"Personal" question(s) to John Jarrold

Wow ... 24 hours ....

Mind you, I'm hoping to indulge in some 24 hour drinking myself next week. I'm off to South Africa, for a friend's wedding, and as far as I can remember, the bars out there seem to operate in the same way ...

In other words, they only close when they're empty!
 
If you find Neil's story collection SMOKE AND MIRRORS, look at the piece he wrote about the story A PINT OF OLD SHOGGOTH'S and you'll see a potted version of our time In The Bar...
 
Ah! I knew this was starting to sound familiar!

Wasn't that the story with the Pete and Dud characters?
 
Exactly. Part of the time in the bar, Neil and I were doing an improv 'Pete and Dud meet Cthulhu' routine...
 
Ha! Interesting idea ...

I really enjoyed that story. As a bit of a Peter Cook fanatic, I was made up to find Pete and Dud suddenly popping up in the middle of Smoke and Mirrors.

Bloody Betty Grable ...
 
Speaking of pubs and drinking, I thought I should pop in and let you all know that I'm arranging the first-ever Chrons get-together. :) After a vote, the people here decided to hold it in my city, Carlisle. Yay!

Anyway, I noticed some usernames here that don't show up in the Lounge, so I know you guys will probably have missed the thread (and I'm looking at you, Peter Graham, since you live in Cumbria, too, and I haven't seen you around for a while :p).

It's not a formal meet up - just a group of friends/acquaintances having a few drinks and chatting. But I thought it only fair that I let everyone know in advance. 28 people put their names down as possible attendees in the old thread we had about the meet, so it'll be nice if we can get that number attending, or larger. I've already booked a function room in my local members only club, and I’m just waiting for people here to sign up when they can definitely come.

Here's the new thread we have on the meet up, with some useful info: http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/45431-uk-chrons-meetup-the-new-thread.html

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

I hope you don’t mind me writing this in here, John! You're invited too, of course.

Whilst I'm here, I'll just say that anyone wanting to get their novel assessed should definitely consider John. His advice has helped me tremendously! Every writer could benefit from his help.

And BTW, the other month I read The Red Wolf Conspiracy - wow! That's all I have to say. Robert Redick's book blew me away and there wasn't a single chapter or character I disliked! I can't wait for the second novel. His work is inspiring. :)
 
Cheers Leisha! Have fun in September - it's unlikely I'll be able to make it, but I'll let you know. And I'm glad youi enjoyed Robert's book - me too!!!
 
As I said, it's unlikely I can make it, but there again it's far too long since I spent any time in the Lake District, so maybe I can combine the two!
 
Did an interview with Iain Banks on-stage for the Lincoln Book Festival last night, which went very well. Iain's a natural entertainer, and a very interesting speaker. I'll be seeing him again at Newcon 4 in October (Newcon 4 - SF Convention in Northampton.), where Ken MacLeod, Paul Cornell and Storm Constantine are also guests.
 
Hi, John. This is a silly question concerning psuedonyms, but you might actually know the answer. When authors choose thier pen-name, do they take into account where thier book will sit on the shelves? I am thinking choosing a last name that starts with 'B' would be wise as it is nearly always eye level. Is this just a silly thought, or one you think valid?
 
I've heard fantasy authors say they might choose a pseudonym starting with 'J' to be near Robert Jordan on the shelf! But 99 times out of 100 I'd say go with your own name. Publishers certainly don't consider an author's surname when deciding whether or not to take them on.
 
I was thinking back and I can't recall ever publishing an author who used a pseudonym over the fifteen years I spent as an editor in London, other than 'Robert Jordan'. If your name was good enough for your parents, it seems to me that it should be good enough for you!
 
John Jarrold said:
I was thinking back and I can't recall ever publishing an author who used a pseudonym over the fifteen years I spent as an editor in London, other than 'Robert Jordan'. If your name was good enough for your parents, it seems to me that it should be good enough for you!
Click to expand...

Does "Harvey Raines" (one of your present clients) count as a pseudonym?

I suppose it depends what your real name is. I know two unrelated writers called Andrew Wilson - they even have the same middle name (James). Neither are published novelists, but one is a published short-fiction writer and editor.
 
Harvey partially counts as a pseudonym! But I haven't sold one of his novels yet! Novels matter to the general, book-buying public. Short fiction doesn't.
 
So what would happen if you had a really unpronounceable surname? I get called some very odd things by people who mispronounce mine...

Troo said:
Carlisle? Bugger!
Click to expand...
Sorry about the location, Troo! When we were initially planning the meet, I mentioned that I can't really travel far because of health reasons, and when I suggested they not include me into the meet up, they turned around and said that if I can't go to them, they would come to me. I still can't believe it! We have wonderful people here! :)

So... in return I'm doing all the organising.

Oh, and there's some people coming up from Devon and London and Staffordshire, so perhaps you could ask if anyone can offer you a lift. I know Mosaix has offered to pick people up along the western route he's travelling...



And John, no problem if you can't come! At the moment I'm just getting the word out to everyone and seeing who is free. But I know others who are spending some extra time up here in The Lakes, especially because it's so beautiful. I love going out and taking photos when I can: Photo Sharing by MyPhotoAlbum.com :: Leisha's Photos :)
 
So what would happen if you had a really unpronounceable surname? I get called some very odd things by people who mispronounce mine...
Click to expand...
Try 'Verhaeghe" (my name). I think it doesn't even matter is they can't pronounce it, as long as they manage to pronounce something. If the reaction is: "ver..." how do you say your name? You may consider change.
 
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