Sunday, March 14, 2010
Now I'm Glad I Put My Eyes Back In
It's stuff like this that keeps me going when the writing isn't coming easy or I'm up at 3 a.m. with the realization that if I'm even in the same ballpark as folks like Grisham and King, it's only as the guy who's selling hot dogs near the men's room on the third level of the stadium where you can't even see the scoreboard. :PA fan recently emailed this photo of Plague War in stock among various nonfiction books on roughly the same subject. The photo was taken in the P/X on base where he's in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps dealing with WMD scenarios. So, you know, my novels are relaxing compared to his day job.
Thanks, man!
Labels: AAFES, Plague War, U.S. Army
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
In the meanwhile...
...and because I've been a very busy duck lately, buried in final edits of PLAGUE ZONE, I thought I'd post this YouTube clip about where-did-you-get-your-ideas for the first two PLAGUE novels in case you missed it.
I am *very* excited about PLAGUE ZONE. This book is bigger, better, and even more cutthroat than the first two, lightning-paced and chock full of action, surprises, romance, and big concepts.
That's right. I'm writing my own blurbs now. ;)
I am *very* excited about PLAGUE ZONE. This book is bigger, better, and even more cutthroat than the first two, lightning-paced and chock full of action, surprises, romance, and big concepts.
That's right. I'm writing my own blurbs now. ;)
Labels: Plague War, PLAGUE YEAR, the writing life, YouTube
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Philip K. Dick Award
For you cultureless heathens who don't already know, Philip K. Dick was a prolific science fiction writer who saw little commercial success in his lifetime but has since become Hollywood's love muffin, his novels forming the basis of movies such as "Blade Runner," "Total Recall," "Next," and "Minority Report." Most of his novels were paperback originals. The PKD is a juried award with a twenty-five year history, presented annually to the best science fiction paperback original, which leads us to Plague War. Wednesday morning, when I got online, I had several emails that War had been shortlisted.
Previous winners include several of my favorite writers, such as William Gibson, Robert Charles Wilson, and Richard K. Morgan. Wow. It’s really, really nice to feel like I must be doing something right — you know, despite the lady who fed Plague Year to her dog, took pictures of it, and sent them to me. Nice!
As you can imagine, we’re very excited. My family. My editors. My agents. Heck, I got congratulatory emails from my publishers in Europe, who must skim the sf news sites with their evening drinks.
Even better, I'm sort of competing with myself. I’m on the ballot 1.14 times, which must be unusual. One of the other five contenders is Pyr Books' Fast Forward 2, which includes my short story "Long Eyes" along with thirteen other pieces, hence the .14, although maybe it should be .15 with another sliver cut out for Lou Anders, the mastermind behind the anthology.
Looks like a tough crowd this year. The envelope, please... Oh, wait. It won't be opened until April 10th at Norwescon!
Labels: Philip K. Dick Award finalist, Plague War
Friday, January 16, 2009
Actually, I'm Still Alive
But I look like this. Again. I’m sorry to have fallen off the map. It was Christmas. It was New Year’s. I had a 570 page manuscript that needed to become 480 or my publisher would freak. Mind Plague is at 495 right now in third draft. The fire is out. Life is good. I plan to hit it again next week and get that baby slim and mean. This is going to be the best Plague novel yet — bigger, scarier, with planes chases, gunfights, sex, betrayals, freaky new nanotech, politics, and worse — sometimes all in the same scene at once! Whoa, Nelly.In the meantime, it’s been a good week. I wrote “The End,” which always gratifying. I also found out that Plague War has been shortlisted for the Philip K. Dick Award. That’s rare for a sequel and so doubly exciting. More on this soon.
In the meantime, I only had two New Year’s resolutions. One is to get more exercise. The other is semi-retire this blog. I hear thousands of people screaming “Nooooo!” Uh, do I? No. Unless a surprisingly large crowd suddenly delurks and hollers for more Deep Thoughts With Jeff, I’m not sure I see the point. I appreciate the banter with you guys who’ve been hanging around. My original intent was to put six months into Ketchup and then reassess the matter. Clearly, I just don’t have time for it.
Having said that, I’ll also post more on this subject asap. For the moment, I just wanted to establish that, yes, I still live!!!!
Labels: Philip K. Dick Award finalist, Plague War, the writing life
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Bombshell Number Two
More good news from the Carlson household. This may not be quite as exciting as a film option, but we're fired up because it implies a pattern! You know, one foreign book deal could be an accident. Two is a coincidence. But three might very well be a trend... ;)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Carlson’s “Book Trailer” Leads To Two-Book Deal In Eastern Europe
Just ahead of the publication of his second novel, sci fi thriller Plague War, author Jeff Carlson and two friends released a “book trailer” entitled 4 Minutes Above 10,000 Feet. Shot in the Sierra mountains, this short film can only be described as Alive meets The Blair Witch Project meets the new Andromeda Strain.
With moderately high production values and starring Carlson himself alternating between roles as the narrator and as a survivor caught in his own books, the trailer quickly garnered attention at genre and mainstream web sites such as boingboing, GalleyCat, and io9.com, as well as popular blogs such as those of Joseph Mallozi (television’s Stargate: Atlantis) and top literary agent Nathan Bransford.
“This trailer is really exceptional,” remarked New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson. “I can just see many publishers convincing themselves that something like this would cost $100,000 or more. It’s great work, and I’ll bet [Carlson’s publisher] is dazzled… and confused! They must be thinking ‘Wow, how did he do that!?’”
Among other spectacular visuals and action sequences, the four-minute trailer features computer generated imagery of a smoking space shuttle roaring over Carlson’s head as he stands on a desolate mountaintop, having just escaped the microscopic nanotechnology featured in his novels Plague Year and its new sequel, Plague War, published by Ace/Penguin in North America.
According to Carlson, however, “The most unusual part about our short film must be that my total out-of-pocket costs were less than four hundred dollars, nearly all of which went to my web guy to convert the original file and build a Flash player for it on my site, which, in retrospect, was unnecessary. The YouTube version looks surprisingly sharp, especially if you click on the ‘Watch In High Quality’ tab.
“Next time I'll skip the fancy Flash player and go YouTube all the way, with the original QuickTime file also available on my site for the purists.”
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Carlson added, ”It cost me a tank of gas to drive to the Sierras and back, and Adad and Chuck were paid in sandwiches, Pepsi, and chips, plus we had to license two songs for the soundtrack. That was it. Of course, I’m fortunate that the real mastermind, Adad Warda, is a childhood friend of my wife's, a film student turned pro who was delighted just to tackle the challenge of it.”
A high definition version of the short film can be found on Carlson’s web site at www.jverse.com. It is also readily accessible on YouTube
Carlson was asked if there will be another such trailer?
“Absolutely,” he said. “It was a lot of fun to act out parts of the book, and we’re already scripting our follow-up for next summer.”
As a marketing device, the short film seems to be working. In its various formats, 4 Minutes Above 10,000 Feet has been viewed more than 20,000 times. Carlson has also been interviewed about his novels and the making of the trailer by radio stations as far from home as Florida and, much farther, New Zealand. Perhaps more impressive, within three days of the trailer’s release, Carlson’s agents were contacted by a senior editor with Millennium Press in eastern Europe who had seen the trailer. Negotiations on a two-book deal were finalized this week for translation into Romanian.
Plague Year and Plague War have already sold in Spain, where “La Plaga” is currently the lead hardcover from Minotauro, backed a massive promotion campaign, including newspaper ads, radio clips, and gas masks and yellow biohazard tape on book store floor stands and in window displays. Minotauro is also distributing the book in Columbia and Peru, and plans further releases across South America.
In Germany, the entire trilogy went to Piper Verlag in best bid auction for a “significant” deal in high five figures.
Plague Year is also available on CD from Recorded Books, as narrated by stage actor Richard Ferrone. Film rights for the novel were optioned last week by award-winning producer James McNally of Seven Seas Jim.
Readers can find free excerpts of both Plague Year and Plague War at Carlson’s web site along with tour dates, blog, videos and more, including a mind-croggling sci fi trivia contest in which winners will be allowed to name a character after themselves or a friend in one of Carlson’s upcoming novels.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Carlson’s “Book Trailer” Leads To Two-Book Deal In Eastern Europe
Just ahead of the publication of his second novel, sci fi thriller Plague War, author Jeff Carlson and two friends released a “book trailer” entitled 4 Minutes Above 10,000 Feet. Shot in the Sierra mountains, this short film can only be described as Alive meets The Blair Witch Project meets the new Andromeda Strain.
With moderately high production values and starring Carlson himself alternating between roles as the narrator and as a survivor caught in his own books, the trailer quickly garnered attention at genre and mainstream web sites such as boingboing, GalleyCat, and io9.com, as well as popular blogs such as those of Joseph Mallozi (television’s Stargate: Atlantis) and top literary agent Nathan Bransford.
“This trailer is really exceptional,” remarked New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson. “I can just see many publishers convincing themselves that something like this would cost $100,000 or more. It’s great work, and I’ll bet [Carlson’s publisher] is dazzled… and confused! They must be thinking ‘Wow, how did he do that!?’”
Among other spectacular visuals and action sequences, the four-minute trailer features computer generated imagery of a smoking space shuttle roaring over Carlson’s head as he stands on a desolate mountaintop, having just escaped the microscopic nanotechnology featured in his novels Plague Year and its new sequel, Plague War, published by Ace/Penguin in North America.
According to Carlson, however, “The most unusual part about our short film must be that my total out-of-pocket costs were less than four hundred dollars, nearly all of which went to my web guy to convert the original file and build a Flash player for it on my site, which, in retrospect, was unnecessary. The YouTube version looks surprisingly sharp, especially if you click on the ‘Watch In High Quality’ tab.
“Next time I'll skip the fancy Flash player and go YouTube all the way, with the original QuickTime file also available on my site for the purists.”
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Carlson added, ”It cost me a tank of gas to drive to the Sierras and back, and Adad and Chuck were paid in sandwiches, Pepsi, and chips, plus we had to license two songs for the soundtrack. That was it. Of course, I’m fortunate that the real mastermind, Adad Warda, is a childhood friend of my wife's, a film student turned pro who was delighted just to tackle the challenge of it.”
A high definition version of the short film can be found on Carlson’s web site at www.jverse.com. It is also readily accessible on YouTube
Carlson was asked if there will be another such trailer?
“Absolutely,” he said. “It was a lot of fun to act out parts of the book, and we’re already scripting our follow-up for next summer.”
As a marketing device, the short film seems to be working. In its various formats, 4 Minutes Above 10,000 Feet has been viewed more than 20,000 times. Carlson has also been interviewed about his novels and the making of the trailer by radio stations as far from home as Florida and, much farther, New Zealand. Perhaps more impressive, within three days of the trailer’s release, Carlson’s agents were contacted by a senior editor with Millennium Press in eastern Europe who had seen the trailer. Negotiations on a two-book deal were finalized this week for translation into Romanian.
Plague Year and Plague War have already sold in Spain, where “La Plaga” is currently the lead hardcover from Minotauro, backed a massive promotion campaign, including newspaper ads, radio clips, and gas masks and yellow biohazard tape on book store floor stands and in window displays. Minotauro is also distributing the book in Columbia and Peru, and plans further releases across South America.
In Germany, the entire trilogy went to Piper Verlag in best bid auction for a “significant” deal in high five figures.
Plague Year is also available on CD from Recorded Books, as narrated by stage actor Richard Ferrone. Film rights for the novel were optioned last week by award-winning producer James McNally of Seven Seas Jim.
Readers can find free excerpts of both Plague Year and Plague War at Carlson’s web site along with tour dates, blog, videos and more, including a mind-croggling sci fi trivia contest in which winners will be allowed to name a character after themselves or a friend in one of Carlson’s upcoming novels.
Labels: 4 Minutes Above 10000 Feet, book trailer, Millennium Press, Plague War, PLAGUE YEAR, Romanian publisher
Friday, September 19, 2008
Big New Author Interview
A little more timely this time, I'd like to thank John Ottinger over at book review site Grasping For The Wind for a fun and awesome Q&A in which we discuss Heidi Klum's underwear, sure-fire stock picks, and free mail-order chocolate from the heart of Bavaria.
Well, not really, but that sounds great, right!?!? ;)
John graciously allowed me a big long interview about my brain and what goes on in there! Come and see. It's here and it should make some great reading for a weekend-morning-with-coffee.
Well, not really, but that sounds great, right!?!? ;)
John graciously allowed me a big long interview about my brain and what goes on in there! Come and see. It's here and it should make some great reading for a weekend-morning-with-coffee.
Labels: author interview, Grasping For The Wind, Plague War
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Book Sandwich
I wrote eight pages today, which is a good number for me, especially because we’ve been freakishly busy. Still, I’m trying to stay focused on the book, which is why I’ve been absent for a few days.
In the meantime, belatedly, I should mention that Book Sandwich has posted a fun interview with the part of my brain that *wasn’t* focused on the book… And I absolutely love that name, don't you? Book Sandwich. It makes me think of Schroeder and Snoopy for some obscure reason. It sounds lovable, deep, and fun all at the same time. ;)
In the meantime, belatedly, I should mention that Book Sandwich has posted a fun interview with the part of my brain that *wasn’t* focused on the book… And I absolutely love that name, don't you? Book Sandwich. It makes me think of Schroeder and Snoopy for some obscure reason. It sounds lovable, deep, and fun all at the same time. ;)
Labels: author interview, Book Sandwich, Plague War
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Deep Thoughts With Jeff: Does Size Really Matter?
So I've been eyebrow deep in Mind Plague again, which is a good thing, but today is an off day for me so I'm catching up on correspondence and errands. In the meantime, here’s something I’ve been meaning to get off my chest. That’s right! Because you demanded it. Sordid hot personal rants for the Internet!
Well, not really. But here is a Deep Thought With Jeff.
I’ve taken a bit of heat from some reviewers and fans for the Plague novels being “short” books. Generally this person will come on fairly strong about how they enjoyed the novel and say that it was a quick enjoyable read, but, well, maybe it was short...
To which I say bullshit. There’s no question that I’m not writing the gigantic 200K word door stoppers you find in epic fantasy, for example, but I take exception with the idea that my books are short.
Oo! A nerve! We’ve touched a nerve! :)
Plague Year is 100K words, which is slightly on the long side of average. It’s just that it was published in paperback and in the tiniest legible font known to mankind. The book clocks in at 304 pages total, including maps and blurbs and one ad in the back... but those are densely packed pages, folks, full of flavor and satisfaction. Mmm.
My contract for Plague War mandated an identical count of 100K words — yes, this stuff is in the legalese — but my editor and I fought for more after I found myself halfway through that word count but not halfway through the story. The scope of the sequel is even bigger than in the first book, with more POV characters and a larger background.
War clocked in at 115K words even after a brutal tightening-and-polish of the final manuscript. I figured the finished book would run at least 330 pages and show those short people a thing or two. But an interesting thing happened. When I received advance copies, I was flabbergasted to discover that War was exactly 304 pages, too!
What’s happening here? My editor tells me that books are printed in 16 page increments. More, they love ‘em thin. You get more books in a box that way, saving on warehousing and shipping costs, not to mention paper and binding costs. You also get more books on the shelves in less space. Welcome to the future!!!
I asked her, But what happened to the extra 15K words? Did you guy chop out a bunch of stuff without telling me?
Nope. If you examine War, you’ll find that its pages are even more densely packed than those of Year. They used the same tiny font, but with even narrower white margins on either side and several more lines from top to bottom. Shazam! Magic!
Here's more evidence that my books aren’t short. The gorgeous hard cover from Minotauro runs 320 pages, a nice, standard thickness for a book... and hard covers always have a lesser page count than paperbacks because, well, the pages are bigger! Even with a normal-sized font and normal spacing between the lines, those lovely big pages hold more text than a paperback page.
Also, the German paperback is 400 pages. Why? They’re not using the smallest typeface ever discovered by scientists. So in your face, short people!
(Have I unintentionally begun a flame war with individuals who are vertically challenged? Tune in next week...)
Well, not really. But here is a Deep Thought With Jeff.
I’ve taken a bit of heat from some reviewers and fans for the Plague novels being “short” books. Generally this person will come on fairly strong about how they enjoyed the novel and say that it was a quick enjoyable read, but, well, maybe it was short...
To which I say bullshit. There’s no question that I’m not writing the gigantic 200K word door stoppers you find in epic fantasy, for example, but I take exception with the idea that my books are short.
Oo! A nerve! We’ve touched a nerve! :)
Plague Year is 100K words, which is slightly on the long side of average. It’s just that it was published in paperback and in the tiniest legible font known to mankind. The book clocks in at 304 pages total, including maps and blurbs and one ad in the back... but those are densely packed pages, folks, full of flavor and satisfaction. Mmm.
My contract for Plague War mandated an identical count of 100K words — yes, this stuff is in the legalese — but my editor and I fought for more after I found myself halfway through that word count but not halfway through the story. The scope of the sequel is even bigger than in the first book, with more POV characters and a larger background.
War clocked in at 115K words even after a brutal tightening-and-polish of the final manuscript. I figured the finished book would run at least 330 pages and show those short people a thing or two. But an interesting thing happened. When I received advance copies, I was flabbergasted to discover that War was exactly 304 pages, too!
What’s happening here? My editor tells me that books are printed in 16 page increments. More, they love ‘em thin. You get more books in a box that way, saving on warehousing and shipping costs, not to mention paper and binding costs. You also get more books on the shelves in less space. Welcome to the future!!!
I asked her, But what happened to the extra 15K words? Did you guy chop out a bunch of stuff without telling me?
Nope. If you examine War, you’ll find that its pages are even more densely packed than those of Year. They used the same tiny font, but with even narrower white margins on either side and several more lines from top to bottom. Shazam! Magic!
Here's more evidence that my books aren’t short. The gorgeous hard cover from Minotauro runs 320 pages, a nice, standard thickness for a book... and hard covers always have a lesser page count than paperbacks because, well, the pages are bigger! Even with a normal-sized font and normal spacing between the lines, those lovely big pages hold more text than a paperback page.
Also, the German paperback is 400 pages. Why? They’re not using the smallest typeface ever discovered by scientists. So in your face, short people!
(Have I unintentionally begun a flame war with individuals who are vertically challenged? Tune in next week...)
Labels: Deep Thoughts With Jeff, German edition PLAGUE YEAR, Plague War, Publishing, the writing life
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