SF in the Year 2007...

[John Jarrold]

It'll be interesting to watch out for the SF debuts in UK and US publishing this year. There were half-a-dozen big new fantasy novels in 2006, but I didn't see a single SF debut that was pushed hard by the publishers. Admitting my own interest as the agent involved, I can mention Orbit's DEBATABLE SPACE by Philip Palmer, a terrific wide-screen SF debut novel coming in September on both sides of the Atlantic. Philip has written for stage, TV and radio over a number of years. I haven't taken on that many SF writers, because I'm aware that the market for fantasy is still much stronger in commercial terms. Those SF authors I have ushered into the agency, I have loved personally and professionally. Which doesn't mean they're shoo-ins for immediate acquisition and publication, of course. No one is, in 2006. But I believe that they will be published...

[apokalypsis]

Perhaps a silly question, but I'm a newbie to the publishing side of things: What does "wide-screen" mean in the context of a novel?

[John Jarrold]

Epic in scope. 'Wide-screen baroque' was a phrase used by Brian Aldiss in his history of SF, BILLION YEAR SPREE - later updated as TRILLION YEAR SPREE! If you've read Iain M Banks' Culture novels, or the novels of Alastair Reynolds, you'll know what I mean...

[SpaceShip]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

It'll be interesting to watch out for the SF debuts in UK and US publishing this year. There were half-a-dozen big new fantasy novels in 2006, but I didn't see a single SF debut that was pushed hard by the publishers. Admitting my own interest as the agent involved, I can mention Orbit's DEBATABLE SPACE by Philip Palmer, a terrific wide-screen SF debut novel coming in September on both sides of the Atlantic. Philip has written for stage, TV and radio over a number of years. I haven't taken on that many SF writers, because I'm aware that the market for fantasy is still much stronger in commercial terms. Those SF authors I have ushered into the agency, I have loved personally and professionally. Which doesn't mean they're shoo-ins for immediate acquisition and publication, of course. No one is, in 2006. But I believe that they will be published...

As a self-publishing author, how would you recommend I "push hard" my work, bearing in mind I don't have the funds of a big publishing house? Thanks John.

[John Jarrold]

Use the net, and any contacts you have in bookselling and local media. Build from there...

[SpaceShip]

Thanks John. I'm hoping to give a talk to some students at a local school in St Leonards - so we'll see what happens.

[John Jarrold]

Good luck! Which school?

[SpaceShip]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Good luck! Which school?

Well, as I said, I'm hoping - haven't had a reply to my request yet but it's Helenswood. One of the students there read my first book and sent me such a wonderful thank you card, which she made herself, that I had her comments and card put on the back cover of my second book. I sent the school two copies of each for their libraries and the headteacher wrote a very positive response. So, I am hoping. So far my talk on being a self-published author is about six pages long (single spaced A4). Do you think that's about long enough, too long or too short?

[John Jarrold]

Sounds about right. Have you read it out loud, so you can give them (and yourself) a timing?

[SpaceShip]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Sounds about right. Have you read it out loud, so you can give them (and yourself) a timing?

Not yet - I'm still adding bits, changing bits and still getting thoughts of "oh I must put that in", but when my son visits next week, I'll try it out on him.
Thanks for your help.