"Personal" question(s) to John Jarrold

[John Jarrold]

Does this maybe have to do with the fact that people read less? (Not sure whether that's true, but I've been told it is, anyway).

Publishing has become far more corporatised over the last twenty years, and because of the sales and marketing power, as I've mentioned, editors are pushed into buying authors to launch as big sellers, rather than nurturing authors who may need four or five books to really hit their stride. So although Fantasy and SF is healthy, some authors now go to the smaller presses, rather than the mainstream lists, if the latter's sales and marketing people don't believe they can sell those authors in bulk to the book chains. I'm not seeing a fall-off in reading, in general...

 

[dustinzgirl]

Publishing has become far more corporatised over the last twenty years, and because of the sales and marketing power, as I've mentioned, editors are pushed into buying authors to launch as big sellers, rather than nurturing authors who may need four or five books to really hit their stride. So although Fantasy and SF is healthy, some authors now go to the smaller presses, rather than the mainstream lists, if the latter's sales and marketing people don't believe they can sell those authors in bulk to the book chains. I'm not seeing a fall-off in reading, in general...

Viva la

....


capitalism?


Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Just a thought - you may find more of the colourful characters you like being published in the US. About 80% of US SF and Fantasy isn't published over here. The size of their market allows for a wider range, which can sell sufficent copies over there to make commercial sense, whereas the market for those areas of the genre in the UK just ain't big enough to be commercially viable to the major publishers. Should be easy enough to get these days, via the net and specialist shops.

This is very interesting - are the publishers focused more on a specific national market, rather than the ability to market worldwide via the internet?

Also, is any significant publisher setting up print & distribution centres in India yet, in order to offer cheaper books on the international market?

 

[John Jarrold]

A bit of both, Brian. Orbit have now set up in New York and Australia. It'll be interesting to watch just how much country-specific material they publish, and how much they sell into all their markets. Although the internet will enable international sales, they still need to consider whether bookshops in the UK will take some books that are published in New York or Oz - whether the UK market is strong enough in all areas of the genre for WHS head office, for example, to take copies. I have my own thoughts, there.

And India will also bear watching. Ireland is perceived as a specific growth area at the moment, by publishers.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Erin99]

As I've said elsewhere, I'm a great fan of Joe Abercrombie's recent fantasy novels, and I also liked Alan Campbell's SCAR NIGHT a great deal. I think everyone knows that George R R Martin is my overall favourite of recent fantasy novelists. I just wish he'd finish books more regularly!

You touched upon something I've wondered. When an author is taken on and accepts to write a series, doesn't the author's publisher set a deadline to complete the full set of novels? It's strange that some authors finish their tales reasonably quickly, whereas others (like Rowling and Martin) seem to take longer and longer to write each book. Do publishers allow successful authors to finish their stories in their own time, seeing as the tales are often complex? Or does someone give them a gentle kick up the backside every now and then?

 

[John Jarrold]

There is a delivery date on all multi-book contracts - often a book every twelve months. But yes, if you have a successful ongoing series the author will be given latitude on that front. The authors of less-successful series are sometimes asked for the advance back, or have their contracts cancelled if they don't deliver after a certain amount of time following the delivery date. And in some cases, a delay can actually add to sales. I've seen it happen. But that isn't done purposely, it's just an author delivering late...as a publisher, you have targets to hit for each month, which are calculated around the September of 2007, for instance, for every month in 2008, based on the books you are due to publish in that month and projected sales. So losing a big name from a month can leave you well under target, which is not smiled upon by those on high.

 

[Erin99]

Thank you! I've wondered about that for quite a while.

I suppose the popular authors need longer contracts because they will have to visit a fair number of book signings, conventions and the like, too, which must delay their writing, to some extent.

 

[John Jarrold]

It depends on the author - like you and me, they are all individuals and work differently from each other!

Some I published, like David Gemmell and Jon Courtenay Grimwood, ALWAYS delivered on time, on the dot. Others (who I won't name) tended to be a little late, and one asked for two six-month extensions!

 

[Havlen]

If I recall correctly, Douglas Adams was known for taking his time. Believe I read something about that in the preface to Salmon of Doubt.

 

[John Jarrold]

I know two of the senior editors who stayed with him in his hotel suite and wouldn't let him leave until he finished...

 

[Havlen]

Almost a real life version of Stranger than Fiction. I hope Arthur Dent didn't come to see him!

(I love that movie. Dustin Hoffman's performance was perfect.)

 

[John Jarrold]

I met Douglas a couple of times and we discussed writing. He din't actually LIKE writing novels at all. He was much more interested in ideas...

 

[Erin99]

Now that sounds weird! I can't picture a writer who doesn't enjoy writing. For me personally, ideas and writing go hand-in-hand. You have the ideas, then you can't wait to put them down!





--------------------------------------------

That aside, have you heard the news about Terry Pratchett? The world of fantasy writing is suffering lately.

He published this yesterday (second message down):

Discworld News © PJSM Prints

It's wonderful that he's being so positive, though. I hope he's okay.

 

[Troo]

Oh, believe me, I know a guy who's fantastic at coming up with ideas, but is utterly shocking at doing anything with them. The git.

 

[The Alamo Avenger]

Now that sounds weird! I can't picture a writer who doesn't enjoy writing. For me personally, ideas and writing go hand-in-hand. You have the ideas, then you can't wait to put them down!

Agreed. Only when you sit down and begin to write the ideas out do they blossom into a beautiful flower where once there was only a seed. Anyone can toss around ideas and 'pipedream' all day long, but fleshing out, executing, and making those ideas a reality (at least real in the sense that you're creating a believable world/universe with it's own rules and regulations) is where the real 'work' comes into play.

Having said that, it's the actual process of writing that I enjoy, because that is also when the real creativity begins.

 

[Havlen]

I dunno, I'd much rather just sit around and have ideas. But it doesn't pay as well 8(

 

[John Jarrold]

Again: Every author is an individual!!!

 

[John Jarrold]

That aside, have you heard the news about Terry Pratchett? The world of fantasy writing is suffering lately.

He published this yesterday (second message down):

Discworld News © PJSM Prints

It's wonderful that he's being so positive, though. I hope he's okay.

I've known Terry for many years, and all one can do is send best wishes and hope for better news...

 

[Robert M. Blevins]

On a side note, we're publishing our interview with John in issue two of EV.

Thanks, John!