Lonely Road Books
| Company type | Independent publishing house |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Brian James Freeman, Richard Chizmar |
| Headquarters | Forest Hill , United States |
| Products | Deluxe limited edition books, signed limited editions, lettered editions, gift editions, chapbooks |
| Website | www |
Lonely Road Books is an independent publishing house established in 2007 by business partners Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar, based in Forest Hill, Maryland. The company focuses on producing deluxe, signed limited edition volumes aimed at collectors and aficionados within specialized publishing circles. Among their distinguished publications are the anthology Dark Forces: The 25th Anniversary Special Edition edited by Kirby McCauley, alongside works by renowned writers such as Stephen King, Ray Garton (under the pseudonym Arthur Darknell), Douglas Clegg, Stewart O'Nan, and Mick Garris.
Edition types
Lonely Road Books issues their titles mainly in two exclusive formats—Limited Editions and Lettered Editions—while also offering Gift Editions and Chapbooks.
Limited editions
The "Limited Editions" are premium hardcover books, generally signed by the authors, editors, and contributing artists on a uniquely illustrated signature page. These editions boast luxury bindings crafted from materials like imported leather or Japanese silk, include exclusive frontispieces, and are presented in custom slipcases. Print quantities typically range between 200 and 500 copies.
Lettered editions
"Lettered Editions" provide comparable high-end attributes but utilize different fine binding materials, incorporate additional or alternative artwork, and are enclosed within custom deluxe traycases. These editions are more rarefied, with print runs limited to between 26 and 52 copies.
Collector's gift editions
The "Collector's Gift Editions" are deluxe hardcover books often bound in fine materials and housed in specialized slipcases; however, these are usually unsigned. To date, only Riding the Bullet: The Deluxe Special Edition Double by Stephen King and Mick Garris has been released in this format, restricted to 3,000 copies.
Chapbooks
Lonely Road Books' Chapbooks consist of illustrated short stories bound as paperback chapbooks, all featuring designs and illustrations by Keith Minnion. Noteworthy limited editions include The Most Interesting Prospect by Ray Garton (as Arthur Darknell), limited to 26 copies, and Monsters by Stewart O'Nan, with a limitation of 226 copies.
Releases
- Dark Forces: The 25th Anniversary Edition edited by Kirby McCauley (2007)
This edition includes original stories such as Stephen King's The Mist, complemented by signatures from the editor and artists, a new interview with McCauley, cover art by Bernie Wrightson, and over twenty-four new illustrations by Jill Bauman, Glenn Chadbourne, Alan M. Clark, Allen Koszowski, Alex McVey, Keith Minnion, Chad Savage, and Erik Wilson. Available formats:
- Limited Edition: 300 copies
- Lettered Edition: 26 copies
- The Arthur Darknell Double by Ray Garton (as Arthur Darknell) (2008)
An oversized hardcover presented in a flip book/tête-bêche format containing two novels—Loveless and Murder Was My Alibi—with artwork contributed by Vincent Chong, Keith Minnion, and Alex McVey. Offered editions:
- Limited Edition: 200 copies
- Lettered Edition: 26 copies (includes bonus chapbook The Most Interesting Prospect)
- Poe by Stewart O'Nan (2008)
Features a foreword by Roger Corman and a frontispiece by Jill Bauman. All copies come with the bonus chapbook Monsters. Available editions:
- Limited Edition: 200 copies
- Lettered Edition: 26 copies
- Riding the Bullet: The Deluxe Special Edition Double by Stephen King and Mick Garris (2010)
This oversized slipcased hardcover in tête-bêche format contains King's novella Riding the Bullet, Garris's original film script, along with artwork by Alan M. Clark and Bernie Wrightson. Editions offered:
- Collector's Gift Edition: 3,000 slipcased unsigned copies
- Limited Edition: 500 copies signed by Mick Garris and artist
- Lettered Edition: 52 copies signed by Stephen King
- Blockade Billy by Stephen King (2011)
Includes a signed baseball card from Stephen King, additional illustrations from Glen Orbik and Alex McVey, an illustrated signature sheet signed by both artists, and two-color printing throughout. Editions available:
- Limited Edition: 350 copies housed in a deluxe traycase with pullout ribbon
- Lettered Edition: 52 copies featuring original artwork, a bonus art portfolio, and a deluxe handmade box
- The Vampyricon Trilogy: The Definitive Special Edition by Douglas Clegg (forthcoming)
Compiles all three Vampyricon novels—The Priest of Blood, The Lady of Serpents, and The Queen of Wolves—revised with an additional 50-100 pages of exclusive deleted scenes and previously lost content. Includes color as well as black-and-white art created by Erin Wells. Editions offered:
- Limited Edition: 250 copies
- Lettered Edition: 26 copies