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December 31, 2007
Books in Review
Another year comes to a close and another list of books read is done. Given my at-home status since August, I ended with 67 books completed, the smallest number in some time. I try and make time each day for a book but find that life and other chores keep eating away at discretionary reading. Of course, writers are supposed to read a variety of material so it’s not entirely discretionary but still…
I continue to plow through daily newspapers, two newsweekly magazines, assorted monthly magazines and tons of comic books. As the year progressed, the number of magazines dwindled a bit as titles such as Premiere folded and the comics have fluctuated in number.
I read some favorite authors as usual and some new ones and in reviewing the list, it’s certainly an eclectic mix. Among first time authors sampled, Chelsea Cain’s Heart Sick was a pleasant surprise. Thanks to St. Nick and pals here and there, my To Be Read shelf is as full as ever so I’m ready to forge ahead into the New Year.
I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This! Bob Newhart
Omar, Pedro and Carlos Adam Rubin
The Guns of Heaven Pete Hamill
1776 David McCullough
His Majesty's Dragon Naomi Novik
The Water Room Christopher Fowler
Storm Front Jim Butcher
Star Trek: Crucible - McCoy David R. George III
Funnymen Ted Heller
Webslinger Gerry Conway & Leah Wilson, editors
Star Trek: The Empty Chair Diane Duane
Star Trek: Crucible - Spock David R. George III
Meeting Across the River Jessica Kaye & Richard J. Brewer, editors
The Krypton Companion Michael Eury, editor
The Defining Moment Jonathan Alter
Grave Peril Jim Butcher
High Profile Robert B. Parker
The Avenger: Justice Inc. Lester Dent
The Avenger: The Yellow Hoard Lester Dent
The Jade Throne Naomi Novik
Kiss for a Killer G.G. Fickling
Letter to a Christian Nation Sam Harris
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln Doris Kearns Goodwin
The Ultimates Michael Jan Friedman
Starwater Strains Gene Wolfe
The Lexus and the Olive Tree Thomas L. Friedman
A Killing in Comics Max Allan Collins
Star Trek: Crucible - Kirk David R. George III
North River Pete Hamill
Star Trek: Errand of Fury Book 2 Kevin Ryan
On Writing Stephen King
Star Trek: Vulcan's Soul III - Epiphany Susan Shwartz & Josepha Sherman
Killing Johnny Fry Walter Mosley
The March E.L. Doctorow
Lethally Blond Kate White
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney
Star Trek Corps of Engineers: Grand Designs Keith R.A. DeCandido, editor
Conversations with the Devil Jeff Rovin
Darkness of the Light Peter David
Black Powder War Naomi Novik
Songs of Innocence Richard Aleas
Full Moon Jim Butcher
Spare Change Robert B. Parker
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K. Rowling
Star Trek: Reap the Whirlwind David Mack
Bad-Ass Faeries Danielle Ackley-McPhail, editor
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Buried Age Christopher L. Bennett
Vanishing Acts Jodi Picoult
The Awful Truths Brian Thomsen
High School Confidential Jeremy Iversen
American Gangster Max Allan Collins
101 Reasons to Love the Dodgers Ron Green Jr.
Star Trek: TNG - Resistance J.M. Dillard
The Dominant Blonde Alisa Kwitney
Writing the Breakout Novel Donald Maass
Bring it On Laura Anne Gilman
Star Trek: Enterprise - The Good That Men Do Andy Mangels & Michael A. Martin
Coffee at Luke's Jennifer Crusie, editor
Sin in the Second City Karen Abbott
Heart Sick Chelsea Cain
The Blue Beetle Companion Christopher Irving
Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town Cory Doctorow
Star Trek Corps of Engineers: Creative Couplings Keith R.A. DeCandido, editor
Star Trek: Mirror Universe-Obsidian Alliances Marco Palmieri & Margaret Clark, editors
Everything is Illuminated Jonathan Safran Foer
Now and Then Robert B. Parker
Persepolis Marjane Satrapi
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 01:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 30, 2007
At the Movies
I can’t recall the last time I sat so affected by a movie.
Last night, Deb, Kate, and I went to see Atonement, of which I had heard only superlative things but had only a superficial understanding of the plot. I had not read Ian McEwan’s novel on which this is based but attended based on the positive reviews, the superb cast, and it presented me with a chance to go the movies, something rarely turned down.
We watched in silence and when the final credits rolled, I sat there, rather deeply moved. I can only relate it to the distressed mood Kate was in when we took her to see Titanic almost exactly a decade ago. She was so shaken by the downbeat ending, we had to take her to the diner so she could decompress and process what she had seen.
I sat slumped in my seat; feeling rather moved by director Joe Wright’s adaptation. Now, I’ve been exhilarated, satisfied, surprised, and highly entertained by movies, but cannot recall the last I felt moved.
Likely, it has a lot to do with my unfamiliarity with the complete story and its elegant production values that brought things to life. Kate commented on the amazing camera work during the Dunkirk sequence and looking back, she’s right. It was seamless work and didn’t call attention to itself but went a long way to bringing the horror of the battle’s aftermath to life.
The film, like the book, plays with time and you see the same events from different points of view as well as flashbacks and flash-forwards throughout so it also means you need to pay strict attention or you’re liable to get lost.
Much has been written about Keira Knightly and James McAvoy and it’s all richly deserved. But I was supremely impressed with the work done by a trio of actresses – Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, and Vanessa Redgrave – who brought the pivotal character of Briony Tallis to life. Garai, it turns out, may be best known for living down Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights, but is unrecognizable from that unfortunate career choice. IMDB shows she’s done a bit of other work of note, but to most journalists she’s done nothing in between those two movies.
Anyway, it’s sumptuous and moving and highly recommended. The themes are heavy ones and it’s certainly not for everyone but you may find yourself moved as well.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 03:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 28, 2007
On Pakistan
Pakistan is a country that grew out of nothing, a bit of land that has been continually occupied and conquered through the ages. It only came into existence in August 1947 and since then, forging its own identity and culture has been difficult. Largely, that has been because of ongoing tensions with India. The promised UN solution to Kashmir has yet to occur like so many other promised UN initiatives.
I know this because some years back, I wrote about the country‘s history for Rosen Books. As a result, whenever the country reaches the headlines, I pay attention.
That, and some years back, when Deb worked for The Carter Organization, we were invited to fill out a table at an event honoring Benazir Bhutto, then Prime Minister. She spoke elegantly and while we never met her, it did make me feel more involved with her people.
The country has rarely strayed from the headlines for much of this year. Its instability has increased as President Pervez Musharraf tightened his grip on power while offering words of peace and reconciliation with all.
Yesterday’s assassination of Bhutto will see to it that stability will remain elusive well into 2008. I see Al- Quaeda is now claiming they targeted her as America’s greatest asset in the land. If true, that’s a terrible shame, because the people were denied a different voice than the one currently offered them. And no doubt the only other voice raised against the current administration, Nawaz Sharif, is wisely in hiding.
Musharraf has failed the people of Pakistan because he has spent so much time trying tio keep his job, he has neglected to do his job. Under him, the military has grown so powerful that the specter of coups remains well into the future, well after he’s gone from office. They have yet to find businesses at which they can excel, exporting that expertise to the rest of the world and letting its people prosper.
In the end, we will sit here and watch, and weep, for the turmoil that denies children a bright future and keeps global tensions needlessly ratcheted higher.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 08:16 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 26, 2007
The Day After
It’s all about the anticipation. It gets you every time. You eagerly await a movie, a special occasion, or milestone and you get excited. It’s a terrific feeling and then the actual event arrives and you enjoy it, but before you know it, the time has passed.
Less so Christmas. After all, there are twelve days of Christmas and during that period we also welcome in the New Year. As a result, for about a week to ten days we’re filled with a series of events staring with the Eves and then the actual days. In between we’re distracted by the daily minutia that can’t wait. In the case of freelance writers, it also means time not working is time not spent earning money (this season I’ve learned that I can throw my own office party any time I want but no one will hand out Christmas bonuses and only one client sent a gift).
Christmas Eve is normally the time when the kids open presents from the out-of-town relatives, but this year it took about five minutes since most of it came as cash or checks. Still, we received our gifts from the kids. Robbie gave me the soundtrack to Black Hawk Down, something I’ve been wanting ever since Dave Mack highly recommended it for writing mood music (now I have to see the film). Kate gave me a baseball shirt with the Abbott & Costello logo on the front and the name “Who” and the number one on the back. Very cool.
Kate cantored at Midnight Mass and Robbie and I wound up sitting with her friends Kelly and Dini then our pew was filled with the Vahey family, whose kids Robbie babysits for and Cristin and I serve on the RTM together. She was in fine voice and filled the church wonderfully.
After crashing, Deb and I got up long before the kids. As a result, seeing what Santa put under the tree would have to wait. She went to sing at the 10 a.m. mass while Robbie and I watched Miracle on 34th Street as I chopped veggies. We scurried about getting the house ready for company. Finally, Deb returned home and we could open the gifts.
Santa brought me the new Paul Simon CD, Surprise, the DVD box set celebrating the Mets’ amazing 1986 post-season., two needed shirts, some socks, and two books. I was quite pleased. Now, given the above, I should note that Kate’s gift to me had a connection to our gift to son. He received the same shirt, only with number three and “I Don’t Know” on the back. Should be fun at games.
The kids and Deb were all quite happy with their gifts so it was a jolly morning.
We then popped the turkey in the oven and set about to cook, clean, set-up and relax. Deb’s brothers Jeff and Jim came over, the latter brining his fiancée Jennifer and his boys, Zach and Nick. The nine of us goofed, noshed, chatted, exchanged even more gifts and enjoyed the day. Our feast was most filling and well crafted. Dessert was even better.
Once we were cleaned up, it was time to just chill. We did so watching the first four episodes of The Muppet Show season one, a gift Kate got from St. Nick. Its charm and humor endures although several cultural references and even guests needed cultural context for the kids.
Now it’s Boxing Day, the day to avoid the stores at all costs and get some work done. I have e-mails to return, a conference call at Noon and time to polish Hellboy II before it is due.
Was it a good day for you?
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 09:03 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 24, 2007
Settling into the Season
The house smells great.
We brought the tree in on Saturday so the pine scent made Deb smile from rooms away. Baking has been an ongoing process since mid-week and today we’re producing three pies and three final batches of Christmas cookies.
Soon the baking smells will be replaced by frying onions and sausage as we prep the stuffing for tomorrow’s turkey.
Every radio, iPod and stereo is tuned in for Christmas music and the spirit has really settled in here in Fairfield, despite the mild weather and lack of a White Christmas.
Yesterday, Paz, our old nanny stopped in for a few hours to say hello. Considering she now works in London, we don’t get to see her much at all so it was a terrific treat. She marveled over how big the kids (and dogs) had gotten since her last visit. After she left, we popped in the usual Christmas season videos: A Muppet Christmas Carol and the Muppet Christmas Special and indulged in goofy, family fun. (I managed all of 45 minutes of my favorite, the Alistair Sim
Tonight, Kate will cantor at the Midnight Mass with Deb in the choir loft. Between now and then there will be some work, some play, a movie and our traditional Christmas Eve feast of ravioli and shrimp.
A Merry Christmas to all who celebrate tomorrow and the eleven days that follow.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 12:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 23, 2007
Too Damned Early
So, I got home yesterday without a problem. In fact, the trip to and from Florida involved planes that left on time and arrived early. The flight attendants were all male and extremely amusing. I can learn to love JetBlue after this experience.
But, I didn’t come to talk about flying.
I was barely settled back in the house when I was dispatched to Stop & Shop for supplies. Kate and I strolled by the holiday section and what to my wandering eyes did appear but discount signs on the holiday candy. We checked the option sin case there was something we could use on Tuesday. As I turned, though, there was a floor dump display with, get this, Valentine’s Day candy.
I ran across a manager a few aisles over and complained. I pointed out that it was not yet Christmas and perhaps they might want to wait until January 2 before pushing the next holiday. Oh no, he says to me. People like to get these once-a-year treats. (If that’s the case, where’s the Stollen? Nowhere to be found in the store.) I said it was too damned early and he tried to be cheerful but I was loud and got a few people watching and nodding in agreement.
Morons.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 10:28 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
December 21, 2007
Away from Home
Where have I been this week? Down in Florida, not enjoying the sunshine but to give my mother a hand for a few days.
One of the reasons we got me the laptop when we did was knowing this trip was coming and allowing me to continue to work as best as possible. Mom has dial-up which wasn’t going to help with some of the files I would be sending and receiving. Fortunately, though, the clubhouse lobby has wi-fi so I stroll over there twice a day to keep in touch with the outside world.
When not running errands or keeping her company, I write. Today, I am putting the finishing touches on the first draft of the <>Hellboy II novelization and that’s a big relief, since it gives me the rest of the month to polish. Yesterday, I caught the first teaser trailer, and already I can see things I need to tweak in my descriptions.
It also looks cool.
I’ve also managed to keep up with the projects I’m managing so all in all, being here hasn’t thrown me too much off stride.
The weather, which everyone raves about, is lost on me. I’m not an outdoors kind of guy, but do appreciate not having to defrost windshields or shovel walkways which is just fine by me. Still, it’s odd to hear the Christmas carols and see the decorations with people wandering around in their Bermuda shorts.
It’s also given me a chance to spend time with aunts and uncles who are down here and that’s always a plus. But, my time winds down and I fly home tomorrow to reunite with the family (Kate got home last night) and do our own Christmas thing.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 10:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 17, 2007
Quick Publishing Update
For those keeping score, The Essential Batman Encyclopedia weighs in at 1382 double-spaced manuscript pages. Minutes ago, I completed the final notes in response to the copy editor’s queries.
A daunting concept to be sure. Feels good to have it off my plate before Christmas.
Meantime, I see that Amazon is listing Hellboy II: The Golden Army as having a May 28 release date. Guess I better finish it.
Also, You Said What?, which was due out this week will be out next week. I have three essays in that and should make for entertaining reading for one and all.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 04:16 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 16, 2007
O Christmas Tree
The kids have taken to saying “if it happens twice, it’s a tradition.” We seem to be big on tradition at home and that does gives the year a certain structure. We also recognize the need to add and subtract traditions or twist them to accommodate current circumstances.
Take Christmas tree shopping. Most years we go and cut one from a tree farm. Sometimes we take the lazy way and ride over to Home Depot and consider ourselves done. Cutting the tree though, bring Robbie a particular pleasure. Kate used to come along but without the same boundless enthusiasm yet, she did make her desires well known.
Some years, we’d ride to Easton thinking we’d go to one farm, not like it; go down the ride to the next or third one. Then came the year Robbie told us of accompanying his friend John to a different one. We haven’t been anywhere else since. The Maple Row Tree Farm is huge so there’s most certainly something for everyone. They have tractors to bring tree cutters to the more distant acreage so you even get a brief hay ride.
With Kate in D.C., we three headed out yesterday with Deb suggesting an alternate route. We got lost and found ourselves in a time warp starting at one farm, not like it; go down the ride to the next or third one. The difference this time was that Robbie asked for directions to the one we really wanted and lo and behold, we found Maple Row.
The place was packed and the trees were plentiful, even 10 days before Christmas. We grabbed a saw and began wandering, spreading out to find the “right” tree. Early on, Deb found one she really, really liked. We were lukewarm and continued to hunt. Each time, from then on, that Rob or I found something for consideration; Deb had one of us protect “her” tree until she checked out the newest find. Early on, we called Kate for her opinion, even sending her a digital shot of a tree we liked but she demurred, deciding she would abstain from voting.
Deb really liked the tree. Normally, we look for one that, after trimming the bottom, would be a little better than six feet tall and full for all the ornaments. Her tree was tall enough but a little too skinny for the boys. Still, she made her desires known by refusing to give up on it and hugging it to show her emphasis. Kate later observed that Deb was never known as a tree-hugger.
Finally, with the clock ticking and other things to do, she agreed to consider one final option. She went with it and later insisted it’s an exact twin to the one she abandoned. Rob and I clearly didn’t see it that way. He cut it down and we dragged it for netting and then into the car it went.
Later, as we did our errands, the cell phone rang and it was Kate, checking in to see what we had gotten. After all, she didn’t want to be that far removed from the proceedings.
It sits in a bucket of water in the backyard and next Saturday it’ll come in to settle and warm up. Sunday is the tree trimming tradition and onward into the other Holiday festivities.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 08:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 12, 2007
New Projects!
One never knows when the next job will come or when something goes.
Back on November 8, the phone rang. It was my longtime pal, Rob Simpson, who I thought was calling just to chat. Instead, he asked, “Do you want to write the novelization to Hellboy 2: The Golden Army?” No fool I, I replied, “Sure.”
I had to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement and then a few days later, a script arrived. As many know, this is a rare instance in the novelization business. Peter David and Keith DeCandido among others, will tell you how they had to sit in hermetically sealed, bug free rooms, where they could read the script. They couldn’t take notes, couldn’t copy pages, could do nothing but try and comprehend the story well enough to write a 70,000 word novel.
Instead, I received my only personalized script. The surname of the Universal Studios licensing rep was watermarked on each page in a diagonal. My full name, in an outline type, was watermarked on each page in a diagonal going in the opposite direction. The paper was red to avoid photocopying and should I scan and post the pages, people will know where to hunt down the culprit. Additionally, most novelizers these days work without much in the way of graphics. Since Dark Horse is also doing an Art of book, I got a ton of visuals, storyboards and character designs.
For my very first novelization, I was in terrific shape. I checked articles posted over at the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers site and got to work. I read the script once. Then I read through it a second time and took notes, breaking it down into chapters with notes as to who should be the POV characters as well as listing visuals that would be helpful. Once Rob approved the outline, I tried a tip from Kevin J. Anderson, which had me go through the script a third time, typing in all the dialogue to get a better feel for the characters and pacing. That took some time but I felt ready to go.
But first came the phone call. I got in touch with Mike Mignola, Hellboy’s creator and someone I’ve considered a friend for about 20 years. Haven’t seen him in a year but when we cross paths, we always stop to catch up. Anyway, Mike was happy to hear I was involved and we spent about an hour talking about the script, ways to expand scenes or character arcs, learning about what made it into the final and what didn’t. He suggested I run a few of our ideas by director Guillermo Del Toro, who was just wrapping principal photography in Europe. I sent off just such an e-mail, but never heard back, which is no surprise given his schedule.
I sat down and finally began writing, trying to handle 3000 words a day, five days a week to ensure a draft was done by year end so we had a little time to polish before it went off for editing and approvals. With the movie due out July 11, the book had to rush through the production process and with any licensed property; one never knows when there might be a delay.
As of today, I am about 73% through the first draft and on target although I will easily exceed the 70,000 words commissioned. Thankfully, Rob’s okay with this.
Meantime, once I hit the 50% mark, my freelancer’s mind started turning to what the next project could be.
As I completed my revisions on the Christina Aguilera book for Rosen, my editor, Nick, offered me a book for their new Biomes series. After reviewing the materials, I selected Deserts and will get started in the New Year.
Also, an entirely new opportunity opened up. I love my friend Laurie Rozakis. She is always thinking of her friends and networks harder than I do. A woman in her network, Rena Korb, sent out word that she had been offered a book but couldn’t do it, did anyone on her list know of a good substitute. Laurie forwarded the e-mail to me, I contacted Rena and after some getting-to-know-you, she passed me on to the publisher in England. They, in turn, were welcoming and cordial, explaining that they had to hear back from others contacted but sure, we’d like to do something together. This morning, I woke to an e-mail assigning the project to me. So, after the novelization, I’ll be tackling not only Deserts but the Bataan Death March.
As for the something going, a project I’ve been doing work on and have been counting on income from has now been delayed 4-6 weeks which hurts a bit. We’ll talk about this one later.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 01:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 09, 2007
Consider Yourself at Home
When we lived in Lynbrook, we barely knew our neighbors. Some we would nod to, maybe one we would talk to but after that, we commuted to the city and they stayed behind closed doors. It was a house but never felt like home for those eight years.
After fifteen years in Fairfield, it’s home. We know our neighbors, we see people we know at the supermarket, the movie theater and around town. I can name our neighbors and like that most have been here as long as we have. In fact, our home, built in 1945, was inhabited by the daughter and spouse of our next door neighbors, the first occupants of their home when it was built. Sue and Glenn have been wonderful neighbors, telling us stories about the street and the town; befriending the children and making their backyard pool available to us.
Sue turned 80 last week and today her daughter Bonnie, who lives a few blocks away, organized and threw her a surprise luncheon. Nearly 40 of us crowded into a portion of the restaurant and the look of shock on her face was priceless.
Everyone settled at tables and we wound up with people who live in houses behind us, one couple we knew through Sue and Glenn and the other we really just met. It was terrific hearing about the area from these long-time residents and we were certain made to feel like a part of the area, despite our relative newcomer status.
I even met Sheldon, the man whose junk mail I still receive. Sheldon and Dennie, who lived in this house for years before selling it to a couple that were moving through and only lasted about three years before we arrived. I’d seen Sheldon around, most certainly on the train, so it was great to put a name to the face .Dennie has a brother Dave, who met Sue & Glenn's daughter Bonnie and they eventually married so it really is all in the family.
Bonnie introduced me to a couple who live next door to her and did so by saying, they live in the district but don’t vote. Which broke the ice and we had a lovely chat about tour kids, the schools, and the neighborhood. They couldn’t have been happier to meet someone new.
The three hour party was terrific as people table hopped with a nicely varied buffet and Sue delighted in the company. She and Glenn like to eat out so most of their gifts were certificates to many local eateries, meaning we all supported the local economy, which was a plus. The surprise worked, much as it did for Glenn’s 80th a few winters back. We should all be so lucky to have loving friends and family and to be healthy enough at 80 to enjoy the surprise, the food and the chit chat.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 03:02 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 06, 2007
More on Zorro
I’m still awaiting final approval from Zorro Productions but the publicity machine is cranking up for the forthcoming release of Tales of Zorro. Below are some of the details and you’ll see I’m in extremely good company.
Zorro…As He’s Never Been Seen Before!
Moonstone Books is proud to present Tales of Zorro, a brand-new anthology featuring eighteen tales of the fox--the first collection of original Zorro short fiction ever published! This landmark compilation, edited by Richard Dean Starr, includes all-new stories and essays by some of today’s top writers in film and literature:
Isabel Allende – New York Times bestselling author of Zorro: A Novel!
Max Allan Collins –New York Times bestselling creator of The Road to Perdition and author of the Shamus award-winning Nathan Heller series!
Greg Cox – New York Times bestselling author of Star Trek: The Q Continuum and the novels Ghost Rider, Daredevil, and Underworld!
A.C. Crispin – New York Times bestselling author of numerous Star Trek and Star Wars novels!
Peter David– New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels and numerous comics, including twelve-years on Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk.
Loren D. Estleman – New York Times bestselling author of A Smile on the Face of the Tiger and Shamus award-winning author of the Amos Walker novels!
Ed Gorman – New York Times bestselling author, with Dean Koontz, of Frankenstein City of Night!
Nancy Holder – Four-time Bram Stoker award winner and bestselling author of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Smallville!
Guy Williams, Jr. – son of legendary actor Guy Williams, star of Disney’s Zorro!
Tales of Zorro also features stories by Jan Adkins (Zorro: The Iron Brand), Robin Wayne Bailey (Bestselling author of Shadowdance and Swords Against the Shadowland), Mike Bullock (Lions, Tigers and Bears), Robert Greenberger (New York Times bestselling Star Trek novelist), Wendy Hornsby (Edgar award-winning author of the Maggie MacGowan series), Tim Lasiuta (comics expert and author), Jeff Mariotte (Witch Season, the Charmed novels), Elizabeth Massie (Bram Stoker award winning author), Robert Morrish (author of more than 20 stories and editor of Cemetery Dance magazine), Kathleen O’Malley (Silent Songs and Silent Dances with A.C. Crispin), and Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin (USA Today bestselling authors of numerous Star Trek, Star Wars, and Roswell novels).
In addition to this stellar lineup, Tales of Zorro includes stunning cover artwork by Spectrum award-winner Douglas Klauba and original interior illustrations by legendary Disney animator and sculptor Ruben Procopio!
Available in both a trade paperback and special numbered and lettered hardcover limited editions signed by the contributors! The limited edition is restricted to just 300 numbered and 26 lettered copies and features incredible art by Ruben Procopio and legendary Sherlock Holmes and Peter Pan illustrator Sergio Martinez!
And, Moonstone has a special offer to make to any dedicated fans of yours…
Interested readers can preorder (HC or SC…sorry, not the lettered version) the book direct from Moonstone, and because you have all been such a great supporter of my work, if you enter either of these codes on the order form, you will get 20% off the book!
Softcover= TOZDRS3136
Hardcover= TOZRDS7136
The sale offer is good until January 20, 2008. The book itself should be out sometime in the winter of 2008.
Now, I certainly hope I get a copy of the hardcover.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 12:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 04, 2007
Getting the Hang of It
Starting this week, I really have put myself into the freelancer’s mindset. This is my job; this is how I’m earning income for the foreseeable future.
As a result, I am trying to organize my day so I spent the requisite hours on tasks based on discipline. For example, first thing in the morning are usually an assortment of e-ails on two of the projects I am managing for my pal Gorf. Those get taken care of first, especially since one of them required a script to be in this week so the artist involved can get started. Done. The other project will kick off in days and some art we needed lettered and composited needed completion today. Done.
I then troll the net for information for another project we’ll talk about in a few weeks.
Depending on what else is required, I do my writing for other websites, reply to e-mails and what not. In theory, if all goes according to plan, I then have most of the afternoon to concentrate on the latest To Be Announced book project. Out of the contracted 70,000 words, due December 31, today I cracked the 34,000 mark. So far so good.
Meantime, I’m also keeping an eye out for other projects to follow this one. Thanks to the network (and my dear pal Laurie), I made a new contact for what could be an interesting new project.
And then there’s old business such as the Batman Encyclopedia where I still need to scout graphics. One of these days, I’ll finally hear back on the Christina Aguilera bio which will allow me to update the info now that her baby boy has been confirmed.
Of course, now that I’m home, I also have to deal with calls or e-mails pertaining to my new role as RTM Moderator. We’re putting together our first agenda this week so there’s a little learning curve involve plus people are still calling to offer congratulations or talk shop. That’s time that needs to be made up sooner or later, so sometimes the writing gets carried over into the weekends.
All in all, I still try and wrap by 5 so I can have an hour or so to read a book before making or eating dinner.
While I still allow my freelance to bleed into weekend hours, I am trying to keep the nights free since that’s when I still get to spend time with Deb.
I’ve always wondered how friends like Peter David, Howard Weinstein and Keith DeCandido do it and now I’m finally getting a feel for it.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 05:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 02, 2007
So Far So Good
On Friday I returned to Manhattan for what will no doubt be a recurring pattern now that I seem to be doing this freelance thing fulltime. First, lunch with a pal, David Mack. Dave has been kind enough to hire me to write some things for him at scifi.com and we have known each other for some years. We had some great sandwiches and even better chitchat, which was terrific.
I then threaded my way through the midtown crush, admiring some of the new Christmas decorations fronting the office buildings and stopped at DC Comics. There, I met with my editor Chris Cerasi to review the first section of copyedited pages from The Essential Batman Encyclopedia He initially thought I’d be given A-L but instead, only collected A-C, and even not all the C’s, it stopped with Circe. Even so, I walked out with over 340 pages of manuscript.
Chris and I then went through the images selected to date, many my choice, many his idea. We discussed who we were light on and what the deadlines were going to be. I noted we were skewing a little heavy on Jim Lee and Tim Sale and need plenty more Jim Aparo, Dick Sprang and even Dick Giordano. There’s still time to balance those scales.
Yesterday, I went through the pages and was pleasantly surprised at the copy editor’s diligence and light touch. The questions were good and in only two places was I asked to clarify my intent. It also gave me a chance to bring characters up to date so even though we cut things off officially with the September in store comics, I have managed to update info through books that came out this week. With luck, I will be able to continue this all through the process which won’t end until January.
I also some sample design pages and was very, very happy with the clean, readable type and layout. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with how this is coming together.
Posted by Bob Greenberger at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack