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I didn’t see a single Klingon. .... Nope, no fancy dress at all,
Not even many beards …….just a lot of nice people milling around talking about books.
I did meet the man though, …. and apologise to SE for gushing slightly…. Heheh – give me a break…it’s understandable……
I’d like to express my thanks at this point to Patch for ‘greasing the wheels’ so to speak. He managed to bribe/coerce/blackmail/torture/terrorise (delete as applicable) SE into inviting me to introduce myself. Not sure that I would have had the nerve otherwise.
Steven Erikson is very approachable and took the time and trouble to introduce all sorts of people with whom he interacts, including other authors, and his publishers. Observing some of the activity that surrounds authors when they have the opportunity to be together in one place, along with publishers, editors, agents, and also fans, was very interesting. It’s busy, there are interviews to give, panels to occupy, signings for fans and for cover sheets for forthcoming books – and I admit to watching in awe as he worked his way diligently through a huge pile of those.
So bearing this in mind I didn’t pile in with questions that either will or not be answered in the books at some time in the future. He did explain that not all story arcs will be followed up, only those relevant to the point at which he intends to finish the series. Some however will be dealt with by ICE
We did talk briefly about some of the aspects of the books…. including the dreaded GoTMisms….about female characters and the way they are written (which I personally like) … and themes… motherhood, brothers etc.
Steve was complimentary about the forum, said he enjoys the views fans have of certain characters as it helps him to understand what works and why. He has promised to write to the site on his return from England and prior to Christmas.
At 2pm Steve gave an interview to Ariel (Alien Online?) in which all of his novellas, and that of ICE’s were discussed.
The books were Fishing with Grandma Matchee and The Devil Delivered, followed by When She’s Gone and a brief discussion on the necromancers of Healthy Dead and Blood Follows. The interview will be on their site at some point and I’ll endeavour to post a link for those who wish to read the full monty.
On a strange aside - for those who have dealt with the excellent PS Publishing - Peter Crowther looks a bit like Sean Connery – lol
The interview turned towards the Malazan Book of the Fallen and here are a few items of interest..
The Bonehunters is coming out at over 1,000 pages which makes it larger than Memories of Ice and is the biggest book Transworld Bantam have published.
For those who are worried about possible quality/content decline, as with other authors… shame on you! Seriously, you don't have anything to worry about ……
.Steve did say he has been very busy adding/editing, much to his publishers dismay/delight – who has watched the page count rise.
Here’s one for those with timeline issues… he told me the date in the Prologue was an error….
To continue, the story arc for the next four books will be outside of the Malazan Empire.
There are some new maps and details in Bonehunters too.
At this point I wanted to ask about Assail… sorry guys… couldn’t do it. It’s more fun not knowing……. isn’t it? :Erm:
Steven has written 7 chapters of Reapers Gale so far.
ICE’s next book will be The Return of the Crimson Guard.
It will be longer than NoK too .. a good piece of news for those who’ve enjoyed his first book.
Bantam Transworld expressed an interest in publishing NoK in paperback format…. But of course that’s not to say it will happen.
Bantam also have a revised cover jacket for The Bonehunters and I’m hoping to get it posted to the site. Enquired as to the differences and was told it had been “tweaked” to bring it in line with the others already published.
So, a brief outline. Thanks to Steven Erikson for his time and patience, and to the very kind Simon Taylor of Transworld/Bantam who made me feel welcome throughout the afternoon.
