[MDP]

Hi SFF worlders,

thought I'd start a thread on my new series which is previewed here by Orbit:

http://www.orbitbooks.co.uk/orbit/news.asp?TAG=BLSHZX5X79X87X1X8ILPMG&CID=orbit

On that note: I've asked you what you think makes 'good' SO. Now tell me please, what are the things that you dislike most in Space Opera? What things leave you feeling let down?

Fire away.

MDP

[Phedre]

That link doesn't give information about Gods'Way anymore, couldn't finf it anyway.

Space Opera: Space opera is a subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes romantic adventure, interstellar travel, and space battles where the main storyline is centred around interstellar conflict and character drama.

I'm not very familiar with SO, so I don't know if I can answer this question. What I do very dislike in SF/SO-whatever is the story getting to far from the characters. I just don't feel involved, when there are planets, places and actions, but no people (or 'beings'). I just don't like 'flat' characters. But then again: who does?

[MDP]

Hi Phedre,

I'm with you on that. Good characters make me read. If there is also a sense of wunda, and a great plot, then I'm happy.

MDP

That link might have expired by now. It was in the Orbit news section.
Anyone looking for a preview can find a sample on website.

www.mariannedepierres.com

[MDP]

Hi all,

just popping in to say that my new novel Dark Space will available in May, and that I have been a trifle distracted with moving house etc. But I'm back!



best
Marianne

[MDP]

The cover for 'Dark Space' is now up at Amazon UK. The book will be launched in Melbourne in June and possibly Brisbane as well.

best

MDP

[Hobbit]

Let's help out here. Here's the cover:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1841494283.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V46902369_.jpg

Interesting and possibly not what I was expecting, though it definitely has a touch of the Iain Banks about it.

Hobbit

[MDP]

I'm curious to know what you were expecting Hobbit?

[Hobbit]

I guess I was expecting more like:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0451460375.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg but in space suits, rather like:

http://sr.thebestreviews.com/images/covers/0765315122.jpeg

or, being SF: something with more hardware:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1405000198.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_V60641580_.jpg

but the current trend (in the UK at least) is for more ambiguous covers:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1841491551.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

and

http://www.sfsite.com/gra/0609/ewblg.jpg as well as


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/Kathleenbolton/INK.jpg

I know you should never judge a book by its cover; and the cover for Dark Space does look striking enough and mysterious enough to encourage people to read the book - which is what we want!

Hobbit

[MDP]

Hi Mark,

Yes, I think ambiguous is good because space ships can cancel out a large slice of the market in a blink. Also, 'Dark Space' is not a shoot 'em up in space, its a sociological, political, theological drama - in space.

At the same time its pretty pacy - because I have trouble writing any other way. :)

Orbit are very smart with their covers. They usually get it right. I think the design company that did my new one did Banks' retro covers. They are called Blacksheep.

MDP

[Hobbit]

I've heard of BlackSheep, definitely; when I've had a think, I'll manage to come up with some of their covers. ;)

I can see one difficulty with Dark Space being how you would portray God on a book cover... even if you wanted.

Did you have much input into the cover?

(I know that often an author will say: No. :) )

Mark / Hobbit