Focus on Jonathan Strahan

[Jonathan Strahan]

What do you think Orbit might do?

Truthfully, not that much at first. Given that they're operating or going to operate in the UK, US, and Australia, it makes sense to consolidate what you've got, make sure you have your bestsellers in every territory. I can see them buying up existing writers who are already successful here, before they get around to dealing with anyone new. For example, I think you'll see them pushing Marianne De Pierres a lot more here (which is great), and maybe buying one or two Voyager writers (which they have). From there, harder to see.

I do think it's interesting for writers, potentially. If you have a good agent, and are very careful, it could work for you.

[Alisa Krasnostein]

Hi Jonathan

You said very early on that you'd fallen out of the local scene and that you'd like to reconnect. I was wondering why - it doesn't seem like you're all that into the local markets. Is having a live community that you can reach out and touch important?

[Jonathan Strahan]

You said very early on that you'd fallen out of the local scene and that you'd like to reconnect. I was wondering why - it doesn't seem like you're all that into the local markets. Is having a live community that you can reach out and touch important?

There are a number of reasons. First, it's a sentimental thing. I grew up in and live in Australia. I spent ten years working in the Australian specfic community. While I always had a broader focus than solely Australian specfic, I never intended to lose touch. Second, there are great writers here. I'm an editor. I want to know who's doing good stuff so I can get them to write for me, get them into my year's bests. Third, I loved being part of the OZ specfic community. Going to conventions or events and being part of the same enterprise as friends and colleagues. I want to reconnect with that. It's why I'm making an effort to get to at least one major Australian convention each year at the moment. So I can be part of things, know people. It's really important, and it's very, very important for an editor. And when you say that I'm not all that into the local markets, I wouldn't quite agree. What is is that I'm difficult to impress. I'm following what's going on, but I really want to be wowed. There's still quite a lot of ordinary stuff, and that doesn't impress me that much.

[Alisa Krasnostein]

And when you say that I'm not all that into the local markets, I wouldn't quite agree. What is is that I'm difficult to impress. I'm following what's going on, but I really want to be wowed. There's still quite a lot of ordinary stuff, and that doesn't impress me that much.

To be honest, I personally think that's a really fair comment. I also might be difficult to impress. I read in my spare time and I want to be inspired, moved, touched, wowed and challenged. It's definitely a tall order. Do you think editors could/should play a bigger role in lifting the ordinary stuff or encouraging better than ordinary out of our writers?

[Jonathan Strahan]

Do you think editors could/should play a bigger role in lifting the ordinary stuff or encouraging better than ordinary out of our writers?

That's a tricky one. Editors have all kinds of conflicting obligations and roles. I think they have a responsibility to find the best work they can to publish, and then to work with the writers they're publishing to make their stories as strong as they can. So, if that's what you mean, then yes.

I'm not sure, though, that that extends to doing some kind of editorial outreach program where editors work to bring writers up to basic publishable levels. Editors are editors, not writing teachers. Which sounds harsh. You want to help people as much as you can, but there's only so much time that you have to devote to anything.

[Alisa Krasnostein]

So then, I guess, the question becomes, how can Australian specfic become less ordinary?

[Jonathan Strahan]

So then, I guess, the question becomes, how can Australian specfic become less ordinary?

Ok. Take 2. I've had one response to this die, so... The answer is both simple and complex. To make Australian specfic less ordinary you need a vital, energetic local scene striving at all levels for the highest standards possible. You need everything from tiny 'zine to major magazines where writers can learn their craft, everything from small presses to big publishers willing to take a chance with local work. And you need all of those people pushing the envelope, working to become bigger, better, more interesting. And you probably need a nice, neat, coherent way to present that scene to people here and abroad as a "scene". I'm not sure how aware of the field in this country many people are, outside the in crowd.

One thing I think would help would be a Clarion for editors. Putting together Clarion South - which is a great good thing - the organisers have turned to all sorts of people, including editors, to help writers learn and improve their craft. But there's still not, to my knowledge, anywhere where aspiring editors can go to learn their craft, where existing editors can go to improve themselves, etc. Even where current major house editors can go to learn about the field. I think something like THAT would help. Heck, I'd go.

[tansyrr]

A Clarion for editors is an AMAZING idea!

Sorry, Jonathan, you'd be teaching.

[Cat Sparks]

Hi Jonathan,

Yep, I'd be signing up for that Clarion for editors workshop you mentioned in a heartbeat.

Now, in lieu of me asking a specific question, let me ask you a fuzzy one: got anything on your mind that you'd like to tell us about? Know any cool spec fic publishing intel that you'd like to share? Gossip? advice? musings? annecdotes? Tall tales and true, etc etc.

[raven]

Yup, I'd be rearranging my life's schedule in order to try and sign up for a Clarion South for editors (assuming I had half a chance of getting in of course).

[tansyrr]

I've got a fuzzy question too!

What dream books would you like to see appear on the shelves in the next couple of years - not books you know are going to appear, just ones you'd like to see happen?

Also, what dream books do you have at the back of your head that *you* would like to create, as an editor?

[Jonathan Strahan]

A Clarion for editors is an AMAZING idea!

Sorry, Jonathan, you'd be teaching. :)

I'd really like to attend something like that. If a convention set up a workshop, even, with people like Patrick Nielsen Hayden or Gordon Van Gelder, I'd be there. As to teaching: it really isn't my thing. I'm a lousy explainer. But, I'd be happy to talk to people who're interested.

[Alisa Krasnostein]

Thank you Jonathan for hanging out here for the last two weeks. I feel like we have only just scratched the surface on a lot of the aspects we discussed. Hopefully you will come back again soon!

[Jonathan Strahan]

Thank you Jonathan for hanging out here for the last two weeks. I feel like we have only just scratched the surface on a lot of the aspects we discussed. Hopefully you will come back again soon!

Thank you for having me. It's been a lot of fun, and very interesting. I'll certainly be around, and will check in here from time to time if there's anything anyone wants to discuss. - Jonathan