[Killer Chicken]

If you don't know it, it is www.stormwolf.com You all know that I love reading Michael Stackpole's work, but when I read somethings that he writes on his website, he seems kind of uppity to me. Especially when you read Battletech: The Return and Battletech: The Return II. Although he does apologize at the beginning for being a bit blunt, but still, he is very blunt indeed at times. I don't know, I'm a naive country boy, but still, I don't think he needs to express his opinion quite that bluntly. I've never read battletech books, but still, so I was only vaguely familiar on what he was talking about. Can you check this out for me and tell me what you think? Maybe I just read too into things or such. I don't know. Tell me what you think:)

[Shef]

Ahh a fellow Stackpole fan. I have read all the essays and stories on his website. Yeah he does sound a bit stuck up and rude. But, you have to think about it for a minute. Various rumors and e-mails probably annoy him tremendously. So even though he could have been more tactful. I can not really blam him.

Shef

Stackpole is my favorite author! (but of course everyone new that already)

[Keyoke]

I am wondering on what articiles you two have looked at? I am at his site right now, and I found his letter of appeal for folks to buy his books.

That, in itself, I did not find offensive. I think it made alot of sense. I think it puts stuff in perspective. Though, I already have most of his novels, wait, I think I have them all, and haven't read one of them. Weird. :)

I have read his Battletech stuff, earlier stuff, and loved it. Perhaps I should read one of his novels. One day. ;)

Keyoke

[Killer Chicken]

Yes Shef! Another Stackpole fan! Woohoo! Yea, I'm going to forgive him his rudeness, because I really like him and he didn't insult me. So, who cares, anyway? Yeah, I never thought about the emails that he must get, I tried to email him once, but I couldn't find his address. I looked around for awhile and then I noticed that he said that he doesn't like fan emails. Oh well.

[Rob B]

I read Talion a month or so ago and really enjoyed it. A very good stand-alone novel. I've also got his SW: NJO stuff on the pile.

I wanted to e-mail him after reading Talion but was suprised he didn't have his e-mail posted. Considering he is one of the more/most prolific Star Wars writers, he probably would get an inordinate amount of e-mail.

Killer Chicken, what did you feel was rude?

[Shef]

Keyoke and FF. The articles that Killer Chicken were talking about are down at the bottom of the homepage under essays. They say Battle Tech: the return and Battletech the Return II. Oh above the essay questions he has a couple of good short stories including one based on Talion: Revenant's protagonist, Nolan. There is also a really good serial novellete and such. I hope you enjoy!! :D

BTW click on the e-mail moratarium in the middle of the page to have his reasons as to why he does not except e-mails. ;)

Shef

[Gary Wassner]

I went to the website also to see what you guys are talking about. I actually found it really sad that a successful author has to appeal to his devoted readers to buy his books! I did not find it arrogant, but i did find it extremely depressing! The publishing world is very hard on the authors that feed it, and Stackpole feeds it and feeds it, but it never gets full and it never appreciates what he is serving. It only cares that what it ingests turns into fat and not excrement! He is in a difficult position and he is being forced to appeal to his readership if they want to continue to see his books in print. Authors need numbers today, and sometimes those numbers seem so unreasonable. I am afraid that we are losing so much talent to the 'business' that we will come to regret it. I am so thankful that I can dream and write what I want without suffering from the same fears and concerns that he suffers from. If I wrote for a living and I had to conform to the market, I would not be able to enjoy the process as much as I do.
He is not being arrogant, I don't believe, just practical.

[Killer Chicken]

Okay, here are some examples of what he says that are probably well meant and well deserved, but still, I think there could have been a nicer way to say them...



Don't write me telling me your ideas of how the universe could be done better. First off, if you approach things logically and build on what's been laid out in the novels, your ideas for what should happen in the future are likely my ideas, since I'm the one who has been layering in the foreshadowing and hints upon which you'll build your future. Second, I do this for a living. If everyone could do what I do, I'd be selling bacon-cheeseburger heart attacks at some fast food joint. It's not that your ideas won't be good, its that they won't be good enough to make the universe sing and scream. Third, and very important, you don't know enough of the other things going on to be able to provide suggestions that will work to shape the universe into what we need it to be. Lastly, you're not paying me, so I can't listen to your input anyway.

Actually, I have searched through his website again, and I think I have been a little to harsh. This quote was kind of egotistic, but I could see myself making the same comments as he has made. The first time I read through this I thought that he made some arrogant comments, but maybe they weren't as bad as I thought. Sorry Mike! :D

[Shef]

That is what I thought you were talking about KC, and after some thinking, I guess I should apologize as well. I didn't mean to bash him, but only to say he could have been more tactful. So I am very sorry about that, and I truly do enjoy and appreciate his work greatly.

Sorry,
Shef

[Carmichael]

According to Amazon, the next DragonCrown War Cycle novel When Dragons Rage comes out November 26. And tho it ain't fantasy, his first book in the NEW Battletech Mechwarrior:Dark Age comes out in December.

I can't wait!