Tie-In Writer Is up Too Shocked at Even Receiving Difficult and Rewarding Books to the Nod in the First Place.” Put Together,” John Said
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The Newsletter of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers Tie-In Writer is Up too shocked at even receiving difficult and rewarding books to the nod in the first place.” put together,” John said. “It For a Hugo Award The Vorkosigan helps if you have a good team Companion is a detailed behind the scenes, and we had IAMTW member John nonfiction guide to the science one of the best I can think of. Helfers received one of the best fiction universe created by From Kerrie Hughes’ and Ed surprises of his life recently Nebula and Hugo Award- Burkhead’s work on the when he was informed that The winning Vorkosigan Companion, the author Lois book he co-edited with Lillian McMaster “Companions are simultaneously one Stewart Carl, had been Bujold. It of the most difficult and rewarding nominated for a Hugo Award in features the Best Related Book category, articles and books to put together,” John said. his first major genre award details about “It helps if you have a good team nomination. “Vorkosiverse,” “All I remember was my jaw as Lois’s fans behind the scenes, and we had one dropping as I stared at the e- have dubbed of the best I can think of.” mail message.” John said in a her space- recent interview. “I don’t even faring universe remember what I said set about 800 immediately afterward, I was years in the future, and which is Concordance—which was a covered in thirteen novels and massive effort in itself, and five novellas. takes up almost half of the The volume features a new, book—to the weeks of work in-depth interview with Lois Crystal Carroll and Suford about her life and writing Lewis put in on getting the map career, a new article by Lois exactly right, to the last minute about the author’s life, and a editing provided by Denise detailed concordance listing Little, Lillian, and Lois herself, every major character, setting, everybody did a heroic job with event, vehicle, and piece of the various pieces of the puzzle. technology in the books. It also Lillian and I were left with contains articles on romance what many would think was the (written by New York Times- enviable task of putting them bestselling author Mary Jo all together. However, it both Putney), technology, biology, a was and wasn't. We wanted to pronunciation guide, and what put together the best book may very well be the first possible, but with such a wealth published map of the entire of wonderful material, it was Vorkosigan universe. very hard to figure out what “Companions are should come first.” simultaneously one of the most Vol. 3, issue 4, July-August 2009 1 delighted that the Hugo nomination for The Vorkosigan Companion will help draw even more attention to Lois's amazing body of work. It was a tremendous pleasure to spend so much time reminiscing about our long friendship and in her universe.” And what did Lois, who is currently writing the next Vorkosigan saga, think about the nomination? She said, “I was very glad to hear about the Hugo nomination for The Vorkosigan Companion. This book really is a team effort, and I’m delighted to see the editors and contributors recognized.” Along with attending Worldcon, John and his wife John Helfers at a reading at Indy’s Gen Con Game Fair. Kerrie will also be attending The book was initially others associated with the GenCon in Indianapolis, the conceived by John and Lillian at volume. Martin H. Greenberg, World Fantasy Convention in the 2002 World Fantasy CEP of Tekno Books, which San Jose, and Windycon in Convention, where they sat helped execute the project, said, Chicago. down with Lois and her agent, “Everyone at our office is very As for other projects, he is Eleanor Wood to pitch the pleased to receive this news. constantly juggling several, project and receive permission Companion volumes have long including working at Tekno to go ahead. Although it took a been a core part of our business, Books, where he oversees many few years to go from initial and we’re excited to see our novels and anthologies in concept to completed book, the most recent effort honored with progress. He is also writing the book was completed in time to a Hugo nomination.” second Deathlands book in his be promoted at the 2008 World Mary Jo Putney had this to two-book contract with Science Fiction Convention in say about the news: “What Worldwide Publishing, as well Denver, where Lois was the wonderful news! It's a terrific as co-developing the Author Guest of Honor. compendium about an amazing Shadowrun Almanac Apparently it made enough of author, and the editors (working title) and editing and an impact after its December thoroughly deserve this honor.” writing short fiction for Catalyst publication to earn the Denise Little, contributing Game Labs. nomination. author and editor, replied, “Naturally it is a great “Wow! What an honor! For me, Attending and associate honor to be nominated,” John the chance to work on the book members of the Montreal said. “However, I’m looking that explored Lois’s richly Anticipation Worldcon forward to the World Science detailed and always engaging convention can vote in Fiction Convention in Montreal. universe was a dream come the Hugo Awards. Ballots Let’s just say I hope I have to true. But these tributes are very must be received by July explain what a Hugo Award is nice gravy. And Lois and the 3rd, with paper ballots to airport security when I editors richly deserve all the th return to the United States.” recognition they can get.” postmarked by June 27 . Reaction about the award John’s co-editor, Lillian was similarly enthusiastic from Stewart Carl, said, “I'm 2 THE QUICKEST WAY conflict. If I can replace the Doctor and his TO GET REJECTED companions so easily, then why does it have to be a by Brandie Tarvin Doctor Who story? Once you have a story with a They say one knows a truly cookie-cutter cast, the prolific writer by the size of her whole thing rather loses rejections pile. After all, only a its appeal. It's no wonder wanna-be has absolutely no the editor rejected me. rejections to her credit. Knowing what I know With this in mind, I decided now, I would reject me too. to compile a list of the best methods for getting rejections. The Advice #2: Tell the So, if I want to be one of the editor just why your story truly great writers of the age, I is the next best thing to need a giant pile of "Sorry, not sliced bread while today" notes to compare to simultaneously telling everyone else's. Right? So with him why the work he's the enthusiastic assistance of currently had published is IAMTW Member Brandie Tarvin several members of the IAMTW, the worst thing in the here are the recommendations. I universe. "Don't worry, Boss. I The Advice #3: Guidelines? dedicate it to all writers who go have your miracle cure!" Who needs those? You're a in perpetual search of the professional writer. Whatever almighty Rejection Letter. May True Story: Scott Andrews you send *will* be accepted it serve you well. tells of a time when he because you're the next Stephen submitted a comic proposal to King. Go ahead. The Advice #1: In the cover 2000 AD. "It had fantastic letter, tell the editor your artwork by a well-known artist True Story: David Bishop says protagonist can be swapped friend and I felt my script was "That sounds basic, but you'd be with any character the editor so pretty good. Unfortunately, in amazed. Like the time I was co- desires. Your story plot is far our callow submission letter, we editing THE ULTIMATE more important than the outlined everything we thought DRAGON, and I got a couple of characters within the story. was currently wrong with 2000 submissions that nowhere in AD, and the ways in which our the story had a dragon in it." True Story: One of my first strip would 'fix it.' story proposals was for a Doctor In other words, we sent a Guidelines are published for Who novel, back when Virgin letter to the person we wanted several reasons. First, to Publishing held the rights. In to hire us saying 'Hi, you're homogenize the submissions my zeal to sell my work, I put in useless and your book sucks, they receive. Yes, that means my cover letter: "My story but we can help!'" your submission blends in with features the current Doctor, but Scott says he never received everyone else's. If everything is I can change this to whichever a reply, and hardly any wonder. the same, however, the editors Doctor and companions you The last thing an editor or can concentrate on the actual need a story for." In short order, publisher wants to hear is how story instead of the frilly stuff. I received a form rejection letter awful their own approved stuff Also, as David says, it ensures with no additional explanation. is and if you're bashing them that writers are submitting It wasn't until about a year this badly in the submission stories that actually fit the later that I'd realized what I'd letter, how badly will you bash available work. done wrong. Part of a story's them once you've been hired appeal is why only the and seen the secret insides? protagonist can resolve the 3 A personal note, though.