JMS: How does Del Rey do it?
in_vale...@hotmail.com
forward to the conclution due mid-October, and am curious about the
next trilogies.
Because of this, I'm curious what the process is in making a Babylon 5
novel from Del Rey? Why Trilogies? How are authors chosen? How did
the decision to spotlight the series' history and background, instead
of the lead characters and the station, come about? Will there be any
single novels? Is Warners & Del Rey willing and/or interested in
adding Crusade characters and concepts into the B5 books?
scott tilson.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Jms at B5
>novel from Del Rey? Why Trilogies?
In Minbari, all things are three.
> How are authors chosen?
By mutual consent; they'll suggest someone, and we'll talk about it. Keyes'
work I somewhat knew, and he seemed right...and Peter David *is* a Centauri.
Jeanne Cavelos' work on the shadow arc made her correct for the technomage
books.
>How did
>the decision to spotlight the series' history and background, instead
>of the lead characters and the station, come about?
It's that perverse "let's do the opposite of what the marketing people think"
thing I get into sometimes; there's so much history in the B5 universe, and I'd
worked so much of it out, it seemed a shame to waste it.
Will there be any
>single novels?
Dunno.
Is Warners & Del Rey willing and/or interested in
>adding Crusade characters and concepts into the B5 books?
>
There will be some...Galen is all through both the technomage books and a bit
in the Centauri books.
jms
(jms...@aol.com)
B5 Official Fan Club at:
http://www.thestation.com
Tammy Smith
Centauri <g>
Galen is involved with the Centauri story somehow? That sounds
interesting!
Tammy
Michael J Wise
Jms at B5 wrote:
> Jeanne Cavelos' work on the shadow arc made her correct for the
> technomage books.
Hmmm.
It seemeth to me that there is a connection then between the technomages
and the shadows in your mind.
It also seemeth to me to be too much of a coincidence that, mere minutes
after a vessel that seemed to be based on ShadowTech took out an earth
cruiser, that what amounted to a technomage migration passed through the
area.
Is there a connection between the technomages and the shadows?
Are the technomages aware of the connection?
Were the shadows aware of the connection before they left for beyond?
Aloha mai Nai`a (just curious...) !
--
"Please have your Internet License http://kapu.net/~mjwise/
and Usenet Registration handy..."
David Stinson
<Pine.MAC.4.10.99092...@kapu.net>:
>In <19990927012030...@ng-bh1.aol.com>,
> Jms at B5 wrote:
>
>> Jeanne Cavelos' work on the shadow arc made her correct for the
>> technomage books.
>
>Hmmm.
>
>It seemeth to me that there is a connection then between the technomages
>and the shadows in your mind.
>
>It also seemeth to me to be too much of a coincidence that, mere minutes
>after a vessel that seemed to be based on ShadowTech took out an earth
>cruiser, that what amounted to a technomage migration passed through the
>area.
>
>Is there a connection between the technomages and the shadows?
>Are the technomages aware of the connection?
>Were the shadows aware of the connection before they left for beyond?
Here's a potential spoiler for you:
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
P
A
C
E
A
H
E
A
D
With regard to the Technomages, anyone ever consider why the episode that
introduced them was called THE GEOMETRY OF SHADOWS ????
in_vale...@hotmail.com
jms...@aol.com (Jms at B5) wrote:
> >Because of this, I'm curious what the process is in making a Babylon
5
> >novel from Del Rey? Why Trilogies?
>
> In Minbari, all things are three.
Ha! Then perhaps a Minbari trilogy should be in the making... <g>
> > How are authors chosen?
>
> By mutual consent; they'll suggest someone, and we'll talk about it.
Keyes'
> work I somewhat knew, and he seemed right...and Peter David *is* a
>Centauri.
Very useful when cheating at cards, I understand, but with potentially
chilling hazards.
> Jeanne Cavelos' work on the shadow arc made her correct for the
technomage
> books.
I guess I should ask for opinions from one and all about that novel.
I'd become so disappointed with the Dell's, that I didn't try it.
BTW, I see Del Rey has gotten *Greg Bear* to do a Star Wars novel. Any
chance he might be interested in B5? I'm looking forward to reading
his DARWIN'S RADIO. IMO, he's one of, and maybe every *the* best,
writer of sense-of-wonder SF. I can only wonder what he could do
exploring the histories of First Ones or the far future humanity from
the end of "Deconstruction of Falling Stars".
> >How did
> >the decision to spotlight the series' history and background, instead
> >of the lead characters and the station, come about?
>
> It's that perverse "let's do the opposite of what the marketing
people think"
> thing I get into sometimes; there's so much history in the B5
universe, and I'd
> worked so much of it out, it seemed a shame to waste it.
I agree. There's many things that have been mentioned in the series
that I'd like to see expanded on. I think I've mentioned my interest
in reading of the time Sheridan captained the Aggememnon and
encountered strange alien life (gas clouds that communicated with
colour or light flashes, wasn't it?), or seeing your character Ivanova
come to life again on the printed page, or Garibaldi's hassles and
deals as a plutocrat, perhaps a rangers chrolicle, and I'm especially
curious how the "new" B5 crew worked together and what challenges and
discoveries they had.
> Will there be any
> >single novels?
>
> Dunno.
>
> Is Warners & Del Rey willing and/or interested in
> >adding Crusade characters and concepts into the B5 books?
> >
> There will be some...Galen is all through both the technomage books
and a bit
> in the Centauri books.
Well, I'll be reading, I expect. But I've a friend who'll be even more
hungry for these books now. She's such an avid Galen fan, she created
a "Galen's Gallery" page. <g>
The Reverend Jacob Corbin
in_vale...@hotmail.com wrote:
> BTW, I see Del Rey has gotten *Greg Bear* to do a Star Wars novel. Any
> chance he might be interested in B5?
Dunno about Bear, but one of his fellow "killer B's"--namely David
Brin--once said that B5 and "The Simpsons" were the only TV shows worth
watching. Maybe he might be amenable...after all, he's not completely above
franchise work (witness his recently written "Foundation" novel).
Jacob
in_vale...@hotmail.com
Not to mention his current OUT OF TIME juvenile SF series he created,
written by others. I'd love to see Brin to tackle something big in B5
history.
Chibi-Light
>Jeanne Cavelos' work on the shadow arc made her correct for the technomage
>books.
So does that mean that the technomages are in some what related to the
shadows?
CL
Derek Beebe
> It seemeth to me that there is a connection then between the technomages
> and the shadows in your mind.
> It also seemeth to me to be too much of a coincidence that, mere minutes
> after a vessel that seemed to be based on ShadowTech took out an earth
> cruiser, that what amounted to a technomage migration passed through the
> area.
> Is there a connection between the technomages and the shadows?
> Are the technomages aware of the connection?
> Were the shadows aware of the connection before they left for beyond?
I read an article on Another Universe.com which asserted that the
Technomages were former Shadow minions like the Drakh. At first I was
skeptical, but looking back on it I'm positive it's true. Apparantly the
Technomages defected to hide from the Shadows, so some Shadow Minions tried
to kill 'em. maybe. this is the secret of the Technomage's origans which
JMS hinted would be answered in the first season finale.
Rom...@bigfoot.com
>> How did the decision to spotlight the series' history and background,
instead of the lead characters and the station, come about?
> It's that perverse "let's do the opposite of what the marketing people
think" thing I get into sometimes; there's so much history in the B5
universe, and I'd worked so much of it out, it seemed a shame to waste
it.
I have tried posting here several times. Help says it takes 4 hours to
three days. It has been three days and the post hasn't shown up. My
apologies if this gets posted more than once. I'm not used to posting
things.
JMS - does this mean the books are going to be in continuity, meaning,
the stories will be actual happenings, "real" events in the B5 universe?
The only examples I can think of are Star Wars novels, which I believe
are saying they are in continuity, and Star Trek, which is not. If the
B5 novels are in continuity, I'd be interested. The history and
background of the characters intrique me. If they are going to be
written off as "fiction" the next time you write something for the B5
universe, then I not as interested.
Are you going to write any novels - either B5 or Crusade? or any novels
not related to the B5 universe? I'm collecting Rising Stars. The
premise is good. I'm hooked after the first two. I hope they'll be
timely in release so my interest stays up.
Thanks,
Dan S.
The Reverend Jacob Corbin
rastB5mod! Hope you enjoy your stay.
Rom...@bigfoot.com wrote:
> I have tried posting here several times.
You got through this time.
> JMS - does this mean the books are going to be in continuity, meaning,
> the stories will be actual happenings, "real" events in the B5 universe?
> The only examples I can think of are Star Wars novels, which I believe
> are saying they are in continuity, and Star Trek, which is not. If the
> B5 novels are in continuity, I'd be interested. The history and
> background of the characters intrique me. If they are going to be
> written off as "fiction" the next time you write something for the B5
> universe, then I not as interested.
There was one series of B5 novels that published nine books. They were
intended to be canon (that is, in the B5 story) but they were written so
terribly, and paid so little attention to basic science (Mars is a "hot
planet", passenger spaceships have "emergency stop" pull cords like in old
trains), that there's a tacit agreement that they never ever happened.
Actually, I'd rather that the people responsible for them to be barred from
ever owning word processors or typewriters again, or at least have their
hands severed at the wrists, but that's asking a little too much. (The
ninth book--"To Dream in the City of Sorrows"--is, however, pretty good, and
is also 100% in continuity, since it was written by JMS' spouse. You ought
to give it a whirl, since it answers a lot of questions regarding Sinclair,
Valen, and the Minbari.) But don't buy the first eight books...do yourself
a favor and get a copy of "Cryptonomicon" instead.
Now there is a second series of B5 novels being published. The first
three books deal with Bester and the history of the Psi-Corps, and are some
of the best media tie-in books you'll ever read. This is probably due to
the fact that they're being written by an actual *writer*, a young turk by
the name of J. Gregory Keyes who's done fairly well for himself in the
legitimate SF/fantasy trade with a well-reviewed book called "Newton's
Cannon." Regardless, they're excellent books which answer a whole boatload
of questions--and they're in continuity, to boot. The next three books,
which are about Londo and Centauri Prime, will be written by Peter David,
who has written several B5/Crusade episodes and is a competent storyteller
within his limited bailiwick (I don't think he's ever written a "real"
book--mostly Star Trek tie-ins, but, it must be said, *good* ones). There
will also be three books written about Technomages, but these will be
written by Jeanne Cavelos, the woman who was responsible for "editing" the
first seven atrocities, and who wrote the eighth. Her knowledge of
storytelling is apparently as limited as her grasp of science, and her
command of written English could probably be outdone by a reasonably
intelligent eight-grader. All I can conclude is that she has pictures of
JMS in extremely compromising situations and that she is blackmailing him
for work. Avoid these like smallpox, or if you have the financial
resources, buy all available copies in your area and burn them. They would
only help to present a bad image of B5 to the masses.
Reverend Jake
feel my pain at http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine/shirley/272/
Weston D Griffiths
the least we can do...
After all, how many people started out hating Crusade before it started,
only to warm to it before it died? We may have much the same case here.
--
Weston D. Griffiths, B.A. cart...@earthlink.net
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Lair/5462
http://students.luther.edu/~anthro
html coded, bridges demolished, relics retrieved
The Reverend Jacob Corbin <webm...@afriendlysbooks.com> wrote in message
news:37FAC3CD...@afriendlysbooks.com...
Daryl Nash
> The next three books,
> which are about Londo and Centauri Prime, will be written by Peter David,
> who has written several B5/Crusade episodes and is a competent storyteller
> within his limited bailiwick (I don't think he's ever written a "real"
> book--mostly Star Trek tie-ins, but, it must be said, *good* ones).
Peter David has written two "real" books: Howling Mad and Knight Life, as well
as a series of sci-fi adventure books called Psi-Man (under the clever pseudonym
of David Peters). Good luck finding any of these, however--they're all out of
print. Unlike the Star Trek books.
He has also written a boatload of comic books.
Peter David may not very often be a "deep" author, but he is most always
entertaining, and his humor is usually spot on. Not to mention his
dialogue--he's one of the few media tie-in writers I know of (not that this is
many) who always evokes the speech patterns of the characters and actors in the
dialogue.
Daryl
Chibi-Light
<cart...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>How about we wait until the product is out before we damn it? I think it's
>the least we can do...
>After all, how many people started out hating Crusade before it started,
>only to warm to it before it died? We may have much the same case here.
>
I would have to agree. When I read the first Psi Corp book I was
indifferent to it. Then after reading the first section of the second
book, I ended up plowing through it and I'm doing pretty much the same
with the third one.
CL
BRETNTRACI
>who has written several B5/Crusade episodes and is a competent storyteller
>within his limited bailiwick (I don't think he's ever written a "real"
>book--mostly Star Trek tie-ins, but, it must be said, *good* ones).
Off the top of my head there is "Knight Life" and "Howling Mad."
In addition he has been writting some of the industries best comic books, a
column in a newpaper (blanking ont he name) called "But, I digress" and
co-created the children's tv show Space Cases and wrote several movies.
So that means:
novels (media tie in and original)
comics
newspapers
television
film
So where do you get " limited bailiwick"
Doesn't seem limited to me.
Jacob Corbin
> > Avoid these like smallpox, or if you have the financial resources,
> > buy all available copies in your area and burn them. They would
> > only help to present a bad image of B5 to the masses.
> >
> No. Buying them just counts as sales, no matter what you *do*
> with them. What you do is burn all but the covers, and send those
> in for refunds......
Good point. I humbly bow to your superior wisdom on the matter.
Reverend Jake
Matthew B. Vincent
>> There will also be three books written about Technomages, but these
>> will be written by Jeanne Cavelos, the woman who was responsible for
>> "editing" the first seven atrocities, and who wrote the eighth.
>> Her knowledge of storytelling is apparently as limited as her
>> grasp of science, and her command of written English could probably
>> be outdone by a reasonably intelligent eight-grader.
Ouch! Those comments were rather harsh (not something that one would usually
expect from a minister, either). I've only read one of Jeanne Cavelos' books,
which was _The Shadow Within_, but a fair amount of storytelling ability was
demonstrated in this novel. The storyline contains multiple plots which
integrate well, and the reader is left in suspense with a good balance between
questions being answered and new ones raised. The experience of characters
(including on a personal level) is related well, and moral insights are
combined with this. Whilst I've only read this one novel, I can't think
offhand of anything wrong with this author's ability.
Perhaps you could explain what your criticisms are in more detail ?
Matthew
Gharlane of Eddore
The Reverend Jacob Corbin wrote:
>
> There will also be three books written about Technomages, but these
> will be written by Jeanne Cavelos, the woman who was responsible for
> "editing" the first seven atrocities, and who wrote the eighth.
> Her knowledge of storytelling is apparently as limited as her
> grasp of science, and her command of written English could probably
> be outdone by a reasonably intelligent eight-grader.
>
war...@es.co.nz (Matthew B. Vincent) writes:
>
> Ouch! Those comments were rather harsh (not something that one would
> usually expect from a minister, either). I've only read one of
> Jeanne Cavelos' books, which was _The Shadow Within_, but a fair
> amount of storytelling ability was demonstrated in this novel.
>
I'm just floating here, shaking my non-existent head in pitying
disbelief. Cavelos hugely botched her "editing" on those first
half-dozen books because she's ignorant, technically incompetent,
genre-incompetent, and a rotten writer to boot. Her own book was
primarily useful as kindling, but only if you could find a way to
get copies for free. She has yet to demonstrate anything even
remotely akin to "story-telling ability." The woman's primary
talent seems to be self-promotion, rather than the creation of
worthwhile work.
( I'd suggest you take a look at books by Joan Vinge, Lois McMaster
Bujold, and Connie Willis to see what *respectable* writing by
talented, intelligent, hard-working people looks like.
( I have specifically mentioned three ladies whose work I invest
in at the sight of their names on the cover, because I don't want
to hear any more charges of prejudice against the likes of Cavelos
merely on the basis of her gender. )
If Vinge, Bujold, and Willis don't amuse and instruct you, take a
look at Barbara Hambly, whose work has certain recurring flaws,
but is still worth my money any time. )
>
> The storyline contains multiple plots which integrate well, and
> the reader is left in suspense with a good balance between
> questions being answered and new ones raised. The experience of
> characters (including on a personal level) is related well, and
> moral insights are combined with this. Whilst I've only read this
> one novel, I can't think offhand of anything wrong with this
> author's ability.
>
Then you need to pay better attention, or read something done by a
competent professional, so as to have some basis for comparison.
>
> Perhaps you could explain what your criticisms are in more detail ?
>
Perhaps *you* could take the trouble to take a look at the topic
archives, and examine the discussions which have taken place on
this subject in the past; that way, you'll have a wonderful reading
experience, learn how to use the Net actively instead of asking
other people to make it easy for you by doing your work; and better,
not clutter up the present-day topic with re-hashes of Old News
which tend to generate a good deal of acrimony and contumely, due
to the occasional topic presence of Cavelos Apologists.