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Ask the Author: Kevin J. Anderson

“I have a lot of titles to choose from. Try Saga of Seven Suns, Spine of the Dragon, or steampunk Clockwork Angels written with Neil Peart. And for laughs, try my Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. series.” Kevin J. Anderson

Answered Questions (43)

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With the success of shows like Fallout and The Last of Us making post-apocalyptic futures trending and special effects that weren't available 30 years ago when you wrote it, do you think Ill Wind could ever be adapted to live action?
Kevin J. Anderson Man, I hope so, but nobody has been expressing any interest.
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Hi Kevin, are you any relation to the great Poul Anderson?
Kevin J. Anderson No, but I knew him pretty well. In fact, he and Karen even came to my wedding with Rebecca 33 years ago.
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Hey mate! Can you ever imagine yourself writing for Games Workshop/Warhammer or do you think that they'd have too many guidelines that it would become difficult to write?
Kevin J. Anderson It would take me so many hours to do a deep dive into that universe to get all the details right, it just wouldn't be feasible. I am so swamped with my Dan Shamble series and Nether Station and the Dune novels, I'm not looking to tackle anything so huge right now!
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I'm really enjoying your Spine of the Dragon series and can't wait for the final book! Are you planning on doing any other fantasy books/series after its finished? Huge fan of your work and thanks in advance!
Kevin J. Anderson I'm really proud of my Terra Incognita trilogy, published about ten years ago, THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, THE MAP OF ALL THINGS, THE KEY TO CREATION. As for other fantasy, if you like steampunk adventures, you might want to check out my Clockwork Angels, Clockwork Lives, and forthcoming Clockwork Destiny, written with Neil Peart from Rush. I'm still proofreading GODS AND DRAGONS, so I haven't really planned my next big solo work yet.
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I read in a foreword (I'm pretty sure it was in Dune Messiah) that you and Brian Herbert started writing the expanded Dune novels based on copious notes left behind by his father. I know Frank Herbert was Tolkein level meticulous about his worlds, but after these 20 years and 13 books, are the two of you still using the notes he left behind as a main point of inspiration?
Kevin J. Anderson Frank left a lot of material for us to study, which we used for the House trilogy, the Butlerian Jihad trilogy, and Hunters and Sandworms, with a little for Paul of Dune and Winds of Dune. At this point, however, we have included most of the material he left us, and we have been building on that. Many of those notes and scenes are included in THE ROAD TO DUNE.
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When I first heard about the 'based-on-RUSH-songs' anthology "2113", I emailed you about including my "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" short story but, sadly, the book was already on the way to the printer's. Do you have plans for a follow up to this great anthology? If so, I still have my story I'd like to submit for consideration.
Kevin J. Anderson Sorry, after the loss of Neil we don't have any plans to do another anthology like that.
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I'm going to read the novels in the Dune Universe by you and Brian Herbert and I have a question for you. Is the best reading order for the novels in the Dune Universe by you and Brian Herbert chronological order or publication order?
Kevin J. Anderson either way works. If you read them in publication order, you'll get the story rolled out as the rest of the world got it. But if you want to start with Butlerian Jihad, read through the Schools trilogy, then the House books, you'll have a grand story too
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Can you tell me about the level of any sex/nudity in your book. If it is there is it frequent, graphic, fade to black? Thanks
Kevin J. Anderson I've written a lot of books, and most of them don't go much above PG-13. There is some more graphic sex in Spine of the Dragon, A Forest of Stars, and Afterimage. Most of the rest are relatively clean. Hope that helps.
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Excluding your star wars books, what is the sex/nudity level in your other books? I saw and ad for the saga of the seven suns. Thank you
Kevin J. Anderson For the most part it's pretty PG-13. There is some sex in book 2 of Seven Suns and some in my new Spine of the Dragon epic fantasy.
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Anxious to see something new; been following the two of you and your work since I discovered you and Brian took over from Frank. Phenomenal work! You're originally from Oregon here in Wisconsin, correct?
Kevin J. Anderson Yes, graduated from Oregon High School and then went to University of Wisconsin, Madison. A few months ago, 40 years after graduation, I won the Badger of the Year award, so I guess I'm still connected. Thanks for the kind words
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Any new projects planned with Brian Anderson?
Kevin J. Anderson Brian HERBERT—we haven't entirely merged yet! But oh yes, we have more projects coming, big exciting news with the DUNE film and the SISTERHOOD TV series. And more books. Stay tuned.
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Will there ever be any more Dan Shamble Zombie PI books? Really enjoyed them.
Kevin J. Anderson Absolutely! I just wrote a new Shamble story "Heart of Clay" for an upcoming Laurell K. Hamilton anthology. I have notes for another novel...I just need to find the time to write it. Glad you like the guy!
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How many planned books are in the "Spine of the Dragon" universe?
Kevin J. Anderson It is planned as a trilogy, but the story is growing so big, I may need a fourth volume. We'll have to see! I hope you enjoy it.
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What made you want to create a anthology based on the music of Rush? Its a wonderful concept.
Kevin J. Anderson I have always loved Rush and been inspired by their music. I told a lot of stories that were influence by the music, and so this seemed a natural theme for an anthology.
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I really enjoyed War of the Worlds: Global Dispatches. What is your process for putting together a quality collection?
Kevin J. Anderson Knowing good and reliable authors. And they deliver good stories.
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Are you ever going to write any more Dan Shambles??????
Kevin J. Anderson Yes! I do have a new story in the Jim Butcher anthology SHADOWED SOULS that came out for Halloween, and another one next summer in STRAIGHT OUTTA TOMBSTONE from Baen Books. I already have a new novel outlined, TASTES LIKE CHICKEN, which will be out from my own WordFire Press. I just have to find time to write it among my other book contracts.
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Did you or Brian ever create extra Erasmus quotes that you didn't put in the Dune books, if so will you be releasing them or have you already for people to see? (I pre-ordered Navigators of Dune and got it today. So far it's great! Good job with all the Dune books you've written so far and hopefully any in the future!)
Kevin J. Anderson I think we've used them all in the books. Glad you like the character. He's one of our favorites.
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Hey, I am 14 (almost 15, proud of it). I fell in love with Dune as soon as I started reading them, and I can proudly say I have read all 19 Dune books including your latest: Navigators of Dune, great job on it. It's my favorite so far (except for the original). Have you or Brian written anything else like Dune that Dune lovers like me would appreciate as something as good as Dune?
Kevin J. Anderson Well, I don't think there's anything as good as the original DUNE (in fact, I am reading it again right now, for the 11th time, I think). But Brian and I did write an original SF epic, the HELLHOLE trilogy, which is a lot like our Dune novels. Also, my big space opera series, THE SAGA OF SEVEN SUNS begins with HIDDEN EMPIRE. That might also be up your alley.
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What inspired you to write The Last Days of Krypton? Did you use the World of Krypton mini-series by John Bryne and Mignola as a reference?
Kevin J. Anderson that was definitely one influence, but all the comics over the years, the early Christopher Reeves film, and all I've experienced from the DC universe
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When does the navigators of dune to be released?
Kevin J. Anderson early next summer
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