And together this builds a story of comfort and disquiet. I am pleased.

]]> By: Candlemark & Gleam http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661528 Candlemark & Gleam Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661528 Good news! You can still get the bonus content free. http://constellation.crummy.com/#bonus Although we totally appreciate the direct-check. Good news! You can still get the bonus content free. http://constellation.crummy.com/#bonus Although we totally appreciate the direct-check.

]]> By: Stewart Bushman http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661477 Stewart Bushman Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661477 Man, just bought that nice DRM-free version for my Kobo, and you tell me there's a bonus content one for the same price!?!  Dang, I'll have to remember to check the publisher in the future :) Man, just bought that nice DRM-free version for my Kobo, and you tell me there’s a bonus content one for the same price!?!  Dang, I’ll have to remember to check the publisher in the future :)

]]> By: Jerry Kindall http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661463 Jerry Kindall Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661463 I'm about a third of the way into the book and it's already made me laugh out loud twice and gave me a sudden attack of the feels once. And, to be frank, I don't even care for video games. Richardson is also the author of the BeautifulSoup library for Python, so he's got that going for him. I’m about a third of the way into the book and it’s already made me laugh out loud twice and gave me a sudden attack of the feels once. And, to be frank, I don’t even care for video games.

Richardson is also the author of the BeautifulSoup library for Python, so he’s got that going for him.

]]> By: Nicholas Laux http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661446 Nicholas Laux Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661446 You're in luck - the first two chapters of this book are *also* available online: http://constellation.crummy.com/Constellation%20Games%20excerpt.html And like you, reading the first two chapters is what caused me to rush out and buy this book as well (about a year or so ago, while it was still undergoing the serialization release), and I was not disappointed! You’re in luck – the first two chapters of this book are *also* available online: http://constellation.crummy.com/Constellation%20Games%20excerpt.html

And like you, reading the first two chapters is what caused me to rush out and buy this book as well (about a year or so ago, while it was still undergoing the serialization release), and I was not disappointed!

]]> By: Mark Pitcavage http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661355 Mark Pitcavage Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661355 I have to say that your description of the book makes it sound truly awful.  I have to say that your description of the book makes it sound truly awful. 

]]> By: Candlemark & Gleam http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661306 Candlemark & Gleam Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661306 All really good points, and things that I wish we could address. If our site were scratchbuilt, a lot of this is stuff we could take care of. Because of the eCommerce framework we're using, though, we're hemmed in - we can't turn off the fields selectively for certain purchases (ie, digital, where a phone number and address are silly) or certain payment methods (ditto), and the digital fulfillment insists on sending a link, rather than redirecting to a page. Although THAT I can probably jigger up a workaround for, and which will likely become a new project to integrate smoothly into the checkout flow. Making purchases (and, more importantly, getting and reading books) as simple and effortless as possible is something we're really committed to doing. All really good points, and things that I wish we could address. If our site were scratchbuilt, a lot of this is stuff we could take care of. Because of the eCommerce framework we’re using, though, we’re hemmed in – we can’t turn off the fields selectively for certain purchases (ie, digital, where a phone number and address are silly) or certain payment methods (ditto), and the digital fulfillment insists on sending a link, rather than redirecting to a page. Although THAT I can probably jigger up a workaround for, and which will likely become a new project to integrate smoothly into the checkout flow. Making purchases (and, more importantly, getting and reading books) as simple and effortless as possible is something we’re really committed to doing.

]]> By: Steve Taylor http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661135 Steve Taylor Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661135 Corey - you forgot to mention the most important thing: Leonard Richardson is the author of RobotFindsKitten! This increases my trust in his writing. Corey – you forgot to mention the most important thing: Leonard Richardson is the author of RobotFindsKitten! This increases my trust in his writing.

]]> By: Brian Houston http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661121 Brian Houston Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661121 Just ordered the digital version from your website. I like to download directly from the publisher when I can - but like so many publishers - you make it hard.   We're spoiled by Amazon's one click - and I realise that's a high mark to shoot for - but if you could just make it a *little* easier:- If I'm paying by PayPal - do you really need my phone number, address, T&C agreement etc?  Rather than mailing me a a link to a zip file - how about I pay and then you send me directly to a page where I can download the various epbub/mobi formats directly on my iPad.  A lot of iOS users don't have a zip unarchiver installed - so that's an extra burden for the layman who just wants to buy and read your books.  I mean this as constructive feedback - thanks! Just ordered the digital version from your website. I like to download directly from the publisher when I can – but like so many publishers – you make it hard.  

We’re spoiled by Amazon’s one click – and I realise that’s a high mark to shoot for – but if you could just make it a *little* easier:- If I’m paying by PayPal – do you really need my phone number, address, T&C agreement etc?  Rather than mailing me a a link to a zip file – how about I pay and then you send me directly to a page where I can download the various epbub/mobi formats directly on my iPad.  A lot of iOS users don’t have a zip unarchiver installed – so that’s an extra burden for the layman who just wants to buy and read your books.  I mean this as constructive feedback – thanks!

]]> By: glittalogik http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661107 glittalogik Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661107 Purchased because of that (well, that and the glowing review). Nice to see some publishers getting their pricing structure right. Purchased because of that (well, that and the glowing review). Nice to see some publishers getting their pricing structure right.

]]> By: Mockiovelli http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661061 Mockiovelli Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661061 I know this is a tiny weird nit pick to tagging of the article, but this shows up as a game review rather than a book review. I know this is a tiny weird nit pick to tagging of the article, but this shows up as a game review rather than a book review.

]]> By: Candlemark & Gleam http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1661051 Candlemark & Gleam Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1661051 I sympathize immensely, honestly. I choose to read digital vs. paper on a book-by-book basis for various reasons, but I prefer paper in many cases, and I would deeply love to make books available in every single format possible just to help maximize said book's potential and general reader happiness. The economics of mass-market-sized paperbacks are really sticky if you're doing anything less than a massive (well, for us, at least) print run, though, and the amount we'd have to charge to pull it off is crazy - it can actually cost more to create a pulp-stock MMP than it does a nice paper quality TPB, if you're doing anything less than a run of about 10k. If we get Leonard a Hugo or a Nebula, though, we will totally find a way to make it happen. I sympathize immensely, honestly. I choose to read digital vs. paper on a book-by-book basis for various reasons, but I prefer paper in many cases, and I would deeply love to make books available in every single format possible just to help maximize said book’s potential and general reader happiness. The economics of mass-market-sized paperbacks are really sticky if you’re doing anything less than a massive (well, for us, at least) print run, though, and the amount we’d have to charge to pull it off is crazy – it can actually cost more to create a pulp-stock MMP than it does a nice paper quality TPB, if you’re doing anything less than a run of about 10k.

If we get Leonard a Hugo or a Nebula, though, we will totally find a way to make it happen.

]]> By: Derek C. F. Pegritz http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660965 Derek C. F. Pegritz Thu, 21 Feb 2013 01:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660965 Okaaaayyyyyy--though the premise sounds a little...well, stupid, the ebook is only $5, so I'll give it a whirl. It certainly sounds like it may be hipdeep in nerd humour and gamer in-jokes, and that prettymuch sells it for me! Okaaaayyyyyy–though the premise sounds a little…well, stupid, the ebook is only $5, so I’ll give it a whirl. It certainly sounds like it may be hipdeep in nerd humour and gamer in-jokes, and that prettymuch sells it for me!

]]> By: Steve Taylor http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660909 Steve Taylor Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660909 Ok - you've sold me and I'm just about to buy it. The only thing that makes me nervous it that you compared it to _The Sun the Moon and the Stars_ a book which everybody but me likes, and which I loathe to bits. But here's hoping... Ok – you’ve sold me and I’m just about to buy it. The only thing that makes me nervous it that you compared it to _The Sun the Moon and the Stars_ a book which everybody but me likes, and which I loathe to bits. But here’s hoping…

]]> By: DewiMorgan http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660882 DewiMorgan Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660882 Ooh. Maybe I should reconsider my Firefox fanboyness and move over. Ooh. Maybe I should reconsider my Firefox fanboyness and move over.

]]> By: BDiamond http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660858 BDiamond Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660858 Well, this bummed me out. I started a similar idea years ago (yes, even before Costikyan's "First Contract"), but let it languish for 'way too long. Sigh. Well, this bummed me out. I started a similar idea years ago (yes, even before Costikyan’s “First Contract”), but let it languish for ‘way too long. Sigh.

]]> By: Peter http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660855 Peter Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660855 While my problems with the format and pricing, as it stands now, still hold sway (for me, any format other than paperback is a detriment that I should be paying less for, not more... while I make an exception for particularly favorite authors I typically won't simply on a positive recommendation and interesting premise), I do really appreciate the DRM-free attitude.  Perhaps, when I finally cave and get either an eReader or a phone that I can comfortably read on, I'll purchase it in that format (I still far prefer paperback, but at least you ARE offering the digital version for a reasonable price... I just can't read long-form fiction on my desktop, too many other distractions).  Or, hey, if it wins a Hugo/Nebula, maybe I'll splurge and buy the physical one, since I'm collecting them, too. :) Edit: Just after posting this I realized that, if it was out last year, I believe it's out of the running for Nebula, but I believe the Hugo nominations are still ongoing so... cross fingers for a Hugo? While my problems with the format and pricing, as it stands now, still hold sway (for me, any format other than paperback is a detriment that I should be paying less for, not more… while I make an exception for particularly favorite authors I typically won’t simply on a positive recommendation and interesting premise), I do really appreciate the DRM-free attitude. 

Perhaps, when I finally cave and get either an eReader or a phone that I can comfortably read on, I’ll purchase it in that format (I still far prefer paperback, but at least you ARE offering the digital version for a reasonable price… I just can’t read long-form fiction on my desktop, too many other distractions). 

Or, hey, if it wins a Hugo/Nebula, maybe I’ll splurge and buy the physical one, since I’m collecting them, too. :)

Edit: Just after posting this I realized that, if it was out last year, I believe it’s out of the running for Nebula, but I believe the Hugo nominations are still ongoing so… cross fingers for a Hugo?

]]> By: Candlemark & Gleam http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660762 Candlemark & Gleam Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660762 Unfortunately, @awillett is probably spot-on: As a teeny-tiny press, we can't make the economies of scale work to come out with a super-cheap pulp print copy, as much as we'd love to. It's digital and trade paper, or no paper at all, unless something miraculous happens with the technology and the economics converging. That said, we try to make the paperback as attractive as possible; when it's bought on our website, you get the DRM-free three-format digital bundle with it. We're still working on the logistics of making that possible with all paperback purchases, or at least those from independent bookshops. Leonard has released several companion stories to the novel in CC, and the novel itself has the potential to go to CC in two years, at Leonard's discretion. *Disclaimer: I'm Leonard's editor at Candlemark & Gleam Unfortunately, @awillett is probably spot-on: As a teeny-tiny press, we can’t make the economies of scale work to come out with a super-cheap pulp print copy, as much as we’d love to. It’s digital and trade paper, or no paper at all, unless something miraculous happens with the technology and the economics converging.

That said, we try to make the paperback as attractive as possible; when it’s bought on our website, you get the DRM-free three-format digital bundle with it. We’re still working on the logistics of making that possible with all paperback purchases, or at least those from independent bookshops.

Leonard has released several companion stories to the novel in CC, and the novel itself has the potential to go to CC in two years, at Leonard’s discretion.

*Disclaimer: I’m Leonard’s editor at Candlemark & Gleam

]]> By: Candlemark & Gleam http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660755 Candlemark & Gleam Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660755  Actually, check out www.candlemarkandgleam.com/shop/constellation-games - the digital bundle includes PDF, .mobi, and .epub, all DRM-free, and also includes a bundle of extra stories released by Leonard in conjunction with the original serial. /masked editor awaaaay  Actually, check out http://www.candlemarkandgleam.com/shop/constellation-games – the digital bundle includes PDF, .mobi, and .epub, all DRM-free, and also includes a bundle of extra stories released by Leonard in conjunction with the original serial.

/masked editor awaaaay

]]> By: toobigtofail http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660617 toobigtofail Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660617  Blink *and* ALL CAPS. Wot, no exclamation point?  Blink *and* ALL CAPS.
Wot, no exclamation point?

]]> By: Chrysoula Tzavelas http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660613 Chrysoula Tzavelas Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660613 Pretty sure the C&G titles include DRM-free copies in all formats. You also seem to get companion stories when you buy direct. Pretty sure the C&G titles include DRM-free copies in all formats. You also seem to get companion stories when you buy direct.

]]> By: Rob H http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660601 Rob H Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660601 Great suggestion!  Within 2 minutes of reading this (and wishing for a sequel to Ready Player One) I had this delivered to the kindle app on my google Nexus 7!  Only $5 at Amazon! Great suggestion!  Within 2 minutes of reading this (and wishing for a sequel to Ready Player One) I had this delivered to the kindle app on my google Nexus 7!  Only $5 at Amazon!

]]> By: PrettyBoyTim http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660585 PrettyBoyTim Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660585 Hmm. I'd like to buy it from them direct, but pdfs don't work that well on e-readers - shame they don't have in in .mobi or .epub. Hmm. I’d like to buy it from them direct, but pdfs don’t work that well on e-readers – shame they don’t have in in .mobi or .epub.

]]> By: PrettyBoyTim http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660578 PrettyBoyTim Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660578 Hey! Chrome doesn't honour the BLINK tag! Hey! Chrome doesn’t honour the BLINK tag!

]]> By: Duffalo http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660575 Duffalo Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660575 I got as far as anarcho-syndicalist before I had to add to cart I got as far as anarcho-syndicalist before I had to add to cart

]]> By: Mike Russell http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660569 Mike Russell Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660569 Just bought from http://constellation.crummy.com/ For $5 and includes PDF, Epub and Mobi The way all books should be!!! Also includes some companion stories as well. Awesome... All I gots to say Just bought from http://constellation.crummy.com/
For $5 and includes PDF, Epub and Mobi
The way all books should be!!!

Also includes some companion stories as well. Awesome… All I gots to say

]]> By: allium http://boingboing.net/2013/02/20/constellation-games-debut-sf.html#comment-1660546 allium Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=214228#comment-1660546 The concept reminds me a little of <a href="http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/firstcontract.htm" rel="nofollow"><i>First Contract</i></a> by Greg Costikyan. I imagine there would be some interesting contrasts, though, since the latter gets its vibes from the dot-com boom era. The concept reminds me a little of First Contract by Greg Costikyan. I imagine there would be some interesting contrasts, though, since the latter gets its vibes from the dot-com boom era.

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