Timewaster's Guide Archive

I mean he's definitely not paid $1.7 million. And if he were that would be too high. I do know the rough numbers, but if Brandon wants to talk about them on his blog (some authors do) that's up to him. There was a press release back when the deal was signed, but all it said was each of the four books has a significant six-figure advance and when combined with 'performance-based bonuses,' the possible total advances on the deal "could exceed $2.5 million."

Anyone who wants to buy a copy of the book to give to someone else is certainly welcome to, but what Brandon really cares about is the book getting read.

Reaching #7 on the New York Times best seller list for the first book in a new series is very good( Peter-- I know you realize this. this is for other people). Most series take several books to really take off. I don't think The Eye of the World had many hard cover prints at all. GRRM said his series took off only because of the Robert Jordan quote. I don't think he hit #1 until his 3rd book. Series take time to build anticipation. I have not read Brent Weeks books yet, but haven't they had increased sales as more have come out? I don't think Patrick Rothfuss got anywhere near the top 10 with his first book. I think he built steam over time through reviews, word of mouth, his blog, and his personality.

John Scalzi has blog posts about how much money he makes. He is doing very well. Probably not nearly as well as Brandon. I think he does it as a warning to want to be authors who think they can get rich quick. I don't think he does it to show off.  Alot of people on here like Stephen Erickson. I like Stephen Baxter. Both appear to be mid-listers. There lowers sales do not have an affect on my opinion of their work.

I just finished The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie. This was great. I really like how he did not pull back on the violence. The second to the last chapter called "The Bloody Nine" is the kind of fight seen I have been waiting for. I get frustrated with fantasy novels that try to gloss over how bad things are and pull back. This book makes me wish Rand Al'Thor would torture forsaken.

I have read George RR Martins books. Any other dark fantasy recommendation? I mean dark in a Martin/Abercrombie sense, not fatalistic in a Michael Moorcock sense.  Please let me know if you know of any dark sci-fi also.

They say that most books cost 1 book credit. What types of books cost more than 1 credit? I am concerned they may spin this, so the best selling new releases are the small number of books that cost more than 1 book credit.

some thoughts

1. He is writing Twilight fan fiction
2. He has decided to go dark. He is writing a dark, twisted fantasy novel that makes George RR Martin's books look like childrens literature
3. He is serving as Peter Ahlstrom's assistant while he works on his first book.
4. He is writing an essay about how he is not a fantasy writer
5. He has taken a position in the Obama administration as the Czar of Fantasy writing. His first act is to waterboard Terry Goodkind.

How is a Song of Ice and Fire political? Do you mean ones that focus on political leaders like kings and queens? I am a bit confused.

When did Brandon have time to work on this? Just curious how he schedules this stuff. My understanding is that Way of Kings is in large part based on work he did before he was published. However, I think the Alcatraz books are all new ideas. Just curious how he had the time to work on this. Do these books take less time to write than Wheel of Time or his other fantasy books? I believe he wrote that he works 14 hour days. Even doing that, how does he get this book in too?

Also, does Brandon go on a book tour for the Alcatraz books also?

Are any of these books non-YA (I don't like young adult literature) and set in a separate fantasy world? Like a World of Time type thing with more non-western cultures? Or fantasy books set in anything other than 14th century Europe with magic?

one of the guys nominated for a Campbell Award is writing an Islamic fantasy novel. No idea when it will be released. I would like to see fantasy worlds where authors  jumble up cultures. For example.

People that look like a cross between Japanese and Indians
Music culture from central africa
political system based on ancient rome

something like that. You would need someone either fascinated by culture or someone with an anthropology background.