Ask the Author: Jim C. Hines
Answered Questions (30)
Jim C. Hines
Technically the question about the question is a question, right?
Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed them!!!
Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed them!!!
Jim C. Hines
George - I'm afraid the Princess series is out of print, at least in English. There's an e-book edition, but no paper edition.
Jim C. Hines
There was no specific seed to the idea for that series. I wanted to try a science fiction series, and I like writing about underdog characters, people who don't necessarily get a lot of attention or respect.
Jim C. Hines
Audiobooks would have a lot of the same limitations as ebooks. For most libriomancy, you need that physically identical structure of the print book as a kind of anchor for belief and imagination. So...not necessarily impossible, but difficult and unlikely.
Jim C. Hines
I think there's a comment in the books somewhere that comics don't really work for libriomancy. The magic needs the more active engagement of transforming the words into images/story in your mind, vs. the already-created imagery of comics.
But there are comic book novels that could work. And who knows ... they thought it was impossible to do libriomancy with ebooks, too! :-)
But there are comic book novels that could work. And who knows ... they thought it was impossible to do libriomancy with ebooks, too! :-)
Jim C. Hines
Anything's possible, but right now, there are no plans for further Magic ex Libris books. I've got a few other stories I'm hoping to share next, now that the Janitors series is wrapped up.
Jim C. Hines
Definitely because it's Finnish. (The U.P. has a large Finn population - including many of my in-laws :-)
Jim C. Hines
Hi Tony,
Thanks! I'm so glad you liked the story. At the moment, there are no plans to do anything more with those characters and that world. I've got two more books contracted in the SF trilogy I'm working on, and a few other pitches I'm hoping will lead to additional projects.
In the long term, though? Anything's possible...
Best,
Jim
Thanks! I'm so glad you liked the story. At the moment, there are no plans to do anything more with those characters and that world. I've got two more books contracted in the SF trilogy I'm working on, and a few other pitches I'm hoping will lead to additional projects.
In the long term, though? Anything's possible...
Best,
Jim
Jim C. Hines
Hi Cintia,
I don't have an easy answer for you, I'm afraid. This can be a very frustrating and discouraging business to try to break into. I've got a box of about 500 rejection letters, and most of the "successful" writers I know have something similar. Which is just to say, I think most writers sympathize with what you're feeling, and know what you're going through.
And there are a lot of writers out there, but I'd encourage you not to think of them as competition. It's not a zero-sum game, and one writer's success doesn't hurt others. (Sometimes one writer's success can actually help, either by bringing publishers income they can use to take chances on new writers, or by getting readers excited about reading more stories.)
For me, one of the keys was getting back to why I *wanted* to write. I stopped worrying as much about writing "publishable" stories, and just had fun. Ironically, those were the stories that ended up being publishable.
Be patient and kind with yourself. Find what you love about writing, and focus on that. And maybe chat with some other writers? It can help a lot to connect and vent with people who understand what you're going through.
All the best,
Jim
I don't have an easy answer for you, I'm afraid. This can be a very frustrating and discouraging business to try to break into. I've got a box of about 500 rejection letters, and most of the "successful" writers I know have something similar. Which is just to say, I think most writers sympathize with what you're feeling, and know what you're going through.
And there are a lot of writers out there, but I'd encourage you not to think of them as competition. It's not a zero-sum game, and one writer's success doesn't hurt others. (Sometimes one writer's success can actually help, either by bringing publishers income they can use to take chances on new writers, or by getting readers excited about reading more stories.)
For me, one of the keys was getting back to why I *wanted* to write. I stopped worrying as much about writing "publishable" stories, and just had fun. Ironically, those were the stories that ended up being publishable.
Be patient and kind with yourself. Find what you love about writing, and focus on that. And maybe chat with some other writers? It can help a lot to connect and vent with people who understand what you're going through.
All the best,
Jim
Jim C. Hines
Hi Sherri!
It's an editor's fault. She asked me to write a short story about Smudge the fire-spider from my goblin books, but she wanted a story set in the present day. So I needed to invent a magic that would let someone pull Smudge out of a book into our world. That short story was called "Mightier than the Sword," and was sort of the prototype for Isaac and libriomancy and everything that followed later with the books.
I'm so glad you're enjoying them! Sadly, I think the four books are it for the time being. But I did do a short story tie-in called "Chupacabra's Song," and I'm hoping to eventually do a novella or novelette set after the events of Revisionary.
Best,
Jim
It's an editor's fault. She asked me to write a short story about Smudge the fire-spider from my goblin books, but she wanted a story set in the present day. So I needed to invent a magic that would let someone pull Smudge out of a book into our world. That short story was called "Mightier than the Sword," and was sort of the prototype for Isaac and libriomancy and everything that followed later with the books.
I'm so glad you're enjoying them! Sadly, I think the four books are it for the time being. But I did do a short story tie-in called "Chupacabra's Song," and I'm hoping to eventually do a novella or novelette set after the events of Revisionary.
Best,
Jim
Jim C. Hines
I pronounce that first syllable the same as in liberty or liberate, and I tend to put the emphasis on that same syllable.
Jim C. Hines
I got to attend Continuum in Brisbane three years ago as their international guest of honor, and had an absolute blast. I'd love to come back to Australia one of these days.
And thanks! I hope you enjoy the book!
And thanks! I hope you enjoy the book!
Jim C. Hines
Biggest thing to be aware of is that there's a *lot* of swearing and other profanity in that one.
Jim C. Hines
I believe this comes up in book four. Short answer: as far as anyone knows, it's not possible to do libriomancy with comics, manga, and other visual media. Prose forces the mind to actively visualize in a way that doesn't happen with manga, and that seems to be one of the keys to making libriomancy work.
On the other hand, Isaac and the rest also believed it was impossible to do libriomancy with ebooks. So you never know...
On the other hand, Isaac and the rest also believed it was impossible to do libriomancy with ebooks. So you never know...
Jim C. Hines
Thanks so much, Lisa!
My standard answer on this is that there are no immediate plans to do any more Princess books. That may change down the line, but right now I've got contracts for other books to keep me busy for at least the next several years.
Depending on how much time and energy other parts of my life require, I might start trying to do more stories that tie into and build on my different series, but looking at my current schedule, that's not going to happen any time soon, either.
My standard answer on this is that there are no immediate plans to do any more Princess books. That may change down the line, but right now I've got contracts for other books to keep me busy for at least the next several years.
Depending on how much time and energy other parts of my life require, I might start trying to do more stories that tie into and build on my different series, but looking at my current schedule, that's not going to happen any time soon, either.
Jim C. Hines
There won't be any more Magic ex Libris books through my publisher. However, I'm hoping to write a few novella or novelette length pieces to continue the story. When I get to that will depend on other contracted deadlines, though...
Jim C. Hines
I have time, but never as much as I'd like. I'm sure a lot of people can relate...
One of my newer hobbies is photography. Making a little time to get out and take pictures...it helps my mental and emotional health. It's fun and relaxing and gives me a chance to be creative without any real pressure or stress.
I'd love to have more time for D&D or other role-playing games, too. I miss my outlet for fantasy violence...
One of my newer hobbies is photography. Making a little time to get out and take pictures...it helps my mental and emotional health. It's fun and relaxing and gives me a chance to be creative without any real pressure or stress.
I'd love to have more time for D&D or other role-playing games, too. I miss my outlet for fantasy violence...
Jim C. Hines
Thanks so much, Colin! And yes ... books, stories, they're all magical. Amazing, powerful, and at times even life-altering magic.
Jim C. Hines
Cool! Yep, I've known John since I was a relatively new author, and I love Kazoo Books. I usually see John and his wife at least a few times a year, at the store and/or at conventions.
Re: book recommendations, I'm gonna point you toward http://www.jimchines.com/tag/review/ I've reviewed a lot of books (and movies and shows) over the years. This should give you not only a sense of the stuff I've liked, but also the reasons why. Hopefully you'll find some things that sound interesting!
Re: book recommendations, I'm gonna point you toward http://www.jimchines.com/tag/review/ I've reviewed a lot of books (and movies and shows) over the years. This should give you not only a sense of the stuff I've liked, but also the reasons why. Hopefully you'll find some things that sound interesting!
Jim C. Hines
It's completely all right, yes :-)
Very glad you enjoyed the books! If you're interested, there are a few free goblin-related short stories linked from my website. Go to www.jimchines.com and check the right sidebar.
Very glad you enjoyed the books! If you're interested, there are a few free goblin-related short stories linked from my website. Go to www.jimchines.com and check the right sidebar.
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