Phil Giunta's Blog, page 119
May 19, 2011
Author Interview: Michael Jan Friedman Part One
At SF conventions, Mike can often be seen entering the hotel soaked in sweat after a grueling run around the building. In that regard, Mike will always be half the man I am. That was a weight joke. Laugh, damn you.
For thirty years, Mike has written SF, Fantasy, paranormal, media tie-in, biographies, and comic books for both DC and Marvel. He is one of most prolific authors out there. So let's get talkin' to Michael Jan Friedman!
First, tell us where we can find you online such as blogs, websites, Facebook, etc.
My website can be found at MichaelJanFriedman.net. It’s got a blog. I hope to actually start putting in new entries in June, after I get a few other parts of my professional life in order. I can also be found at Crazy 8 Press--more on that later.
Your first original published fiction was a trilogy known as the Vidar Saga (The Hammer and the Horn, The Seekers and the Sword, The Fortress and the Fire). What inspired the storyline?
I’d always been a big fan of the Norse legends. Marvel’s Thor was a particular favorite of mine, but I’d actually been reading about the Norse gods even before I discovered them in the comics. I was especially interested in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods, in that it was billed as the final battle for good and evil. And what happens after the “final” battle is over? What kinds of battles will be fought then? These are the questions that compelled me to write the Vidar Saga back in the mid-1980s. People still come over to me at cons and in book stores and tell me they just read my trilogy, and how much they enjoyed it. It’s very gratifying.
For more than two decades, you have earned recognition as a media tie-in writer beginning with your first Star Trek novel in 1988 called Double, Double. Since then, you’ve written or co-written nearly forty Star Trek novels. What was the catalyst for your enduring relationship with Trek and Pocket Books?
I remember seeing the very first episode of Star Trek back in September, 1966. I was sprawled on my bed in my pajamas, hooked by the eyeballs. Star Trek was space adventure with a heart, with compelling characters, with a sense of right and wrong that felt very much like my own. From then on, I couldn’t miss an episode.
Of course, I had been an avid science fiction reader since I was in first grade, but this was different. It wasn’t a book I’d be reading with a flashlight under the covers long after I was supposed to have gone to sleep. It was out there. It was live action. It was real.
Years later, after I had come out with the Vidar Saga and another original work, The Glove of Maiden’s Hair, my first agent hooked me up with Pocket Books. Dave Stern was the editor then. He turned down my first proposal, which was too fantasy-oriented. Then I sent in the proposal for Double, Double, he liked it, and we were on our way.
More recently, you also wrote three novels for Darkhorse (Aliens: Original Sin, The Wolfman: Hunter’s Moon, and Predator: Flesh and Blood). How did these projects come about?
Rob Simpson, whom I first met when he was an editor at DC Comics, is a friend of mine and a terrific guy. When he got the editor’s job at Dark Horse Press a few years ago, we talked and he asked me which of the franchises Dark Horse had licensed might be appealing to me. I asked if I could do an Aliens book and a Wolf Man book. I loved Aliens because I found the Ripley character so appealing (not to mention so sexy). Wolf Man got my juices flowing because I wanted to explore the Satanic side of the story. After all, Talbot had been cursed by the devil. I wanted to see how he would react if he were offered a respite from that curse.
The Predator assignment came a bit later; because I had overcommitted myself, I brought in my pal Bob Greenberger to help me with the project, and he did his usual bang-up job. The Predator book is about an organized-crime family in the future--a family that prides itself on its toughness--running up against the toughest beings of all in the form of the Predators.
I was delighted in 2007 when I learned that you were collaborating with Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson (from SyFy’s Ghost Hunters) to produce the book, Ghost Hunting. That was followed up by Seeking Spirits in 2009. How did you become involved in these projects and is there another book on the horizon?
My agent called me with the Ghost Hunters gigs. I had seen the show on SyFy and enjoyed it, so I was pleased to have the chance to work with Jason and Grant. Aside from having great stories to tell, they’re good guys to hang out with. One day we spent an hour just sitting in a trailer in Jason’s driveway looking at tapes of events they had experienced but couldn’t explain--for instance, a swinging gate that had no earthly reason to be swinging. A third Ghost Hunters book that collects the first two is on tap for later this year.
You have almost two hundred comic books under your belt from Star Trek to Batman to Flash to Silver Surfer and of course your original title, Darkstars. H ow did you get started in comics?
You can blame that on Bob Greenberger, who was the Trek editor at DC Comics for a while. Shortly after I started doing work for Pocket Books, Dave Stern held a holiday pizza party for his New York City-area writers. Bob was there. I asked him if I could do some work for him. He said there weren’t any openings at the time because he already had a guy named Peter David working on the one Trek title he was editing. However, he would keep me in mind. When DC renewed its Trek license with Paramount and added a Next Gen title, Bob took a chance and gave me the Next Gen book. I don’t think he ever regretted it. At least he’s never said so in public...
Please share with us the origins of your Darkstars series. What was the premise and how many issues were there?
Darkstars is a take off on the Green Lantern mythos. The Green Lantern Corp was created by a benevolent bunch of little blue guys with big heads who wanted to empower the exemplars of intelligent species to defend their species against evil. The Darkstars were a lot grittier, a lot less idealistic. Their organization was created by the Controllers, who selfishly wanted to keep chaos and violence as far from their civilization as they possibly could. So right from the get-go, the Darkstars were operating under a different philosophy. They defended whatever worlds they were assigned. I remember the first caption I wrote for the title character’s thoughts: “Another day, another dungheap.”
I loved writing Darkstars, although the series reads better if you go through in a single sitting than if you buy it and read it on a monthly basis. The story arcs were long, probably too long for the average comic reader, but they were different. In one issue I introduced an alien criminal who had basically turned state’s evidence and gone into a galactic witness protection program. In another issue I had the Darkstars trying to contain the growth of a tiny expanding universe in the Dallas suburbs.
Part of the thrill of working on Darkstars was the chance to take in great DC characters like Donna Troy and John Stewart who didn’t otherwise have a home at the moment. It made sense that they handled their Darkstar duties and abilities differently than did Ferrin Colos, the star of the series. In the end, Darkstars ran thirty-nine issues and was cancelled because of monthly sales that would be considered stellar (no pun intended) these days. But it was fun while it lasted.
Most of your comics work was with DC. How did you come to write for Silver Surfer (Marvel Comics)?
My friend Ron Marz was stepping away from the title to pursue other work and he knew I liked the character, so we collaborated on issues 101 and 102 of the 1980s-90s run. I had some ideas I wanted to implement for the Surfer but the editor wanted to make a clean break and gave the book to one of his fellow editors, I believe.
In the meantime, I got a chance some time later to rewrite the ultimate Surfer arc in a title called Marvel Remix, which updated classic Marvel stories. Ruben Diaz, the assistant editor on part of the Darkstars run, had left to become the editor on Remix. He wanted to retell the tale that first appeared in Fantastic Four 57-60 in which Doctor Doom steals the Power Cosmic from the Surfer. It was pretty hard to improve on Stan Lee, but I had a great time trying.
Tune in again tomorrow when Mike talks about writing for Star Trek: Voyager, his upcoming original novel, Blood of the Gods, and the formation of Crazy 8 Press with fellow authors Bob Greenberger, Aaron Rosenberg, Howie Weinstein, Peter David, and Glen Hauman.
Michael Jan Friedman on Wikipedia
Michael Jan Friedman on Simon & Schuster
Michael Jan Friedman on the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
May 18, 2011
About This Writing Stuff...
Get Paid to be a Word Nerd by Rebecca Smith Hurd
Should You Write a Novel or a Short Story? by Elizabeth Sims
When's the Best Time to Query? by Brian A. Klems
MFA Confidential: Another Year Over by Jessie Morrison
The Self-Publishing Set from Jane Friedman
8 Things Readers Want from Self-Published Authors
Should You Self-Publish After a Near Miss?
The "Self-Pub-Is-Crap" Debate
The Chuck Sambuchino List
Is the Second Novel Really Easier? by Douglas W. Jacobson
3 Reasons Why Visiting a Source (or Location) Will Better Your Writing by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
New Agent Alert: Susan Finesman of Fine Literary
How I Got My Agent: David Halperin
7 Things I've Learned So Far by Rebecca Searle
May 15, 2011
My schedule for BaltiCon 45
Event: BaltiCon 45
Dates: May 27-30, 2011
Location: Hunt Valley Marriott Inn - Hunt Valley, MD (home of Shore Leave and Monster Mania cons as well)
Author Guest of Honor: Ben Bova
Full Guest List Here
While I don't have my entire schedule for this show yet, I am very excited to announce that my publisher, Firebringer Press , has been scheduled for a one hour session called "Firebringer Press Presents." This session is slated for 11PM to Midnight on Friday, May 27. As soon as I'm told which room, I'll post it here.
The session will include readings from author/editor/publisher Steven H. Wilson and yours truly! We will both read from our current and upcoming works and provide updates as to what's to come from Firebringer.
I will also be participating in several other dicussion panels. If they send my schedule along prior to the con, it will be posted here.
May 11, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
While awaiting the contractors to arrive and finish their work on the house today, I thought I'd sneak in an abridged edition of About this Writing Stuff...
This week, Aaron Elkins gives us 3 Ways to Know When to End Your Chapters while Traci Borum asks if your novel has a Hook or Merely a Gimmick. We also have some how to's as Sarah Domet advises on choosing the best outline method, Kevin Hearne discusses finding your niche in Urban Fantasy and Laura Whitcomb provides ideas for organizing a developing ideas for your novel...and more!
3 Ways to Know When to End Your Chapters by Aaron Elkins
Ask the Pro: Literary Agent Daniel Lazar by Jane Friedman
How to Choose the Best Outline Method for You by Sarah Domet
How to Organize and Develop Ideas for Your Novel by Laura Whitcomb
How to Find Your Niche in Urban Fantasy by Kevin Hearne / posted by Chuck Sambuchino
New Agent Alert: Jeff Ourvan of Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency posted by Chuck Sambuchino
Does Your Novel Have a Hook or Merely a Gimmick? by Traci Borum / posted by Chuck Sambuchino
5 Key Research Sites You May Have Missed (Plus Cool Tricks) by Jane Friedman
A Short Break from Blogging
I suppose getting these jobs done in the same week speaks to efficiency...but the clean up is exhausting. Having your home in disarray ain't no fun either!
Regular blogging will resume in a few days.... for now, I'm taking a nap!
May 7, 2011
Testing the Prisoner's Audio Book Concludes...
IT'S OVER! IT'S ALL OVER!!!! Testing the Prisoner's audio book comes to a conclusion with a brief Epilogue followed by a delightful Q&A with myself and publisher/director Steven H. Wilson.
I've said before that the entire audio book will soon be posted on Podiobooks.com. That IS coming and I'll keep everyone updated. Steve provides other updates after our Q&A. Check it out now! Now, I say!
Check out Prometheus Radio Theatre on Facebook as well.
Thanks for listening and have a wonderful weekend!
May 5, 2011
Another Golden Talent Lost-Jackie Cooper
Today, well over thirty years later, I have less heroes in my life, yet Chris Reeve remains near the top of the list.
And as a passionate fan of the Superman films, I hold a special place in my heart for Reeve's fellow cast members. I've met Margot Kidder, Marc McClure, Jeff East, and Sarah Douglas over the last ten years. I was hoping to meet Jackie Cooper but alas, that chance is now lost.
His death comes in the wake of other recent celebrity losses, Bill Campbell and Elizabeth Sladen. I never wanted to believe that these things "happen in threes" yet here we are. It's sad to watch members from a golden era of Hollywood--one of class, charm, and dignity--slip away. You sometimes think these people will be around forever. After all, you grew up with them and you watch their movies time and again. They're always around, right?
Jackie Cooper was a Hollywood veteran, starting with Our Gang comedies and working in film and TV for decades. I enjoyed his portrayal of Perry White in the Superman films. God bless him.


Photos : The Champ, 1931, MGM. Superman, 1978, Warner Bros./Salkind Productions
Author Interview: Denise Jaden
1. First, let us know where we can find you online such as blogs, websites, Facebook, etc.
My website is www.denisejaden.com
I’m on Facebook at facebook.com/denisejaden and on Twitter at twitter.com/denisejaden
My main blog is on my website at www.denisejaden.com/Blog.html
2. What inspired you to write fiction? If you don’t mind, please tell us about your short story work previous to your first novel.
I actually began with novel writing, and only took a little detour into short stories as I was awaiting replies from agents on my queries. I began writing very late in life, in my thirties, and I think it all started with some journaling that I started playing around with – sort of, “What would happen if someone else went through what I was going through?” and from there I loved writing about other imaginary characters so much that I gave them their own plotlines.
3. Are there any particular writers who inspired or influenced you? What genres do you enjoy reading?
Laurie Halse Anderson is a huge influence of mine, both writing-wise and as a person. She’s so proactive in writing the truth and making the world a better place for young people. I enjoy reading all young adult fiction, and some adult fiction, but my number one love is contemporary YA.
4. Your bio is truly engaging, most especially your time as a professional Polynesian dancer as well as fitness competitor.
What sparked your interest in Polynesian dancing?
It was something I started when I was very young. My parents enrolled me after a family vacation in Hawaii, and I loved it so much I stuck with it.
Would you care to regale us with any highlights from your fitness competitions, such as awards that you’ve won?
That whole side of my life feels like a lifetime ago, so I feel a little like I’m making stuff up when I admit to awards. Let’s just say I did get first place in one fitness competition and I also did really well in some strength competitions. But oh so long ago!
5. Your first novel, Losing Faith (Simon Pulse, Sept. 2010) is a deeply emotional YA story of loss and mourning wrapped in an intriguing mystery that also deals with the theme of Christian fanaticism. What inspired the story?
My main inspiration was the loss of my own best friend when I was sixteen. I was left with many questions and I’ve always felt like there was a great deal to explore with losing someone at that very tumultuous time in life.
As for the religious aspects, I used to be a secretary of a church with a large group of very passionate young people. I think anything taken to an extreme and without proper support can be dangerous, and this was just a matter of writing about one area I knew about.
6. What can you tell us about your second novel, formerly titled Appetite for Beauty? Have you chosen a title yet? Has a release date been set?
We’re still working on a title for this one. It’s the story of the fragile relationship between two sisters: one, a gifted photographer, the other, a dancer who struggles with bulimia. It’s set to be released in summer 2012.
7. Can you give us a hint of other writing projects you have lined up?
I’m always working on something, and at the moment my project is a companion novel to LOSING FAITH. This one will be told in Tessa’s point of view and is tentatively titled FINDING HOPE.
8.
What does Denise Jaden do when she isn’t writing?
I’m still involved with my Polynesian dance troupe and love performing with them. I also homeschool my seven year old boy and keep active at the gym. That keeps me really, really busy.
Denise was also featured in the March 13 Writer's Digest eNewsletter article, Using Conferences to Your Querying Advantage

May 4, 2011
About this Writing Stuff...
Was Your Idea Stolen? Maybe--But Maybe Not by Eileen Cook & Lara Zielin
How to Create a Free Author Website on WordPress by Meryl K. Evans
Dealing with Writer's Block by Brian A. Klems
Productive (and Sometimes Hilarious) Procrastination: 10 Websites for Writers by Zachary Petit
Three from Jane Friedman of Writer's Digest:
Why Do We Think Talent Ought to be Rewarded?
Determination: More Important to Success than Talent
Everyone Wants to Help Writers, but Whose Help Do You Really Need?
Three from Chuck Sambuchino of Writer's Digest:
Getting to Know All About Agent Barbara Poelle
How I Got My Agent by Stephanie Barden
5 Pieces of Well-Meaning Writing Advice That I'm Glad I Didn't Take by C.C. Hunter
May 1, 2011
Chiller Theatre Convention - Hollywood Autograph Show
Back from Chiller Theatre autograph show in Parsippany, NJ. It was a gorgeous day for a two hour drive. Chiller brings about 80 guests from all over the entertainment business twice a year, April and October (typically Halloween weekend). On my list this year were repeat guests Ernest Borgnine and Dean Stockwell. I had my picture taken with these gents the last time they were here so I did not bother to do it again this time.
However, I finally got my Escape from New York picture signed by Mr. Borgnine and a nice Quantum Leap photo with Stockwell and Bakula together. Now to get Bakula's signature without breaking the bank.
In attendance for the first time, and on my autograph list, were Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnati), Hal Linden (Barney Miller), Robbi Chong (Poltergeist: The Legacy) and Robert Knepper (Stargate: Universe, HEROES). Chris Sarandon from The Princess Bride was also on my list but he canceled at the last minute. All the guests were gracious and friendly.
Here is the entire guest list, just as a sample of a typical Chiller Theatre.
The sheer throng of fans at this show borders on intolerable. If you hate crowds, this show is not for you, but I never fail to have a great time! I've been attending the show for over 10 years now. In fact, since 1990, I attend about six to eight SF cons and autograph shows per year. I'm a celeb junkie and I collect autographs. So expect more convention reports and pictures down the road!
Hey, it keeps me out of trouble!!!



