Pyr Books is entering the premium mass market paperback field. In May 2009, the sf imprint of Prometheus Books will publish Crossover: A Cassandra Kresnov Novel as their first premium mass market paperback (4.125 inches by 7.375 inches and priced at $9.98). “Premium mass market paperbacks,” Publicist Jill Maxick explains, “are taller than the traditional mass market size, allowing for improved readability and cover image area.”
Crossover, by Australian author Joel Shepherd, was previously published in trade paperback in August 2006. The sequel novels, Breakaway and Killswitch, will follow at the same price and format, and appear in June and July 2009 respectively.
“We’ve had significant interest from the major booksellers in seeing Pyr enter the mass market format, and a great deal of interest in this trilogy in particular,” said Pyr Editorial Director Lou Anders. “Joel’s series is smart, sexy, action-packed, and features a very well-rounded and admirable female lead. We’ve been very happy with their performance thus far in trade paperback, and feel they are especially suited to lead our charge into mass market, a perfect example of the type of smart, action-packed and engaging read that Pyr is becoming known for. I’m thrilled that Cassandra Kresnov is poised to entertain even more readers with her mass market debut.”
Cassandra Kresnov is a highly advanced hunter-killer android who defected from her League Dark Star special ops assignment, seeking the quiet life of a civilian, but then becomes unwillingly embroiled in dangerous interplanetary intrigue. Shepherd is known for his strong female protagonists, his gripping action sequences, and his rich depiction of Byzantine political machinations.
Pyr has a picture of the first three covers on this page.