Tor.com Announces A POD Only Release

About a year ago, Tor Books launched a new website titled Tor.com. The site described itself as:

. . . a site for science fiction, fantasy, and all the things that interest SF and fantasy readers, presents original short fiction, new sequential art, extensive art galleries, and commentary on science fiction and related subjects by a wide range of writers from all corners of the science fiction and fantasy field; both professionals working in the genres and fans. Its aim is to provoke, encourage, and enable interesting and rewarding conversations with and between its readers.

The Fiction Editor of Tor.com is Patrick Nielsen Hayden, well-known sci-fi editor, writer and blogger.

Over the last year, Tor.com has offered some interesting book reviews and even more interesting commentaries. I particularly liked Brian Slattery's comment on genres last Halloween here in a post titled "What Are Fantasy and Magical Realism Anyway?". Slattery said:

From the writer’s point of view, the genres aren’t categories; they’re tools in a toolbox. Which tools—and how many—should the writer use? It all depends on what you’re trying to build, doesn’t it?

About two weeks ago, Tor.com announced the immediate availability of David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer’s anthology titled Year’s Best Fantasy 9.

There were two really interesting things about YBF 9. First: The anthology "marks something we’re particularly proud of: Tor.com’s debut as a publishing entity, distinct from Tor Books and as a separate imprint under our shared corporate overlords at Macmillan."

And second: "YBF 9 is available only as a print-on-demand book, in keeping with our mission of always exploring alternative forms of publishing."

What does this mean? Tor.com will only print the book when it has an order (and payment) in hand. 100% sell-through. No expensive print runs or warehousing of p-books, no costly returns and pulping of unsold books. Order received, book printed and shipped. Because Tor.com's bookstore has the digital book on file, the anthology can be available indefinitely on a virtual bookshelf in their virtual bookstore.

Remember my post about the Espresso Book Machine last Friday? The new publishing model is right around the corner.