Splitting A Memory of Light...

[Razor]

He said on the blog, f he was to meet the Nov release date, he would have to finish the first half and get it it published while he worked on the second, so it looks like it will be 13 books, not 12  (14 counting new spring)

[Raphael]

He said on the blog, f he was to meet the Nov release date, he would have to finish the first half and get it it published while he worked on the second, so it looks like it will be 13 books, not 12  (14 counting new spring)

I would hate that. We've been waiting so long for this book, that I want ALL of it at once, not just half. 

[Shaggy]

I agree; it wouldn't be fair to only give us half first. ß

[Necroben]

The only thing is that Mr. Sanderson is such a prolific writer that any second or subsequent volume would be released rather quickly after the first.  Instead of the two year wait we're used too, it might only be a six month wait instead.  I've been waiting so long that I just want something.  They had released some prologues and first chapters before the whole book had come out and I'm hoping that they (Harriet) decides to do it again.

[Shaggy]

Yes, but there's just something nice about sitting down and reading a complete novel, because if a story that could be compacted into one book is split into two, I find that the ending of the first one leaves me a little unsatisfied and wanting more.

Point taken, though.

[Raphael]

Now, I wouldn't mind a Prologue and a couple of chapters. However, I would hate having a half a book. It's like having half a television. You don't get the same experience unless you have it all. Of couse, the TV wouldn't work either. 

[Shaggy]

Haha. And, also, if you had half a television you wouldn't be watching it.   

[Bookstore Guy]

Having managed a bookstore, I can tell you that I pretty much assumed the book would be split from page 1.  A book that is 700K-ish words is flipping huge.  It would make a terrible paperback, and it would be dang-near impossible to shelve.  The hardback would be a beast too - the cost of printing it may make it a concern (though only a slight on given the past sales history of a RJ novel).  Realistically, if the first part ends with a decent mini-climax, then it is really no different than a transition from book x to book y.  And sorry, but from a business standpoint from Tor's perspective, 2 volumes will make an absolute killing.  I would think, however, they would offer a small discount for volume 2.

[mtlhddoc2]

considering that Brandon has not only finished about half the book, but also finished the first revision of that half, I am totally in favor of splitting it if it means we get a book faster than we would have. I am DYING to read some more WoT.

[CtrlZed]

I think it's important to remember that Brandon has no control over whether Tor splits the book or not.

And if Tor decides to split it, let's also remember that we're lucky that we're getting the ending in the first place.  I'll be happy to read the last book any way that it comes!

[Shaggy]

I guess you know what you're talking about, Bookstore guy. Wouldn't be too bad, I guess.

[Publius]

I hope they split it because I don't want this big huge monster book with itty bitty font to read.  What makes me even more patient is there's a excellent hardworking author working on it who's relatively open about his work.  I'm enjoying following along as he writes this book.  He markets himself brilliantly, I think. 

After waiting for aDwD from GRRM these past years, and his attitude towards people who ask about it on his blog, it's very refreshing to follow along with an author like Brandon Sanderson.  It has made a big enough impression on me that when Mr. Sanderson publishes Book 1 in his 10 book series I will be at the store to buy it the day it is released.  When GRRM starts his next series after aSoIaF I'll pass.

It is my opinion that GRRM treats us like pesky fans.  Brandon Sanderson, however, treats us like customers, and for that he has earned my loyalty.

[Shaggy]

Please…my brain does not comprehend acronyms. What are you saying?

[douglas]

aDwD = A Dance With Dragons
GRRM = George R R Martin
aSoIaF = A Song of Ice and Fire

A Song of Ice and Fire is an epic fantasy series by George R R Martin, which started with the book A Game of Thrones.  A Dance With Dragons is the title of the next book currently being worked on, and it's been in progress for quite some time now with GRRM saying very little about when it might be ready to publish.

[Bookstore Guy]

And dont forget that A Dance with Dragons in it's inception was really just a concurrent story with A Feast for Crows (Feast for Crows got too big, so he originally split the stories based on region - who knows what he is really doing now).  So really, this book has taken FOREVER.

Why, hello there Mr. CtrlZed.  The man is right, just be happy that a portion of the story is being sent to print instead of having to wait a full extra year or longer for them to figure out how to fit all that work into 1 behemoth binding.  And really, just be glad Harriet decided that the work should be finished.