Well, I’m not entirely sure how this sounds … that is, I don’t want to listen to it myself because I know I was talking too fast, I’d had a beer or two, and listening to myself always makes me cringe, but here’s the Dragon Page interview: http://www.dragonpage.com/2007/02/05/cover-to-cover-249/
15 comments:
bah, you sound fine. 8) concise and intelligent. though i maintain i always expected your voice to be deeper, and angrier. ;p
Hi Neal,
Well I thought that went off fairly well. As a tough-as-nails writer, I was sort of expecting you to sound like Mike Tyson, so I was pleasantly relieved.
I also have to say that it was nice to have something on the blog actually related to your writing. I know, I know, the blog is a place where you can get away from your fictional writing and unwind by having a go at everyone and sundry, but that’s exactly why I tune into your blog – that is, to get away from everything and sundry and tune into the Asherverse.
I’ve often wondered whether it concerns you at all as a writer as to the impression you leave as a blogger. You know, the impact on sales from those of our left-leaning brethren who read you blog and think “Buy a book from that right-wing fascist, no friggin’ way!” In the interests of fair disclosure, I have to say that (mostly) your political views don’t bother me, as I pretty much stick to the centre: the better to swerve to the right (for mostly fiscal concerns) or to the left (for mostly social concerns). Of course you can barrel right into any issue, but, although necessary sometimes, collisions will always cause damage.
It’s sort of weird hearing you go on about Brass Man and Cowl as I’m one of those who imports to Canada whatever you publish in Britain. Further to your unhappiness with the postal service, I have to say that I must just have exceedingly good luck. You’ll remember that when I bought my autographed copy of Voyage of the Sable Keetch from you, I was exceedingly complimentary on the expert packing job you did. Well, I didn’t want to bug you to send me an autographed copy of Polity Agent when signed copies were available from ‘Forbidden Planet’, so I just held my breath and ordered a copy from them. My heart just sank when I first saw the package – plain paper envelope with no padding, but when I opened it, except for a couple of minor bumps to the top and bottom of the spine it was in immaculate condition. Lucky, lucky me.
Anyway, here’s hoping for more postings on Line War (a couple of excerpts would be much appreciated!).
All the best,
Jonathan K. Stephens
P.S. Congrats to you for the prominent appearance of Polity Agent in the Locus Recommended Reading Lists.
Hi Jonathan,
Yeah, maybe I should put more on my blog about the books but, as you say, this is where I also blow off a bit of steam. I also know that there are plenty who read it because as well as enjoying my books they enjoy my rants. that being said, I might well put up one or two excerpts...
The impression I leave as a blogger does concern me and doubtless there will be those who won't buy books from such a right-wing fascist (though I think I'm more of a libertarian). However, if I tone down my views, I'll tone down the impact of what I'm saying - it'll be dull and, most importantly, I'll be lying. Truth is more important to me than whether I cause offense.
I haven't seen that recommended reading list yet - I'll take a look.
The show is a little bizarre. Is this a radio show for book readers or an on-line station for ?!?!? very confused. Anyway...For new listeners skip the timer through to 15.00 to miss the preamble.
I didn't feel they got anything out of you that we don't when we meet you in the pub! and they were coming across as authors in their own rights. I guess because they are so far behind with the books it makes it difficult for them to motivate you?
You did come across very well though, I think they possibly should work on their interviewing techniques for future guests.
Hiyahs Neal,
Good podcast, I didn't think you were talking too fast, sounded ok, might have been a bit better if you had a Welsh accent, but, hey, we can't all be perfect :)
I'm surprised you haven't published your fantasy trilogy, is there a reason for that? Perhaps you don't want to swap genres?
Can you give us a clue as to what sort of thing it is? Tolkienesque, Donaldson, God forbid - Jordan? WoT?
Bob
Neal, I hate the sound of my own voice too. I don't blame you for not listening.
I always feel like I sound like Steve Urkel.
Respects,
S. F. Murphy
Trapped in a Firey Land called Missouri
I can't help but hate my own voice, ever since I first heard it on tape when I was about seventeen. To me the Essex accent sounds harsh and ignorant. Strangely, when on holiday, me and Caroline were told by some Northerners that we sound 'posh' and as if we speak very correctly. Very puzzling.
Mark, Dragon Page is all those things you mention, and the shows have also be broadcast from 'normal' radio stations. It's the wave of the future and probably how we'll all be obtaining out entertainment in years to come. All we need to do is put a bullet through the peanut brain of that dinosaur called the BBC.
Bob, it's a risk swapping genres at this point (just think about Donaldson's 'Gap' series). Anyway, I hardly have time to take breath at the moment, and really that fantasy needs time and work. What sort of stuff is it? Think Zelazny's Amber but a bit heavier on the weird biology.
Murph, I'll have to google Steve Urkel. And congratualtions on your sale to Interzone!
i'll save you the time 8)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Urkel
Zelazny's Amber! oh you fucking tease. I love the Amber series, come on publish so I can read them.
Drake.
"a high-pitched voice with a snorting laugh" Thanks Kirby. Yeah, it's a bastard thinking like that, Murph, and usually isn't true. Though the snort is true of me. Sometimes people are shocked into silence when something amuses me. After brief embarrassed pause I realise I've just made a sound like pig finding a particularly delicious cache of truffles.
Drake, you have to remember that those books were written while I was on the lower end of the learning curve, so they need a lot of work. However, anyone can check out samples, synopses and a reader's report on them here http://freespace.virgin.net/n.asher and clicking on 'unpublished'.
Neal,
Bob, it's a risk swapping genres at this point (just think about Donaldson's 'Gap' series).
Was I the only one to like that series then?
I know it seemed weird at the time reading a Donaldson SF after his fantasy but once you put that aside I thought it was entertaining. However, his anti-hero way of writing can be exasperating on times.
Angus Thermopyle being the baddy who you hate in the beginning and end up cheering for in the end and Nick Succorso, who was the goody turning out a baddy, hehe.
How about doing a Iain Banks or Michael Marshall and adding a middle name, that is if you have one?
Bob
Thanks, neal.
Congrats on your Locus Mag placement. Now I'll have to find a copy to read for myself.
I don't snort, too much.
Respects,
S. F. Murphy
Trapped in a Firey Land Called Missouri
Being the shy and retiring sort, I didn't mention this before but, ahem, if you check back you'll see that I've been appearing on their lists for some while. 2005: on the novelettes and short stories lists (Softly Spoke the Gabbleduck & Mason's Rats). 2004: short stories (Strood). 2003: Novels (The Line of Polity). 2002: Novels (The Skinner).
Is there a book of Neal Asher short(er) stories coming out anytime soon?
I've just read the two recent collections from Al Reynolds and really enjoyed them; I've spent years only reading novels and it was a joy to re-discover how much fun a shorter piece can be.
Afront, the only collections of my short stories available are The Engineer ReConditioned and the chapbook Runcible Tales, oh, and two novellas in Africa Zero. Macmillan are lining up to publish a collection of my more recent Polity tales (like those that have appeared in Asimov's and elsewhere), but that won't be appearing for a year or so. Next on their agenda are Hilldiggers and the British version of Prador Moon (hardcover).
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