UPDATE 11/11: Sue Rostoni says that Del Rey is dropping the plan to print the Fate of the Jedi paperbacks as premiums. They will be regular mass markets.
When we first heard that the Fate of the Jedi paperbacks were coming out in the (newish) premium paperback format, a lot of people seemed to think that meant trade paperbacks; Not so. Above and to the right, photos I took last week comparing the trade, premium, and standard mass market formats. They were originally stuck in the comments of the original post; However, I’m still seeing questions about this out and around, so perhaps some top-leveling is in order.
The Fate of the Jedi paperbacks will be in the same ‘premium’ format as the Stephen King book shown here. The Clone Wars: Wild Space is a trade paperback, while Dark Force Rising is a mass market.
Meanwhile, Sue Rostoni confirmed today that only the Fate of the Jedi paperbacks will be in the new format for the foreseeable future:
re: Premium Paperbacks — I found out that only the Fate of the Jedi reprints will come out in the premium size. For now, anyway…..
So, if you truly object? Vote with your wallet and utilize your local library. She goes on to say:
The pages are a little bigger, enhancing readability, and the paper quality is better.
Better paper? That might soften the blow for some… Though I still think you people freaking out about your bookcase symmetry are a little weird. (Sorry.)
It’s worth noting larger softcovers – like any of the Essential Guides – are also called ‘trade paperbacks.’ Why they play fast and loose with that term and not ‘mass market’ is beyond me.
from my experience currently working at a bookstore for over 9 years….
“mass market” (and now premium mass market) are called these mostly because they are produced in mass amounts and, for return purposes on the bookstore end, the front covers are torn off and returned for credit (while the rest of the book ends up in the trash; hence, the warning inside of them about buying them without covers means that the publishers never got money for them).
“trade paperbacks” have more limited numbers published at one time and must be returned to the publisher intact for full credit.
It is not necessarily the size that of the book, but the return schedule set by the publisher.
The only other sci-fi series I have seen heading towards the premium format is Jim Butcher’s “The Dresden Files” and Terry Goodkind’s “Sword of Truth”. Almost all others that I’ve seen are for mysteries or, like you have pictured, Stephen King.
Personally, I’m not sure how it can be construed as being more comfortable to read. I just think it’s an excuse by the publisher to tack on an extra $2.
Oh, the cover-for-credit thing. So ridiculous.
“The Fate of the Jedi paperbacks will be in the same format as the Stephen King book.”
It’s a shame they aren’t nearly as long.
Good to know.
Isn’t that thing about the mass market covers awful? I find it so depressing that these books aren’t even worth the space they take up.
Based on my few years at the bookstore I work at, there is no “quality” difference between mass markets and “premium” mass markets. I’m with Pam: it’s all for more money. Everything is going up in price by dollars, but MMs never really jumped more than $0.50 over several years. This is one way of jumping it faster.
You Americans think you have it tough? We Australians have to pay more than double, and that’s considering our exchange rates are nearly double…
I don’t think my OCD could handle having books that are slightly taller than the rest of my paperbacks. Good thing I’m buying the hardcovers then!
Interesting move, I guess. Doesn’t have much effect on me, as I’ve been buying them in hardcover so far…but it’s still good to stay abreast of such things.
I can’t say that I’ve ever had to pay more for a premium paperback than I would have for a standard one though…Is that uncommon?
Yes. Let’s hear it for us wierd OCD people! But at least they’re starting it with a fresh series. It would have disturbed me more if it were in the middle.
This way, my little OCD heart can just start up a new section in the bookshelves. :)
And yes, we still have it way cheaper than in other countries, but it’s still annoying when it happens.