UPDATE/CLARIFICATION on the SHORT PIECES
Well, it’s like this. Over the last few years, I’ve written several novellas for various anthologies. (An anthology is a set of stories on a common theme, written by a number of different authors.) The thing is, anthologies don’t usually stay in print for a long time, so the stories will revert to the writer after some period of time—and then the writer can sell them again through other publishers or publishing venues.
My old stories are starting to come back to me (that sounds mildly sinister, doesn’t it? Like ghosts…
Now, because publishing rights are Just Plain Weird, I have back the rights to publish some stories in some territories, but not (yet) in others. Basically, I have back the rights to four stories that can now be published in the UK (and Australia and New Zealand), but not all of these can yet be published in the US and Canada.
However, the US/Canada rights _are_ coming back, one at a time. So what I’ve done is to arrange to publish these four stories together IN BOOK FORM in the UK/Commonwealth this fall, and to publish each story separately as a stand-alone (i.e., “cheap”
So below, I’ve listed each story, and with it, the various forms in which you may be able to get it. If you’re interested in any of these, pick the easiest/most interesting/most economical option—and have fun!
The novellas are:
“The Custom of the Army”
[This is a Lord John novella, set in 1759, involving an electric eel party, an ill-fated duel, and the Battle of Quebec. Originally published in the anthology WARRIORS, edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. (Later this anthology was published in _three_ paperback volumes; “The Custom of the Army” is in WARRIORS 3. Evidently, people didn’t care for that approach, though; I see a new single paperback is being released in early 2013.)]
OK. You can get “The Custom of the Army”
1) as a stand-alone e-book (in the US/Canada, but _not_ in the UK/Commonwealth) for $1.99 through Amazon.com:
2) As part of the original anthology—hardcover, paperback, and Kindle edition—at Amazon prices ranging from $18.47 to $11.55 (you can likely find it used for less, as well).
3) Or (in the UK/Commonwealth, but _not_ (yet) the US/Canada) as part of A TRAIL OF FIRE—this is the book-length collection of “Four Outlander Tales,” as they put it.
Now, you _can_ order this book from Amazon.co.uk (or the Book Depository), even if you live in the US/Canada—but you can’t get the Kindle version of it unless you live in the UK/Commonwealth territory.
So these are your choices:
Stand-alone e-book ——– Original anthology ————- A TRAIL OF FIRE
$1.99 ————————- $18.47-$11.55 (later) ————— £10.44 – £7.99 (later)
US/Canada only ————- Anywhere (plus s/h) ————– Anywhere (plus s/h)
—————————–(Kindle only in US/C) ———— (Kindle UK/Com. Only)
“A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows”
[This one is the story of Roger MacKenzie’s parents, Jerry and Marjorie (aka Dolly) during WWII. Events in this story tie in (briefly) to AN ECHO IN THE BONE. Originally published in SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH, edited by George R.R. Martin and Garder Dozois.]
This will be released as a stand-alone e-book in October (we hope), and will be included in A TRAIL OF FIRE. Your choices are:
Stand-alone e-book———-Original anthology———-A TRAIL OF FIRE
$1.99————————-$10.40 – $8.99—————£10.44 – £7.99
US/Canada only————–Anywhere (plus s/h)———–Anywhere (plus s/h)
————————— Ebook only in US/Can.———-Ebook only in UK/Com.
“Lord John and the Plague of Zombies”
[This deals with Lord John’s first journey to Jamaica, in charge of a battalion of soldiers meant to put down a slave rebellion. If only rampaging slaves were all he had to deal with… Originally published in DOWN THESE STRANGE STREETS, ed. George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. I won’t have the publication rights to this one back until April of 2013, so that’s when the standalone ebook will be available.]
Your choices:
Standalone E-book Original anthology A TRAIL OF FIRE
$1.99 $17.79 – $13.98 £10.44 – £7.99
US/Canada only Anywhere (plus s/h) Anywhere (plus s/h)
(Available 4/13) Kindle in US/Can. only Kindle UK/Com. Only
“The Space Between”
[This is a long—40,000 words—novella that takes place in 1778 (right after the events in AN ECHO IN THE BONE) and deals with Michael Murray (Young Ian’s older brother), Joan (Marsali’s younger sister), the Comte St. Germain, Mother Hildegarde, and a few others. This one was also written for an anthology—THE MAD SCIENTIST’S GUIDE TO WORLD DOMINATION—but the anthology is not due for publication until Jan/Feb of 2013. That being so, I won’t get back the reprint rights for a year, so won’t be able to offer it as a standalone ebook before January of 2014.]
Your choices:
Original anthology (US _or_ UK)—————– A TRAIL OF FIRE
$15.25 – $10.98————————————£10.44 – £7.99
(No ebook listed yet)
OK. So—
IF you’re only interested in these stories, and not in anthologies, then you want the standalone ebooks if you’re in the US, and A TRAIL OF FIRE if you’re in the UK (though you can order the book in the US).
Price for all four as standalone ebooks is about eight bucks—but you’d have to wait a bit for the last two stories. If you’re not in a hurry, want to sample one before buying all of them, or are buying these to fill out your collection, probably your best bet if you live in the US.
If you’re interested in sampling other authors, the anthologies are the way to go.
And if you only want these stories, but you WANT THEM ALL _NOW_!!! –and don’t mind whether it’s a print book or ebook, then you probably want to order A TRAIL OF FIRE.
I know it’s confusing—I hope this helps!
Bonsoir,
I’m interested in the story about Roger Mac’s parents. I’ve seen it online being sold at Chapter’s (Canadian book retailer) however it is part of an anthology as well.
Is there a possibility that book might be sold individually?
All the best,
Veronique
Cher Veronique–
Well…that’s what I was just telling you. Yes, “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” _will_ be sold as an individual ebook, probably sometime in October.
–Diana
Bonsoir,
Ok, bien, merci. I’m out of luck then as I don’t have an ipad, ereader, or anything that high tech!
Thanks for the update, and all the best to you. I appreciate your feedback.
A la prochaine,
Veronique
Veronique,
Not sure about there in Canada, but here in the US you can download a Kindle app for your computer to read e-books that way. I have the app on my smart phone as well as on my laptop. I also have the nook reader on my phone, but there are tons of free kindle books out all of the time (classics from the Gutenburg project) and others that are on special so that people will start reading different series. Good luck.
Liz
Hi Veronique,
You can go to the Chapters website and download the Kobo for Mac or PC. Then you can buy and read the anthology right on your computer.
Veronique,
Have a look at th UK Book Depository they ship books all over the world with no shipping costs. I’ve pre ordered my copy of Trail of Fire will be shipped to NZ at no charge. Always received books hen ordering from them and have had no issues they are great.
I too use The Book Depository, probably too much. I have always received my books within good time and free delivery to Australia… to everywhere! And again have preordered my copy of A Trail of Fire!! Yay!!!
Veronique,
There are free applications for kindle that you can put on your computer and read the stories that way.
Also, they are available for smart phones if you have one of those.
V-
You can download amazon kindle’s free reader app to your phone on the YS. Check for Canada!
U.S!
But you have a computer, yes? my e-book purchases are generally done on Google books on my computer, because then they magically show up on my smartphone (I don’t have a separate e-reader, either)
Hi Veronique -
Did you know you can down load an ereader onto you computer. Before I bought my nook I down loaded Nook for PC, Kindle for PC and ereader.
Good luck and enjoy the ebooks.
Thanks for keeping us posted–sounds like we’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to getting your short stories!
Thank you so much for this! I’ve been going crazy seeing the logo for A Trail of Fire but getting nowhere on Amazon or BN.com for my Nook. I downloaded The Custom of the Army and enjoyed it. Will make myself a note of the dates for the others expected to become available as ebooks and stop pulling my hair.
Now, back to Jamie and Claire, please. Happy writing! (I’m trying to pace myself; one book a month and I should finish with Echo this December. Then back to the beginning, which should put me in good stead for the release of MOBY next fall. Chomp, chomp, chomping at the bit, like any good fan.)
That does clarify things, thanks! And yay, I’m so glad these are coming out again since I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen some of those anthologies.
Do I surmise correctly that A TRAIL OF FIRE will be available, in book form, to US readers sometime soon after Jan. 2014? or is that too far off to know for sure?
Ordering TRAIL OF FIRE from amazonUK is a snap. (I’m in the U.S.) They had my account on file and credit card information. Am looking forward to October and getting SPACE BETWEEN as I already have the anthologies for the other three stories.
I got my copy of TRAIL IF FIRE at amazon uk as well. I absolutely love it! I never read these short stories before, and am glad of the chance to do so. But still can’t wait for the next installment of Jamie and Claire’s adventures! I know 2013 hasn’t even started yet, but I can’t wait for fall, LOL.
I’m looking forward to reading more, thanks for the info!
Thank you for the info, I was hoping these short stories would be published in one volume! Do you know whether A Trail of Fire will also be translated to Dutch?
Dear Lieke–
I hope so!
–Diana
Can you please add, as it becomes known, when the availability of these stories will occur in an audio format?
Thank you!
Cheers!
Katie KWAS
Dear Diana,
thanks for the information. I ordered “A trail of fire” from Amazon (Germany) right away and I’m hoping I’ll get it before my fall vacation
I fear those questions about publishing rights (and dates) are driving you crazy, but still: Any idea when ” A Breath of Snow and Ashes” will be released as an audiobook in Germany (unabridged)?
I’ve downloaded books 1-5 and book 7 from Audible (Germany) and keep going back to their side, hoping for book 6 – no luck so far. I even registerd myself with Audible (US), but was prevented from downloading, living in Germany
Love your books!
Diana!
Thank you for throwing a life line to us rabid hounds of good literature! I can’t wait until one volume is available in the US, however, I will try just one now. As with chocolate, I suppose it will be one impulse I won’t be upset if I cave. I will still have the print book when it comes out! Your Facebook status updates seriously make my day.
I live in the US and have the 3 anthologies but wanted to get A Trail of Fire as soon as possible!
If anyone else is like me, you may want to know this: I just pre-ordered A Trail of Fire from amazon.co.uk. It was easy to do, and the total cost was 17.42 pounds which converts to $27.74. Shipping should take 6-10 days after the Oct release.
Diana, are you far enough along in MOBY yet to know if it will be the last book? I hope not!
Diana,
Some of us do hope MOBY is the final one that clarifies the appearance of Jamie’s ghost in Outlander. Jamie & Claire could still appear in your “offshoot” stories, but those of us who are aging fear we won’t be around for closure on the main series.
Awesome, I’ve just pre-ordered, ‘A Trail of Fire’ from the Book Depository in the UK (free delivery to NZ also). 61 days until released, so very excited. Once again, thanks Diana for all these great reads.
Thank you so much for putting the four stories in one novella. I will definitely be purchasing A Trial of Fire when comes print here the U.S.
Thank you Diana. I had looked into it, but couldn’t find it here in Canada. I do almost all my reading on the iPad now, so I’ll be purchasing the novellas.
Thank you for the updates
do you have a favorite bookstore in London? I ask because I have several flight attendant friends who do the Chicago to London or Chicago to Frankfurt route more than a few times a month, and as I’m still a hardbound in my hand (sounds like a short story title to me now that I see it in writing) girl, I’d like to ask them to pick up a copy for me.
And as an aside pertinent to nothing but an early morning with too little coffee, your old stories coming back to you doesn’t sound sinister to me, it sounds like an intriguing story line and I can already see the cover art. It also reminds me of the saying that while your children may leave in ones they come back in twos and threes.
……your books and chocolates makes life bearable…!!
……love jaime and claire…
…
Hi Diana,
This is wonderful news, a new Diana Gabaldon book to tide us over until MOBY is out, thank you. “The Trail of Fire’ was easily pre-ordered from Amazon.uk. I have already read the Lord John Grey stories, (and I love John he is so funny and endearing,) from the anthologies I got out of the library. I was hoping you would put them together in a book. Very much looking forward to reading ‘A Leaf in the Wind of All Hollows’ and ‘The Space Between.’