R.I.P. D.B.!!!!!
D B Shan is dead — long live Darren Shan!!!!
When I started to re-release my adult novels last year in the UK, I decided to release them under the name of D B Shan, since I wanted to make it clear that they were not for younger readers. At the time, my publishers, HarperCollins, argued strongly to keep the Darren Shan name. They made some very persuasive arguments, but I stuck to my guns and thus my first two adult books came out under the D B Shan moniker. Last month, my American publishers, LittleBrown, asked if I would consider using the name of Darren Shan for when Procession of the Dead is released next year. At first I was going to reject the proposal out of hand — but then I realised that there were putting forth the exact same arguments that HarperCollins had!!! Now, when one person contradicts you and lists their reasons why, you can choose to ignore their advice and forge ahead as you are. But when another person contradicts you, independently of the first party, and makes the exact same argument… well, that’s usually time to pause and re-assess the situation.
Basically, to cut a long story short, I’ve decided to stop publishing my adult books under the name of D B Shan, and will instead be releasing all titles in future as Darren Shan. In the UK, the paperback of Hell’s Horizon will come out under the Darren Shan name in a few months, and Procession of the Dead will also be rebranded once it is reprinted. I’m not sure what publishers in other countries will do, but I suspect they will fall into line with the UK and USA, and that all titles from me in future will come out under the Darren Shan name. We will take great care to make clear on the adult books that they are intended for older readers. One of the advantages of having just one name is that I will now be able to have a single web site, and it will be easier for me to collate all the news and information about the books, so that fans can more easily keep abreast of all the Shan goings-on. I’ll be maintaining the D B Shan site for the next few months at least, but later this year or early in 2010 I’ll be merging it with my www.darrenshan.com site, and from then on that will be my one and only official web site, covering both my books for adults and children, and anything else that I might come up with in the years to come.
Phew!! It all sounds very complicated, doesn’t it?!? But it’s a complication of my own making — if I’d just listened to my publishers in the first place, we could have avoided the whole brouh-ha-ha!!!! Oh well, better that I see sense later rather than never!!
17. July 2009 at 11:11
What? no…oh no the books wont look good together now. Id have to buy the first two books again to have them look perfect on my shelfs.
But truly that is a bettert thing, stick to darren shan.
18. July 2009 at 19:53
I think that is good becuase then your readers who grew up while reading your children books can easily find and make a smooth transition into your adult books. Since I started The Saga when I was about 11, moved into The Demonta around 13 and am now interested in your adult books at 15, this works out well because (like Maria said) it can now all look neat and organized on my bookshelf under one author- I swear I have some form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder when it comes to my books and CDs. Anyways, I don’t think there will be too much of a problem making it clear to younger kids (and their parents) that it is an adult-oriented book because they will come out under the adult section in the library/ bookstore. If they pick them up anyways and are.. surprised.. it’s really their own fault then, but it’s probably a good idea to stick the warning on there just in case.
Although I see the appeal of the D.B. Shan (it sounds more formal and adult-ish) I think it’s better to stick with Darren Shan for familiarity’s sake; I think it will also help your sales to people who don’t keep up with your website, but are a fan of your books (i.e. those who had no clue that you published other books because they came out under a different name)
So, way to go, listen to your publishers! They have a few good ideas every now and then, eh?
XOXO Eileen
26. July 2009 at 11:35
i think you should stick with D.B shan it gives your books a more appealing look to it. also darren shan makes it seem like the books can be for children and using D.B shan makes it clear you are aiming these books at adults.
P.S your books are awesome, you are by far the greatest author around at the moment and it will still be the same from years to come. dont ever stop writing!!!
27. July 2009 at 10:58
i have just recently found the city trilogy, but have previously loved both the demonata and the saga. no disappointments with capac i’m happy to say, although i do agree with kyran in that d.b. shan looks more professional and helps to mark the series out for older readers.
if you’re changing the name because of the brand recogniotion factor, why don’t you just try putting out some adverts for the series and maybe putting ‘author of the demonata and saga of darren shan series’ or whatever on the cover…
just a thought.
other than that great job etc
jamie, 14
30. August 2009 at 10:27
I agree … Darren Shan Looks better
( although i only have read The Vampires and The Demons … anyway 
)
Goodluck Mr.Darren Shan (ex-D.B.
)
We are waiting for the 10th Book of Demons
25. September 2009 at 08:06
I am actually reading Procession of the Dead at the moment and I do think that it’s a bad idea for the name on your books to be “Darren Shan”, it’s obvious enough with D.B. Shan, but writing your name all over the book isn’t exactly going to stop children from reading how the Cardinal got blown under the desk by some hooker.
Even if you do put some kind of “16 and over” rating on it it’s just like putting an R18+ rating on a movie, it just makes children want to see it more.
I love everything you’ve written, but I’m sure some mothers won’t.
Sincerely,
Kira F.
26. January 2010 at 09:22
I just finished the Dutch translation of Procession of the Dead and I must say, I really loved it. I have almost all your books (also the Darren Shan and Demonata series) in my collection and if you continue your great writing, I will definitely continue buying your books. Maybe I’ll even try reading the English versions.
Nice story about your writers’ name btw, it made me smile :).
3. June 2010 at 13:31
I think that putting darren shan on your adult books is a good idea, it lets people like myself who are big fans since I was a kid make a transition into your adult books. But personally I also think it’ll look better on my bookshelf with all the books saying Darren Shan!