An Interview for my Report

[John Preston]

Hello oh mighty published authors of great stature in the writing community... and all of you others.

As was stated in another topic... I am writing a report on the writing occupation.

Please fill out this questionnaire... to respond just type 1 (reply to the first question) and so on and so forth.

1. What is your name (last is really all that is needed)
2. What was your first Published book
3. What gave you the idea for it.
4. What difficulties did you face when writing it.
5. How long did it take to finish it.
6. How long did it take for it to become published after you started looking for a publisher.
7. Estimate your yearly acquirement of money from royalties from this book.
8. Have you had a second story published?
9. If yes then was it easier for this one to become published then the first one?

Thank you to those who do respond...

[ACCrispin]

1. A.C. Crispin
2. Yesterday's Son, Pocket Books, first publication 1983
3. Watching the Star Trek episode "All Our Yesterdays," had the idea for a sequel to the episode. Basically, a "What if?"
4. Had to learn how to tell a story so readers would keep reading. <G>
5. Wrote five drafts, took a year.
6. Submitted to Pocket Books in Feb. 1979, purchased by same in
Spring, 1982
7. I've lost track. About $75,000, I think. Recently reprinted.
8. Yes, short stories and novels published since then.
9. Much easier to sell second book after the first one sold and did well.

-Ann C. Crispin

P.S. Times have changed. I DO NOT recommend writing a tie-in book as a way to achieve first publication. I was too ignorant to know how hard it is to sell them. It was just beginner's luck that my book sold.