Thoughts on pre-release of Oathbringer

[LevenThumps]

The wait for Oathbringer has been very different compared to other Sanderson books (or other books in general for that matter from what I've seen).  We have gotten pretty consistent updates on the writing process throughout reddit, a bunch of annotations and deleted scenes of early versions of novels, and the entire first part of the book dolled out a few chapters a week up until the book's release next Tuesday.  What was everyone's reaction to this?  Would you like this to happen with future Stormlight books, or cosmere books in general?  

[Ammanas]

I always believe the more openness and communication that exists between the author and their audience the better. There are a few series that I am following where I am just hoping the author is making progress with it, but I really have no idea. 

[quadbox]

8 hours ago, Ammanas said:

I always believe the more openness and communication that exists between the author and their audience the better. There are a few series that I am following where I am just hoping the author is making progress with it, but I really have no idea. 

Then again, there's a few series where the author genuinely has no idea, and has been pretty clear he has no idea.  Brandon's a lot more process-driven than some.  For some other series the author is a bit of a drafter, and writes drafts, throws them out, rewrites bits, spends years and years on them, and then when he's finally done something spectacular emerges.  but in a far less systematic process.  Plus he probably keeps getting so much rude crap thrown at him online he feels less motivated to engage on it

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

I rate brandon's communication, but it's largely because he actually has stuff to communicate that he can

[Kered he/him]

Out of all the authors I read, I feel I'm the most informed when it comes to Brandon's books. Which is awesome in my opinion. Most authors communicate to their audience through their blog, which isn't that dynamic of a relationship. With Brandon and the Cosmere fandom, we have sooo many ways to communicate with Brandon and his team and vice versa. Coppermind, the forums, Discord, his website, in-depth Q&A's at signings, reddit, State of Sanderson. It's really unprecedented the amount of access we as fans have.

My favorite part about all the updates, interviews and chapter releases is that it feels like you've already been on this big journey before you've even read the book. I think that's something that only Sanderson fans can boast.  

Edited November 10, 2017 by Kered

[JoyBlu she/her]

I haven’t been as excited for a release of a book — ever — as I am for Oathbringer. This pre-release business has hyped it for me beyond what could possibly be considered as normal. I’ve loved the progress bar, the slow chapter releases, and the openness from Sanderson. I also loved the first two books — so the stage had been set. 

Now — could I keep up the hype? Not long term (I mean following these threads could easily be a full time job). I think what it ultimately comes down to is that I’ve enjoyed the discussions of the characters and plots with my family and with the online community as well. 

Of course, I chose my level of involvement. It was nice to have that option. (No one is forcing me to create a 17th shard account and post every week). I’ve enjoyed this experience very much. 

[StormingTexan he/him]

I can honestly say I have never had this level of anticipation for a release of a book, TV show or movie. Brandon and his teams engagement with the fandom is a huge part of this. The chapter release greatly increased my anticipation and made the release feel more like months long event than a single release day. 

[The Invested Beard]

35 minutes ago, StormingTexan said:

I can honestly say I have never had this level of anticipation for a release of a book, TV show or movie. Brandon and his teams engagement with the fandom is a huge part of this. The chapter release greatly increased my anticipation and made the release feel more like months long event than a single release day. 

This.

[LevenThumps]

Just realized I forgot to give my opinion to my own topic.  

11 hours ago, Ammanas said:

I always believe the more openness and communication that exists between the author and their audience the better. There are a few series that I am following where I am just hoping the author is making progress with it, but I really have no idea. 

It's pretty much this.  I went back to check the release date of Words of Radiance and was surprised to find that it was 3+ years ago.  Now, part of that may be because we still got quite a few books from Brandon in the gap that just wasn't Stormlight 3, but the updates on Stormlight 3 helped.  

 

As for the weekly chapter updates, I actually wasn't going to read them at first.  I thought it would be hard to wait each week for just three chapters and I would rather read them all at once when the book came out.  But, I caved and started reading them, and I actually loved it.  Each week, people theorized on the next three chapters and what the three they just read, making me excited whenever Tuesday came around.  I wouldn't do this on my own (you don't take off a day to read just 3 chapters of a book), but I hope this continues with Stormlight, and maybe even other Cosmere books (the parts are shorter so if he still stuck with part 1 being released I think it could work.

[Bridge Boy]

Considering I read WoK in September of 2010, and agonized over the release of WoR for nearly 4 years all the while cursing the wheel of time for even existing and delaying brandon, and then read the whole book on 3/4/14 before slumping into a minor depression due to the expected wait for OB, and that's not evening mentioning that fact that I've had the kindle edition preordered since August and would still happily pay $500 to get any copy of book just 4 days early; yes, I'm excited. This pre-release build up has been agony. I've never had such a high level of anticipation for anything. 

[Master Knapper]

3 hours ago, quadbox said:

12 hours ago, Ammanas said:

I always believe the more openness and communication that exists between the author and their audience the better. There are a few series that I am following where I am just hoping the author is making progress with it, but I really have no idea. 

Then again, there's a few series where the author genuinely has no idea, and has been pretty clear he has no idea.  Brandon's a lot more process-driven than some.  For some other series the author is a bit of a drafter, and writes drafts, throws them out, rewrites bits, spends years and years on them, and then when he's finally done something spectacular emerges.  but in a far less systematic process.  Plus he probably keeps getting so much rude crap thrown at him online he feels less motivated to engage on it

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

I think having a large black beard might also slow some authors down.  You know, added air resistance. 

Again, in a Hypothetical manner of speaking.  

[Ammanas]

@quadbox Even if a author has no idea and throws out drafts I would still appreciate posts, perhaps once a month, that say some thing like, "I wrote a few chapters about Kvothe visting a city. It turns out that I didn't like the direction it was going. I think I have it figured out now, but unfortunately this will delay my estimate for the completion of Doors of Stone. My best estimate is now November of 2020. As always the situation is fluid and I will give you another update next month"

How hard is it to write something like that? The delay would be a little annoying, but much, much more understanding if authors would put forth a little effort. That being said I get that authors don't owe us anything, I just think it makes sense from a public relations perspective.

[Fifth of Daybreak he/him]

This has been our version of camping out front of the store weeks in advance. *Makes another few s'mores for his answer*

Edited November 10, 2017 by Fifth of Daybreak

[mariapapadia she/her]

For me this was such a great experience. Not only did I joined the 17Th shard( which became such a big part of my daily routine) for this, but it also brought something else that I was missing : the opportunity to talk with people who are on the same crazyness level as me. It was so fun debating and theorizing each week only to have our long hours dissmised by a random WoB or new chapter, that i had to appreciate the irony.

Also, while I do agree with Neil Gaiman that no author is anyone's "slontze", the fact that Brandon kept us so updated, made me respect him more as a professional and human. Because I feel he understands how it is to anticipate something so much, that your whole being is buzzing with excitement  It shows a lot of respect for the readers and for that I would just take all my hats off (or whatever the saying is).

[IllNsickly he/him]

I dunno...

After hearing that Robert Jordan passed away and then finding out that someone (I was unfamiliar with Mr. Sanderson's work prior) was going to finish 'The Wheel of Time', I was far more hyped up than I am now.

That may just be a symptom of Time Invested. I started reading WoT all the way back in 1993. 

I am excited to read anything new from Mr. Sanderson. But, yeah..

[Pattern he/him]

For me, the prerelease of chapters in homeopathic doses enabled a detailed and interesting weekly discussion. I had some intriguing arguments with different members of the Shard, all civilized and friendly. Thanks to all involved for this!

After November 14th the threads will explode with theories and discussions. I sincerly hope I will be able to follow single topics with as much dedication as I was able to during the pre-release. Reading SA books has always been intense, the discussions here made my understanding of otherwise overlooked details much deeper.

All in all, the long pre-release of Oathbringer was a very good warm-up and refreshed memories from the previous books. I loved it.

 

[JoyBlu she/her]

On 11/10/2017 at 8:57 AM, Bridge Boy said:

I've never had such a high level of anticipation for anything. 

I’m guessing that you’ve never been pregnant.