[azaz]

American publishes prefer fanatsy stories which have a happy theme and a happy ending, (J V Jones, The Book of Words, would have had more tragedy, but the editors wanted it to be more happy, saying American readers don't prefer the dark, tragic type of story.)
Here's a quote from the editor "Ms.Jones was suffering from what I privately call "British disease" - the tendency for many British authors to write with a dark, depressing slant. American audiences want uplifting, happy endings."

Also most Authors born in USA, tend to make stories with happy endings, whereas most british authors create stories with tragic, sadness etc endings.

What do you think about it. Is it just the Authors, Editors or the Fans of the country for the reason behind it.

[Rob B]

Hmm.. this is an interesting topic. Being American, I have been mostly exposed to American authors.

That said, there are some UK Authors I have seen good reviews about on places like SFSite.com that I hope to become available here soon like Paul Kearney, James Barclay and Tom Arden. Also hoping that Erikson's books are more widely avaialabe. I've seen them on amazon.com & bn.com, but not in an actual bookstore.

I think it is a mixture of all the elements.

[Bardos]

[I'm no expert here; I have never traveled to the USA, or UK, so please don't take offence, if I say something weird, ok? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif]

Well, I think the climate plays an important role. In Britain it's more sad --rains, dark weather, etc--, so the writing must be sad and dark also. It's how the weather affects writers, and readers.
In the USA, it's the opposite.

In Greece, to tell the truth, I think we like happy endings...

[FitzChivalry]

I'm not sure that that editor was right, i don't think there is much difference between the fantasy bestsellers list in american and the UK, harry potter, wheel of time, sword of truth, lord of the rings. pretty much the same things.

[Rob B]

One guy who is HUGE in the UK but to a lesser extent in the US is Pratchett.

I also get the feel the in the UK, Fantasy is more respected.

[bing]

Hmm, I don't know about the whole happy vs sad endings.. I will say that it seems American fantasy authors tend to write with more color then British fantasy authors.

The problem with tragic endings, is that often it's really really hard to write a sequel.

[Cadfael]

I have never noticed the difference!! In fact, I don't think it really matters. I don't care if a book has a UK, US, French, Russian... what ever, or a sad or a happy ending, it is how we arrive at the ending that really is important.

I live in the UK, and my favorite author in any genre is Stephen King. I find I can still relate to his 'imagery', even though all of his books are based in the US. I have also found a lot of people in the US can relate to our Clive Barker, and his books are very UK based, apart from the odd one, or two. JVJ, again... I was very surprised she came from a town not 20 miles away from where I live, I honestly thought she was American, until I took the trouble to read the back sleeve.

Wet, dark, windy... yes! I have to agree with that... sad... NO!. I have not taken offence here, just need to clarify that.

As regard JVJ having to 'sunny' up her books, she was, and maybe still is, a new talent... in order to get her work published, she needed to comform. Just like Stephen King did with The Stand, he was told it was too long, so he shortened it... now he has clout, and he dictates how his books are ultimatly published, just as he did when HE decided to publish the unabridged version of The Stand, with the very same publishing house. For what it is worth, UK publishing houses very rarely interfere with the content of an authors work. Thus t could be argued, when you read a UK edition, by a UK author... you are reading the work the author intended you to read, with no US commercial influence. (sorry to my American friends).

Indeed, it is this infuence that was very nearly the death of Sci/Fi. Because, the publishers realised, more money could be made from TV/Movie spin-off material, and sci-fi sections of book shops became inundated with Star Trek, X-Files, Star Wars and other such stuff. There was very little time given by most publishers to classic science fiction, the thing that really annoys me about this is these books are not bought by sci-fi fans, a reader could by every peice of Star Trek literature out there, but he is a Star Trek fan, not a sci-fi fan, but because these books are part of the sci-fi genre, it gives the mistaken impression that sci-fi is still doing well, authors of true classic... original... sci-fi do not reap the benefit though. As the fantasy genre, for the first time, moves seriosly into movie theatres, I hope this is not the start of merchandised fantasy... and other people (with other motives)decide what is worthy of publishing.

I have just realised, I am ranting... sorry for going of the topic.

[Rupert Avery]

Wheres Martain from?
My guess would be Britain going by what has been posted above.I love his books but they can get a bit heavy and dark at times.

[Cannon Fodder]

I find in general (I must stress only in general), British stuff, be it, books, TV, movies etc. tends to have a darker edge than stuff from the US.

[Hans]

I goota agree with dennizm, US Publishers have begun to interfere too much in the authors book, especially new ones. sometimes though it can benefit the author, but i would prefer to read what the authors really wrote. And its true British Publishers interfere very little in authors books.