Johnny Murdoc

Crime writer George Pelecanos has a new book out this week, and he and publisher Reagan Arthur are doing something interesting with the release.

There are three editions of What it Was. A limited edition hardcover:

As well as a cheap trade paperback ($9.99) and an even cheaper e-book (.99 for the first month, $4.99 after that):

The hardcover is a beautiful piece of design:

Small publishers have been experimenting with this type of release, and with focusing on creating beautiful print editions that you would want to have on your shelves, and it’s nice to see a more mainstream author and publisher (Reagan Arthur is an imprint of Little, Brown and Company) try this model out.

I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet (I pre-ordered the ebook last month), but I’m definitely looking forward to it, and I have to admit that I’m tempted to spring for the hardcover edition.