Farewell to Strange Chemistry and Exhibit A

Posted June 20, 2014 by Nicky in General, Giveaways / 60 Comments

I was really sad and shocked today when I was scrolling through twitter and saw this sudden announcement from Angry Robot:

As you will be aware, Angry Robot Books has a history of innovation and we continue to go from strength to strength. We’re constantly trying out new concepts and new ideas, and we continue to publish popular and award-winning books. Our YA imprint Strange Chemistry and our crime/mystery imprint Exhibit A have – due mainly to market saturation – unfortunately been unable to carve out their own niches with as much success.

We have therefore made the difficult decision to discontinue Strange Chemistry and Exhibit A, effective immediately, and no further titles will be published from these two imprints.

A few links:
The announcement
A former intern’s farewell
Gwenda Bond’s reaction post
Kim Curran’s post
The Bookseller’s article
The Bookseller reports on potential sales from Osprey
Commentary from Fantasy Faction
Kameron Hurley’s post
Sean Cummings’ post
Laura Lam’s post
Laura Lam giveaway (INT)
Rachel Neumeier’s post
Strange Chemistry book giveaway (INT)
Blog hop

That’s not all that’s out there by a long shot, but that should give everyone an idea of the fanbase those imprints had out there, and how shocking the news was for everyone. I’ve been a fan of Angry Robot and everything they do for a while, especially since I won the Robot for a Day competition (where I met the staff and the blogger who was at that point their intern, Leah @ Uncorked Thoughts). I have a huge backlog of their stuff to read, from all three imprints, but I think I might spend this weekend finally getting round to books by Kim Curran, Laura Lam, Gwenda Bond, etc.

The good news is, the books already published will still be supported by Angry Robot, and rights for future books are reverting to the authors. The bad news is that various books that were slated to come out in the next few months won’t be, some series aren’t going to be finished (at least not with Strange Chemistry), and some authors don’t know where they can go next.

I’m going to follow the example of one of the posts linked above and do a giveaway of some of my favourite Strange Chemistry books. Comment with which you want to be entered for, and I’ll pick at random on the 1st July. You can enter for multiple books, but you will only win one. If you would prefer ebooks, we can probably arrange something, but the idea is that I will buy copies via The Book Depository and send them straight to you. I want to encourage new readers to get their mitts on these books and generate some buzz that might help the authors place future books with publishers! And yes, this is international.

So, without further ado, the giveaways:

  • Martha Wells, Emilie & The Hollow World.
  • Sean Cummings, Poltergeeks.
  • Rachel Neumeier, Black Dog.
  • Cassandra Rose Clarke, The Assassin’s Curse.
  • Winner’s choice of any book from Strange Chemistry or Exhibit A.

And honestly? I wish it could be more. I have so much sympathy with all the authors and staff affected. Let’s give them a good send off!

ETA: So, the winners! Grace won Emilie & the Hollow World; majoline won Poltergeeks; Erin won Black Dog; ameliazane won The Assassin’s Curse; Jessica won the winner’s choice (and chose Gwenda Bond’s Blackwood). All of them have been emailed and all of them responded already, so the books have been ordered and are en route.

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60 responses to “Farewell to Strange Chemistry and Exhibit A

  1. Adelynne

    🙁 I really liked Strange Chemistry’s books; especially Cracked and Stolen Songbird. If I won, I’d want a choice of a book from Strange Chemistry. Thank you for the giveaway!

  2. Alexandra

    Cassandra Rose Clarke, The Assassin’s Curse

    It’s sad to hear that Strange Chemistry is going to be discontinued. :/

  3. This is so sad, my heart goes out to all the authors. Strange Chemistry books were awesome. There are at least five that I really want, but since this comp is to win one copy I’m going to say I would like Skulk by Rosie Best. Thanks for the chance 🙂

  4. Mercy

    The Assassin’s Curse has been on my to-buy list for a month now, so that would be my pick.

  5. I’d like to win The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke! Thanks so much for this giveaway. I am so sad about this too. (I really love Laura Lam’s books! I really hope you enjoy them when you get round to reading them.)

  6. ameliazane

    ◾Rachel Neumeier, Black Dog.
    ◾Cassandra Rose Clarke, The Assassin’s Curse.
    I’ve been meaning to read these. I guess I have to hop to it.

  7. Jessica R

    Martha Wells, Emilie & The Hollow World.
    Cassandra Rose Clarke, The Assassin’s Curse.
    Or Winner’s Choice because there are a few others I’ve been hoping to get to as well.

    Thanks very much! Such sad news. They were publishing some very unique books and I was really looking forward to some of their upcoming titles.

    • If you win you’ll have to pick one of those two, since they’re both in the wildcard slot, and each person can only win one anyway. Sorry if that wasn’t clear!

  8. Kazhy @ My Library in the Making

    Still saddened by this news as I really enjoyed every Strange Chemistry book that I’ve read. I would love to win The Assassin’s Curse, Shadowplay, or Stolen Songbird <3 Thank you for this giveaway! 😀

  9. Sean Cummings, Poltergeeks.
    Cassandra Rose Clarke, The Assassin’s Curse.
    Winner’s choice of any book from Strange Chemistry or Exhibit A.: Feather Bound or Stolen Songbird

  10. Ashfa

    This is so disappointing. 🙁 I’ve read a few Strange Chemistry books and loved it.
    I’d like The Assassin’s Curse or
    Winner’s choice of any book from Strange Chemistry.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

  11. I was also sad to here this. While I personally have not read any of these titles yet, I was certainly looking forward to the unique stories they had brought to publication.
    If by some chance I win this, I would like the winner’s choice or The Assassin’s Curse.

  12. Erin S

    I loved Strange Chemistry. So sad to hear they closed!

    Rachel Neumeier, Black Dog
    Skulk by Rosie Best (winner’s choice)

  13. Breana M.

    I never really got the chance to check out Strange Chemistry’s books, the news is so sad.
    Cassandra Rose Clarke The Assassin’s Curse

  14. I’d love to enter for Emilie & The Hollow World. Strange Chemistry was one of the few YA imprints that I always knew was good, and I’m sad to see it go. 🙁

  15. silver

    I’m so sad Strange Chemistry is closing!
    Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon has been on my to-read list for a while now. I’d love to read it.

  16. …..the sad fact that ‘Strange Chemistry’ and ‘Exhibit A’ has closed is something that is so unfair, yet…..life goes on…..
    …..my choice would be – Cassandra Rose Clarke, ‘The Assassin’s Curse’ if I do win…..

  17. Eileen Lee

    Would The Wizard’s Promise by Cassandra Rose Clarke be in the list? I really loved her Assassin’s Curse duology so I’d love to try her new book!! Thanks for the giveaway! Such sad news ><

    • From my notes: Grace won Emilie & the Hollow World; majoline won Poltergeeks; ameliazane won The Assassin’s Curse; Erin won Black Dog and Jessica won the winner’s choice (and chose Gwenda Bond’s Blackwood). All of them have been emailed and all of them responded already, so the books have been ordered and are on their way!