Your copy is in much better condition than mine, though not because of anything I did to it. Whoever own the book before me obviously didn't keep it in a mylar bag on a shelf. The book is in much better care now that it is in my custody.
Always glad to see TEXAS WIND. I used to have a Day Keene novel published by Macfadden-Bartell that had the same cover art. At some point Manor bought out M-B, and you can find other cases of duplicate cover art like that. (The painting didn't have anything to do with the Day Keene book, either.)
TEXAS WIND came out in October 1980, the last month any Manor Books were ever published. For several months before that, Manor had been refusing to honor returns from the bookstores (or something similar to that, I may not have all the details right). Most stores had stopped carrying any Manor books by then. TEXAS WIND got some distribution -- I've talked to people who bought it new, including one who found copies as a newsstand in Fort Worth -- but I suspect that the majority of the copies never made it out of the warehouse. I used to find an occasional copy in a used bookstore, so I know people around here found it somewhere. I'm talking about copies that weren't signed. I sold a lot of copies through the bookstores I owned, but they were always signed so I can identify them. Now, of course, it's available in hardback, trade paperback, Kindle, and Nook editions, so it's gradually finding a new audience.
And I'll say one thing for Manor . . . they never paid me, but they were really good about sending me copies of the book. All I had to do was ask and a case would show up a few days later. (I suspect they wanted to make room in the warehouse.)
8 comments:
Your copy is in much better condition than mine, though not because of anything I did to it. Whoever own the book before me obviously didn't keep it in a mylar bag on a shelf. The book is in much better care now that it is in my custody.
I love this book! TEXAS WIND never found its way to this part of the country. I remember you were kind enough to send me a copy, Bill. Thanks again!
A classic from one of the best in any field.
Always glad to see TEXAS WIND. I used to have a Day Keene novel published by Macfadden-Bartell that had the same cover art. At some point Manor bought out M-B, and you can find other cases of duplicate cover art like that. (The painting didn't have anything to do with the Day Keene book, either.)
What was the story with the publication? The publisher went under before the book was fully distributed?
I believe that's correct. James would know for sure.
TEXAS WIND came out in October 1980, the last month any Manor Books were ever published. For several months before that, Manor had been refusing to honor returns from the bookstores (or something similar to that, I may not have all the details right). Most stores had stopped carrying any Manor books by then. TEXAS WIND got some distribution -- I've talked to people who bought it new, including one who found copies as a newsstand in Fort Worth -- but I suspect that the majority of the copies never made it out of the warehouse. I used to find an occasional copy in a used bookstore, so I know people around here found it somewhere. I'm talking about copies that weren't signed. I sold a lot of copies through the bookstores I owned, but they were always signed so I can identify them. Now, of course, it's available in hardback, trade paperback, Kindle, and Nook editions, so it's gradually finding a new audience.
And I'll say one thing for Manor . . . they never paid me, but they were really good about sending me copies of the book. All I had to do was ask and a case would show up a few days later. (I suspect they wanted to make room in the warehouse.)
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