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Writing as a Team Sport: Reflections on the Art of Collaboration
In a creative project, are two heads better than one? Writing with a partner can produce a remarkable synergy, building on each others' talents that results in a work unlike anything either could do alone.
Or it could be a disaster that might ruin a friendship.
Kevin J. Anderson has worked on numerous novels and stories with more than a dozen collaborators, and many of those projects have become bestsellers and award-winners. In this in-depth book—exclusive to Storybundle!—Anderson describes various methods with frank recollections of his own experiences. You'll learn several collaborative techniques that will suit any sort of writer, as well as the pitfalls you may encounter.
Includes a sample collaboration agreement to adapt to your own needs.
Or it could be a disaster that might ruin a friendship.
Kevin J. Anderson has worked on numerous novels and stories with more than a dozen collaborators, and many of those projects have become bestsellers and award-winners. In this in-depth book—exclusive to Storybundle!—Anderson describes various methods with frank recollections of his own experiences. You'll learn several collaborative techniques that will suit any sort of writer, as well as the pitfalls you may encounter.
Includes a sample collaboration agreement to adapt to your own needs.
- GenresNonfiction
Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2017
5 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Anderson
1,034 books3,112 followersYes, I have a lot of books, and if this is your first visit to my amazon author page, it can be a little overwhelming. If you are new to my work, let me recommend a few titles as good places to start. I love my Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series, humorous horror/mysteries, which begin with DEATH WARMED OVER. My steampunk fantasy adventures, CLOCKWORK ANGELS and CLOCKWORK LIVES, written with Neil Peart, legendary drummer from Rush, are two of my very favorite novels ever. And my magnum opus, the science fiction epic The Saga of Seven Suns, begins with HIDDEN EMPIRE. After you've tried those, I hope you'll check out some of my other series.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
I have written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and I'm the co-author of the Dune prequels. My original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series and the Nebula Award-nominated Assemblers of Infinity. I have also written several comic books including the Dark Horse Star Wars collection Tales of the Jedi written in collaboration with Tom Veitch, Predator titles (also for Dark Horse), and X-Files titles for Topps.
I serve as a judge in the Writers of the Future contest.
My wife is author Rebecca Moesta. We currently reside near Monument, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 10, 2017
Anderson mixes his thoughts on why collaborations work, or don’t, with anecdotes from the many collaborations he has undertaken, creating a book that shows the reader the potential complexities of partnering with other authors without becoming dry or depressing.
This book provides advice and insight on co-authoring fiction, covering reasons to consider collaborating, choosing a collaborator, different ways two authors might work on the same book, and risks that can arise from collaboration.
Anderson provides simple and clear ideas for things to consider or do at each stage between considering whether to collaborate to handling the various positions that might arise after a collaboration is finished. Each stage in the process is supported by examples from Anderson’s many years of co-authoring with different authors and in different genres.
In addition to providing real evidence that Anderson’s methods have produced successful books, this extensive use of anecdotes creates a sense of living the issues that can occur in collaboration, providing the reader with a better idea of the emotional effects than is found in some guides.
Conversely, this choice might make the book less accessible to those readers who prefer their advice delivered as structured steps and bulleted lists rather than interwoven with biography.
The advice and examples all deal with situations where two authors collaborate. However, Anderson’s attempt to provide a sense of why these things matter as well as set out what might be reasonable steps are likely to make it easy for authors wishing to collaborate in threes or more to adapt where necessary.
Perhaps the only thing noticeably lacking from this book is insight into how to untangle problems with an existing collaboration. As such, while Anderson’s listing of possible pitfalls does include anecdotes that might assist, this book is likely to provide much greater assistance if read before collaboration rather than as a response to issues that have arisen.
Anderson includes a possible contract for collaborators at the end of the book. Although, this does cover the most common permutations that Anderson outlines through the book, it does not cover all matters. It is also couched in US legal language and assumes the collaboration will occur in the US, so will—at best—provide a starting point for any collaboration occurring outside that jurisdiction.
Overall, I found this book confirmed I’d set my own collaborations up in a reasonable fashion. I recommend it to authors who don’t have extensive legal or business experience, whether or not they are already collaborating or actively considering it.
I received a free copy of The 2017 NaNoWriMo Writing Tools Bundle, which includes this title, from one of the contributors with no obligation to review.
This book provides advice and insight on co-authoring fiction, covering reasons to consider collaborating, choosing a collaborator, different ways two authors might work on the same book, and risks that can arise from collaboration.
Anderson provides simple and clear ideas for things to consider or do at each stage between considering whether to collaborate to handling the various positions that might arise after a collaboration is finished. Each stage in the process is supported by examples from Anderson’s many years of co-authoring with different authors and in different genres.
In addition to providing real evidence that Anderson’s methods have produced successful books, this extensive use of anecdotes creates a sense of living the issues that can occur in collaboration, providing the reader with a better idea of the emotional effects than is found in some guides.
Conversely, this choice might make the book less accessible to those readers who prefer their advice delivered as structured steps and bulleted lists rather than interwoven with biography.
The advice and examples all deal with situations where two authors collaborate. However, Anderson’s attempt to provide a sense of why these things matter as well as set out what might be reasonable steps are likely to make it easy for authors wishing to collaborate in threes or more to adapt where necessary.
Perhaps the only thing noticeably lacking from this book is insight into how to untangle problems with an existing collaboration. As such, while Anderson’s listing of possible pitfalls does include anecdotes that might assist, this book is likely to provide much greater assistance if read before collaboration rather than as a response to issues that have arisen.
Anderson includes a possible contract for collaborators at the end of the book. Although, this does cover the most common permutations that Anderson outlines through the book, it does not cover all matters. It is also couched in US legal language and assumes the collaboration will occur in the US, so will—at best—provide a starting point for any collaboration occurring outside that jurisdiction.
Overall, I found this book confirmed I’d set my own collaborations up in a reasonable fashion. I recommend it to authors who don’t have extensive legal or business experience, whether or not they are already collaborating or actively considering it.
I received a free copy of The 2017 NaNoWriMo Writing Tools Bundle, which includes this title, from one of the contributors with no obligation to review.
November 17, 2020
I read this more out of curiosity than anything else, I’m way to introverted and too much of a panster to collaborate with another writer (although never say never).
This was the last book I had to read from the story bundle from last year’s nanowrimo so, it was there, I’d already paid for it, so why not.
It was well written and gave good details of ways to make collaborative writing work, it also details the things that can go wrong so you can be prepared.
A ver good read for anyone considering writing with another.
This was the last book I had to read from the story bundle from last year’s nanowrimo so, it was there, I’d already paid for it, so why not.
It was well written and gave good details of ways to make collaborative writing work, it also details the things that can go wrong so you can be prepared.
A ver good read for anyone considering writing with another.
October 23, 2018
It's a quick little read that goes over all the questions you should ask yourself before signing on to collaborate with another writer. There are a lot of lists. The most useful section, I found, was the overview and elaboration of a number of different strategies to actually write a joint story/novel. How to divvy up the work, and all that.
Basically what it comes down to, though, is an openness to work with another person. To put your ego aside and to actually collaborate.
Basically what it comes down to, though, is an openness to work with another person. To put your ego aside and to actually collaborate.
October 13, 2018
I'm giving this 3 stars only because it doesn't apply to me... If I needed the info right now, it would get 4. That might be unfair. Sorry.
January 26, 2019
This is a good book for what it is but it is short and in that there is some redundancy.
December 9, 2020
Short, to the point advice from from a writer who has collaborated on many projects.
October 14, 2018
Short but useful guide that covers a variety of tips and advice on types of collaboration, potential issues that can arise during the process, legal matters to be considered, and more. It has some good points and ideas and it is thought-provoking.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews