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/ne...LPMG&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
That link doesn't give information about Gods'Way anymore, couldn't finf it anyway.
Space Opera: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?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.
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
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
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
Let's help out here. Here's the cover:
Interesting and possibly not what I was expecting, though it definitely has a touch of the Iain Banks about it.
Hobbit
Mark
I'm curious to know what you were expecting Hobbit?
I guess I was expecting more like:
but in space suits, rather like:
or, being SF: something with more hardware:
but the current trend (in the UK at least) is for more ambiguous covers:
and
as well as
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
Mark
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
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
Mark
Some. Usually Orbit/the design company will come up with the initial concept.
Then I get to have my input. For instance the female face: intially there was no 'web' over it and Darren and I agreed that she needed to look more mysterious.
Hi All,
For anyone that might be interested I am just about to deliver Book 2 of the Sentients of Orion series to Orbit. It will be on the shelves late next year.
I'm hoping to have a few weeks break and catch up on all the SFF World news.
best
MDP
Congrats, Marianne. Welcome back to the SFFWorld!
Hobbit
Mark
Thanks Hobbit.
What's been happening?
MDP
I received Book 2 from the series - Chaos Space - yesterday, bought from BookDepository and I read about 50 pages so far and it's excellent - I have 4 *must* books that I am juggling reading for now, this one, Judging Eye - Bakker, Dragonfly Falling - Tchaikovsky, Riddler's Gift - Hamerton
I expect to finish it within several days and post more impressions.
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