It's been a good year for Debatable Space, and indeed for me. I've been delighted at the many nice responses I've had from SF fans. And I've also been thrilled at the reaction from friends who aren't SF fans who have loved the book, and said nice things about it, and, most importantly, let's face it, cutting out the wishy-washy mimsy euphemstic shilly-shallying, have bought the book.
In fact, I had a meeting this week with a producer who had (accidentally) bought two copies of the book from Amazon. That's the way to do it! Buy more! If you need something to go under that wobbly table leg, buy Debatable Space! It'll do the job nicely.
Oops, okay, sorry, I went off the rails a bit there. That's writers for you. We want to be loved, we want to be creatively fufilled, but most of all, we want to have our books bought.
Sad, I know.
Anyway, continuing this theme, of books being bought, I'm delighted to say that Debatable Space has been re-born (or rejuved?) in its new format mass market edition.
The cover is very subtly different, it's smaller, it's got a nice quote from Eric Brown on the front, and an interview with me in the back. But basically, I have to admit, it's exactly the same. So, damn it, if you already have a copy of Debatable Space, there's really no point you buying this new version. Don't bother. It's okay. I shan't be offended!
The new and smaller (and just as enjoyable (I hope!)) Debatable Space is published on the 7th August, which is next week isn't it? (I have trouble keeping track of time (there, another unnecessary bracket!) these days). Available in all good book stores, including and especially Waterstone's, who have been wonderfully supportive of the book, and have, ahem, sold copies of it.
And for those who haven't read it yet, but plan to do so - I hope you find it a strange but satisfying journey into a weird imaginative place.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:16 pm
when will it be available as a paperback in NZ.
Sound like a fun read.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Hi Kerry. Actually I don't know - it's already out in Germany though. (Which is not much help to you.) I'll find out.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I've now checked. Australia and NZ should publish simultaneously with the UK. So unless there are shipping problems - it ought to be in the NZ bookshops on the 7th August!
September 12th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Debatable Space - have just finished reading it and loved it to bits. I've recently rediscovered my love for Sci-Fi and Horror novels which has meant devouring old classics from Asimov to Silverberg as well as consuming plenty of Ian M Banks but I have to say that DS is something else. I really enjoyed seeing the story from different perspectives, and the relationships between the characters was a pleasure to be involved in (well, OK, to feel involved in!).
But now there's a problem - you've left me wanting more. Any idea when we might see more Philip Palmer Sci-Fi?
Thanks for a great novel (a future classic in my view).
All the best
Nickpick
September 15th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Thanks so much! I'm absolutely delighted you enjoyed the mad monster that is DS.
I am literally, as we speak, or rather as I write this, working my way through the final drafts of the next book, Red Claw, which is due to come out next year. (No pub date yet, they're waiting for me to finish the darned thing) It's all action alien monster stuff which I hope you'll enjoy. I'm also working on the third, which is called Ketos, and is all about the Dolphs...
September 17th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I just bought Debatable Space off the shelf here in California. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, weird title, but reading the first few pages made it look like a bit of a silly and fast moving space opera. But some of the reader quotes spoke of 'innovative' and 'daring' or some such so I figured I'd try it.
Now I am on page 120 and realize you are sneaking in a bunch of interesting depth, character development, variety of writing styles, interesting concepts, and whatnot in there. Intriguing! I had a sudden urge to look you up on the net to see what kind of mind created this interesting thing and am surpised that you don't yet have millions of posters here. Figured I may as well post my 2 cents since there are so few others. So far I'm really liking this book!
-E
September 17th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Thanks Eva, great to hear from you!
The title is pretty weird I guess. It's an oblique reference to the 'Debatable Lands', which was the territory in 16th Scotland & England where there was no rule of law and bandits ('reivers') pillaged and looted. So that's why 'Debatable Space' is where the pirates live; it's kind of the equivalent of the Hole in the Wall gang's hideout.