Decided to start a new JMS SPEAKS topic since we hit 100 on the original.
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Decided to start a new JMS SPEAKS topic since we hit 100 on the original.
Subject: various publishing newsbits
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Some more related to B5 than others....
For those who haven't yet gotten the word...yes, the new trilogy of B5 books
has begun with the first volume of the Techno-Mage books, "Casting Shadows."
It's now officially just about everywhere, so I figured it was right for a
general note.
Also, Fiona Avery's debut comic, "No Honor," appeared today in comics stores everywhere. It's a good one.
Finally, for those who missed the chance to check out my two short stories on
bookface.com, they've been gathered into an anthology, "Out of the Box" edited by Lou Anders. It also has a bunch of other really cool stories by other folks that are worth checking out. It's now available via barnesandnoble.com.
jms
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Fan club redux?
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
<font color=red>The inside front cover contains a promotional bug fo or the fan club. Is this evidence of its impending re-instantiation as a real operating club, or is it evidence that the marketing people at Del Rey continue to promote something that they've never visited? Or, is it just a simple mistake?</font>
It's a goof.
jms
Subject: Re: ATTN JMS: Miss your Psycomic columns
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
<font color=red>Since the demise of Psycomics at the end of January, I have missed jms'
weekly columns. I was wondering if you are planning to find a new site for the columns. Also, I was wondering if you are planning to have a personal web site of your own.</font>
No to both at this point.
jms
<font color=yellow>This question was posted from Kimball to JMS</font>
Subject: Re: ATTN: JMS - your input in the books
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
<font color=red>How much input did you have on such books as the "Legions of Fire" series, "Psi Corps" series and "Casting Shadows?" They all say 'based on an original outline by JMS." I have read "Legions" and I am getting ready to start "Psi" and "Casting Shadows" (although I may wait until all the three books are out for Casting).
"Legions" really seemed to flow well with what the tv show had set up. It was like having a whole other season of B5.
Thank you.</font>
I write a fairly detailed outline for each of the books, anywhere from 10-20 pages each. (One, I think, hit 30 pages.) So figure anywhere from 30 to 85 pages per trilogy, or thereabouts.
It contains nearly all of the major beats, character moments and plot turns. Then the authors add in another layer in all three categories as connective tissue and do all the heavy lifting of actually making it all *work*.
jms
Subject: Re: JMS...Silent Spidey Month?
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
<font color=red>I noticed that there are plans in place for a "silent" month later this year (Joss Whedon must be proud). Is this going to interfere with any plans you had, or are you accepting it as challenge?</font>
They gave me the option, and I decided to go for it.
jms
<font face="Verdana">
Re:Sleeping in Light (and how old Joe looks in that final scene)
<font color="red">Given Joe was in his fifties when he filmed that and we've got another thread about how young Bester looks considering his age?</font></p>
HEY! I'm only 46 and a half, here. I know I *look* a lot older, but that's because a) I've come down a hard road, and b) B5 took it out of me.
Before I started on B5, you can see video interviews with me...I had more hair, and there wasn't a gray hair anywhere IN there. Five years later, the top was gone and what was left was almost totally gray.
So when that was filmed, I was, what? 43?
Fifties indeed.
Hrmph.
jms
</p>
<font color="red">[straight face]
Perhaps they assumed you were older due to your clearly apparent wisdom.....
[/straight face]</font></p>
Well, it sure as hell ain't *that*....
jms</p>
<font color="red">But, you have the fingers of a 20-year-old. The wrists of a 50-year-old, perhaps, but the fingers of a 20-year-old.</font></p>
That's right, and I keep them in a jar of formaldhyde on my desk....
jms
</p>
</font><font size="-4" face="Arial">
[This message has been edited by Wizz (edited March 05, 2001).]
OK...What is a "Silent" month???????
A "silent" month, to the best of my knowledge (I read it somewhere) is where there's no balloon dialog anywhere in the story. The story is told only by the pictures in the panels.
<font face="verdana">
<font color="yellow">Woah! So you came up with this and the other two trilogies 3 or so
years ago?</font>
Yes. Del Rey has been very slow in following up on this stuff, prolonging the process over the last several years. My first conversations with Del Rey about this were in 1997 (I remember because it took place in the exhibits room at Worldcon the year we won the second Hugo).
I've actually been rather dismayed that it will have taken them four years to put out nine books. The last of the outlines were done while we were still in production on the series. I think that they would've had more heat and success behind the books if they had come out on a more reasonable schedule and with a good PR campaign. As it is, they're frankly stealth books; if you don't know to look for them, you won't find out otherwise.</p>
<font color="yellow">Did you also come up with the outlines for any more books, and if so are there any plans set?</font>
No to both.
jms
</p>
<font color="yellow">If the possibility arose, would you be interested in doing Doctor Who?
You're one of the few folks I'd trust with it.</font>
Yeah, it'd be fun.
jms
</p></font>