The Newsletter of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers

Playing Twenty editor Charles Ardai led to a prequel called The Questions with Max First Quarry, and now this mid-stream story, set Max Allan Collins, president in the '80s. A movie based and co-founder of the IAMTW, on The Last Quarry, from recently volunteered to be my screenplay and interviewed for Tied-In. Here is starring Tom Sizemore, is the transcript. on the festival circuit right now, winning 1. MAX, YOU‘RE A BUSY SOUL. awards and doing well— CAN YOU TELL US WHAT WILL BE The Last Lullaby, it's HITTING THE BOOKSHELVES FOR called. Kind of YOU THIS YEAR? remarkable, considering On the tie-in front, I've done the my hitman Quarry was in movie novel, G.I. JOE: The Rise a series of four books in of Cobra and a prequel novel, the mid-‗70s, and now he‘s G.I. JOE: Above and Beyond. back. These will be from DAW this 2. WHAT‘S UP NEXT? WHAT summer. My second Mike PROJECTS ARE YOU Hammer collaboration with WORKING ON? —working from unfinished manuscripts Mickey I am almost finished with writing and sharing byline. entrusted to me, in the last Antiques Bizarre, the fourth Matt and I had worked together weeks of his life—will be out in ―Trash ‗n‘ Treasures‖ mystery on all the CSI novels (including the fall—The Big Bang, a for Kensington, written in Miami), Dark Angel, Bones, Harcourt hardcover. The collaboration with my wife, Criminal Minds, and assorted previous Hammer, The Goliath Barb – the joint byline is other CSI stuff, like Bone, was well-received but it ―Barbara Allan.‖ These books puzzles and comics. He‘s a was designed to be the last have done rather well, wonderful writer and has moved novel in the series and took particularly the first, Antiques from just researching into co- place in modernday, post 9/11 Roadkill. They are funny, even plotting and now full New York. The Big Bang was zany cozies, and Barb does a collaborative mode. We had begun (and set aside by Mickey) great job on them. We plot them done so many serial in 1965, and that's the period together, Barb does the first killer/forensics books based on I've set it in—it's really vintage draft of maybe 40,000 words TV shows we decided to create Hammer, wild stuff, LSD and and I do the next draft of 60,000 our own series. hippie chicks and free love. or so. After that, I‘ll do my draft of another collaborative novel, Most of the rest of the year There will also be another Killer TV, one of at least two, will be spent on the first original— also for Kensington. My Nathan Heller novel since 2001. Quarry in the Middle. The longtime associate on a lot of This one‘s called Bye Bye, Baby success of The Last Quarry for tie-stuff, Matt Clemens, is co- Vol. 3, issue 3, May-June 2009 1 and is about the murder of 5. YOU AND LEE GOLDBERG Tracy/Katherine Hepburn Marilyn Monroe. It‘s for TOR. FORMED THE IAMTW. WHAT wannabe pair, who were rivals PROMPTED THE TWO OF YOU TO in love and journalism. So I 3. DO YOU DRIVE A HARDTOP OR DO IT? alternated first-person chapters RAGTOP? We‘d both been thinking about between them, and made them Right now I drive a small mini- both unreliable narrators, van. I once had a Chevy HHR, doing it, and when we discovered we were on the same contradicting each other all the which is an old-fashioned buggy time. That came off very nicely, like the PT Cruiser. We loved it, wave length, threw in together, to divide up the work. Don‘t ask considering what I was working but it was cramped for the long- from. haul driving we find ourselves Lee how evenly work is divided, doing when we‘re out doing because he definitely gets the My nightmare story I‘ve promo. For many years I drove ―biggest‖ half, as the Kingfish told many times – doing the a Firebird, and in my mind, I used to say. novel of the screenplay of , a screenplay based still do. 6. ICE CREAM . . . CHOCOLATE, on my own graphic novel. I did a VANILLA, OR STRAWBERRY? 90,000 word, very solid novel Vanilla, but only with hot fudge. 4. IN ADDITION TO YOUR TIE-IN that the editor called the best WORK, DO YOU HAVE ANY tie-in he‘d ever read; then ORIGINAL NOVELS YOU‘RE DreamWorks made me cut 7. WHAT TIE-IN PROJECT WAS WORKING ON THAT YOU‘D LIKE everything that wasn‘t in the THE MOST DIFFICULT FOR YOU, TO TELL US ABOUT? movie. The published version AND WHY? was maybe 40,000 words. See above. Several have been tough. Couldn‘t write dialogue for my Daylight was a own characters. I never felt horrible script, but I worse about the writing game. couldn‘t turn it down

because I‘d already turned the editor 8. LET‘S LOOK AT THE OTHER down on another SIDE OF THE COIN. WHAT TIE-IN movie project, and PROJECT WAS THE EASIEST, AND knew I‘d never be WHY? asked again. But I The recent X-Files movie novel. figured out a way to I loved the show, had tried to do it interestingly – get one of the tie-ins and failed both for me and the (back in the day), and this was a reader – which was to gift. Frank Spotnitz, the co- make it a kind of writer and producer of the film, documentary on communicated with me paper, as if the throughout, and I was provided disaster depicted in all kinds of stuff. I had the the film had been complete script when nobody real. I did half a dozen but the director and maybe the or so first-person two lead actors had the thing. voices, alternating. They trusted me and supported That may be my best me, and I loved the property. tie-in. Some people didn‘t like the film, Similarly, I Love but I did, very much. I never Trouble was an awful had a better time in the tie-in screen-play. But the game than writing that book. set-up had two reporters, a fairly lame Spencer 2 9. WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY Madness, ABOUT TIE-IN WRITING? Rocky Horror Well, I love movies. I have a Picture Show. knack for (hate this word) novelizations because I‘ve 11. PUBLISHING directed indie films – four HAS TAKEN features, several shorts, two SEVERAL HITS documentaries – and I know IN THE PAST how to read a script, how to FEW YEARS . . . translate it into prose. So that‘s LAYOFFS AT enjoyable to me, making a novel THE BIG out of a screenplay, just as an HOUSES, A CUT exercise in craft. IN TITLES. HOW The other great thing has DO YOU THINK been the ability to work in all THE TIE-IN sorts of genres that would INDUSTRY HAS otherwise be denied me – I‘m a BEEN mystery specialist and in IMPACTED? particular am known for I can‘t tell yet. historical crime novels, so Sorry to duck getting to do a it, but I just (Maverick), science-fiction can‘t tell. I do (Waterworld), horror (The think tie-ins Mummy), (The Scorpion will survive, King), war (Saving Private and the kind of Ryan), romance (I Love versatile, Trouble), techno-thriller (Air resilient Force One), and so on...that‘s a writers who real kick. belong to the IAMTW will be among those ready, maybe a little research. able to meet the market, After a late breakfast or early 10. WHAT‘S YOUR FAVORITE however it‘s shifted. Tie-ins lunch, I write all afternoon. MUSICAL? rarely sell huge numbers (there Then again late evening, if I am a huge buff on musicals, are exceptions) but they are necessary. Usually seven days a actually – my father was a dependable, and on some level week, but certainly six. music teacher and in the early are no-brainers for editors and 14. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ‗50s did the first high school publishers. CUISINE AND DISH? productions of both Oklahoma and Carousel. I can give you a Probably Italian – any great list of some of my favorites: 12. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU OFFER pasta dish. Sweeney Todd, Carousel, Damn AUTHORS WHO ARE TRYING TO 15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST TIE-IN Yankees, Into the Woods, How to BREAK INTO TIE-IN WRITING OR NOVEL AND HOW DID YOU LAND Succeed in Business Without ESTABLISHED AUTHORS TRYING THE PROJECT? Really Trying and Lil Abner. I TO GET MORE WORK? was my first. I would not cross the street to see If you have any, please tell me. an Andrew Lloyd Webber was writing the syndicated musical. In fact, I would run in 13. CAN YOU DESCRIBE ONE OF at the time, and had the opposite direction. I also like YOUR TYPICAL WORK DAYS? received good press for revitalizing the strip when it the quirky ―cult‖ musicals, Little I would say the morning tends was on the verge of cancellation. Shoppe of Horrors, Reefer to be business, plowing through I was consulting on the movie, e-mails, getting snail mail helping with research and 3 suggesting villains, and We never worked together. He I had that for fifteen years. A providing visual info. So I consulted on the strip, which freelancer with a regular check lobbied for the job, and so did consisted of me calling him and – can‘t beat it. my agent. They paid me asking questions, often miserably but gave me a nice technical police ones. We kept royalty, and then the book sold his name on for a while out of 19. IF YOU COULD BE A something like 800,000 copies. respect, but it was entirely done CONTESTANT ON A PAST OR Would that all tie-ins since have by me and artist Rick Fletcher. PRESENT GAME SHOW, WHICH paid as well! Chet and I were close, though, SHOW WOULD YOU PICK? It was a tough gig, though – and I visited him often. He gave I have been a contestant, on two Warren Beatty and his people me a great piece of advice – game shows: in the early ‗80s I were incredibly fussy. My first when I took over, and was was on TO TELL THE TRUTH draft, which was much better getting a lot of attention, he (―Will the real Max Collins than the film (it really was) had said, ―Don‘t put all your eggs in please stand up?‖) and another only loosely followed the this basket. DICK TRACY will one later on, around ‗90, a Bert screenplay, and Disney and never be yours – you‘ll always Convy show about professional Beatty were both be the second guy and in my collaborations (my wife and I understandably offended. I did a shadow. Stick with the strip, appeared), the name of which page one rewrite and stayed but do your own stuff, too.‖ escapes me. true to the material, but still But I would love to have wed it to the original strip, 17. DID YOU HAVE OTHER been on MATCH GAME in its putting more Gould characters CAREERS BEFORE WRITING? Richard Dawson/Charles Nelson in (Vitamin Flintheart, for Reilly/Brett Sommers prime. example). My version of one I sacked groceries and bussed 20. WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE scene actually got into the tables. At the start of my IAMTW CAN ACHIEVE IN THE movie – they re-shot the scene, writing career, I taught at a NEXT SEVERAL YEARS? after the producer called and community college, for five asked me why I‘d softened Tess years, part time. I‘ve been a To bring respect to its members Trueheart‘s mother‘s negative semi-pro musician since 1966. and their craft. I have had a opinions of Tracy. I explained Still playing gigs. My band, The remarkable, and very blessed, that Tracy had avenged the Daybreakers, which had an career. But in the past ten years death of Mr. Trueheart, and Atlantic single out in 1967, was or so, when I‘ve made tie-ins a that any diehard fan of the strip recently inducted into the Iowa large part of what I do, I have would not buy her being so Rock ‗n‘ Roll Hall of Fame. taken incredible abuse from down on Dick. They also used 18. WHEN AND WHY DID YOU people who assume we are all some of my stuff in post- DECIDE TO BE A FULL-TIME talentless hacks. I wish all of production. The producer told WRITER? these critics an assignment to me I‘d solved a lot of script purgatory, where they cannot I had that in mind from about problems for them, after the fact move on until they have written age 11 onward. But I went full (they did the fixes in ADR). So I a novel at least as good as the time when I got the Dick Tracy take pride in having written a worst one ever written by one of comic strip assignment – it novelization that the film was in our members – they‘d have a meant a monthly pay check, and part based on! long, warm stay, believe me. 16. I FIRST MET YOU A LOOOOONG TIME AGO, AT A Congratulations to IAMTW member John Helfers CHICAGO COMIC CONVENTION on his recent Hugo Award nomination: WHERE CHET GOULD WAS THE GOH. CAN YOU SHARE A Best Related Book FAVORITE MEMORY OF WORKING WITH CHET ON DICK TRACY? The Vorkosigan Companion: The Universe of Lois McMaster Bujold by Lillian Stewart Carl & John Helfers, eds. (Baen)

4 THE LONG, STRANGE TRIP TO NEKROPOLIS by Tim Waggoner

It‘s January 1995. I‘m thirty- one years old and I‘m living in Columbus, Ohio. My then wife is pregnant with our first child, and I‘m teaching composition part time at various area colleges while writing fiction full time. I‘m in a writers‘ group with a number of wonderful people, including the fantasy novelist Dennis McKiernan, best known for a series of novels taking place in the wondrous realm of Mithgar. Dennis has I have to admit, I‘m streets of this shadow- become both a good friend and intimidated. Both Dennis and enshrouded city. mentor to me, and he‘s Pete are experienced gamers, I‘m pleased with what I‘ve introduced me to his agent, and while I‘ve played D&D and developed, and when the day Jonathan Matson, who‘s taken such before, I‘ve never comes to begin playing, Dennis me on as a client. I‘ve published gamemastered, let alone and Pete love the world and about a dozen short stories by designed a scenario myself. But have a lot of fun with the this point, and I‘ve got my first Dennis and Pete promise to help scenario (even though I‘ve made novel deal cooking: Jonathan is me with the game mechanics as a rookie mistake and designed negotiating contract terms with we play, so I roll up my their characters to be too strong a publisher for a surreal horror metaphorical sleeves and get to and they‘re tearing through my novel called The Harmony work. For a few years, I‘ve been world like it was made of tissue Society. thinking about writing a novel paper – but then, maybe that‘s Life, as the saying goes, is set in an otherwordly city full of part of why they‘re having so pretty damned good. monsters. So I decide to finally much fun). We get halfway In addition to my writers‘ get to work on bringing this through the game scenario in group, I‘m also in a gamers‘ dark city of mine – which I‘ve our first session. It‘ll be a few group with Dennis and another named Necropolis – to life. Or months before we finish, member of our writers‘ group, unlife, whichever is more though. My daughter Devon Peter Busch. What‘s cool about appropriate. decides to come into the world this group is that each person I design the city, its five weeks early, and I‘m a bit takes a turn being gamemaster inhabitants, come up with a busy for a while. Eventually, we and designs an original scenario nefarious plot for Dennis and get back to the game and finish for the others to play. We‘ve just Pete to deal with, and create it up. Dennis and Pete had a finished playing a wonderful characters for them: a pair of great time, and they game Dennis designed, in which Earth cops who were trapped in congratulate me on doing a good we were aliens – truly inhuman, Necropolis on a previous case: job on running the game, and an scientifically plausible aliens – one who no can no longer even better one on designing sent to investigate a mysterious withstand sunlight (though he‘s Necropolis. abandoned space station. Now still fully human) and the other Life is still pretty damned it‘s my turn to develop and run who has become a zombie. The good, even if now I‘m suffering a scenario for Dennis and Pete. two work as private from new parent sleep- investigators on the very mean deprivation most of the time.

5 Then I get a call from my Jonathan to start sending at an astonishing pace. I have a agent. The publisher‘s made an around, and I move on to the website now, and through it, offer on The Harmony Society. next project. readers send me e-mail, usually It‘s a small publisher, and the Nine years pass. telling me how much they money‘s not great, but I‘m It‘s 2004. My daughter enjoyed this story or that novel thrilled. My first novel sale! Devon is nine, and her sister (with the exception of the Then Jonathan calls me a Leigh is four. I‘m now a tenure- anonymous three-word e-mail I few days later to tell me the track professor teaching received which said, in all deal‘s fallen through because composition and creative lowercase letters: ―you write the publisher ―No longer feels writing at Sinclair Community badly‖). The most common e- comfortable with the book.‖ College in Dayton, Ohio. I‘ve mails I get are those telling me Whatever the hell that means. published close to fifty stories how much the sender enjoyed Naturally enough, I‘m now and a few novels, most of Necropolis – which they found devastated, and like any other them media tie-ins. Necropolis, at their local library – and first-time novelist in my however, still hasn‘t found a asking when there will be a position, I want to give up, want home. It‘s too weird, blends too sequel. When I do panels at to curl up in a corner and die, many genres, and publishers conventions people ask me boo-hoo, sob-sob. Instead, I get aren‘t sure what to do with it. I when there‘s going to be a good and pissed and decide to decide to submit it to editor Necropolis sequel. People I run write another novel. John Helfers for Five Star into at the bookstore recognize my name and ask about a sequel. It‘s getting so bad that For the past couple of years, I’ve been wandering through I‘m starting to have dreams in which nameless, faceless bookstores, seeing these books and thinking, Man, I guess apparitions demand I write a sequel to Necropolis. I was ahead of my time with Necropolis. Hmmmm, I think to myself. Maybe I should I turn my attention to Books, a publisher that starting listening to these Necropolis. I‘ve already got the specializes in producing library- folks. At least that way maybe I world designed, and I have a edition hardbacks (meaning can stop having those dreams . . plot, plus, I‘ve lived the story sturdy books sold directly to . along with Dennis and Pete. So libraries instead of in It‘s around 2007 now, and a I sit down and, with some bookstores). I‘ve worked with couple new genres have become changes (combining the two John on numerous anthology extremely popular in detectives into one character, projects. He‘s a great editor, a publishing: urban fantasy and for example), I plant my ass in swell guy, and we work well paranormal romance. For the the office chair in front of my together, so I figure he might past couple of years, I‘ve been computer and my fingers start like Necropolis. And indeed he wandering through bookstores, flying across the keys. Twenty- does. Necropolis comes out from seeing these books and one days later, Necropolis the Five Star late in 2004, and I‘m a thinking, Man, I guess I was novel is finished. It only runs happy man. I‘ve come to really ahead of my time with about 67,000 words, relatively love that world and my main Necropolis. (And truth to tell, short for a novel, but around the character over the past nine thinking this with more than a right size for a mystery, and years, and I‘m glad other people bit of envy.) Still, pragmatism is since Necropolis is as much a will finally get a chance to read the hallmark of the professional mystery as it is fantasy and about them. writer, and I hope that the horror (with a little science More years pass. current popularity of urban fiction, humor, and romance I continue to publish more fantasy means a publisher sprinkled in here and there), novels and stories, some might be interested in bringing I‘m satisfied. After some original, some tie-in work, and out a mass-market edition of revision, the book goes off to the Internet continues to grow Necropolis, hopefully as part of 6 a new series. So my agent and I Marc wants to bring the rededicate ourselves to pitching new and expanded Nekropolis the book to editors. We get some out with the first wave of books nibbles, but no one swallows the released by Angry Robot, which bait. In the meantime, I‘m means I have only a month to getting even more people do the revision: nine more days begging me for a sequel to than it took me to write the Necropolis, and I tell them that original. No prob, says I. And it I‘m working on it. isn‘t. I‘ve lived with Necropolis Early in 2008, author, – now with a K instead of a C – editor, and more-wonderful- for fifteen years. I have no than-you-can-possibly-imagine problem returning to it because, person Jean Rabe is kind in truth, I‘ve never left. enough to ask me to write a So here we are today, story for an anthology of urban Matthew Richter and I, in 2009, fantasy tales called City with Nekropolis due to come out Fantastic. I‘ve toyed with from Angry Robot in August, writing some stories about my and two more adventures to main character from Necropolis follow. And after that, who for years, but I‘ve never gotten knows? I‘m not worried about around to it. I decide to quit have any novel projects to pitch what might happen, though. stalling and write ―Disarmed to him? I‘ve learned from experience and Dangerous,‖ zombie As a matter of fact . . . that you can‘t keep a good detective Matthew Adrion‘s first Marc agrees to take a look zombie down. new adventure in thirteen at Necropolis, and he‘s very Professional writers often years. enthusiastic about it. He wants quote the famous line from the I Then, almost as if that me to add about twenty Ching, ―Perseverance furthers,‖ story sends out cosmic vibes thousand more words to expand not because they believe in into the publishing universe, the setting in more deliriously fortunetelling (though maybe one day in late 2008 I get an e- gruesome detail, and he they might – who am I to speak mail from publisher Marc suggests a couple minor for all authors?) but because it Gascoigne. Marc‘s worked with changes: calling the city codifies in two simple words a the Black Library, publisher of Nekropolis to give the word a very powerful mental and the hugely popular Warhammer more sinister spin, and he emotional survival skill writers and Warhammer 64K novels, thinks my main character, need to continue in the face of and with science fiction/fantasy Matthew Adrion (a spin on the rejection and setbacks. So now imprint Solaris. I wrote an Latin name Adrian, which that you‘ve read this, if you‘re original novel based on The means dark), could use a better still wondering if perseverance Nightmare on Elm Street last name. Since it‘s been close really does further, let me tell franchise for Black Flame, a to fifteen years since I named you something, my friends. division of Black Library, a few the man, I have to admit his You bet your undead ass it years back. Marc knows my last name has worn a little thin does. work and we‘ve chatted at on me too, so he becomes several conventions, and I‘ve Matthew Richter (which has an Nekropolis Release Dates always been impressed with his association with rictus which UK/Australia intelligence, energy, works well for a zombie PI, 6 August 2009 [UK] professionalism, and don‘t you think?). Marc would 1 Oct 2009 [Oz] enthusiasm for writing and also like me to write two more US/Canada 1 Oct 2009 publishing. In his e-mail, Marc Nekropolis books for him. eBook 6 August 2009 tells me he‘s going to head up a And, as you‘re probably Angry Robot Books Website: new imprint for HarperCollins expecting me to say by now, life www.angryrobotbooks.com called Angry Robot, and might I is once again Very Good Indeed. 7 A BIG FINISH IN SIGHT franchises raised a new session and watched Nick problem. Doctor Who has only Briggs, the voice of the Daleks two leads; to produce audio tie- and Cybermen and a leading By Scott Andrews ins to an ensemble franchise light in both TV and audio like Stargate is logistically Doctor Who, voice my In these times of tightened much more difficult. Also, there supporting character alongside belts, struggling publishers, and was a hunger for audio stories the main voice—Kavan Smith‘s dwindling bookstores, it‘s nice featuring the first four character, to find one tie-in producer Doctors—a problem because Major Lorne. As someone who‘s thriving in the face of the three of them are dead and one only written for print before, it recession. Big Finish rebuts all BF's advances. was a thrill to watch such Productions‘ new monthly BF responded by minting a accomplished actors bring my magazine, Vortex, lists 51 brand new format, a sort of script to life. releases scheduled just between halfway house between full-cast March and December BF continues to redefine play and traditional audiobooks. 2009. A prodigious output! what a tie-in range can do. These two-hander audio plays, Their new Robin series BF has been releasing released on a single CD, allow has been developed in close audio tie-ins for eleven years, them to produce tie-ins to collaboration with the BBC. It and their stable of franchises franchises whose casts would be comprises tales set between continues to expand. They impossible, practically or specific episodes of the began their range with full cast financially, to gather in a forthcoming TV season, to be adaptations—essentially radio recording studio. released online between the plays released on cassette—of The main voice is a cast episodes they bridge. It's an the New Adventures novels. member from the parent show, experiment in real-time tie-in This hugely successful line of the second voice normally a storytelling one step more Doctor Who books from Virgin newly created character who integrated than the between- had continued chronicling the exists to propel the main season webisodes produced by adventures of his literary narrator‘s tale. It‘s an exciting shows like Battlestar Galactica. companion Bernice format that lends itself to a The future for BF looks Summerfield after the Who slightly different, more internal rosy, and with opportunities to license was reclaimed by the kind of storytelling. This new work with new franchises being BBC; BF brought Bernice to life. format now drives a new range explored all the time, their It wasn‘t long before they of Doctor Who audios—The audio tie-ins continue to be an won the rights to Doctor Who, Companion Chronicles—as well exciting and, crucially, secured the services of four of as their Stargate and newly financially viable proposition. TVs Doctors Who, and began announced Highlander releases. releasing original monthly plays After years of on CD. Spin off series focusing buying and enjoying on the series‘ monsters and their output, I finally companions followed. got the chance to Such was the quality of write for BF at the their output that some BF plays end of 2008. My first directly inspired episodes of the script for them, newly revived TV version – a Stargate Atlantis: rare example of original tie-ins Impressions, is in the being adapted by the show that new format, and it spawned them. features a unique Other properties followed – fusion of two big The Tomorrow People, Sapphire franchises. I was and Steel, Dark Shadows, Judge lucky enough to Dredd and more. But certain attend the recording 8 IED NTO OMICS someday I‘ll get to. It‘s about a Four. I love the juxtaposition of TIED INTO COMICS mutant with a weird form of those mind-boggling Jack Kirby telepathy that enables him to science-fiction concepts with By Paul Kupperberg periodically copy the personality such great and well-defined of someone he‘s exposed to, a characters who function as a (Paul writes a regular column power he doesn‘t realize he has, family, not just a super-team. for Bookgasm.com, and he and one which causes a severe And there‘s just no better villain graciously allowed Tied-In to crisis of identity once he realizes than Dr. Doom. I like him best reprint this one from earlier it.‖ when his honor and pride force in the year.) him to straddle the line between Author of the recent comics good and evil. I see Dr. Doom as I thought for the first novels 52 and INFINITE a tragic character, a potentially installment of 2009, we might CRISIS, as well as the great man poisoned by his own try something a little different and GHOST pride. That‘s what makes him (and slightly longer). Rather RIDER novelizations, GREG fun.‖ than reviewing novels that they COX said, ―I have a distinct may have written, I‘ve asked my colleagues in the 150ish- member strong International ―If there’s one comic-book character I’d still Association of Media Tie-In really like to write for above all others, it would Writers to answer a couple of questions about the characters be .‖ – David Mack and books they would like to write, as well as to share some weakness for the spooky heroes: ―Well, I got the chance to of their wackiest experiences Doctor Strange, The Spectre, write a novel based on a dealing with unreasonable or Dr. Fate, Morbius, etc. I got to superhero whose persona was a just plain dumb editors and play with The Spectre a little bit perfect fit for my style of licensors (with names changed in my INFINITE CRISIS storytelling: Wolverine,‖ said to protect the innocent … and novelization, but I‘d love to David Mack, author of many the likelihood of these guys ever explore the creepier sides of the STAR TREK novels, including getting work from those same Marvel or DC universes some the recently released DESTINY dummies again). more. In the meantime, trilogy and the acclaimed however, I just got to write a VANGUARD series, as well as KEITH R.A. DECANDIDO, Phantom story for Moonstone, the Wolverine novel ROAD OF whose most recent novels which was fun. Beware the BONES. His first work of include STAR TREK: A Ghost Who Walks!‖ original fiction, a supernatural SINGULAR DESTINY, thriller titled THE CALLING, SUPERNATURAL: BONE KEY J. STEVEN YORK, author of will be published this July by and CSI: NEW YORK: FOUR novelizations of the THE AGE Simon & Schuster. WALLS, and who edited many OF CONAN: THE ANOK of the Marvel novels produced HERETIC OF STYGIA trilogy ―I co-wrote and sold an by Byron Preiss for Berkley and novelizations of the unpublished Batman script Books, said, ―Well, the ideal MECHWARRIOR: DARK AGE about a decade ago,‖ Mack said. choice would be my favorite #20: TRIAL BY CHAOS said, ―If there‘s one comic-book superhero of all time: Spider- ―I‘m partial to team books character I‘d still really like to Man. Except, I‘ve already and/or those with a strong write for above all others, it written him. My first short- science-fiction element: Iron would be Batman. I have this story sale and my first novel Man, Green Lantern, Legion of old proposal in my files for a sale were both Spider-Man, so Super-Heroes, etc. But I have to ‗what if?‘ origin story that sets I‘ve kinda already done it. But I say the one I‘m most Batman‘s genesis in a war-torn do have an X-Men story I‘ve disappointed I never got a former Soviet puppet state, such been dying to tell, and maybe chance to write: The Fantastic as Georgia or Ukraine, and 9 ―Still, it might be interesting to do a story on Bruce Wayne leaving Gotham and starting over somewhere else, when the city has turned its back on both him and Batman.‖ – Russell Davis bases his story on the concept of and HELLBOY II: THE with his employee Alfred, with redemption, rather than on GOLDEN ARMY novelization, his still-wealthy allies vengeance. I could imagine that said, ―Lots of great choices, but I Nightwing and Robin, with the story working in an updated would think Green Lantern enemies that he has to defeat form set in the Middle East. given the cosmic scope and even though he‘s losing his Running a close second to ol‘ camaraderie inherent in the resources, and even with his Batman would be Iron Man, concept. It was always the own alter ego of Bruce Wayne? followed by Doctor Strange.‖ character I wanted a crack at Oh, the tale I could tell!‖ editing and never had the BRANDIE TARVIN, who has chance.‖ The prolific JEFF contributed short stories to the MARIOTTE, author of SPIDER- BLUE KINGDOM anthologies RUSSELL DAVIS, author of MAN: REQUIEM, 30 DAYS OF PIRATES OF THE BLUE TRANSFORMERS: NIGHT: ETERNAL KINGDOM and SHADES AND ANNHILATION, DAMNATION (with Steve SPECTERS admitted, ―If I had TRANSFORMERS: FUSION Niles) and CSI: MIAMI: RIGHT a choice, I‘d like to write an and RED EDEN (with Gregory TO DIE, also added his vote for ensemble piece for the Teen Simay), chose an old favorite: the Dark Knight. ―I‘ve written Titans. I enjoy telling tales ―I‘d love to do a Batman novel, -based tie-in novels about those characters, heroes but I think covering new ground using Spider-Man, 30 DAYS OF or otherwise, who haven‘t been would be very, very difficult. A NIGHT, Gen13, — fully explored in other media. lot has been done with that along with , Groups like the Teen Titans — character already. Still, it might The Demon, , El or even single heroes who don‘t be interesting to do a story on Diablo and Scalphunter, which fit the standard Superman/ Bruce Wayne leaving Gotham was really fun — so I‘ve been Wonder Woman/Batman trio — and starting over somewhere able to play in that world quite really deserve a chance to shine. else, when the city has turned a bit. But I still haven‘t had the The best part about it is that its back on both him and chance to do anything with my lesser characters can often go Batman. Perhaps where he favorite superhero: Batman. places, character development- confronts a new villain, rather One of these days! I‘d also enjoy wise or plot-wise, that you can‘t than one of the more familiar writing about Daredevil and/or get away with for the big foes.‖ Doctor Strange.‖ names. An author can really drag out the angst or play in a DAVID SEIDMAN, who has MATT FORBECK, whose new sandbox.‖ written books based on novels include BLOOD BOWL, characters from King Kong to MARKED FOR DEATH and YVONNE NAVARRO, whose Mickey Mouse to Spider-Man, SECRET OF THE more than 20 books include the as well as characters that have SPIRITKEEPER, decided to novelizations of HELLBOY and nothing to do with animals, make his Marvel: ―Flat out, I‘d ELEKTRA, simply said, ―I would also have to go bats. ―If snatch up Spider-Man. I learned would so love to do a novel I‘d had to pick one, it‘d be to read with Spidey comics, and about Nightcrawler,‖ while Bob Batman, because of the story I‘ve been hooked on the Greenberger, whose credits that I have in mind: Take the character since. Should I ever include numerous STAR TREK money away. Strip him of the have the shot at such a book, I‘d novels as well as this year‘s cash that pays for those love to tackle an ULTIMATE mammoth THE ESSENTIAL wonderful toys. How would such SPIDER-MAN novel. Brian BATMAN ENCYCLOPEDIA a change affect his relationship Michael Bendis has done a 10 great job of bringing the are so many great characters, want to bite the hand that feeds character back to his teen-angst but I guess I‘d go with Doctor me.‖ roots while updating him for a Strange. I‘ve got a strong idea modern audience in the comics, for a story. I‘m reluctant to lay DeCandido also had a hand and I‘d love to tackle that same out all the details, but it would in (but not on) another angle in prose.‖ pit the character against a headache involving a Marvel challenge unlike any he‘s faced novel, this one written by Author of THE BLOOD before and give me a chance to Richard Lee Byers, who ANGELS OMNIBUS and play with diverse elements of remembered, ―I wrote an X-Men STARGATE SG-1: the supernatural part of the novel called SOUL KILLER. RELATIVITY, JAMES Marvel Universe. If I couldn‘t The cover artist painted Storm SWALLOW’S choice is based on have Doc, I‘d go with Batman, with a big ass. The editorial an old love rather than on the another lifelong favorite.‖ powers that be felt it was an character‘s newfound inappropriately big ass. So they popularity. ―I‘ve covered it with a black been a comics circle. But you can‘t just reader since I was ―Marvel insisted there be no have a black circle in a lad, and my references to Nazis ever. Seriously.‖ – the middle of your cover experience Keith R.A. DeCandido. ―Made it real illustration for no writing comics apparent reason, so characters has all hard to do a novel, they put the author‘s been prose or because the Red Skull was off limits.‖ name in it. Thus, my radio, although name‘s right on top of not in the Storm‘s ass.‖ traditional As for wacky experiences in the spandex ‗n‘ capes sense: I wrote tie-in field, most writers have a ―Speaking as the editorial novels and audio dramas story to tell: power-that-was in question,‖ featuring future lawman Judge DeCandido said, ―we had to do Dredd and clone soldier Rogue ―Marvel insisted there be no something. What Richard didn‘t Trooper from 2000 AD. But if references to Nazis ever. mention was that the cover art we‘re talking superheroes here, Seriously,‖ said DeCandido. in question was by Richard it would be Iron Man, without ―Made it real hard to do a Corben, who did not do doubt. Tony Stark‘s alter ego Captain America novel, because revisions. And it was a great has been my lifelong fave, and the Red Skull was off limits. We cover, except for the ginormous the recent uptick in old managed to use Baron Strucker ass on Storm — and really, that Shellhead‘s popularity thanks to in a bunch of different books, illustration put the max in the movie has made me a happy but only in his role as the head gluteus maximus. So we put in a fanboy. I‘d write him in of HYDRA, and then we could butt-blurring byline burst!‖ something that mixed techno- only refer to his background as action with some 007-style being a ‗Prussian war Davis, a soul of discretion, globetrotting, giving Stark a criminal.‘‖ said, ―There are so many to chance to be a hero inside and choose from, and few that don‘t outside the red-and-gold armor. Cox concurred with reveal at least some of those And maybe a classic villain or DeCandido‘s choice of wacky involved. Here‘s one: a highly two.‖ interference: ―Headache-wise, intelligent, technologically Keith beat me to the punch on advanced, space-faring race is From the author of the Nazi thing. It still amuses surprised by gravity!‖ UNHOLY: HAUNTED LANDS, me that I had to turn Baron the third volume in his Wolfgang Von Strucker from an Greenberger ran into a bit trilogy, ex-Nazi to a Prussian war of political correctness that still RICHARD LEE BYERS, comes criminal of unspecified political has him scratching his head: ―In another lifelong favorite: ―There orientation. Beyond that, I don‘t my forthcoming Iron Man book, 11 Marvel was freaking out and telling me I could have HYDRA as terrorists threatening NYC, but I could not reference Al Qaeda having done the same in the recent past.‖

Seidman‘s silliness involved a studio with a security fetish counterproductive to the creation of a good book: ―I got an The International Association of COVENANT, HEAVEN'S offer to write a movie Media Tie-In Writers is pleased BONES by Samantha novelization, but the studio to announce this year's Henderson would have let me read the nominees for the 2009 awards, STARGATE SG-1: HYDRA by script only once and refused to which honor excellence in Holly Scott & Jamie Duncan show me film footage or other licensed tie-in writing—novels STAR TREK: TEROK NOR, visuals. Try writing an entire based on TV shows, movies, and DAY OF THE VIPERS novel that way, especially when games. The nominees for this by James Swallow the novel had to be point-by- year's awards are: point accurate to the film. It Best Speculative Fiction hurt to turn the job down, Best General Fiction Adapted because I was dying to write Original about the movie‘s characters, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN but I just couldn‘t produce a BURN NOTICE: THE FIX ARMY by Bob Greenberger decent book under those by Tod Goldberg THE MUTANT CHRONICLES conditions.‖ CRIMINAL MINDS: by Matt Forbeck FINISHING SCHOOL STAR WARS - THE CLONE But Swallow takes the by Max Allan Collins WARS: WILD SPACE prize, with an entire book CSI: HEADHUNTER by Karen Miller slipped out from under him … by Greg Cox UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE just as he was about to start LYCANS by Greg Cox writing it: ―I‘d outlined a novel Best General Fiction that had been approved by the Adapted Best Young Adult Original publisher and I was just about to start writing it when I was DEATH DEFYING ACTS DR. WHO: THE EYELESS told that the book, despite by Greg Cox by Lance Parkin having already been contracted, INDIANA JONES AND THE PRIMEVAL: SHADOW OF announced in the trades and up KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL THE JAGUAR by Steven Savile on Amazon for pre-order, had SKULL by James Rollins DISNEY CLUB PENGUIN: not been approved by the THE TUDORS: KING TAKES STOWAWAY! ADVENTURES owners of the franchise. So QUEEN by Elizabeth Massie AT SEA by Tracey West when the entire plotline of my THE WACKNESS novel was kicked out because by Dale C. Phillips Best Young Adult Adapted the same story was going to be X-FILES: I WANT TO done in the ongoing comics BELIEVE by Max Allan Collins IRON MAN: THE JUNIOR series, I was forced to come up NOVEL by Stephen D. Sullivan with a totally new plotline using Best Speculative Fiction THE DARK KNIGHT: THE the same title and race through Original JUNIOR NOVEL by Stacia the usually months-long Deutsch and Rhody Cohen approval process in a matter of GHOST WHISPERER: JOURNEY TO THE CENTER days, in order to keep to the REVENGE by Doranna Durgin OF THE EARTH 3D production schedule.‖ : THE by Tracey West 12 The highest honor the IAMTW Steven Schend can bestow is the coveted 2010 SCRIBES 816 Fairmount St SE Grandmaster Award, which Grand Rapids, MI 49506 recognizes a writer with Work has already begun on the extensive and exceptional work 2010 Scribe Awards, with Ben Rome in the tie-in field. This year's judging panels selected and 5310 Ferndale St. honoree is KEITH R.A. waiting to receive submissions. Springfield, VA 22151 DeCANDIDO. He has written more than thirty novels, most of For books published between BEST NOVEL – ADAPTED them original tie-ins or Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009. Debbie Viguie (Chair) novelizations. His work includes Send a copy of your book and PMB-418 many Star Trek novels, as well the entry form to each judge in 3-2600 Kaumualii Hwy. Ste B-18 as original books in the CSI: NY the category you are entering Lihue, HI 96766 and Supernatural tie-in series. and to the IAMTW at: Christina York The Scribes will be awarded at IAMTW 1045 SW 10th a special ceremony at Comic- PO Box 8212 Lincoln City, OR 97367 Con in San Diego July 23-29. Calabasas, CA 91372 Lance Parkin The IAMTW also awards two GENERAL FICTION 1410 Wharton Drive Special Gaming Scribes, BEST NOVEL—ORIGINAL Newark DE 19711 honoring excellence in game- Keith R.A. DeCandido (Chair) related tie-ins. Those awards PO Box 4976 BEST YOUNG ADULT will be given at a ceremony at New York, NY 10185 ORIGINAL & ADAPTED in Indianapolis August Richard Dean Starr (Chair) 13. The nominees are: Bob Greenberger 7440 Sepulveda Blvd. #312 36 Yarrow Road Van Nuys, CA 91405 Special Gaming Scribe - Fairfield CT 06824-4559 Best Original Brandie Tarvin David Spencer 10864 Crosstie Ct : THE 41-07 42nd Street #4B Jacksonville FL 32257 INQUISITIVES, THE Long Island City, NY 11104 DARKWOOD MASK Donald J. Bingle by Jeff LaSala BEST NOVEL—ADAPTED 5N085 Crane Road : DEATH D. J. Stevenson (Chair) St. Charles, IL 60175 MARCH by Jean Rabe P. O. Box 297 EBERRON: THE DOOM OF Claridge PA 15623 KINGS by Don Bassingthwaite WARHAMMER: ELFSLAYER Alina Wickham IAMTW by Nathan Long 160 W. 95th St. #5A President— New York, NY 10025 Max Allan Collins Special Gaming Scribe - Special Gaming Scribe - Vice President— Best Adapted Raymond Benson 811 Thompson Blvd. Lee Goldberg THE WORLD OF WARCRAFT: Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 BEYOND THE DARK PORTAL by Aaron Rosenberg & Christie SPECULATIVE FICTION Website: www.iamtw.org Golden BEST NOVEL – ORIGINAL E-mail: [email protected] THE MUTANT CHRONICLES Jean Rabe (Chair) by Matt Forbeck 3511 22nd St. Send Tied-In submissions to: METAL GEAR SOLID by Kenosha, WI 53144 [email protected] Raymond Benson IAMTW 13 PO Box 8212 Calabasas, CA 91372

MisCon FiestaCon Gen Con Indy May 22-25 is the date for Westercon 62 August 13-16 at the Indianapolis Montana’s longest-running July 2-5 in Tempe, AZ, at the Convention Center. The country’s science fiction convention. Set for Tempe Mission Palms. largest game convention boasts Ruby’s Inn and Convention Programming will feature seminars, games, a massive Center in Missoula, MT. Guests many local and regional dealer’s room, art show, and a of Honor: Steven Brust and authors, artists, and Writer’s Symposium with a Michael Stackpole. For more scientists. There will be a double track of programming. information, visit the con’s web Several IAMTW members are site: www.miscon.org Masquerade, Art show & planning to attend, including: Ed Auction, Charity Auction, Writing Workshops, Dealers Greenwood, Tim Waggoner, WWA Convention Room, Gaming, and July 4th Steven Schend, Donald J. Bingle, The Western Writers of Fireworks. Guests include John Helfers, Jean Rabe, Matt America Convention is set for Alan Dean Foster and Forbeck, and more. The Scribe June 9-12 at the Sheraton in Stanley Schmidt. The Awards for gaming related fiction Midwest City, Oklahoma. will be presented at 1 p.m. August convention‘s web site has Visit the organization’s web 13th. For information about the more detailed information: site for more information. con: www.gencon.com www.leprecon.org www.westernwriters.org MileHiCon 41 DucKon 18 RWA 29th Annual Oct. 23-25, at Hyatt Regency- Chicago’s Science Fiction Conference Tech Center in Denver, CO. More community hosts this gathering Washington, DC’s Marriott than 80 guests and speakers on June 12-14 at the Holiday Inn in Wardman Park Hotel will science fiction, fantasy, and Naperville, IL. Guests include: play host to the RWA event horror are expected at what is Jim Butcher (author), Loren July 15-18. More than 100 billed as the largest literary Damewood (artist), Michael workshops, panels, and convention in the Rocky Harrington (scientist), Seanan round-tables will be offered, Mountain Region. Some of the McGuire (filk), Shannon Butcher and many publishing scheduled guests include: Barbara (special guest). For more professions will be on hand. Hambly and Nancy Kress. Visit: information visit the convention’s One-on-one pitch sessions www.milehicon.org for more. web site: www.duckon.org with agents and editors are included. A 500-author WindyCon Origins Game Fair charity book signing is also November 13-15, Lombard, The Columbus Convention Center planned. The conference Illinois, is the site for this year’s plays host to one of the country’s early registration fee is $425 WindyCon. Guests include: James largest game events. June 24-28. for members and $500 for P. Blaylock and Phil and Kaja More than 4,600 events and more non-RWA members. Foglio. Early bird registration is than 170 exhibitors are scheduled. Registration is open on the $45 for the weekend, with hotel Visit the web site at: RWA Web site. rooms at $104 a night. For more www.originsgamefair.com www.rwanational.org information: www.windycon.org

14

TusCon 36 Philcon 2009 comic-related film screenings, Stoker-winning author Weston The Crowne Plaza Hotel in and a “book crossing.” For Ochse headlines the guests at Cherry Hill NJ is the site of this information on attending and/or TusCon 36 Nov. 13-15 at the year’s convention, set for Nov. participating, contact Lisa Wood: InnSuites Hotel in Tucson, AZ. 20-22nd. The web site lists more [email protected] The convention staff requests that information: www.philcon.org hotel reservations be made early, The next issue of Tied-In as the “room block” is expected to Thought Bubble 3 will feature articles by fill up quickly. Activities will Nov. 20-22nd has been set for one include an art show, filking, panel John Helfers and Brandie of the UK’s prominent comic discussions, gaming, and more. Tarvin. If you have news conventions. The event will be For more information, write the held in Saviles Hall, Leeds, to report or writing convention at TusCon, PO Box England. More than 1,600 fans advice to offer, send 2528, Tuscon, AZ, 85702. Or you attended the previous year’s your articles to: can send an inquiry via e-mail to: convention. Activities will [email protected]. [email protected] include workshops, seminars,

Lee and Tod Goldberg recently attended the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, where

they signed copies of their tie-in novels at the Mystery Bookstore booth. 15 BATMAN MEETS and actions–– Superman is all about SUPERMAN—KEVIN rescuing people while J. ANDERSON STYLE Batman gets the bad guys. ENEMIES & ENEMIES & ALLIES, Kevin J. ALLIES promises to be Anderson‘s new novel, hits the a fun and exciting shelves May 5th. He called the adventure novel and a project ―fun to write.‖ Sample fresh take on two iconic chapters are available to read at heroes. the Harper Collins website. The ENEMIES & following is from Kevin‘s ALLIES is a unique website: www.wordfire.com. chronicle of the first As Sputnik silently circles meeting between to pop the skies above the fabled cities culture icon – never of the United States – before told in novel Metropolis, Washington DC, form. Chicago, Los Angeles, Gotham Kevin is the author City – danger lurks in the of more than one Earth's darkest corners. Evil hundred books, 47 of genius , Superman's which have appeared arch–enemy, is leveraging on national or international tensions to build a international bestseller military–industrial empire, lists. He has more than competing against his primary 20 million books in business rival Wayne print in thirty Industries, run by Gotham languages. He has won City's enigmatic millionaire or been nominated for became a #1 international Bruce Wayne. numerous prestigious awards, bestseller and was voted "Book Meanwhile in Metropolis, including the Nebula Award, of the Year" by the members of Daily Planet reporters Clark Bram Stoker Award, the SFX the Science Fiction Book Club Kent and Jimmy Olsen are Reader's Choice Award, the by the largest margin in the assigned to look into the crash American Physics Society's history of the award. All of the of a supposed flying saucer. Forum Award, and New York subsequent DUNE novels have While Lois Lane pursues her Times Notable Book. also been bestsellers, each one own dangerous story, Clark is He has coauthored ten peaking even higher on the desperate to know if there may books in Frank lists; the most recent be other lost interplanetary Herbert's volume is PAUL OF visitors on Earth secretly living classic DUNE DUNE, a direct sequel to among us––like himself. universe with the original classic DUNE; In a time of fear and Herbert's son the authors will release mistrust, as America and the Brian. The JESSICA OF DUNE in USSR race to build bigger initial deal with August 2009. For further nuclear missiles aimed at each Bantam Books information, see the other's greatest cities, two was the largest official "Dune" site, extraordinary heroes – polar single science www.dunenovels.com. opposites in their attitude and fiction contract Herbert and Anderson actions – will come together to in publishing are also co-producers on a stop the bad guys and save the history. The major new film of DUNE world. first novel, from Paramount Pictures. Superman and Batman are DUNE: HOUSE polar opposites in their attitude ATREIDES All articles in this issue are copyright 2009 by their respective authors.16 All other content copyright 2009 IAMTW.