While Simon Clark has been writing and publishing for some 20 years, only in the last few has his popularity – and collectibility – really taken off. No doubt this is linked to the publication of eight novels since 1995 (the first four with incredibly cool DJ art!). Why the intense interest and rapidly escalating prices? The answer is simple: a combination great storytelling and low first print runs (typically no more than 2000 copies).
Here are his novels, collections, and chapbooks, with ballpark values for fine, unsigned copies in order of decreasing scarcity (my humble opinion, as a US-based bookseller and hard-core Clark collector): Darker or Blood Crazy ($125-175), Annabelle Says ($40), King Blood or Vampyrrhic ($100), Blood & Grit ($50-70), Nailed By The Heart ($70-90), Derelict Of Death ($15), and then everything else. UK paper is known for being cheap and for yellowing quickly, so the whiter the better. Also, some of the earlier books (and perhaps more recently ones, I don't know) were issued both with the Sterling price on the DJ and as "export copies", meaning they didn't have a price. People don't seem to care if the price is there or not (I prefer to have it), just as long as that corner of the DJ is not clipped.
As for prices, as I write this piece there's an unsigned first edition of Blood Crazy on abebooks at $250, and a signed first edition of Darker for $350. A bit overpriced? Probably. But given the rarity of these books, they could be worth $300 or more within the next few years; Darker has already gone for $200 on ebay more than once. You may be shocked that I listed Annabelle Says as second scarcest; well, just try and find a copy – I don't know where to look for this signed, limited out-of-print item! This book just doesn't surface often, and I think it has the potential to be another Dan Simmons's Banished Dreams limited chapbook (the latter is currently worth at least $125). The red leather PC (Publisher's Copy) of Salt Snake is prized as there were around 10 made; valued perhaps at $200-250 now, probably much more with time. All modesty aside, I'm also hoping that the lettered edition of A Working Bibliography & A Trip Out For Mr Harrison will also be a sought-after collectible at some point.
Proofs and manuscripts on the market are virtually unheard of and are therefore difficult to price. There were only a few (as few as two) unbound proofs done for each of his novels, with the exception of Darkness Demands (probably several dozen were produced). Signed/limited anthologies may also be valuable in the future depending on just how popular Clark becomes.
If you want some of the tougher-to-find items, you may as well spend the money and buy them now. Night of the Triffids, due out this June (again, slated only for a UK release), will, with any luck bring further attention to Clark's work, as it's not only a sequel to a classic novel but also may attract a new population of readers – fans of science fiction. The publication of his first two novels in mass market paperback in the US, and plans for additional such paperbacks, should also increase his readership. Best of luck in your hunt for Clark first editions and enjoy the read (just don't crack the spine!).
Paul Miller is a part-time bookseller and the owner/publisher behind Earthling Publications, their first book being Simon Clark: A Working Bibliography & A Trip Out For Mr Harrison (earthlingpub@yahoo.com). He's hard at work on book number two, by another talented UK writer (man, what's with these Brits!?). When he's not enjoying books, his family, and life in general, he's a full-time medical writer for a pharmaceutical company.