Schultz???? and other things

[trang]

Thanks for the feedback, and sorry I missed your post about FR getting canceled, Sad but understand. Really wish there was a another outlet that was profitable for your books. FR canceled added to Demontech (still miss that series) just leaves a reader/fan a wanting.

I understand business and publishing for the most part, but sometimes they just make bonehead decisions. You have a series that has been successful over time. In this day and age, that is a rare thing, there inst a dozen authors I can think of that have that long of a success run. Mediocrity has taken over the literary realm, and its disenchanting to say the lease. I consider your works excellent quality and entertaining.

You are writing in a genre that is hot across the board (all forms of media, games, books etc), and why the sales don't climb is a mystery. I know its hard to bite the hand that feed you, and its a hard question but are they marketing the books properly? Have you ever talked to TOR books? they publish a lot of MIlitary Sci-fi (Weber, Moon, etc), would that be more fruitful pastures? Just a thought since you mentioned that DJ was the end of this contract.

I know Eric and his movie idea would be a HUGE boost to the StarFist Universe, or a game based on the story. Even TV show, they could get at least two to three seasons out of what you have published now, and with the climactic war with the skinks coming it would be a excellent series.

I guess can hold my breath and hope. I wish you continued success with StarFist.


Thanks for the insight VMKeith, I remember most of what I have read from days gone by and remember the parts you mention where Shultz wasn't himself. Double Jeopardy it just happened so fast and he was out of the picture. I know this can happen in battle, just felt so abrupt. I guess that was the effect David and Dan were going for and it worked, at least on me!!!

As for the petition, Yea its a winding road to a dead end, especially the online kind. I guess if we all had the money to travel and camp out at DEL REY's headquarters it might work, or a letter writing campaign. If someone created a letter specifically but eloquently stating the fact that we are Huge fans and and follow the series with deep anticipation, that might have an effect. How many letters would it take? I don't know, how many fans are here on the forums? how many fans are out there?

David, since you cant do the trifecta idea, would the next book split between the two, Force Recon and 34th fist be two much for one volume? I guess a dual storyline for that volume? expanded a bit in size? say additional 100 pages? I know thats a lot and 350 pages seems to be the sweet spot for books these days. Just random thoughts.

Again I appreciate all the replies, enjoyed DJ, and look forward to more!!

Be well all,
Trang

[DavidS]

Trang, Thank you.

A generation ago, publishers gave a series or author at least six books to build an audience. Today, no more than three, and I've seen authors/series dropped after two books. It's just like on TV. When I was young, a new show would go an entire season before being dropped for lack of an audience. Then it changed to half a season. These days, a new show can be dropped in its first month of broadcast. There are too many MBAs running things. B-school teaches all about the bottom line, and graduates seem to come out with the understanding that their first objective is to quickly increase share value for their investors. There is a terrible lack of patience, it's gotta be get-rich-quick. At least that's how it feels.