Talk:Mixed Magics

First edition part of five-volume reissue?

 * boldface subsequently converted to underline in order to assist reading the boldface replies -P64 2012-05-03

As I understand ISFDB data, the first edition was part of a new edition of the series. The four preceding novels were re-issued at the same time (perhaps all May 2000) with cover art by Paul Slater unified by circular white block letters "The Worlds of Chrestomanci". Probably there were interior illustrations by Tim Stevens in all five volumes.
 * Some description of the interior illustration will be appreciated. Especially: how extensive is it? And does it illustrate the contents? ...

... with data integrity problem at ISFDB Unfortunately the ISFDB data is unreliable in some details. • For example, Did Collins and CollinsVoyager really release in May 2000 both two trade paper editions of The Lives of Christopher Chant with different cover art by Paul Slater, identical ISBN, one-page difference in length *and* new trade paper and hardcover editions of Charmed Life with different cover art by Slater? Obviously not. For one thing, one of those covers obviously depicts the cover art for Mixed Magic that ISFDB attributes to Larry Rostant and the 2005 Collins set. --P64 (talk) 23:02, 26 April 2012 (UTC)


 * meanwhile in the US The same source shows me that the first US edition matched a recent reissue of the four preceding novels. ISFDB cover art by Greg Newbold gives earliest dates 1997 to 1999 for the four novels, followed by a 2000 omnibus edition, and April 2001 Mixed Magics (the book I have in hand). --P64 (talk) 23:32, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

'''Hmm. I'll try to answer your questions by copying what you said and inserting my answers in bold. Not sure if that is legit but.''' --OK. I will interject in green. -P64 2012-05-03.


 * As I understand ISFDB data, the first edition was part of a new edition of the series. The four preceding novels were re-issued at the same time (perhaps all May 2000) with cover art by Paul Slater unified by circular white block letters "The Worlds of Chrestomanci". Probably there were interior illustrations by Tim Stevens in all five volumes.


 * I can clarify this: Yes, there were. --Thanks.


 * Some description of the interior illustration will be appreciated. Especially: how extensive is it? And does it illustrate the contents?...


 * My edition (referred to in the section concerning the preface) has interior illustrations by Tim Stevens in it. How extensive is it: ... Each story has a picture at its start, as well as various full-page (one side of a page) illustrations. For example, in 'Stealer of Souls' there is a full-page picture featuring Cat and Tonino looking at the lives Neville Spiderman has collected. --Thanks. "We" have only the cover illustration, essentially a front cover inset, showing the two boys, open window, and five of eight? light green leaves.

... with data integrity problem at ISFDB Unfortunately the ISFDB data is unreliable in some details. [remainder of paragraph deleted]


 * I'm not sure how to answer this one, actually. --perhaps those are notes to myself, in effect, which i should move. If I live forever, with eyes mind and fingers functioning, I will correct some data at ISFDB.


 * meanwhile in the US The same source shows me that the first US edition matched a recent reissue of the four preceding novels. ISFDB cover art by Greg Newbold gives earliest dates 1997 to 1999 for the four novels, followed by a 2000 omnibus edition, and April 2001 Mixed Magics (the book I have in hand). --P64 (talk) 23:32, 26 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Is your edition of Mixed Magics the first American edition? --Yes.  Also, when you say 'omnibus edition', do you mean just the first four novels, or is Mixed Magics included? --the four novels.  If it is just the first four novels, I take your word to mean that Mixed Magics was not published in the US until April 2001. Please correct me if I'm wrong. --You are right.  --JustPotteringAround (talk) 00:13, 30 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Having replied by green interjection, --P64 (talk) 01:29, 4 May 2012 (UTC)

Preface
The US edition includes a two-paragraph untitled preface in place of a dedication, opposite the title page.


 * (quote) "There are thousands of worlds, all different from ours. Chrestomanci's world is the one next door to us, and the difference here is that magic is as common as music is with us. ...
 * ... You pronounce it KREST-OH-MAN-SEE. He has to have a strong personality as well as strong magic.
 * Diana Wynne Jones

--P64 (talk) 19:58, 27 April 2012 (UTC)


 * Yes, I do recognise it. --So it's included. Thanks. I hope someone else will give a page number. I don't think there is such a thing as an Australian edition of the book, but the copy I used for the info in this article is a UK edition. (I got it from the library, and since I've already returned it, I can't really consult it right now :).) Also, I am fairly sure my edition of the book does not include the subtitle "Four Tales of Chrestomanci" anywhere on or in it. (You can see the front cover of the edition I referred to here.) --That link is broken for me now. -P64
 * What other material is included? As far as I remember, just a copyright page and a table of contents, but don't take my word for it. I don't know if this helps at all though :D JustPotteringAround (talk) 23:58, 29 April 2012 (UTC)
 * Hi, thanks for your replies.
 * Since working on this article (where i started with DWJ) i have undertaken Chrestomanci (after which i plan to return to the seven books). There I am focusing on the book series rather than the British government office or Christopher Chant. I am attending to how the series has been branded, more broadly than title/subtitles.
 * Certainly, book covers are unreliable regarding subtitles, or whatever libraries catalog as subtitles. I may have relied too much on ISFDB without knowing how it determines the Title Reference.first ed. at IFSDB (Note that first ed. cover does not display "Four Tales of Chrestomanci".)
 * I may reply to the preceding section entirely in green. Why not break all of the rules? --P64 (talk) 01:00, 4 May 2012 (UTC)

Stealer of Souls as a separate book
Hi, I know I haven't been editing for a while, or even replying to the conversations above, but I recently bought a CollinsVoyager copy of Stealer of Souls from the local op shop and was wondering if it might be any help here. I see the article does not seem to mention the fact that  Stealer of Souls was published separately for World Book Day 2002. Please reply here if you want me to supply any further info about my copy. Thanks, JustPotteringAround (talk) 04:06, 20 December 2012 (UTC)