Howdy Ed,

Just picked up a copy of Gast from Camelot books and read it. Figured I get the uncut before Leisure publishes the Black Train, that way I could see the differences. How much are they making cut?

I fucking loved it! Sick as hell and fucking hilarious, top notch Lee! Everyone was right, the tubing scene was worth the price alone. I'll never look at aquarium tubing the same way again! I read that whole chapter aloud to some buddies of mine and my mom walked through the door as I was doing it. She had to pick her jaw up off the floor by the time I was finished. She started ranting about the "sick trash I read" and wanted to know what would cause someone to write something so grotesque! Too fucking funny! I told her I would let her read The Bighead so she could experience it firsthand.

That is so funny, letting your mom read The Bighead! When I read it, I'd be occassionally laughing out loud and my wife asked if she'd like reading it. I said, with a very straight face, "Uh, probably not" but I did read her the funny parts.
(She does read CSI-type fiction, however, so she's not shy around this stuff.)

Pegleg

Yeah. Gast was a great read. In a previous thread, Ed had said that the book will be re-released through Leisure as The Black Train, and although the tubing scene is gone, not a whole lot was removed from the book. I believe the thread was "Too Hardcore For Leisure".

I absolutely loved Gast. I also really dug all the artwork too. And although there will be revisions to the Leisure release I'm still really looking forward to reading it. And as nerdy as it sounds I'm excited to see what sort of cover art the book will have. The past few Lee releases have had really kick ass artwork so I expect no less from this book!

_________________
"The Living Dead and the dying living are all the same. Cut from the same cloth. But disposing of dead people is a public service, whereas you're in all sorts of trouble if you kill someone while they're still alive."

reelsplatter: thanks for picking up GAST. In BLACK TRAIN, a lot of the Collier-quirky-sex had to go--the revisions make the book better for the mass market audience. Folks needn't feel they're missing stuff in BLACK TRAIN because the hardcore sex in upcoming projects (HAUNTER, GOING MONSTERING, TROLLEY 1852, and HEADER 2) blow it all away to the point I'm ashamed of myself!

lthrby1: thanks for the kind words, as always. I think you'll dig upcoming projects.

pegleg: I do hope your wife like the funny parts!

babaganoosh: BLACK TRAIN is actually a better complete book in my opinion. Sorry I can't show you the BLACK TRAIN cover--it's gorgeous!--but I'm sure it'll be on the Leisure site soon. The release date is, I believe, Oct 27th.

Thanks, all!

Edward Lee

October 27th. Yay. Being that I got married on Halloween, I know what I'm asking for as part of my anniversary present. Edward Lee and Halloween-What more could anyone ask for? (Which kinda makes me wonder-What does Ed give out for Halloween? I'm afraid to find out.)

I just wanted to let folks know (even thought you might not care, but I was excited) that I finally got a lettered copy of Gast in the mail today. What a nice looking book. Really like the traycase to it. I look forward to reading Black Train to try to catch the differences. Well done once again Mr. Lee.

Yes, Jonah, it is a great looking edition--thanks for buying it! I really dig the story.

Later!

Edward Lee

I am dying to see how THE BLACK TRAIN compares to GAST...you could say I have a vested interest, heh heh. Plus if the cover art is cool..may be getting a tat of it.

I actually think the cuts make it better; it moves more effectively. No one need worry about missing any good smut 'cos there's PLENTY of that in upcoming books. And, yeah, Paul, the cover is slick. LAter!

Edward Lee

Seriously, I think Gast is one of Ed's all around top 5 books. There's no way to actually make a top five for me because of the diversity between small and large press. The Bighead will always be the most beloved to me because it was my first "hardcore" Lee novel. I read Monstrosity and Messenger first, and digging the whole vibe, took the plunge and got the The Bighead. For the record, as far as "best written" (I'm pretending to be a mainstream critic who would actually read Lee) books by our man, I think his two books with Elizabeth Steffen are his most concise and well constructed. Flesh Gothic would be his million seller if Anne Rice had written it. (Like she could actually write something that good). However, I put Gast and Minotauress in the top five because both are extremely great stories without sacrificing the sex and gore. And of course, as far as pure entertainment, nothing tops The Pig, Ever Nat, Header, and Family Tradition. Here's to hoping Black Train is as good as Gast. Cheers!

_________________
Dr Seuss Is Dead

Hhhmmm, anyone know why Amazon or B&N don't have a cover photo for The Black Train up yet? They have the December release covers up, and I think even one for next January, but not this one!

you can see the cover here:
http://shocklinesforum.yuku.com/topic/12289

Thanks Liquidnoose! I saw your thread yesterday, but that picture wasn't up yet. Nice looking cover for Leisure. Between it and The Golem, a couple nice covers in a row for Lee.

_________________
"The Living Dead and the dying living are all the same. Cut from the same cloth. But disposing of dead people is a public service, whereas you're in all sorts of trouble if you kill someone while they're still alive."

Thanks for making me aware of this. My cover needs to be UP on Amazon. I'll investigate

Edward Lee