Sheryl Hill
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
"Ethan of Athos" is one of my favorites and, perhaps, one of the most socially significant stories you've written because it demonstrates the power of encounters with the "hated other" to transform bigotry into respect. It's lack of popularity grieves me. I have wondered if a story about a planet made up of women who are equally suspicious of men (but for non-religious reasons) might be better received. Thoughts?
Lois McMaster Bujold
A lot of the latter had already been written (mostly in the 60s and 70s, by both men and women) at the time I wrote Ethan of Athos, and in fact Ethan was in part a riposte to those. The fact that you'd never heard of them may answer your question?
Ethan has done pretty well to survive 31 years still in print/ebook and available, I think. Readers can still find it. As a general rule, only new books get booted up onto bestseller lists, but selling quietly for a long time can add up, too. Word-of-mouth has been the lifeblood of my career.
Ta, L.
Ethan has done pretty well to survive 31 years still in print/ebook and available, I think. Readers can still find it. As a general rule, only new books get booted up onto bestseller lists, but selling quietly for a long time can add up, too. Word-of-mouth has been the lifeblood of my career.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Srjanssen
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Working my way through my second read of the "Hallowed Hunt" and find myself frequently rereading passages. Your explorations of religious and magical themes are unique. Were there any particular factors that turned your imagination in that direction, or have those themes always lurked in the background? By the way, have you run into the novels of Charles A Williams?
Peggy B
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
For years I kept a journal and added quotes from your books that resonated with me. I don't know which book two came from: #2 - This one has been almost a mantra for me … and one of the reasons I started a Ph.D. in 2000 at age 50. Miles’ mother: "I want something(s) to look forward to so the decaying body is ignored in the excitement of the other.” Is that right? (First showed up in one of my journals before 2001.
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