SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB

The Science Fiction Book Club (SFBC) is usually a great alternative to find Sci Fi and Fantasy books in hardbound at about half the price of the "retail" versions.

SFBC has been turning out good quality hardbounds since the 1950's and is a very good deal for the cost. SFBC's novels are usually smaller in size than the open market version, and many times will feature different artwork for the cover. This makes them highly collectible but the value of most SFBC books do not go very high so it would be wise to collect only what you want for your collection and not purchase any for speculation of profits in the future.

SFBC does put its books out of print and they will usually be a little higher in value after that, but they must be in premium condition to garner a larger amount in a sale.

One of the unique things about SFBC is that they sometimes publish 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 novels. When a writer has published 2 or 3 books in a row (usually in a rather short period of time (a couple of years)) and SFBC has not published anything by that author, or at least not in that series, they take all 2 or 3 books and publish them as a large hardbound edition. These books will invaritably have different artwork, and once out of print, can command much higher prices.

Below is a listing of the Piers Anthony books published by SFBC. There are several of the 3-in-1 novels included and in one case, the only hardbound edition of a mass-market trade paperback.

I have also listed the SFBC flyers that advertise the various Piers books. This list is not complete by any means, but it represents all that I have found.

Editorial Comment: A sad note here is that it seems that SFBC has decided not to publish anything from Piers Anthony for quite some time now. I noticed that SFBC seems to favor only a select group of authors and Piers, as well as many others that used to be published are no longer offered. I am not aware of any offerings for Piers books in a few years. I do not know if there is any old stock available from SFBC but I kind of doubt it. I guess this should drive up the price of the books, but it really has not seemed to have made any difference. Most volumes are readily available in the used book market or at auctions.

The Magic of Xanth is a 3-in-1 novel that includes A Spell For Chameleon, The Source of Magic, and Castle Roogna.

After The Magic of Xanth, SFBC started publishing individual hardbound editions of Xanth novels since they were being published as only paperback in the mass market.

Centaur Aisle (says copyright 1982, no Book Club Edition date given)
Ogre, Ogre (say copyright 1982 inside, no Book Club Edition date given)
Night Mare (says copyright 1982 inside, no Book Club Edition date given)
Dragon on a Pedestal
Crewel Lye
Golem in the Gears (says copyright 1986 inside, no Book Club Edition date given)
Vale of the Vole
Heaven Cent (says copyright 1988, "HEAVEN CENT is an original publication of Avon Books. This work has never before appeared in book form..." There is no Book Club Edition date given.
Man from Mundania

No other books were published after Man from Mundania.

INCARNATIONS OF IMMORTALITY

On a Pale Horse
Bearing an Hourglass
With a Tangled Skein
Wielding a Red Sword
Begin a Green Mother
For Love of Evil
And Eternity

Kelvin of Rud books a 3-in-1 and a 2-in-1

Adventures of Kelvin of Rud Across the Frames Guild American Books, Science Fiction Book Club hardbound Reprints Dragon's Gold, Serpent's Silver, and Chimaera's Copper

Adventures of Kelvin of Rud Final Magic Guild American Books, Science Fiction Book Club hardbound Reprints Orc's Opal and Mouvar's Magic

APPRENTICE ADEPT

Double Exposure (Science Fiction Book Club 3-in-1) Reprints Split Infinity, Blue Adept, and Juxtaposition

Omnivore [1st book in the Of Man and Manta series]
Orn [2nd book in the Of Man and Manta series]
OX [3rd (and final) book in the Of Man and Manta series]