Here's some news for y'all: Ron and I handed in the finished texts for A Vintage from Atlantis, volume three of Night Shade Book's "Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith" series. It is on track for release late this year. Introduction is by Michael Dirda, which is something of a coup IMHO. Big changes in the text of "The Seed from the Sepulcher," for reasons we discuss in the notes to that story. We're also including the prose poem "The Flower-Devil" as an appendix, since it was the source for "The Demon of the Flower." Jason van Hollander is doing the covers for the entire series.
The bonus booklet is still delayed because of artwork problems.
Lost Worlds issue 4 is at the printer right now. This issue is largely devoted to a variorum edition of "Necromancy in Naat," showing what CAS originally wrote, what he cut out, and what he changed. This takes up the bulk of the issue, but there's also an essay on the history of the story by Yr Obt Serv't; a memoir of the pioneering Smith scholars Charles K. Wolfe, who passed away a few years ago, by Don Herron; reviews by Donald Sidney-Fryer (of The Shadow of the Unattained) and John Alfred Taylor (of The Freedom of Fantastic Things). Cover is another fine color painting by CAS, and we're also reprinting Virgil Finlay's illustration for "Naat" from Weird Tales. There are also letters from Don Herron, Donald Sidney-Fryer, and Ron Hilger; I really want to start running a regular letter column, so please, guys, let me know what you think of the issues!
Issue 5 is almost finished as I write this. Part of the problem with our somewhat less than stellar attempts at maintaining something resembling a regular publication schedule (which doubtless contributes to the lack of letters referred to above) is the fact that the publisher is in New York and I'm in California. I was blocking out a rough amount of text and sending it to Seele-Brennt publisher Nick Curtis, who would lay it out and send me the proofs. Since I couldn't be sure just how well what I sent along would fill the 54 pages in each issue, there's be some back-and-forth while we tweaked things. This took up a lot of time, especially when you add in computer crashes, problems in personal lives, and other complications.
No more. I am now laying out each issue, sending PDFs to the writers to correct, and sending the corrected final files to Nick, ready-to-go. The only things we need for issue five are two brief pieces by me. Here's what we have on board so far: a charming and previously unpublished "cat" poem by CAS; essays on Smith's poems "Ode to the Abyss" and "Connaissance" by Carl Jay Buchanan and Phillip A. Ellis; excellent essays on botanic horror in CAS's work and on "The Seven Geases" by Philippe Gindre and Geoffrey Reiter; a memoir of CAS by Sam Sackett; and reviews by Jim Rockhill (of the Bison reprints of OST and LW) and Brian Stableford (of volume three of CAS' Collected Poetry and Translations).
On hand for future issues are: "Dawn of Discord," an unreprinted story rewritten by E. Hoffmann Price from a CAS story; Jean Marigny's long essay (published as a chapbook in France) "The Lost Worlds of Clark Ashton Smith;" essays by Donald Sidney-Fryer, John Haefele, Dwayne Olsen, Ron Hilger, Robert M. Price, Douglas A. Anderson, Morgan Holmes, S. T. Joshi, and Philippe Gindre (some of these are still in progress, but I'm nothing if not persistent). Plus still more CAS material: artwork, letters, photographs, etc. And a portfolio of Smith-inspired artwork by Tim Kirk. Plus Jason van Hollander is doing some art for future issues. We hope to use some more artwork as we cultivate relationships with artists capable of doing justice to Smith's work. Contact me if you think you fit the bill.
There is also a rather unusual new Smith book out called Shadows Seen and Unseen. It comes as a bit of a shock to Ron and me, not to mention Bill Dorman at the Estate, but it contains facsimiles of a number of Smith's poetry mss, some unpublished, as well as color plates of a number of paintings, one owned by the editor/publisher but the others taken (without credit) from this website. One of them, "Spring Clouds," is hanging on the wall beside me as I type this, and it is not a good reproduction. In addition, the editor used Photo-Shop to add a pink flamingo to the foreground. ... That's right, you read it correctly. Now sit down and take some deep breaths. Take a Valium if you have one. And think about how I feel, seeing my treasure defaced in such a crude manner. If CAS hadn't been cremated, we could have wrapped him in copper wire and magnetized his coffin, and he'd generate enough electricity to solve Norcal's power problems.
Anyway, there's a booksigning in Auburn this Saturday, and I'll try to get some more information on this.

Scott

Who is this daring and tasteless cretin who dares such effrontery?! A pink flamingo indeed - I think the RPM's you suggest are modest in the output estimate.
drf

Well, I propose a premature ban on Shadows Seen and Unseen until we know what is going on. Not crediting the owners of the manuscripts, the estate, nor the site is just rude (not to mention unscholarly).

He owns the manuscripts, but not the paintings, with one exception. One of the other paintings used, "Moonlight on Boulder Ridge," is taken from a digital photo Ron took of the original (we know the owner) and posted here, as well as used on the cover of LW 1.

Best,
Scott

Scott Connors wrote:

> In addition, the editor
> used Photo-Shop to add a pink flamingo to the
> foreground. ... That's right, you read it
> correctly. Now sit down and take some deep
> breaths. Take a Valium if you have one. And
> think about how I feel, seeing my treasure defaced
> in such a crude manner. If CAS hadn't been
> cremated, we could have wrapped him in copper wire
> and magnetized his coffin, and he'd generate
> enough electricity to solve Norcal's power
> problems.

That's cheered up a rather bad day! But you might be on to something there: there are plenty of extant cadavers some enterprising technologist could use to generate necro-electro. It would be the greenest fuel going -- literally so, if the cadavers were fresh.

Ghoti23 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Scott Connors wrote:
>
> > In addition, the editor
> > used Photo-Shop to add a pink flamingo to the
> > foreground. ... That's right, you read it
> > correctly. Now sit down and take some deep
> > breaths. Take a Valium if you have one. And
> > think about how I feel, seeing my treasure
> defaced
> > in such a crude manner. If CAS hadn't been
> > cremated, we could have wrapped him in copper
> wire
> > and magnetized his coffin, and he'd generate
> > enough electricity to solve Norcal's power
> > problems.
>
> That's cheered up a rather bad day! But you might
> be on to something there: there are plenty of
> extant cadavers some enterprising technologist
> could use to generate necro-electro. It would be
> the greenest fuel going -- literally so, if the
> cadavers were fresh.


They can't be too green: that gunk is rich in electrolytes, and it could cause a short circuit that might cause inadvertent reanimation and a craving for a nice brainy snack. Dessicated is the way to go--they should be drier than one of CAS' epigrams.

Frankly, I'm not certain which image is more disrespectful; the pink flamingo or the image of CAS wired up to some dynamo spinning away in his coffin. Scott, I think you're taking this too personally. I've spoken with Mr Johnson on several occasions now and can assure you he didn't do this to you on purpose. He had no idea you owned the painting nor of your involvement in the CAS scholarship. He had this book published because of his desire to share his manuscripts with others and also because he felt it was a shame that CAS was so neglected in his own hometown. Who could fault him for that? Mr Johnson has also told me that he will never recover the money it cost him to have the book published and that it was never his intention to profit from it in the first place. Seems to me that Mr Johnson is motivated by all the right reasons.

I also understand that he tried to contact Arkham House more than once but received no response from them, so he simply went ahead with his project. It is a well made book and a nice homage to CAS. I recommend anyone interested to have no second thoughts about purchasing Shadows Seen and Unseen.

-Ron

Can we have an explanation of the raison d'être of the flamingo, though? I'm kind of curious!

Juha-Matti

On the page opposite the painting (with the photo-shop flamingo) is located the poem "Flamingoes." I imagine this was intended to tie the two together.

I'm sorry if you found the spinning in his grave imagery disrespectful. I was using a bit of hyperbole, that's all. I'm not all that upset, and I certainly wasn't taking it personally. Really. I was just startled to see my painting included. I also found the insertion of the flamingo a bit puzzling, but after speaking with Ardath Winterowd, the artist who helped Mr. Johnson design the book, I can accept her explanation: she inscribed in my copy that they placed the painting, with inserted flamingos, on the page opposite Smith's poem "Flamingos." It's not something I would have done, but I can accept her explanation, and have no problem with him using the painting. After all, like I said to you earlier, I am under no delusions that I'm the Pope of Klarkash-Town (that would be my friend Wilum Pugmire. At least he has the hat, heeheehee....)
I had a nice time with Mr. Johnson today and concur with you that his love of CAS is the equal of anyone on this board, and, considering the amount of money he put into this project, maybe more than many. I think that the book is certainly worth having: there are a couple of previously unpublished (and unknown) poems therein, and a very nice painting from Mr. Johnson's collection, "The Spy." Also, there is a nice interview with Buddy Procissi, the best man at Clark and Carol's wedding.
Bottom line, folks, is that I recommend this book as a nice addition to the library of the Smith fan. It is certainly very reasonably priced, and I am sure that Mr. Johnson is selling them at roughly his cost. I can't argue with that! It certainly has a charm about it that cuts through my puzzlement any irregularities in its pedigree, real or perceived. Mr. Johnson is not a product of the sf fan community, and I think that it worth remembering: if nothing else, Shadows Seen and Unseen offers eloquent testimony of the regard in which Smith is held by the regular (ie, non-fan) people of Auburn today.
As soon as I can find out from where it may be ordered, either Ron or I will post it here.

Best wishes,
Scott

I ordered a copy of the book as soon as I found out about it. Eccentricities and gaffes concerning permissions aside (both of which appear to be due to naivete), I was charmed by the idea of someone outside fandom and publishing who felt strongly enough about Smith to share his private cache of Smith's work in this way. Better this unselfish approach than that of the embittered former fan or rich collector who hoards material for decades (if not forever) while chattering to himself, "Mine, mine, ALL mine!"

Jim

Where can one order this book? I've done book searches and a Google search with no luck. On the "In Print" page page it lists "HIH Art Studio" as the publisher. But Shadows Seen and Unseen is not listed on their site.

Can someone please post where to get a copy?

Thanks!

At first I was really turned off by the pink flamingo and vowed to never buy it. But as I read on it looks worth having.

Tantalus:

Not to make light of your frustration, but you certainly have a user name that invites it! :-)

Try this link: [www.bookfinder.com]

It's for a Roseville, CA book dealer named Ronald Ballou.

Scott

Scott Connors Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm sorry if you found ..... either Ron or I will post it here.
>
> Best wishes,
> Scott


Thanks for clearing that up Scott. I am relieved to hear that good news came of this investigation. It is so nice to hear, as it was pointed out above, that someone was willing to share their material. I repeal any caveats on the book I made in misunderstanding and look forward to seeing it on the market.

Thanks Scott! I was able to order a copy from that site!

Scott Connors Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not to make light of your frustration, but you
> certainly have a user name that invites it! :-)


LOL, I often use that name on sites. Many episodes in my life resemble the punishment of King Tantalus. :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 29 Jul 07 | 05:01AM by Tantalus.

Looks like Biblio.com has a copy listed, as well:

[www.biblio.com]

Now, if I can only get hold of a copy myself.....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 29 Jul 07 | 06:37AM by jdworth.

Gavin Smith pointed out elsewhere that the book is available via Mark Ziesing: [www.ziesingbooks.com]

Juha-Matti

Well, I received my copy of the book this morning (THAT was a quick turnaround!)... very nice indeed. I've not had a copy to go over it in detail, but looking through it, it certainly looks to be a fine and worthy addition to the Smith bibliography....

The Book is also available at Budplant :Trade edition
There is also a signed, numbered,slipcased deluxe edition for $125.
Fear Dunn

There were forty copies of the deluxe edition printed. Besides being numbered, each copy had gilt edges and an onion-skin protective sheet over the painting "The Spy." They are sold out. However, Ray is thinking of ordering some more slipcases for those who want them, if there is sufficient interest. So--anyone want a slipcase for their copy?

Scott

Greetings, everyone, and I'm sorry for not having been more active on the board -- I've been rather busy both with preparing to leave for college, working on a paper for "Lost Worlds," AND reading the wonderful second volume of Clark Ashton Smith's collected works. Once again, thanks, Scott and Ron, for putting out these tales in such a beautiful format and with such well-researched appendixes. They're a joy to read.

Speaking of the Night Shade volumes, does anyone have a line on what the cover for the third Night Shade volume of Smith's works may feature, besides the Master himself?

We have seen the darkness
Where charnel things decay,
Where atom moves with atom
In shining swift array,
Like ordered constellations
On some sidereal way.
--from Nyctalops



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 13 Aug 07 | 02:12PM by ArkhamMaid.

Night Shade Books has just announced the following:

"A Vintage from Atlantis, the third volume in The Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith series, should be hitting our warehouse within the next week. We will begin shipping preorders the moment it arrives. If you are awaiting this title, please don't e-mail us about it until after December 15. Those of you who ignore this warning and complain prior to December 15 will have their orders moved to the bottom of the pile. Seriously."

They are also showing the cover for volume 3.

On related matters: LOST WORLDS no. 4 is supposedly out, but nobody, including Ron and me, has seen a copy yet. As Mr. Orwell would say, "Doubleplusungood."

Scott

Great news, and also makes me very glad I ordered through Amazon :). They don't send me too many "warnings" about imposing on their customer sevice, LOL. Nuff said, other than that I'm pretty sure I'll have it by December 15th....

Night Shade has one guy working the email. They are essentially a three-man operation (they recently hired a guy, Ross, to help out with the shipping chores). They once had 1500 emails about a forthcoming title they were in the process of shipping, and I expect that this didn't do much for the sunniness of their disposition. Amazon has a much bigger staff, and frankly I don't find their c.s. all that better since half the time the response is "sorry we don't have that information."

Scott

May I have your attention, please?
Remain calm, there is no need to panic, but it is official: Hell has frozen over.
We know this because I actually received my copies of A Vintage from Atlantis before everybody else in the English-speaking world, including Boyd!!!

And it is a thing of beauty, if I do say so myself. Thank you, Jason, Jeremy, and Ross.

Ron, am trying to call you!

Scott

I'm sure they're doing their best, and of course Amazon has greater resources for responding to inquiries. I've actually had quite good results from Amazon's customer service, though, even with returns based on nitpicky complaints of mine (a bumped corner during shipping, that kind of thing). Of course I do order quite a lot of books through them; they probably do something despicable like prioritize CS responsiveness by dollars spent or some such nonsense.

I can easily imagine how running a small press operation could quickly strain one's tolerance for impatience. The few times I have e-mailed Night Shade, I have at least received a timely response, which is more than I can say for some other small presses. And kudos to them (and you) for the fairly accurate estimates concerning release dates, too. This is a rare thing in my experience.

Scott Connors Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> On related matters: LOST WORLDS no. 4 is
> supposedly out, but nobody, including Ron and me,
> has seen a copy yet. As Mr. Orwell would say,
> "Doubleplusungood."
>

I've got it. It was in the last shipment I got from Gavin Smith.

I have just received my copy of A Vintage from Atlantis (I live in France)! The book is handsome! I particularly like the jacket art of this volume with its use of Smith's sculptures.
Fear Dunn

I live only an hour away from Night Shade Books in California and I have not got mine yet. :(

Tantalus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live only an hour away from Night Shade Books in
> California and I have not got mine yet. :(


Well I got it yesterday! A beautiful book! I'm as happy as with the first two.

he he, BTW who is the "posse" on the mailing label?

[www.freeimagehost.eu]

Arrived today ! (UK)

Got it today!! (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Received it today (Germany)

Hello Everyone: Just in case any of you ordered a copy of Lost World's #4 from Seele-Brennt, either from the website or off of eBay, Nick has been out of town taking care of his father who has had some major health issues. I received an e-mail from him a couple of weeks ago and he said that he hopes to have all orders filled and in the mail around the second week in December.

I'm still waiting for my copy of this to turn up. I have tried e-mailing Nightshade books, but with absolutely no success (or even acknowledgement).

Does anybody have any suggestions for what my next move could be? I'm in Europe, so I'd prefer to only call them as a last resort.

Any and all help gratefully received!

Scott Connors Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Night Shade has one guy working the email. They
> are essentially a three-man operation (they
> recently hired a guy, Ross, to help out with the
> shipping chores). They once had 1500 emails about
> a forthcoming title they were in the process of
> shipping, and I expect that this didn't do much
> for the sunniness of their disposition. Amazon
> has a much bigger staff, and frankly I don't find
> their c.s. all that better since half the time the
> response is "sorry we don't have that
> information."
>
> Scott

I agree with your sentiment, Scott. I've met Jason Williams as well as exchanging emails. Night Shade is committed to putting out quality books that SHOULD be published. On the REH forum, there were several members that squealed when they saw after-market prices for the Dunsany and KEW editions. I told 'em, "Hey, you should've supported Night Shade and bought those editions NEW." Night Shade is a SMALL press publishing BIG things, IMO.

BTW, I purchased what I thought was a bundle of Avon A. Merritt paperbacks from Amazon, only to be emailed by the dealer that Amazon had mislabeled everything. He was in a double-bind. Amazon wouldn't take any credit for the snafu, so he had to take a financial loss for the 5 volumes OR get a bad customer rating OR get yanked from Amazon (his big outlet) for a week or more. I a nice price for a nm copy of Seven Footprints to Satan and the dealer sent me a refund for the rest.

I have to say my experience with Amazon has been radically different, as both buyer and seller. I had to return a book that was sent to me by mistake, and there was no problem; they credited back every dime of the transaction. When I set up my seller account, I had a query about it, and they responded within an hour or so by phone. (Contrast that with ebay and paypal, or for that matter Yahoo, who seem impenetrable.) I also had to cancel my subscription to the CAS series (ordered through Shocklines) starting with volume 3 because Shocklines kept promising to send it to me and never did. I waited, I think, two months after the pub date, and it was never clear to me if it was Shocklines' fault or Nightshade's. The Shocklines guy was prompt in replying, but I eventually despaired of getting a copy of vol. 3 from him and so canceled the order. Incidentally, the first copy I received from Amazon had a slight wave in the dust jacket; I printed out their return slip, sent that copy back, and got a new one a week or later. No hassle.

I realize Nightshade is a small operation, but honestly, there are other small presses that can't have much more of a staff than Nightshade, and they are very responsive in my experience. I've had great luck in this regard with Hippocampus (my favorite!), Arkham, and Wildside. So I don't believe size is a legitimate excuse. Also, hasn't Nightshade heard of interns? Maybe getting some enthusiastic student-types could help ease the apparent burden and bump up the customer service to a professional level.

Have you tried Night Shade recently? I understand that the situation has improved recently. I'm glad that your experience with Amazon has been positive, but this is definitely a YMMV situation. Funny that you mention Hippocampus as a small press who has good CS. I don't want to say anything against them, after all they are one of my publishers, but I've had people write to me saying the same things about them. Once more, "Your mileage may vary." I guess everybody falls short of the ideal every so often.

Scott

Subterranean Press is one of the oddest presses I've ever encountered and I've never even purchased from them directly. They will post a book up for preorder for years on end before it actually becomes available! Very frustrating.

Thanks for mentioning Bud Procissi - his name had dropped out of my memory entirely,though we used to uip one now and then at the Happy Hour in more sunlit days.