Learn About "The SF Gateway" and Plans to Make Out-of-Print Science Fiction Available as eBooks

From an Article by Alison Flood (via The Guardian):

Until now. I come back from holiday to learn about one of the most exciting developments for ages: from Arthur C Clarke to Philip K Dick, Marion Zimmer Bradley to Robert Silverberg, Gollancz is making thousands of classic out-of-print SFF titles available as ebooks. The SF Gateway launches this autumn with more than 1,000 titles by almost 100 authors, with plans to increase this to 3,000 titles by the end of 2012 and 5,000 by 2014. Wow. “Wherever possible, the SF Gateway will offer the complete backlist of the authors included,” says Gollancz in its announcement.

A complete list of the authors already signed up – they’re negotiating with many more – is here (warning: PDF). Tanith Lee is there, and deservedly so – I wrote here about how I couldn’t believe she was out of print. Harry Harrison, James P Blaylock, Theodore Sturgeon, EE “Doc” Smith, my beloved Tim Powers – it’s basically the great and the good of science fiction and fantasy, and they’re all going to be available at the click of a button (pricing is yet to be revealed, but will be “in line with prevailing market trend, but competitive and value for money”, apparently).

“This is exactly what I’ve been hoping for now that the digital book is becoming more widespread,” says Arthur C Clarke award-winner Pat Cadigan in the announcement. “I have always said that the ebook will not be the death of the physical book – the ebook will save so many wonderful books from being lost. We have to remember that what we read is the book – what we read it on, whether ink and paper or pixels on a screen, is just the interface. I’m honestly thrilled about this new project and delighted to be on the list.”

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