Chat Transcript from the Live Q & A with Hugh Howey

Chat Details: Hugh Howey, Saturday, August 18th, 2012. 10:00 AM EST during the eFestival of Words Virtual Book Fair.

 

 

The following transcript has been edited as follows:

1. Chatbot log in/log outs and time stamps removed to reduce clutter in the transcript.

2. Some Chat logs unrelated to the main discussion removed to avoid confusion following the chat

3. Some typos and spelling errors corrected for ease of reading

4. Some chat user’s usernames were edited because they included the user’s email address

 

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Hugh_Howey: Hey, congrats on all you’ve done, here. What’s awesome about all of this is that you’ve laid one helluva foundation for making this a yearly event. The framework is here to reuse. You don’t even have to arrange the chairs back how they were!

Hugh_Howey: Hey Tim!

 juliedawson: Thanks. And we’ve only had a few glitches…of course we still have two days left

timothycward: Hey Hugh! Waiting anxiously for I, Zombie to arrive today.

Hugh_Howey: I hope it does!

Hugh_Howey: And that you only mildly loathe it.

 juliedawson: You didn’t send any zombies to my house, right?

ZackBonelli: Julie, I agree with Hugh. This is great. I read all the entries in the forum yesterday for the “New Gatekeepers” panel. Very interesting. Wish I could have participated.

Hugh_Howey: Yeah, but they can get distracted and shuffle elsewhere.

 timothycward: Yes, I doubt there will be any loathing.

Hugh_Howey: There’s potential for loathing. It’s a very different sort of book.

Hugh_Howey: I hesitated to publish it.

timothycward: what about it do you think people will loathe? Because it’s gross?

Minion: Did someone say zombies! *grabs shotgun*

ZackBonelli: Hugh, who was that guy I saw you in that Google Hangout with… he told you to “Shut up and take our money”?

Hugh_Howey: lol. I don’t remember who said that.

Hugh_Howey: Minion: Except in this book, *you* are the zombie.

juliedawson: lol

timothycward: That does sort of create a problem for you, Minion, doesn’t it?

Hugh_Howey: Yeah. Put the gun down!!

Hugh_Howey: It isn’t worth it.

Minion: How did I get infected?nooooooo

juliedawson: Hugh, I want to thank you for participating in a chat this morning. Even if you did bring zombies with you.

Hugh_Howey: Haha! Thanks. We can stop talking about them if you want.

ZackBonelli: It’s okay, I have a peashooter on my desk. We’ll be fine.

juliedawson: lol No it’s fine.

Hugh_Howey: Good. You protect us.

Minion: Dont shoot me!

Hugh_Howey: lol

juliedawson: So since its 10AM why don’t we start with Wool and talk about zombies later

Hugh_Howey: Julie, how’s everything going so far?

Hugh_Howey: Sounds great.

Hugh_Howey: Do we just want to field questions?

Hugh_Howey: Or should I ramble?

juliedawson: I see no reason why we can’t do both

juliedawson: Why should this be different from any other forum? lol

Hugh_Howey: Very good. Haha.

juliedawson: But I am interested where the idea for Wool came from

Hugh_Howey: From realizing I should stop watching the news.

Hugh_Howey: That staring at a screen was no way to judge the world.

ZackBonelli: Is that where the idea for the big screen in the cafeteria came from?

timothycward: huh, that’s an interesting genesis to a story about people inside a silo. I like that.

Hugh_Howey: When I walk around and see the world, and talk to people, things seem pretty okay. As a boat captain, I went to a lot of impoverished countries.

Hugh_Howey: I took kids to theBronx to work in a soup kitchen, and for a week I got to sit down and talk to the very needy.

 Hugh_Howey: And things were crap for a lot of these people. InCuba,Dominica,Haiti, and elsewhere.

Hugh_Howey: But most of them still smiled and laughed.

Hugh_Howey: Kids in theBronx run around playing games with balls of duct tape.

Hugh_Howey: They’re still kids, you know? They haven’t seen anyplace different.

Hugh_Howey: And so I’m watching the news, which is nothing but car crashes and rape and homicide, and I start thinking about what this does to our minds. We start believing that the worst things possible are all that’s possible. And I wanted to explore that, this optimism vs. pessimism, this limited view of the world and the challenge of going out to see for ourselves.

Minion: What’s the meaning behind the title

Hugh_Howey: I was also dealing with the loss of my dog at the time, which was one of the worst things I ever went through. And that’s why the tone is so dreary and the ending . . . well, the ending.

timothycward: I was just thinking that is similar to why I stopped watching the news. Though it does help avoiding possible jury duty requests.

Hugh_Howey: The title has a few meanings. It’s literally the wool used to clean the lenses, to get a clear view of the world. It’s also the idea of having the wool pulled over our eyes.

juliedawson: Are the hardcovers out yet? I remember you posted images of the proofs over at the Kindleboards forum and they looked amazing

Hugh_Howey: I’ve also likened it to the idea of people being like sheep, just accepting what they’re told. There’s the saying of being “fleeced,” which means the same people can take from you and take from you, and you just keep giving. Also, I made the title an acronym for the entire project.

Hugh_Howey: Julie: The hardback will come out in January in theUK,Australia, and NZ. I’ll be selling signed copies from my website.

Minion: Very. Cool

Hugh_Howey: I can do that because I don’t have aUS publisher. We had quite a few offers, each of them funny in one way or another.

HeatherB: Wow, that name has a lot of significance for something so short. Did you realize the depth of its meaning before or after you chose it?

ZackBonelli: And Hugh, you said we’ll be able to get them in theUS too? Signed through your website?

Hugh_Howey: I had two layers of meaning with the first story. I added more as I continued the work.

juliedawson: Funny? Funny how? What did they try to do to you?

Hugh_Howey: That’s right, Zack.

Hugh_Howey: Oh, they wanted to change the name even after we had 150,000 sales and an established brand. They wanted to take the book down from ebook stores for up to a year while they crafted their hardback, destroying momentum.

Hugh_Howey: And they were offering royalties that are 1/6th what I currently make. And I was handing them a vetted and polished book, not an unproven manuscript. Even my agent, who reps a lot of great authors, was flabbergasted.

sueguf: pffft

timothycward: I was going to ask if they wanted to change the name. Ha!

DeannaRoy: Hugh–they wanted to change the NAME! Good grief. The royalties–meh. That’s publishing. But the name, wow.

Hugh_Howey: Yup.

juliedawson: so humor us, what did they want to change it to?

Hugh_Howey: We also had editors who passed on the book on a first reading, then came back telling us it was the best thing ever once other publishers were interested. That’s not the sort of editor you want pushing your work.

Hugh_Howey: They didn’t say.

Hugh_Howey: Just that WOOL was a horrible title. That it looked funny up there on the top of the bestseller list.

sueguf: When will the hard back come out in theUSA?

juliedawson: OK so lets talk about I, Zombie.

DeannaRoy: Everyone talks about Wool and I, Zombie, your successes. Have you seen the rest of your books start to rise with the other two successes?

Hugh_Howey: All of this applies to US publishers, which are unique. The foreign contracts have been AMAZING. So much more fair. They expire after a certain number of years and you get your rights back. It’s amazing.

 HeatherB: It seems odd that they’d want to create more work for themselves while simultaneously alienating fans by changing the title.

Hugh_Howey: Sue: I’ll have some copies of theUK edition on my website, but I’m staying self-published here. The paperback is a nice product, though.

 Hugh_Howey: Deanna: Yes. My other books are doing amazing now with the extra attention. Half Way Home stays up on some ranked lists on Amazon, as well as the Molly books.

sueguf: I am sure!

Hugh_Howey: Having a back catalog is key when you break out.

sunnyafternoon: Price point forUK version?

Hugh_Howey: Heather: Exactly. It was weird.

Hugh_Howey: 9.99 pounds! I’m so excited they priced the HB so inexpensively!

timothycward: Good price point.

DeannaRoy: That is a good price–more trade paperback.

Hugh_Howey: It allows them to get into supermarkets and discount stores. And yet, they are pulling out all the stops for this one. It’s their lead title for the 1st quarter.

DeannaRoy: They were confident in the print run.

sunnyafternoon: Sign theUK version?

Hugh_Howey: It’s a 600 page hardback with a sweet cover.

sueguf: That would be about $15 US

Hugh_Howey: They’re even printing a WOOL graphic on the canvas bags they hand out at book shows and conventions right now. I can’t believe the support I’m getting from Century Press and RHUK. It’s amazing. And it contrasts sharply with the vision from US publishers.

Minion: Thats still low for a hardback

DeannaRoy: Interesting thing, Hugh, when you did your live video launch and I saw you wife, she was exactly who I pictured as the wife in the Wool 1. Was that my weirdness or intentional?

Hugh_Howey: Sunny: Yeah, I’ll be signing copies of the HB and selling them on my website. Not sure how many I’ll be able to do.

sueguf: I want one!!

sunnyafternoon: Me too!

Hugh_Howey: Sue: I hope I’ll have enough for everyone. I want plenty of them to go around over here.

Hugh_Howey: I should be able to get them wholesale, but the shipping will be nuts to bring them over.

 timothycward: Any swag promotion for ChiCon? Did you get your schedule yet for what panels you’re on?

 sueguf: My daughter lives in theUK. Maybe I can bribe her.

Hugh_Howey: Yeah, I’m on a few panels. Very excited.

Hugh_Howey: One for new authors, one for dystopias, and one for whether or not to self-publish.

Hugh_Howey: And then they gave me a signing session and some kind of coffee meet-and-greet. I’ll fill all my other hours in the audience of various panels. I can’t wait!

Hugh_Howey: Sue: I would love for her to take pictures at a bookstore and send them to me!

sunnyafternoon: Hmmm – whether or not to self-publish. I wonder what your opinion is on that subject!

timothycward: I’ll be there on Saturday, any of your panels on that day?

Hugh_Howey: Haha.

DeannaRoy: You *think* you’ll be in the audience. You better get some dark glasses.

DeannaRoy: Everyone will want to talk to you.

sueguf: I will ask her!

Hugh_Howey: I think so. I can check and email you. Either way, I want to meet up.

timothycward: Definitely.

Hugh_Howey: Deanna: I doubt anyone will recognize me. I don’t put my picture on the books anymore.

sueguf: Which bookstores in theUK?

Hugh_Howey: Thanks, Sue!

juliedawson: Deanna will be handing out flyers with your picture on it

Hugh_Howey: I hope all of them! Random House is pushing this as a pretty big release.

timothycward: And, yeah, you better come up with a disguise or something for your audience participation.

Hugh_Howey: lol @ Julie

DeannaRoy: Um, HOW many people were watching your live video? Exactly.

sueguf: What do you want pictures of, your book on a shelf, etc..?

Hugh_Howey: Most of those people had no idea what they were logging in to see!

DeannaRoy: I’ll send you a t-shirt. “I am not Hugh Howey.”

timothycward: lol, nice one Deanna

Hugh_Howey: Sue: Yeah. I’ll be an ocean away, so I won’t be able to go out and see them.

Hugh_Howey: Deanna: LMAO!

Hugh_Howey: Classic.

 timothycward: Add to that shirt, “What’s the deal with Wool? I prefer cotton.”

juliedawson: lol

Minion: When does I zombie come out

Hugh_Howey: A friend of mine with Harper Collins went to Thriller Fest this year and said he nearly gagged every time someone brought up Wool. We have a fun back-and-forth relationship. He admitted to name-dropping me and said he felt dirty afterward.

Hugh_Howey: Minion: It’s out in both print and Kindle e-book. It’ll be on Nook, iBooks, and Kobo in another three weeks.

sunnyafternoon: I am reading I, Zombie right now.

DeannaRoy: I’m going to name drop after this session just TO feel dirty.

Hugh_Howey: I’m sorry to hear that, sunny.

Hugh_Howey: Deanna: lol

 sunnyafternoon: Don’t be.

IkeOzurumba: I was at a party last night and of course i couldnt STFU about Wool. but 3 of my friends wrote down the name of the book and looked it up on amazon. so haha yeah spreading the word. hah

DeannaRoy: Julie–don’t start reading Wool now or we won’t see you again for days.

Hugh_Howey: Ike: the check is in the mail, bud.

 juliedawson: D I think there are those who wouldn’t mind that.

 sunnyafternoon: Welcome to the club, Ike!

Hugh_Howey: Blasphemy! You are universally loved.

DeannaRoy: LOL.

juliedawson: http://www.amazon.com/I-Zombie-ebook/dp/B008PIHXS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345300195&sr=8-1&keywords=I+zombie

Hugh_Howey: Terri Bruce is going to come in at 11:00 and be disgusted at the mess I’m making of the joint…

DeannaRoy: So, WHO came up with idea for blood splattering your I, Zombie books?

juliedawson: *grabs mop and bucket*

HeatherB: I have an life-related question, if that’s okay? Has your life changed drastically since hitting it big? And do you still have the time/ engery to connect with fans, or have you had to pull it back?

Hugh_Howey: Well, I added the splattering to the inside of the print copy, just to let readers know what they were in for. And then I read on FB where someone said I should sign them in blood. I had red Higgins ink and a nib pen handy, so I did that. And when I worried about dropping ink in there, it occurred to me that it didn’t matter. So I did some on purpose. And I knew immediately that I was on to something.

 sunnyafternoon: Some lucky fans got real blood!

 sueguf: I know, I am jealous of those who have your dna! lol

 Hugh_Howey: Heather: I spend even more time connecting with readers and fans, but nowadays, I miss some communications. I used to get every single FB message and mention. Many slip by. But I still try to get them all, and I respond to every email. I keep reminding myself to enjoy it while it’s here.

DeannaRoy: You people are sick, sick, sick.

Hugh_Howey: It’s not me. I hate blood. My fans are disgusting.

HeatherB: That’s great that you still prioritize your fans.

Minion: No blood just braaaaains

Hugh_Howey: It’s all about the reader. Otherwise, what am I doing? Just writing words for me to see them.

Hugh_Howey: My fear is that I won’t be able to do this forever. That it’ll end any moment.

sunnyafternoon: Hey! I’m not disgusting! Well maybe just a little.

Hugh_Howey: lol

IkeOzurumba: I agree. I’m taking advantage of being able to communicate with an author I enjoy.

IkeOzurumba: honestly I will Hugh.

HeatherB: That cover for I, Zombie is wicked by the way

IkeOzurumba: imagine when Wool becomes a movie

Hugh_Howey: Thanks, Ike!

DeannaRoy: I think you have been very wise to realize success can be fleeting. I think you are prolific enough that you can maintain a good momentum over the long haul, but it’s been refreshing to see you “keep it real.”

Hugh_Howey: We’ll see if it does. Until they start filming, I’ll assume this won’t become a film.

timothycward: How much did your interaction with your fans influence your creative motivation to write I,Zombie? Did it slow you down in parts where you thought they’d stop reading? Did you hope to bring in new fans?

HeatherB: I think that’s a good fear to have; it keeps you on your toes and keeps you thankful.

IkeOzurumba: lol my wife is reading wool right now. in the living room and an hour ago. she just looked up and yelled “this should be a movie!”

timothycward: The context of my question is Dan Wells saying in an interview that he doesn’t write with any specific audience in mind. He just writes what he wants to write. Is that different for you?

Hugh_Howey: When my wife and I moved to FL for her new job, we went from a 750 square foot house to a 900 square foot house. Our last house cost us $115,000. This one cost $125,000. That tells you how much my life has changed, from a monetary and emotional standpoint.

 sueguf: I have read the Omnibus, First Legacy, the first 2 Molly Fydes’s, The Pagiarist and now I am reading I, Zombie. I am having trouble with I, Zombie.

 Hugh_Howey: Tim: I wouldn’t have kept writing I, Zombie without fan interaction. They demanded more.

Hugh_Howey: Sue: It’s a very different book. It won’t offend me if you hate it.

DeannaRoy: Typos mean your brain is being noshed…works for this chat.

 sueguf: I won’t say I hate it but it is gross!

Hugh_Howey: lol

Hugh_Howey: Very gross.

sueguf: I will get through it, I keep picking it up after dinner, bad idea..

Hugh_Howey: haha.

IkeOzurumba: lol i have no idea what to think. i hear its gross but then i think how gross can a book be? im used to gross being a visual thing hahah. we shall see. i got it ordered. (i, zombie)

Hugh_Howey: Tim: Dan Wells sounds like a smart guy. I try and do the same. The SHIFT trilogy is not what readers want (they want more Jules), but it’s what I want to write. I believe in that approach.

timothycward: In that case, Hugh, and I know I’m only one of many, but I think it’s cool to read a book I helped inspire to be completed.

IkeOzurumba: im halfway through shift and i love it! hell no. i love stuff like that.

Hugh_Howey: Let me know what you think, Ike. The book is about making you analyze your own life more than it’s about the gore. It’s an introspective book. At least, it was for me.

DeannaRoy: Hugh, do you still feel creative freedom or is there pressure to write in the successful veins? If you suddenly had the urge to write a historical romance, would you give it a go or keep riding the sci-fi/dystopian/horror?

IkeOzurumba: oh i sure will

Hugh_Howey: Thanks, Tim. You did indeed.

Hugh_Howey: Deanna: I recently started my first romance novel. That should tell you everything.

DeannaRoy: Ha ha ha ha. Awesome.

Hugh_Howey: I believe it might be one of my best works once it’s done.

DeannaRoy: Hugh takes over EVERY genre list.

Hugh_Howey: My agent will probably kill me for not submitting it to publishers but submitting it to you all, instead.

sueguf: yay!

Hugh_Howey: Haha. I don’t think so. I just have a lot of interests.

DeannaRoy: You have to watch those contracts. They sometimes limit your ability to self publish. Well, often do.

Hugh_Howey: Yup. That’s why I won’t sign them.

HeatherB: It’s good to get out of your comfort zone and write (or try in general) something different or challenging.

Hugh_Howey: I think it’ll take hundreds of authors jumping ship to self-publishing, and hundreds of others who stay self-published even when they’ve “made it big,” for these contracts and royalty rates to change.

Hugh_Howey: Heather: Agreed.

 ZackBonelli: Hugh, I have a question about getting peer feedback. One writing group acquaintance who I regularly show my work to was at first very supportive of my writing, but recently this person’s feedback has recently been hostile, and her critique of the last chapter was downright abusive, not just of the characters and situations, but me as a person. Have you ever experienced anything similar? Any advice besides (obviously) cutting this person off?

DeannaRoy: Well, there is still a perception (a true one) that many self pubs are trying to sell boatloads TO get a contract. Like that is still the goal.

HeatherB: Everytime I finish one project I think it’s my best ever…and then I read it….yeeeeesh.

sunnyafternoon: What is it that allows you to be so insightful on a full spectrum of human interaction/relationships? You do this so well. Even in I, Zombie.. the depth into the complexities of the most difficult in human relationships/interactions is incredible!

 timothycward: I never thought I’d read a Romance. I still cringe at the thought, but I look forward to you helping me expand my literary appreciation.

Hugh_Howey: Zack: You bet. I was in a writing group up in Boone, a very big and active one. When my turn to be critiqued came around, half the group didn’t even read my submission, saying “they didn’t like science fiction.” Many said the writing was spectacular. Some were abusive. I try to find the criticism I can learn from and ignore the rest. But it’s hard.

ZackBonelli: Why do writers do this to each other??

 Hugh_Howey: Deanna: It’s not for me. I just want readers. An audience for my stories. That’s it. If I can make enough to pay the bills and do it full-time, I’m living the dream.

Hugh_Howey: HeatherB: I feel the same way.

Hugh_Howey: Tim: Awesome.

IkeOzurumba: you know when i read wool i didnt know you were an indie author. i thought you were some great author that i failed to hear about all these years. like an orson scott card or something. after i read it and kinda wanted to know more. i was introduced to the whole concept of indie authors, self publishing and learned of the wonderful world of Sue Grafton. its all so new to me.

ZackBonelli: lol @ “wonderful world of Sue Grafton”

DeannaRoy: (Lifts Ike on shoulders. We like Ike.)

Hugh_Howey: Zack: It’s true in many fields. What’s weird is that I don’t see us as competitors. We need MORE PEOPLE READING. None of us can write fast enough to satisfy demand. So a great book HELPS me, even if I didn’t write it. Harry Potter helped everyone. Same for Twilight and 50 Shades. We have to embrace this concept.

sueguf: I just learned about Sue Grafton as well.

HeatherB: Zack: It sounds like that person has other problems that they are taking out on you. I’d say get someone else to help you because clearly, that person cannot right now.

Hugh_Howey: Ike: Wow. That’s amazing and illuminating to hear.

 Hugh_Howey: Zack: The key thing about peer review is to get aLOT of different opinions.

Hugh_Howey: Sue: I was shocked to discover Sue Grafton was still alive.

DeannaRoy: HUGH! Lol

 ZackBonelli: lol

sueguf: haha!

DeannaRoy: Sue hasn’t gotten to Z left. They’ll keep her in a fridge until a ghost writer finishes.

clarksl: I miss you too, but LOVE following (or TRYING) to follow your success!

Hugh_Howey: I miss the weather up there. Sheri lives up in Boone, where it isn’t melting.

DeannaRoy: To Z “yet”. Brain nosh.

Hugh_Howey: Deanna: I don’t really have anything against Sue. Her statements just gave us a chance to rebut what a lot of people probably think.

DeannaRoy: I don’t either. I think she’s a sweet old woman. And probably still reeling from what happened.

Hugh_Howey: Well, I think she probably still holds the opinion that self-pubbers can’t write. She says she’s read hundreds of them and that they all stink. I feel bad for her because she’s missing out on some gems. Affordable gems!

Hugh_Howey: Terri, how’s your writing going?

TerriBruce: 11 am is WAAAYYY too early for that kind of imagery

IkeOzurumba: is it odd that i am such a fan of a genre where the world has been destroyed? what is that?!

Hugh_Howey: There’s been some zombie talk up in here.

Hugh_Howey: Ike: You’re an optimist!

IkeOzurumba: lol

DeannaRoy: Well, it IS true you can read hundreds of them before you find a gem. I delete 90% of the new indies going free because they weren’t quite ready. But it is one way to learn.

TerriBruce: oh no – I’ve fallen in with zombie lovers! Help! Help!

 DeannaRoy: Terri’s going down. Who’s got a shotgun?

(2012.08.18 – 10:51:50) IkeOzurumba: i got 3

 IkeOzurumba: im set

Hugh_Howey: Deanna: I stress the importance of free samples. There’s a chapter there; read it. You know?

timothycward: Hugh, that Dan Wells interview I mentioned about writing for an audience is http://www.roundtablepodcast.com/2012/08/20-minutes-with-dan-wells/ and specifically the 5 minute mark on.

TerriBruce: Hugh: the writing is going well. It’s just the finding the time to write that seems to be a challenge at the moment

Hugh_Howey: Thanks, Tim. Bookmarked!

 ZackBonelli: Hugh, what are you working on now? Wool 7?

Hugh_Howey: Yup.

Hugh_Howey: And a romance novel.

Hugh_Howey: I could combine them…

Hugh_Howey: Hey Tim, I just checked and I don’t have panels on Saturday, but I have a live reading.

ZackBonelli: Is that “The Shell Collector”?

timothycward: don’t get too crazy there, Hugh, lol

 sunnyafternoon: Two birds with one stone.

ZackBonelli: Or something else?

Hugh_Howey: Which means I should start trying to figure out what I’ll be reading!

clarksl: so you *ARE* trying to write every genre?

Hugh_Howey: Yeah, The Shell Collector

timothycward: bummer, well, I look forward to the reading

Hugh_Howey: Not really, Sheri. I’m just writing the stories that come to me.

ZackBonelli: Is it science-fictiony romance, or straight up romance?

 timothycward: You might be interested in Myke Cole’s 9pm panel on disaster in SF

sueguf: bye, I have to head out to the Farmer’s Market before it closes. Thanks Hugh.

 Hugh_Howey: Straight-up romance in feel, but it is in the future.

Hugh_Howey: Only so that I can have seashells extremely rare to come across.

clarksl: Ahhhh… because the Mollie books have romance too

Hugh_Howey: Yeah, younger romance.

ZackBonelli: YA?

Hugh_Howey: Terri, what are you going to be talking about?

clarksl: so there is the “teen” genre

Hugh_Howey: I know you come on at 11:00. I won’t be able to stay long, but I’d love to hear your current project or what you recently published.

TerriBruce: Um…yikes! I hadn’t prepared a topic; I thought it was just open Q&A. Thought I’d talk a little bit the publication path/challenge for Hereafter and just field general questions. If no questions, I’d talk a little bit about the world building and the research I did for Hereafter

DeannaRoy: Yup, Terri, start the transition. What do you write?

clarksl: Great to tty Hugh… Hope your day is wonderful and that you and Amber get some great time together this weekend!

TerriBruce: What do I write…that IS the million dollar question

TerriBruce: So far I refer to myself as a genre slut. Alas, I’m the most unfaithful writer there ever was!

DeannaRoy: Hugh apparently writes romance.

DeannaRoy: There you go, two genre sluts in a row. There goes the chat room.

TerriBruce: I write mainly speculative fiction – sci fi and fantasy.

TerriBruce: I’m a literary fiction wannabe, but it appears I’m so much better at comedy than serious fiction so I tend to write strange, genre crossing stuff that isn’t quite literary and not quite genre, not quite drama and not not quite comedy

sunnyafternoon: Sounds interesting

DeannaRoy: Funny how traditional publishing tries to pigeonhole books, but we are free now! You can cross genre all you want.

Hugh_Howey: Thanks so much for having me. Best to Terri! Have a great Fair, everyone.