Slow River

WINNER OF THE LAMBDA LITERARY AND NEBULA AWARDS • Left for dead and with her identity destroyed, a woman must navigate a shadowy world of crime and deception to reinvent herself and confront her past.

“Slow River elevates the genre, joining a select few books that shine as beacons of excellence.”—The Seattle Times

This edition includes a new essay by the author: “Writing Slow River.”

She wakes in an alley to the splash of rain: naked, the foot-long gash in her back still bleeding, and her identity implant gone. Lore van de Oest, once the daughter of one of the world’s most powerful families, is now . . . nobody. And she has to hide.

Then out of the rain walks Spanner, predator and thief, who takes her in, cares for her wound, and teaches her how to reinvent herself again and again. No one can find Lore now: not the police, not her family, and not the kidnappers who left her in that alley to die. She has escaped . . . but the cost of her newfound freedom is crime and deception, and she pays it, over and over, until she starts to loathe who she’s becoming.

Lore has a choice: She can stay in the shadows, stay with Spanner, and risk losing herself forever. Or she can find herself again—but only by becoming someone else, one last time.

“[A] voyage down the secret streams inside us all.”—The Washington Post

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs