Nope. Nothing worse than a missed opportunity.
Why do I mention it?
Oh, no reason. No reason at all.
Hey, I should have mentioned in yesterday’s blog entry – while we were on the topic of “waiting” – that I have yet to acquire copy of Paul McAuley’s Evening’s Empires for our forthcoming Book of the Month Club discussion. I was told there had been a hold-up with the publisher – but someone pointed out that the book was published back in 2013 – and yet it was listed as a new release in May. Hmmmm. Qu’est-ce qu’il ce passe? Well, if worse comes to worse, you’ll have to go on without me. Just don’t forget to lock up on your way out.
shawna writes: “Speaking of timelines, I was wondering what you’d consider a reasonable time frame for getting a film treatment done, including the incorporation of notes from the producer. “Done” meaning it’s ready to move to scripting.”
Answer: Certainly not eight years. I’d consider that unreasonable. Also, endless rewrites are a no-no. A writer is usually hired to write two drafts and a polish. If the producer still feels the script needs some work, they can: 1. Hire you to do more. 2. Hire another writer to do more. 3. Do it themselves. In the case of #2 and #3, it can open up a can of worms re: credit issues. Remind me to tell you about our arbitration story some day.
Sparrow_hawk writes: “Get out of the house and get some exercise, Joe.”
Answer: I did! I was out back for two hours this afternoon, reading four different books. That’s quite a workout!
Peggy writes: ““You have the best job in the whole world…you get to play with doggies all day!” Riiiight, we play with the doggies…right after we brush out the matted coat you swear was not like that yesterday, wash, dry, clip and finish, clean up their poop, pee and vomit because you had to feed them before the car ride here, and try not to accidentally nick them while they spin around on our table.”
Answer: Let it be noted that I ALWAYS tip my dog groomer.
Jenny Horn writes: “So I have this idea. It’s like a fundme meets shark tank thing. Joe, you pitch a show idea to the sci-fi (or other, as appropriate) fan base community and present a budget for launching the show. The fans decide whether or not they want to see this show realized, and either fund the show or not. If the critical monetary mass is reached, production ensues. If not, then everyone can walk away. I haven’t thought through any more than what I just typed…surely there are myriad considerations and obstacles. I don’t even know if this is an original idea or not. But, I wanted to throw it out there into the universe. I’d rather have a say in what gets green lit. After all, I am the end consumer.”
Answer: You know what? I like this idea. I like it a lot. Don’t know if you could ever raise enough to produce an actual series, but a movie? Possibly.
Missed opportunity… hmmm..
Well I’m going to do the Color Run tomorrow. Hopefully I don’t keel over.
I hope you get the book Joe! I should have ordered two and sent you one.
Oh gosh, how long are you going to have the lodger? How do your guys feel about him?
To quote a scene from the lesser SF show “Why So Difficult!?”-pig squeal. I just received my copy of “Evenings Empires” just the other day via a Amazon dealer. I notices some of the others were in England but I was not going to order it from overseas. I am into the first few chapters and am starting to get into it. I thought I would be behind. As a righter are you trying to get a free copy?
Righter, be me funnyng…writer
Hey Joe,
According to Amazon.com, Evening’s Empires was published last July. According to Amazon.ca it’s not due out until May 27 of this year. Tres etrange, n’est-ce pas?
It was a very interesting book, very reminiscent of 70’s-early ’80’s sci-fi. A little Robert Silverberg, a little John Varley, maybe even a whiff of Roger Zelanzy. It might be worth a re-read once I’ve manged to read the earlier books in this sorta-series.
Looks like you and your lodger share a similar workout. That is, spending time int eh backyard in the sunshine. Nice one!
Joe have you tried Book Depository? Evenings Empires?
Cheers Chev
maybe just putting the cost for a pilot? rather than a whole series? then you have something ‘big’ to go to the channels with. It must be hard for the guys to visualise how something it going to look and feel. I know the story is always the first thing but the next big thing is the production as well.. 😀
Joe, I’d be more than happy to send you a copy of Evening’s Empires, if you’d like. I’ve wanted to participate in the book club since you started it, but I’ve been too shy to try. I’m afraid I’ll say something silly. But, I do read every comment. Since you are our fearless leader though, you need to have the book… (I know, what an astute observation on my part, eh?) I would find it no problem to send you a copy, if you’d like.
Even though it was released in the UK last year (Paul McAuley is a Brit) Evening’s Empires still doesn’t have an audiobook version which means there’s no way I’ll be able to read it in time. Damn my brain’s need to fall asleep whenever I read!
Isn’t it about time Cookie Monster crawled out from whatever rock he’s been hiding under and reviewed a few more superhero movies? All of 2013’s movies should be available on DVD/Netflix/your-streaming-service-of-choice by now.
By my reckoning we’re due to watch:
Dredd
Man of Steel
R.I.P.D.
The Wolverine
Kick-Ass 2
Super Buddies
Thor: The Dark World
Maybe a Cookie Monster Superhero Movie Of The Month Club? That’ll get us to the end of the year.
My dog groomed is a gem. My little yorkie always looks (and smells) wonderful after a visit with her. He
Star Trek fans have been doing the crowd sourced funding thing for several years now.
Cocker Spaniel bowls fix that pesky wet ears thing. 🙂
What makes some books harder to get?
Peggy: Anyone who has ever seen a groomer work appreciates them!
A lodger? They make little ear holders you can put on their heads. Looks a little silly but they work. http://www.pammerspetwear.com/snoods-for-dogs.html
@ Gina
Dont be shy, ^^’
We need all comments & commenters, yours too. 🙂
Cute lodger! What’s his story?
I have a Basset mix. She has the long body and funky feet, but not the long ears.
@ Gina…don’t be worry about what you say or how you say it. Just jump in – we all have. Your insights may be the best and most meaningful…but you will never know until you try.
My copy won’t arrive until well into June. sigh. This would have been cool in Kindle.
Hey Sylvia and others – the Vancouver Public Library has hard copies available. OR you can order it either a paperback/hardcover or an ebook direct through amazon.com.
Is this the penny stock (that you didn’t buy) that suddenly went to $100 a share variety of missed opportunity?
And I hope the house guest is getting along well with the pups. Our dog Lucy loves having other dogs come over, but after awhile she gets a little jealous and starts herding the other dogs away from Barb and me (thus guaranteeing more attention for her).
@Gina
All opinions are welcome here, good or bad, no one will judge you.
Cute basset! Don’t normally see on with that much black, too. I have a friend that has one with the same markings, but absolutely no black whatsoever, just the brown and white. They can be really fun dogs for a family. Definitely a “quieter” option, but just as cuddly and lovable a hound dog as a beagle.
-Mike A.
Who IS the lodger?