A Terry Brooks Dedication
As many of you know, I've been the webmaster for Terry Brooks for almost 10 years now, longer if you count the three years working on the dedication website I had built. Until very recently I had done it out of love for Terry, his work and his fans, choosing not to get paid for years of services rendered.
I only had two demands
1) That I would get to read the books early before publication, and 2) I would receive two ARCs to sell or keep as I saw fit.
Fairly simple demands, eh?
Over the years those initial requests have evolved. These days I read the books almost as soon as Terry is finished with them. He gives them a quick line edit, has his wife do a read over, and barring any changes then he sends a copy to his editor at Del Rey and a copy to me. Ever since 2001, where I caught several large inconsistencies in the ARC I was sent, I've continuity edited his work, being what he calls an expert on his books. After all, it is hard keeping everything straight in a series as long as the Shannara series—I've discovered with my own writing it is hard keeping events straight within one book, let alone seventeen—and the earlier I get the book the more help I can be.
As for the ARCs demand, I still receive them, although I rarely sell them anymore and instead give them to the moderators who help me run Terry's Forum. They put up with some interestingly crazy and whacko fans to maintain one of the most civil fantasy forums on the internet(s) and for their time I allow them to read Terry's books early as well. It is the least Terry and I can do.
That said, I was shocked when I received the ARCs for A Princess of Landover.
Most Advanced Reader Copies are working proofs. They usually have the story as it will be in published form but lack such things as maps and acknowledgments and dedications. Those things come later. For example, the ARC copies of A Princess of Landover do not have the new map of Landover. It will be placed in the official publication this August.
What the ARC did have almost brought a tear to my eye though. As a graphic designer I opened the book to view the layout Del Rey Books had chosen for the book when I came to what should have been an empty dedication page.
It wasn't.
Instead my name stared back at me.
I make no secret when I say I was deeply moved. I began reading Terry Brooks when I was 13 years old, 20 years ago, and upon moving to Seattle met and befriended him through sheer circumstance and a bit of hard work. Over the years that friendship has grown considerably until we've indoctrinated one another into our respective families. I respect him a great deal for the author he is but more so for the person he is, still very much down to earth despite the success he has had, still willing to give whatever aid he can those who need it.
To have such an author dedicate one of his books to me is priceless beyond compare.
Many have asked me over the years how to break into the business and why I've been successful—whether it be as a writer or webmaster. My response is always the same. You have to give freely a lot before karma returns the favor. The questioners always pale when I say that; people, by the large do not want to work for free to gain a foothold doing something they love.
Being human makes us short-sighted at times like that, I guess.
Here is a situation though where karma has delivered a nice gift I will cherish forever. And the dedication is all the more cool because the book is about an evil library filled with magic books.
As a bookseller, a writer and a reader, the dedication fits me as much as I fit it.
Let this post be a reminder to anyone with a dream.
Work hard. Focus. Let nothing stop you.
And the dream will come true.
I only had two demands
1) That I would get to read the books early before publication, and 2) I would receive two ARCs to sell or keep as I saw fit.
Fairly simple demands, eh?
Over the years those initial requests have evolved. These days I read the books almost as soon as Terry is finished with them. He gives them a quick line edit, has his wife do a read over, and barring any changes then he sends a copy to his editor at Del Rey and a copy to me. Ever since 2001, where I caught several large inconsistencies in the ARC I was sent, I've continuity edited his work, being what he calls an expert on his books. After all, it is hard keeping everything straight in a series as long as the Shannara series—I've discovered with my own writing it is hard keeping events straight within one book, let alone seventeen—and the earlier I get the book the more help I can be.
As for the ARCs demand, I still receive them, although I rarely sell them anymore and instead give them to the moderators who help me run Terry's Forum. They put up with some interestingly crazy and whacko fans to maintain one of the most civil fantasy forums on the internet(s) and for their time I allow them to read Terry's books early as well. It is the least Terry and I can do.
That said, I was shocked when I received the ARCs for A Princess of Landover.
Most Advanced Reader Copies are working proofs. They usually have the story as it will be in published form but lack such things as maps and acknowledgments and dedications. Those things come later. For example, the ARC copies of A Princess of Landover do not have the new map of Landover. It will be placed in the official publication this August.
What the ARC did have almost brought a tear to my eye though. As a graphic designer I opened the book to view the layout Del Rey Books had chosen for the book when I came to what should have been an empty dedication page.
It wasn't.
Instead my name stared back at me.
I make no secret when I say I was deeply moved. I began reading Terry Brooks when I was 13 years old, 20 years ago, and upon moving to Seattle met and befriended him through sheer circumstance and a bit of hard work. Over the years that friendship has grown considerably until we've indoctrinated one another into our respective families. I respect him a great deal for the author he is but more so for the person he is, still very much down to earth despite the success he has had, still willing to give whatever aid he can those who need it.
To have such an author dedicate one of his books to me is priceless beyond compare.
Many have asked me over the years how to break into the business and why I've been successful—whether it be as a writer or webmaster. My response is always the same. You have to give freely a lot before karma returns the favor. The questioners always pale when I say that; people, by the large do not want to work for free to gain a foothold doing something they love.
Being human makes us short-sighted at times like that, I guess.
Here is a situation though where karma has delivered a nice gift I will cherish forever. And the dedication is all the more cool because the book is about an evil library filled with magic books.
As a bookseller, a writer and a reader, the dedication fits me as much as I fit it.
Let this post be a reminder to anyone with a dream.
Work hard. Focus. Let nothing stop you.
And the dream will come true.
posted by Shawn C. Speakman | 9:40 AM
15 Comments:
That is really cool, Shawn. Congrats on achieving such a noble dedication. The times I have met Terry, at signings, I've always been truly impressed with his ability to be a friend to everyone he talks to while they're spending their time with him.
I think he and you have that in common. We pretty much only see each other then as well, yet you're always happy to chat with anyone, including me, about whatever. I've always enjoyed your blog and appreciated your responses to my comments/questions. I think these points are particularly telling to the type of person you are, and the author you too, will one day be.
Congrats, here's to the good guys!
Peace!
Mark
Congrats on the Dedication. You deserve it. Terry is a cool guy. I have the luck of only knowing one novelist well, but Elise is a Romance Writer.
Congrats again. God Bless.
Jax: Thanks, man. Very kind words. Like Terry I love this stuff. It's great having such a great role model if my own endeavors pan out.
Shawn, that's fantastic man, and it sounds like it well deserved too. Great job on his site by the way! And this says great things about Terry too. I can't wait to read this book, and YOUR book too. Let us know when you get it out there... : )
One word sums it all: inspiring.
Congrats Webby! Can't wait to put you besides Terry on my bookshelf :)
S.
Alexander: I'll be sure to let everyone know. You can count on that! This week should see my line editing finished. Last week I got no work done thanks to a secret project Random House gave me, so I hope to be done this week.
I will give it to two or three people and we'll see what they think. One of them is a huge Terry Brooks fan, so if he likes it then I might have something.
Then again, that's what I thought last time and he loved that book too. haha
I haven't received any kind of feedback really about The Dark Thorn, so I am a bit curious to see what some fantasy readers think.
Kind of want to know. I want to be validated in a way that my last year of work has not been entirely in vain.
S.: I hope I can sit next to Terry on the shelf. That'd be very cool. :)
Wow, Shawn, that's quite an honor, and deserved. It sounds very apropos. What a great gift for the Web Druid who asks for so little after giving so much. I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!
I can hardly wait to read it.
Congratulations, Shawn. I'd cherish that forever also. I can see it framed and displayed somewhere prominent in my own home.
Thanks for all of the blogs. I just started yesterday, but am already trying hard to catch up. I am writing also and know how hard it can be to get through the various steps. My first manuscript comes back from the editor next week, I'm trying to get my webpage up and running, etc.
Look forward to reading your book.
Tod
Tod: Good luck with the editing process. I actually don't mind it too much. When you finish let me know and if you want some direction about querying agents or editors, I'll point you in the right direction.
Thanks, Shawn.
I'll try not to abuse any advice. Tried some query letters but obviously don't have the finer points down ... no requests for full manuscripts.
Really like the layout you used for your maps. Which brings up two questions: do you find that most Fantasy readers want maps included with the novel? How do you get a map to look professional (is there software to help make it look better or do you just make sure you've got a steady hand)?
Regards, Tod
Tod: The query letter is the most important -- and difficult -- thing you will ever write. It must be absolutely flawless. There are dos and do nots. Definitely do some online searches, do some research, and discover them. There are hundreds of websites out there talking about it. I rewrote my first query letter probably 30 times, seriously.
If you haven't read Miss Snark's blog in its entirety, do it.
Spend a day. A week. However long it takes you. But do it. Seriously. If you don't, I'll pretty much question your desire to be published. :)
I'll post my first book's query letter tonight. I might even include some of my rejections -- if Ralph looks upon my new book favorably.
All fantasy readers like maps. I have yet to meet one who doesn't. It really aids in visualizing the world and where the characters travel. I've been blessed with a great deal of creativity, so I draw my maps, ink them, scan them into Photoshop, and then place the names for rivers, cities, etc. But I've spent the last 12 years doing website design, so I have the tools to make it happen, I guess. I don't think maps help editors or agents at all; they are more interested in the story and the quality of the writing. I mostly just made THE DARK THORN map for friends and family who would be reading it.
And if I get a book deal, the map will help the professional artist make a better looking map.
Shawn,
Snark's a good site. I've checked it before and will go back to get the updates. I love the "No Holding Back" tone.
Look forward to seeing your queries. I've got some to share if you are interested. I can already cut them to pieces with my own dull, hatchet.
One thing I've noticed, though, is that I narrowly focused my approach to agents based on genre instead of based on desires, achievements, and reputation.
Tod
So cool buddy! Our stories are so parallel, my aunt gave me The Sword of Shannara at around the same age and now i turn 32 in November.
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