A conversation about tie-in fiction

The Angry Robot blog just posted a link to a conversation between Mark Charan Newton and Dan Abnett, which took place on Jeff Vandermeer's blog. The topic of conversation is the tie-in novel. It is a fascinating read if you're at all interested in this part of sf/f related books.

 

I'm one of those people interested in such things.

Not only because for many years I was responsible for acquiring tie-in books while an editor for the SFBC, and had the pleasure of finding many great reads over the years, which serviced many a fan base of the respective tie-in properties. But also because I'll soon be involved with developing tie-in fiction, which I'm psyched about.

Unfortunately there is a stigma associated with this type of writing. Some of it rings true of course, as with any work-for-hire work can be "hacked out" by a writer looking for little more than a pay check. But I feel that can be true of any segment of publishing whether it be other categories of fiction, or writing in general. My experience has been that certain authors take this work very seriously and fans of the tie-in property can spot a writer not giving his all.

Dan Abnett, having made his bones writing both comics and fiction on both sides of the pond, makes an interesting point how writing as work-for-hire for big comics companies is something everyone aspires to, and how this is the complete opposite with most tie-in novel work. There is a long history of it being looked down on. And that is sad, because if you're a fan of, say, Star Wars, there are so many more adventures waiting for you in the pages of the tie-ins.

I really enjoyed the post, and comments section, and I'm glad to see people in the field discussing this important part of SF-related writing.

I'll end with one of my favorite tie-in novels, in this case a comics tie-in by the man who wrote the original story in the comics, the legendary, Marv Wolfman. I read and bought for SFBC the Crisis on Infinite Earths novel tie-in published by ibooks, and found it to be amazing.

As a fan, it was incredible to see the story through the Flash's perspective, and the detail really added to the legacy of that infamous DC storyline. I'm sure several fans may have missed this book simply because it was a novel tie-in, but I thought it was brilliant.

As a publishing professional who is about to step back into the ring with tie-in novels, and be involved in their development, there is no greater conversation for me to see taking place right now.

My Review of: PETER & MAX: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham with illustrations by Steve Leiahola

Already a fan of the magnificent FABLES comic book series by Bill Willingham and artist Mark Buckingham, inked by Steve Leialoha, and also a fan of the comic book spin-off series, Jack of Fables, I was very excited to read the first Vertigo novel, Peter & Max: A Fables Novel. Set to be published in October 2009 by Vertigo, the on-the-edge imprint of DC Comics that has brought such classics as Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series as well as many other superb comics such as Preacher, Y the Last Man, and 100 Bullets.

This book leads out of the imaginative world created by Willingham and his collaborators, where characters from fairy tale and folklore actually exist in other magical worlds, and are forced to escape the oppression of a great Adversary, where they create a safe haven, a magically protected area in New York City called Fabletown with an upstate branch called The Farm where those unable to hide in human form are forced to live.

An even greater expansion of the well thought out Fables world, the novel tells the stories of the Piper family, and more specifically of Peter and Max, two brothers destined for great things, some good and some evil. Both heir to their father’s magical flute, Frost, they are thrust into desperation as the evil hordes of the enemy force the fables of the magical lands to seek refuge. The Piper family is disrupted as well as the Peep family, including Peter’s childhood crush Rainbow (‘Bo) Peep. It seems their time of innocence is gone.

Spoiler alert – I don’t give away major plot points but do discuss the novel in more detail. STOP here if you’d rather not read more about the story. [Don’t worry I don’t reveal who the Adversary is to any who have yet to start reading Fables – but get on it already!]

Peter and Bo’s journey of survival is desperate and wrought with danger and deception. Meanwhile, Max, seeking vengeance and his rightful place, is forever tracking his brother. It makes for an exciting and epic climax as brother faces brother, spread out over many battles over many years.

Also, especially for fans of the Fables comic book, are the cameos of many of Fables’ popular cast, including Bigby Wolf, Frau Totenkinder, and other assorted residents of Fabletown. Told during both a modern battle, with flashbacks over several centuries and in various magical lands, the book is a journey to take, a magical tune to follow, that tells an incredible story.

For fantasy fans to delight in, Willingham’s text is a joy, and I was left only wishing for more cameos from the likes of all the Fables characters, as he has breathed such detailed life and back story into them all, even as I realize this book had to end, I wished it had not.

I think anyone can enjoy this fairy tale, and follow the pied piper and his tune. But for fans of Fables, this is an immense joy, giving so much more breathe to the world we’ve come to love.