When do softcover versions of a novel get released?

[jianlian]

Theres a book I want to get, but its only available in hardcover right now it seems (its a recent release). I don't want to pay that much for it, so typically how long does it take for the softcover version to come out?

The book I want to get is "Shadow of the Giant" by Orson Scott Card (great series btw)

[bdckr]

Theres a book I want to get, but its only available in hardcover right now it seems (its a recent release). I don't want to pay that much for it, so typically how long does it take for the softcover version to come out?

The book I want to get is "Shadow of the Giant" by Orson Scott Card (great series btw)
Typically, a paperback edition comes out about a year after the original hardcover release, but that can vary a lot. The wait can be longer if the hardcover is still selling well. Sometimes if there's another new book by the author coming out, they'll try to time new editions (paperback or trade paperback) of the current book to come out a month or two before the next new book.

I just took a look on amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312857586/qid=1115753938/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-2100844-0184964?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), and it looks like you're SOL, since the publication date is only March 2005.

If it's any consolation, it seems like the later books in the Ender series (anything after Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead) have all been remaindered. So with a little bit of patience, you should be able to get a hardcover copy a year or two down the road at paperback prices. Unfortunately, that doesn't help you for now.

[Headhunter]

Usually, at least a year. As mentioned above, the release of a trade paperback will delay the release of a mass paperback.

[callous]

I know of a buddy who found a Word version of that book. He wanted to use that using a speech synthesizer :/ Apparently that type of thing can be found on the net these days.

[KevC]

Ender's Game was awesome. Read it in like Gr10.

[(Bean)]

Enders game rocked - I also like the Shadow series - thus the name. I don't buy the softcover - I get it from library - then when softcover comes out they usually clear the hardcover for about $6 - thats how I have the whole series in hardcover.

[jianlian]

nooooo I want it now!! hehe. I prefer paperbacks because they are cheaper and easier to carry around.

I'm reading Shadow of the Hegemon right now... very good. I like Card's style. He doesnt waste time describing useless crap like the scenery or whatnot... he brings you into the mind of each character and lets you know what they are thinking.

[(Bean)]

I think Enders Game is probably best of the 2 series. Speaker for the Dead is very good too but the last 2 are just so-so. So far the whole shadow series is decent. I like that it is character driven sci-fi, seem like lots of sci-fi is drivel with a cool technology.