Over at Ficlets, I'm interviewing Sandra McDonald on her debut novel The Outback Stars, which aside from being a fun read in itself continues to have one of the coolest science fiction novel covers ever. Yes, I'm jealous. No, I don't want to talk about it. In the interview McDonald covers a wide range of topics, including live in the military (she was an officer for eight years in the navy), what writing teachers can teach you (and what they can't), and why Star Trek is probably not a realistic depiction of who you'll get on your crew when you're flying about the universe in a spaceship. It's good stuff.
New Ficlets interviews are just around the corner, too, including some with people who aren't in SF/F! I know! I can hardly believe it myself.
Comments (12)
Sorry to bring up a sore subject, but I was just thinking the exact same thing, John: way cool cover.
Posted by John | July 31, 2007 11:57 AM
Posted on July 31, 2007 11:57
I know! It's totally awesome!
Posted by John Scalzi | July 31, 2007 12:12 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 12:12
What, no implicit threats to the universe if I don't go read? You're slacking.
Posted by Cassie | July 31, 2007 2:06 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 14:06
That ficlets interview just sold Ms McDonald a book. Sounds like something I might find interesting. Thanks, John.
Posted by Jim Wright | July 31, 2007 2:29 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 14:29
For the life of me I can't find the "soundtrack" to the book John mentioned in the interview. I assumed it was a list of songs but danged if I can find it. I've looked at the book's website and her livejournal site. Can anyone point me to it?
Like Jim, I think the interview may have sold another copy of the book.
Posted by Vince | July 31, 2007 4:00 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:00
Vince:
You can see the soundtrack listing here.
Posted by John Scalzi | July 31, 2007 4:02 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:02
Dang it. I just did a google search for "Sandra McDonald" + soundtrack and went right to it.
http://homepage.mac.com/samcdonald/
Posted by Vince | July 31, 2007 4:04 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:04
Thanks John.
Is it too personal of a question to ask how much an author gets when I buy a book at amazon. Sometimes I feel guilty buying books used.
If it's too personal I won't ask. :-)
Posted by Anonymous | July 31, 2007 4:07 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:07
They get the same amount as they get paid if you buy it anywhere -- authors get paid a percentage of the list price, not the price the books is sold at, at the store.
Posted by John Scalzi | July 31, 2007 4:15 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:15
Woops. That last anonymous post was mine.
To clarify though, I've always been curious if an author gets say, .50 every time someone buys a new paperback and maybe a dollar for a hardback. Or have you contracted for a certain amount before it's published?
I feel like by buying used books I've taken money away from the author. Especially since a 1 cent used book at Amazon costs $4.00 with shipping. If the paperback is 6.99 new then I've saved a whopping $2.99 if I get free shipping.
Posted by Vince | July 31, 2007 4:16 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:16
Vince:
Well, when you buy used books, authors don't get anything. But I wouldn't lose a huge amount of sleep over it. If you decide you like an author enough, sooner or later you'll spring for a new book.
Posted by John Scalzi | July 31, 2007 4:25 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 16:25
I thought the cover was cool too. Saw it at the library and didn't even bother with reading the book jacket, because it was cool. Glad to hear it is a good read, I'll be starting it in a day or so.
Posted by Brad Hart | July 31, 2007 5:05 PM
Posted on July 31, 2007 17:05