SRD Coming Here?

[Vain]

Actually, it's me

[danlo]

Reminds me of the joke about the new-Dr. who goes 2 the nuthouz and asks which 1 is Jesus, and everybody raises their hand...I understand now LF, I was sick and grumpy & 2 optimistic 4 my own good! Shantih (peace)!

[Romeo]

Greetings, all! I just found the site, and the board. Good job! I've have my own Donaldson page set up for tons of years now (www.eccker.org/johnf/donaldson.htm), but I haven't updated it lately - sorry about that.

My love for Donaldson's stories took me to the World Fantasy Convention (www.worldfantasy.org) seven years ago, and I've been going back every year since (made lots of good friends there that I enjoy seeing every year). I've listened to him talk on panels and read from his works in progress. I won't claim to have any special knowledge, but I wanted to provide my thoughts to this thread.

I wouldn't doubt that he's found this site, and has read through at least some of the posts. Again, there isn't any insider info here - it's just my belief that someone with such a public oriented career (and an internet browser) would look around now and then to see what's being said about him.

I would guess that he would not jump into any discussions (although, like everyone else here, I'd love to have him prove me wrong). But if he posted himself, I don't think that he would do so anonymously. He doesn't seem like a "cloak and dagger" type of person (look how forward his detective characters are!).

At the World Fantasy Convention, Donaldson often reads from whatever he is working on at the time. He's a wonderful reader - the one year he read Reave the Just, and another year he read a chapter from The Man Who Fought Alone. He doesn't have a James Earl Jones voice, but who better to emphasize the right parts of the passages (and provide proper pronounciation) than the author himself (if the books are ever put onto tape)? I think that would lend a special aspect to the tapes that you wouldn't get with a professional reader. Anyway, last year (2001), he read for an hour from the beginnings of his new Land novel. Yes - woohoo!! I hesitate to post any of the details, though. I don't want to raise or lower any plotline hopes. Plus he might have decided to scrap what he read and go in a different direction. There was no indication of how far along he was at the time, and he did not do a reading at the 2002 convention. Even after he finishes the book and finds a publisher, there's normally about a year delay until it hits the shelf. So the light is there, but we won't know how long the tunnel is until we're out of it.

Next year's World Fantasy Convention is here in Washington DC. It's a very professional-oriented con - lots of authors, agents and publishers. Lots of fans as well, but no costumes or anything like that allowed (despite the fact that it's normally held over or around halloween). It's great to listen to ALL of the authors read from their work, and discuss things in the panels. And on the Friday night of the con (it always runs from Thursday to Sunday), there's the traditional mass autograph session, where all the authors (on the order of 100+) line up at tables in the ballroom and sign books for two hours. I definately recommend this con to any fantasy fans (and it's a must-do for any aspiring fantasy authors - you get lots of schmooze time in with editors and agents who are there specifically for that purpose).

Cheers,
John

[amanibhavam]

sounds exciting - too bad I am several thousand miles from Washington DC...

[aliantha]

But I'm not!

(I seem to like that bouncy guy a lot -- I've been putting him into all my posts lately....)

Oh, Romeo -- let me know when registration opens for the 2003 convention, would ya? Thanks! Or I suppose I could go check out the website, but then I wouldn't have been able to use the "hail master" guy....

[ragsaw]

Just a little tale - I remember when the Beatles were stopping touring late '66 and were planning to do small gig tours simply for fun, but donning masks so no-one would know it was them.

When an interviewer mentioned to them that surely they would be recognised by their voices they looked genuinely shocked..

My point?

If srd ever posted in here there's a damned fine chance we'd recognise his prose...

[Skyweir]

good point .. .. I have tried to disguise my voice/prose .. but you're really all too clever to be tricked

I want to move to Washington DC ..

[Skyweir]

good point .. .. I have tried to disguise my voice/prose .. but you're really all too clever to be tricked

I want to move to Washington DC ..

[Worm of Despite]

Well, yes... His prose would be quite detectable... *Mutters Joy is in the ears that can hear*

[Vain]

I - for some strange reason - originally thought that SRD wasn't entirely internet savvy but reading one of his interviews has clarified that

I think it would be great if he was lurking about - and occassionally posting something I don't think he is but we may never know

[amanibhavam]

c'mon guys, he is a writer - I am sure he can choose any style to post here, we would never recognize him if he didn't want to

[Vain]

Just think - he could adopt an Angus Thermopyle style and we'd be in a quandary as to whether or not he becomes the first banned person here

[duchess of malfi]

Now, that, Vain, would be truly ironic!

[Lord Mhoram]

SRD isnt here yest, I can almost guarantee that. But I bet hes been here before...reigstered? $shrug$

[Romeo]

They started selling memberships at this year's(well, "last year's" now - heh heh) convention. So you can go to the web site and get the reg info at any time. My guess is that you will probably have to mail them a check.

They also have the annual awards banquet on the last day (Sunday) of the convention. It's a nice thing to go to - you may end up sitting with some interesting people - two years ago my wife and I sat with David Drake and his wife, and Bob Vardeman. You should decide about the banquet at least a month in advance to be safe, since they sell out for it).

[aliantha]

Thanks! I did, actually, get off my virtual duff and look up the info on the website. I'd have to pinch a few pennies to come up with the registration fee, so we'll see....

[Stephen R. Donaldson]

Hey everyone!

Well I see since my last post there has been some debate as to whether it was REALLY me or not. Are you all UNBELIEVERS? Heh, little more Land-humor there, joy is in the ears that hear, after all!

I've been working some more on my much-debated "third trilogy". I don't want to give away too much now, but in it Thomas Covenant is the bad guy and Lord Foul is the good guy! Yes! It is true. Moksha, Jehannum and that other one have started an Internet company, and Hile Troy's son (who is deaf) is summoned also. They all go out drinking with some Ranyhyn and then end up summoning ... Britney Spears! Oops, I did it again, indeed! Del Rey made me put her in there, plus some Pepsi "product placement" so I hope no one is offended if the Bloodguard now regularly say things like, "Ur-Lord, do you require a refreshing diet Pepsi after your hard fight with some Ur-Viles?"

Anyway, just thought I'd check in again and give y'all a halfhand salute!

Stephen R. Donaldson

[Romeo]

Joy is most definately in the ears that hear. Which is why I can give a whole-hearted ROTFLMAO!!

[Worm of Despite]

At this rate, we'll be seeing TC in a "MAKE 7.... UP YOURS" T-shirt...

[Reisheiruhime]

LOL Lord Foul. Very funny.