madbaker | A bittersweet dedication

There are a few authors whose work I try to read as soon as it comes out. One recent book from a fantasy author I like has this dedication:

To those fans the faithful few
who have stayed with me all the way,
for a quarter of a century.
You know who you are.

I guess I'm one. I remember in 1990 or so reading book one of a quadrology from the library, finishing it in about three days, and instantly going back to binge on the next three. And then buying them a month later, because I already wanted to re-read them again.

I liked his characterization, world-building, style. So I bought his books as they came out. He went from major publishing company paperback release, to hardcover deals, to NYT-bestselling hardcovers. The last five years or so, he's been publishing in trade/paper through specialty presses. Which if I can get them at all, it's through special order or ILL because the print run was so limited.

I'm not privy as to why. I'm sure that publishing consolidation hurt, as even in his heyday he was never more than a solid B-lister. He may have had a poor-selling run that cut him from their lists.

I'm glad he continues to write. But.