The Larton Chronicles

[murphybabe]

Okay, I'm confused.  (I know, it doesn't take much...)  Could someone please clarify the Larton Chronicles for me?  I looked for them and came up with zines - okay.  But i also found them on Amazon, but the names aren't the same, and they are by a different author. 

???

If I want them, which I really do, where should I get them from, and what will I find when they arrive?

Thanks for the help :-)

Comments

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

The original Pros stories are available as a zine from Gryphon Press.

Some years ago, Wayward Press published Pros stories in book form, but with the names changed - both author and characters! That's what you will have found on Amazon.

Larton Chronicles

[taverymate.livejournal.com]

Rhiannon wrote four Larton Chronicles stories and first published them as a zine called The Larton Chronicles through the auspices of Gryphon Press in 1995. Gryphon Press is a British zine publisher, run by Sara Slinn (she also runs Peartree Press, another zine imprint).

In 2004, Rhiannon added a fifth story (Best of All Ways) to the Larton Chronicles. Gryphon Press published the story as a stand alone zine supplement as a courtesy to those who already had the four story zine published in 1995.

From 2004 on, all NEW copies of The Larton Chronicles contained ALL five stories. So if you are lucky enough to find a used copy of the zine, do check the publication date to be sure that you get the complete, five story version of the zine.

Sara is also the publisher of Wayward Books, a more commercial - as opposed to fannish - venture. Basically, nearly all the Wayward Books are revised Pros stories from the circuit days, with the exception of Sharon Brondos' two novels (Perfect Hope & Perfect Trust - under the pen name S. Hardy Brondos) and perhaps Silk and Feather by M. Jones. Sharon has said on list before that her book characters are original, not based on Pros. And if Silk & Feathers was originally a Pros story, it's one that I've not read or seen mentioned.

When the original authors published their Pros stories, some merely filed the Pros names off but kept the stories virtually the same. Others made more changes, but as far as I remember, most are very similar.

The authors chose new names for the more visible, commercial sale of these stories. In most cases, these names were male or consciously androgenous names so as to appeal more to male readers. (It's a practice I have issues with but that's for another discussion.) That's why the Wayward version of the The Larton Chronicles lists the author as James Anson (aka Rhiannon).

I always recommend reading the originials rather than the revised "serial numbers filed off" versions because I think fan fiction loses too much when you attempt to remove the fan fiction elements. Plus, Sara doesn't have to deal with the middleman loss if you deal with her direct. She's a great zine publisher: keeps things in print, very prompt with communication and delivery, keeps prices as low as possible. I've never heard a bad word about her as a zine publisher. I assume the same would be true if you boutht the Wayward Press books through their website.

AS FAR AS I KNOW IT HAS NEVER BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE THE NEW FIFTH STORY! If you buy the Wayward Books versions through other sources, I'd suggest you go through your local independent bookstore (who will always special order them!) rather than Amazon. Why support the mega booksellers who are killing off the independents?

As to the physical zine and book differences, the zine is A4 paper size (British sizing, slightly larger than US paper), has Times 12 pt, 212 pages with a story word count of 127,536, and a 22 page Index and Glossary. It has all FIVE stories, an updated index and glossary, and the new color hand-drawn cover.

The Wayward Book is a trade paper back size. AS FAR AS I KNOW IT HAS NEVER BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE THE NEW FIFTH STORY!

The Larton Chronicles by James Anson
Price: $ 14.95
ISBN #: 1903531047
Publisher: Wayward Books, 2001, 299 p.
Year Published: 2003

Hope that helps!

[londonronnie.livejournal.com]

The book by James Anson, which is the version listed on Amazon, was what lured me into the Pros fandom in the first place so it's got a lot to answer for! *g*

It's a great read if you're looking for a mainstream m/m novel - any Pros fans would immediately recognise the lads even though they're not called Bodie and Doyle - but if I had to choose between the two versions I'd definitely recommend buying the zine from Gryphon.

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

Have you bought (borrowed, read...) zines before, murphybabe? If so, then this will sound blindingly obvious. But the first thing you'll find when you order this as a zine is that it comes not in "book shape" but A4 sized.

I presume the Wayward version is a more traditional book shape.

I'd order the Gryphon zine. Because I am pretty sure that the zine has acquired an extra story, and I don't know whether that's in the Wayward one or not. I think I remember you saying you had ordered the ProsLib CD? Has it arrived now? The contact details are on there.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

I'm with taverymate, I'd go with the original Gryphon zines, because there are so many little things in them that mean something to Pros fans, and that meaning would be lost if you were imagining other people instead. Plus there're five stories rather than four. *g*

I'm also with the others in recommending Sara as a zine seller - friendly, honest and fast has been my experience.

[murphybabe]

Thank you for the explanation. Obviously I need the zine then, not the other. Ta!

Re: Larton Chronicles

[murphybabe]

Wow, what a comprehensive answer! Thank you very much. (I happen to agree about independent book sellers and changing names and covers for other markets.)

Defiinitely the zine from Gryphon, then, and Sara has already responded to my email, so a great response there also.

That helps a lot - thanks!

[murphybabe]

Thank you - definitely the zine to start with then!

[murphybabe]

Yes, thanks, the ProsLib CD has arrived (bliss!) and I'm now off to order the Gryphon zine (hooray!)

Thanks for the help.

[murphybabe]

Great - thank you for your recommendation!

[murphybabe]

Happy happy happy! The postman has just delivered the Larton Chronicles! I'm gloating, but saving them for a long flight in September. Thanks for the recommendations - Gryphon and Sara are great.

[lukadreaming.livejournal.com]

Really hope you enjoy the fic - it's my favourite Pros! And Sara and Gryphon are super-duper efficient!