[RimWorlder]

Another thread mentioned Turtledove.

I've enjoyed most (if not all) of the alternate history books. If you want to be critical, there's plenty to criticize, but more often than not I read to enjoy myself rather than critique and in that mode I can successfully let a lot go by.

Anyway.

I've often wondered, however, whether or not Turtledove is actually a 'house' name for his primary publisher. As in, outlining, overseeing etc, while other, unnamed authors, do the actual work.

I ask this for a couple of reasons: first, the 'voice' is not consistent from one novel to the next. Secondly - sheer volume. There have been a couple of years where the new Turtledove offerings have been numerous and I think just typing that many words in that time-span would be a challenge to someone with 120 wpm capabilities, let alone writing.

I've also been wondering the same thing about Alan Dean Foster of late...

Anyone care to comment?

[suciul]

I've often wondered, however, whether or not Turtledove is actually a 'house' name for his primary publisher. As in, outlining, overseeing etc, while other, unnamed authors, do the actual work.



I do not think so for various reasons; for once Dr. Turtledove is published by many houses (in 07 he has books from Baen, Del Rey and Tor) and for another these things are usually found out these days (as various lawsuits involving various acknowledged or not "collaborations" attest).

As for output, it depends. On Baen's bar, D. Weber, E. Flint and J. Ringo talk occasionally about their output and if in good health and without outside distractions they put out quite a lot of words. They tend to do lots of collaborations too, but they talk rather openly about who did what, and after all this is how Mr. Ringo and Flint got to be leading authors for Baen, by getting well known in popular collaborations.

Personally as long as a collaboration is acknowledged, I think it's a great tool to get more books from your favorite authors.