Well, we wish truth were happier...
Margaret and I have talked about this and are both deeply hurt and concerned. We don’t want our fans or book buyers to be mislead. To be clear, the book has not been turned in as yet by us.
Further, we were just informed that Wizards of the Coast is not allowing us to turn in the manuscript -- in other words they don’t even want to read it. We have seen the book being pre-sold as coming out in July with our names on it, but the plot described is not ours. If we haven’t turned it in and they are refusing now to accept or even look at the manuscript from us ... we are at a complete loss as to what to think.
It certainly both puzzling and upsetting.
Tracy Hickman for both myself and Margaret Weis
and to verify Margaret's position:
I want to emphasize that Tracy speaks for both us.
Margaret
Here is a link to the thread.
I would highly appreciate it if Wizards would clarify their stance on this issue.
Where exactly does this information come from?
The other half of this information is that companies like Amazon are already taking pre-orders for Dragons of the Hourglass Mage.
Some people have speculated that WotC have hired a ghost writer to do an alternate version of the book. However, this could be a case of one part of WotC blocking the manuscript and not telling the sales department not to promise to sell the book to Amazon.
I hope that someone from the WotC staff surfs past and actually says what their problem with the book is.
Right now the DDM Icons Orcus and Dracolich can still be found on amazon even though they have both been dropped or delayed by Wizards.
Wizards of the Coast planned to release Dragons of the Hourglass Mage in July 2008, as published in our catalog and posted on Amazon and other sites for pre-order. Despite our efforts, a manuscript was not forthcoming. Plans for the book are on hold; we have not recommissioned it. Today, we communicated this news to our distributor, and we expect that within the coming week retailers taking pre-orders for this book will cancel those orders.
We are always disappointed when our business partners don’t honor their obligations to us, but we must move forward to ensure the continued success of our publishing business.
Hi All. I received the following information to pass along. I apologize for not posting it earlier, but I am still out of the office from D&D Experience:
Wizards of the Coast planned to release Dragons of the Hourglass Mage in July 2008, as published in our catalog and posted on Amazon and other sites for pre-order. Despite our efforts, a manuscript was not forthcoming. Plans for the book are on hold; we have not recommissioned it. Today, we communicated this news to our distributor, and we expect that within the coming week retailers taking pre-orders for this book will cancel those orders.
We are always disappointed when our business partners don’t honor their obligations to us, but we must move forward to ensure the continued success of our publishing business.
I don't understand. Does "business partners" mean Amazon or the authors?
Tracy Hickman has said that the book is finished. A lot of fans are looking forward to this book. A lot of customers want to pay for this book.
Why not just delay the publication instead of cancelling the book? Why refuse to take the manuscript from the authors?
Is this supposed to be some sort of punishment to stop your other authors from being late or are you going to accept the manuscript when you have a new slot in your publication schedule?
Wizards of the Coast planned to release Dragons of the Hourglass Mage in July 2008, as published in our catalog and posted on Amazon and other sites for pre-order. Despite our efforts, a manuscript was not forthcoming.
Tracy Hickman has specifically said (and Margaret Weis says he speaks for her too) that they did finish the manuscript and attempted to hand it in. They say that Wizards of the Coast refused to accept the book from them.
This is a slightly different version of events from yours. You seem to be suggeting that the book was not given to you.
I have posted your statement elsewhere and people who have read Tracy Hickman's statment are questioning the difference between your story and the authors story.
Please could you check if the book department was contacted by the authors and if they have a record of them attempting to give you the book.
(You might also want to consider asking someone to write up a press release for Dragonlance Nexus as there is a lot of confusion in the Dragonlance community and they say they have been trying to get your side of things.)
Thanks.
Hi All. I received the following information to pass along. I apologize for not posting it earlier, but I am still out of the office from D&D Experience:
Wizards of the Coast planned to release Dragons of the Hourglass Mage in July 2008, as published in our catalog and posted on Amazon and other sites for pre-order. Despite our efforts, a manuscript was not forthcoming. Plans for the book are on hold; we have not recommissioned it. Today, we communicated this news to our distributor, and we expect that within the coming week retailers taking pre-orders for this book will cancel those orders.
We are always disappointed when our business partners don’t honor their obligations to us, but we must move forward to ensure the continued success of our publishing business.
I should like to clear up some misconceptions regarding the current state of 'Hourglass Mage.'
First is the misconception that the complete manuscript was submitted to Wizards of the Coast. It was not. We were approaching the publisher to determine a proper turnover date when we were informed that the book would not be accepted or even read.
Secondly, while there are a number of statements with which I would take issue in the above, this is not the proper forum in which to air them. Our hope in posting was to let you know that the July release book being sold and pre-sold with our name on it was not written by us. I know you want answers ... so do we ... and hopefully we'll all get them in time.
On one statement, however, I am in complete agreement: we, too, are disappointed when our business partners don't honor their obligations to us and we, too, must move forward to ensure the continued success of our publishing business.
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Hickman has said that the book is finished.
There's a big difference between a book being finished and manuscript being turned in.
Even if the manuscript were handed in today, you're looking at a year to get the book edited and printed. We very likely wouldn't be seeing it until March 2009.
So, that means the book is already going to be 8 months late from it's original advertised publication date of July 2008.
WotC is obviously experienced at the publishing business. But I still find it disconcerting that WotC has had to have known for several months now that there was no way the book was going to be published in July, but they've only now finally said something to retailers.
Even if the manuscript were handed in today, you're looking at a year to get the book edited and printed. We very likely wouldn't be seeing it until March 2009.
I take exception to one of your comments there...
I don't think that WotC knows how to actually "Edit" a book any more. I can't tell you how disappointed I am with all the errors that get through their "editing" to the final print copy that we read (and I'm just talking about basic, glaring errors).
Amazon.com generally puts books for preorder up as soon as they have any concrete detail. I wouldn't read overly much into the listing. While I'm sure it's possible something is going on, more likely Amazon is just sticking it up in advance.
Edit: Plus if you read the description, it's not detailed enough for an actual summary. Someone's just tossing that up so that Amazon.com can make money doing preorders. This is hardly the first time this has happened with Wizards products.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(This was WoTC's response to Ms. Weis and Mr. Hickman's concerns over Hourglass Mage)
"Wizards of the Coast planned to release Dragons of the Hourglass Mage in July 2008, as published in our catalog and posted on Amazon and other sites for pre-order. Despite our efforts, a manuscript was not forthcoming. Plans for the book are on hold; we have not recommissioned it. Today, we communicated this news to our distributor, and we expect that within the coming week retailers taking pre-orders for this book will cancel those orders.
We are always disappointed when our business partners don't honor their obligations to us, but we must move forward to ensure the continued success of our publishing business."
Today, we communicated this news to our distributor, and we expect that within the coming week retailers taking pre-orders for this book will cancel those orders.
It looks like somebody is in no hurry whatsoever, as the book is still available for pre-order on Amazon.com, and it's still listing a July 1st publication date.
So, any updates from WotC's end as to why this is?
I dont know whats going between wotc and M&t but if they try to put this out with out margaret and tracy its going to be pr nightmare for wotc.
First the gaming license situation doesnt help wotc. I havent seen any future releases but it doesnt look good. With statements like dl will only limited releases.
I think best way to head this off is to have wotc annouce its plans for the future. Explain to its customers what directions it plans to take!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seems to be, if this story is true, that WotC has become more concerned with it's bottom line than with it's customers. I mean, what's the harm in delaying the book? It's a book that's guaranteed to sell. It's the book people have been waiting for and to think that some hacks are going to finish the story of one of the greatest characters in fantasy is just a travesty. I, for one, will never buy another WotC product.
Let's face it. Old school games are being hung out to dry by WotC. It's a shame, but that's what happens when you are more concerned with your bottom line than you are about the product you create.
Anybody notice how the settings that made D&D fun are almost all gone?
They created Eberron which gave them a whole new world to play with.
Now they are creating whole new race origin stories (and deities) for 4th edition, anybody wonder why?
I've never posted before in any of Wizards forums, but I ust felt this was worth it, at least to share the feeling with someone other than myself.
I've followed Dragonlance story since the 80's. Back then when I was an active D&D GM. The first module I played as GM was: DL-1. And I just realized that I've only followed Dragonlance thanks to Margaret and Tracy's writing. The only Dragonlance novels I've read, are those written by them. I was really looking forward to reading this new story, I hope this is just a temporary delay. A year or so of waiting will not harm me as a reader but, l bet it will increase my number of visits to this forum and Amazon while bitting my nails.
I know I will not buy this book if it is not written by Margaret and Tracy. And this is not something I hold against anyone, is just my personal taste.
E.D
I have offered WotC a chance to be on the podcast too, but they have graciously declined. Their prior statement stands.
But it only fits in with the way they are acting company wide these days.
Issues with Gencon
Issues with Dragonlance
Issues with A&A
Let me join the others in saying I will NOT purchase any DOHGM book not written MW & TH. And the way WOTC is acting, I will boycott all DL products, if not all WOTC product.
MW & TH made the dragonlance world worth following. For WOTC to treat them poorly is shameful.
come on, Wizards, you can do better!
Let the hourglass mage be pulished! (as written by hickman and Weis).
I'm very sorry to hear about this ridiculous malfunction.
come on, Wizards, you can do better!
Let the hourglass mage be pulished! (as written by hickman and Weis).
I agree with those who want Dragons of the Hourglass Mage to be published and as written by Weis and Hickman.
I certainly hope that someone at wotc who's heart still beats within their chest finds the ability to do the right thing. Hourglass Mage as written by Margaret and Tracy needs to be published in their words so the readers can finish this trilogy and gain satisfaction. Otherwise we will always be wondering what happened, and we will harbor hard feelings, be they disappointment, anger, sadness or whatever the reader feels.
I am a long time reader and fan of Dragonlance, And if Wotc does the right thing and Hourglass mage is published in the written words of M&T then it will dispell any unease I have towards Wotc, And I will continue to be a loyal and dedicated fan, and Buy future products from Wotc, Hasbro and any allied companies. If the book is killed and never see's the light of day then my loyalty to Wotc dies with it.
:hoppingma 
:headexplo
I am so tired of this. For years I heard the bogus line that Dragon Lance just doesn't "sell" as a game world and that there was little or no point to produce products for it. Then they gave the license to Margaret Weiss and she made it work. I am so tired of this treatment of loyal DL fans!!! :hoppingma :headexplo :raincloud 
I'm saying that because, as I think about this issue, I come to the conclusion that it would be very surprising if there wasn't (what looks like) a smart business move behind this. WOTC isn't stupid, they're a successful business, and a lot of times they take flak from us for doing new and/or strange things that, later, we come to love.
However. I really can't fathom what the smart business move behind not publishing Hourglass Mage could be. It will be a bestseller. It will be the last Dragonlance book. It's just so hard to imagine a scenario where canceling the release of this book will do anything beneficial for WOTC. It will (and is) creating bad blood with fans. There's just...something going on on the other side of the glass, and without that inside information, none of this makes sense to any of us.
I suppose, worst-case scenario, that even with that inside information none of this makes sense. I just really hope this wasn't some ugly corporate decision handed down from Hasbro or something. I can imagine everyone in R&D really hating this, but (obviously) having to be a part of the company that does it.
For a very enlightening interview with Tracy Hickman himself on this topic, check out the Dragonlance Canticle podcast (www.dlcanticle.com), episode 15. Required listening for DL fans ****** off and confused about what's happening.
It sounds to me like W&H were late submitting something and simply assumed WotC would accept it. For whatever reason, WotC didn't. The window of opportunity has apparently closed and now the book isn't going to happen.
Ultimately I think the parties will kiss and make up and the final book will get made. It's really too far down the road for the parties to end the Dragonlance saga on such a bad footing.
If the powers that be at WOTC had any brains or soul they would let W&H do the book on their terms and take it when its ready.
If you check at the DL forum its been posted that Margaret and Tracey will write the book. The contract supposed to have been signed. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
That's great news.
Hasn't this all been resolved?
Any updates on whether this book will be published or not???
The book will be published in 2009. This was announced at GenCon this year. As well as possible hints at a 4th Edition revival of the Rpg as well.
The book will be published in 2009. This was announced at GenCon this year. As well as possible hints at a 4th Edition revival of the Rpg as well.
Great news! Margaret and Tracy involved, right???
After a failed attempt to re-explore the world on the new Forgotten Realms setting (it sucks!), a 4th Edition of Dragonlance would be great. Let's hope so...
Any updates on whether this book will be published or not???
I don't have the link to the statement anymore but it was released on the wizards site that it will be published next summer.
http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Hourglass-Mage-Chronicles-Three/dp/0786949163
Here is the link to Amazon I believe. It says it is coming out in 2009.