THE LAST MORTAL MAN...really is
News I hoped I'd never have to deliver: ROC has decided not to publish any more Deathless novels, citing sluggish sales.
And of course, other publishers are unwilling to pick up a series that didn't take off, especially since they wouldn't have rights to re-issue the first in the series.
If you're seeing this, you're likely one of those wonderful, discriminating, readers who actually DID read my books and I wanted to express my sincere thanks. Ya'll are the people who keep me going, and who make this whole writing thing worthwhile.
What's next? Well, I've gotten into podcasting, and am having a lot of fun chasing down interviews and writing non-fiction essays.
As for the fiction side of things, not having a publisher can be rather freeing. Like a beginning writer, I have the freedom to write from my passions, instead of writing what the editor will buy.
To keep myself motivated without a contract, I've joined a writer's group. It's a talented group of women and already they're inspiring me.
So, dear reader, although there will be a pause in my publications. Know that I am fighting the good fight to create quality fiction, and will return to your local bookstore's shelves as soon as I may.
In the meantime, I plan to post my progress and thoughts on the whole process of writing my current novel (something completely different) on this blog.
Thanks for all your support over the years.
--Syne
And of course, other publishers are unwilling to pick up a series that didn't take off, especially since they wouldn't have rights to re-issue the first in the series.
If you're seeing this, you're likely one of those wonderful, discriminating, readers who actually DID read my books and I wanted to express my sincere thanks. Ya'll are the people who keep me going, and who make this whole writing thing worthwhile.
What's next? Well, I've gotten into podcasting, and am having a lot of fun chasing down interviews and writing non-fiction essays.
As for the fiction side of things, not having a publisher can be rather freeing. Like a beginning writer, I have the freedom to write from my passions, instead of writing what the editor will buy.
To keep myself motivated without a contract, I've joined a writer's group. It's a talented group of women and already they're inspiring me.
So, dear reader, although there will be a pause in my publications. Know that I am fighting the good fight to create quality fiction, and will return to your local bookstore's shelves as soon as I may.
In the meantime, I plan to post my progress and thoughts on the whole process of writing my current novel (something completely different) on this blog.
Thanks for all your support over the years.
--Syne
posted by Syne Mitchell at 10:08 AM
47 Comments:
Sorry to hear the news. I've enjoyed your books and hope you'll have a fantastic contract soon with a new publisher. Best of luck.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hi Syne,
As a reader who really liked your books--especially The Changeling Plague which was my favourite of them all, a really terrific near-future bio-thriller, I'm truly disappointed to hear the news. But as you said, now you can write from your passion. So go for it! Looking forward to reading anything you write, whenever you write it, wherever. I've been listening to a lot of these really great podcasts from this website Dragon Page, Cover to Cover, with two guys named Michael and Evo (with Summer...Brooks? I think) which I think are the best podcasts the SFFH genre has around today, and would love to hear your podcasts, no matter what you choose to talk about.
Every time a door shuts, a window opens.
Ashok K. Banker
I recently picked up "The Last Mortal Man" and never having been into science fiction reading so I was a bit skeptical. The plot intrigued me and the charactors seemed interesting enough in the synapsis so I started reading and I couldn't put the book down. I read the whole thing in one day. I thought the charactors were powerful, the vocabulary was excellent (although some of the nanobiology explanations were way over my head, but still a delight to try and decipher) and the story kept me turning the pages. I even read the intro to the next in the series and am dissapointed that I will not see it in bookstores. I wish you the best of luck in your future writings and look forward to reading another one of you works soon. Thanks for the time if you're reading this.
Very sad to see that Mortal Man has meet his demise, is the worst way! It is an eye-opener to learn what sells. I have turned many people on to your books and my 16 year old is reading CP for a school project. I admire your brillance, hard work and (other) worldly perspective Syne, and I'm sure we'll see more great things from you in future. I still like Murphy and hope she's not dead yet. God's Speed. Kevin-of-9
Thanks for all the support! Sometimes in life you succeed beyond your wildest dreams, sometimes you...don't.
What's important is learning from the experience and starting again, better informed.
--Syne
Maybe your editor shouldn't have changed the name you originally gave it. ;o) Of course, if the only concern with the title is to make it something that will sell books, it should have been "Lesbian Spank Inferno" or the like. (Yes, I stole that from Coupling.) I remember you said that when someone tells you can't do something, it makes you want to do it more. ROC may have just said you can't write a best seller but I have every faith you'll make them eat their poor judgement.
I was devastated to hear your news. I'm actually in the middle of reading LMM and it has changed my attitude to reading it, knowing that when I reach the end there will probably be a lot of open ends never to be tied up. But I guess that will leave my own imagination to tie up those ends in my mind (that's not a bad thing).
Wishing you all the best for your future plans. I'll be watching closely.
Nikoda:
"Lesbian Spank Inferno" now why didn't I think of that? ;>
Thanks for the encouragment.
SuspectInOz:
Actually, most of the main plot threads get tied up. Even writing a series, I didn't want to leave the reader on a total cliffhanger.
It always makes me scream when one of my favorite authors does that to me. ;>
ARGH! I picked up TLMM right after it came out, but as luck would have it, just finished Murphy's Gambit a few days ago and started TLMM immediately...in time to be just starting part two when I read this. Well, thank you for tieing most things up. :-) A pox on people who passed up TLMM (or who didn't buy it new).
I'm looking forward to finishing TLMM and seeing what you come up with next. If in some parallel universe the series is completed, let me know how to reach it. ;-) I'm confident an excellent writer like you will go on to bigger & better things; I'm glad to see in your latest post that you're writing and excited about it! :-)
Argh! I just started reading The Last Mortal Man last night. After the third time falling asleep reading on the couch I gave up and went to bed. I drifted off to sleep thinking happy thoughts because I had a new series to follow. Then this morning I was writing a blog entry and read the sad news when creating a link.
(The falling asleep is not a reflection on the book at all. I really am enjoying it but it was 1am and I have a six year old and a six month old. Getting old is a pain, you just can't hang like you did when you were a kid.)
FYI: I know nothing about publishing... Please excuse the following ignorant questions.
The publishing snafu sucks too. Even though another publisher can't re-issue the first in the series do they have rights to the characters and/or storyline?
Did you have a contract for the series with ROC or was it just for individual novels?
Would it be possible to continue the series and just re-write "The Last Mortal Man"?
Hmmm... Is it plagiarism if you re-write one of your own novels? plagio ex se? plagio ex publicus?
Argh! I just started reading The Last Mortal Man last night. After the third time falling asleep reading on the couch I gave up and went to bed. I drifted off to sleep thinking happy thoughts because I had a new series to follow. Then this morning I was writing a blog entry and read the sad news when creating a link.
(The falling asleep is not a reflection on the book at all. I really am enjoying it but it was 1am and I have a six year old and a six month old. Getting old is a pain, you just can't hang like you did when you were a kid.)
FYI: I know nothing about publishing... Please excuse the following ignorant questions.
The publishing snafu sucks too. Even though another publisher can't re-issue the first in the series do they have rights to the characters and/or storyline?
Did you have a contract for the series with ROC or was it just for individual novels?
Would it be possible to continue the series and just re-write "The Last Mortal Man"?
Hmmm... Is it plagiarism if you re-write one of your own novels? plagio ex se? plagio ex publicus?
Kendall:
Thanks! I will certainly keep you posted. I'm glad the ending wasn't too frustrating. (Though a bit bummed that Sarah didn't get up to the mischief I'd planned for her in book #2...not quite "Mennonites Gone Wild" but there was some definate worldliness going on.
Mr. Bobby
Thanks for the clarification about the nodding off...I was starting to worry. ;> I remember when Kai was little, I thought I'd never sleep again...
To answer your questions:
Q: Did you have a contract for the series with ROC or was it just for individual novels?
A: ROC changed editors mid-way through a two-book deal and the new editor suggested I do a series, something I'd wanted to do for a long time. When the numbers didn't pan out, there wasn't incentive to do a new contract. (Lesson learned, don't start a new series on the last book of a contract.)
Q: Would it be possible to continue the series and just re-write "The Last Mortal Man"?
A: I still own the world and characters of LMM. So yes, i could continue the series if I found a publisher willing to publish books #2 & #3 without control of book #1. If ROC lets LMM go out of print, rights revert to me and I can re-sell it to whomever I like.
Q: Hmmm... Is it plagiarism if you re-write one of your own novels? plagio ex se? plagio ex publicus?
A: Yes, and I would sue myself immediately for all I could get. ;>
I have just finished the LMM novel, I was spellbound. The amount of research into nano-technology described in your novel was awesome. I certainly am going to purchase all your novels at my local bookseller, Well Done and thanks for a very compelling look at what could very well be our future.
James:
What a great comment! Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed LMM. Your support is most appreciated. :>
--Syne
I picked up LMM a few days ago and haven't put it down save for a few interruptions (work, kids, kids, and kids). I am most frustrated by ROC not publishing the next novel. So I have a few ideas for you (but mostly for me, wanting to read the next Deathless book and all).
Have you considered self-publishing the book? Is this a cost-permissive venue? What about selling it on-line, either as orders for a hard copy, or as a soft copy available for download? ROC wouldn't have to give up #1, and you could reap all the benefits (rights) and money from #2 and #3. I believe publishing is heading in that direction anyway, and doing so would put you at the forefront of a new publishing (I hate the following word) paradigm.
Either way, I'll be picking up the rest of your books asap.
Ms. Mitchell,
I am sorely disappointed to hear that Last Mortal Man will not be followed up. I had the good fortune to read an advance copy (I write editorial reviews) and I couldn't put it down. I remember when I did finish it that my strongest regret was that I would have to wait so long for the next part of what promised to be an excellent story. My best wishes to you in your future writing endeavors. I had hoped that the series would be a blockbuster.
Syne.. have you thought about selling online ? you don't really need a publisher, just people willing to buy a copy. Just write and print and sell it yourself, doesn't need to be really fancy either.
Bummer hon!
May I suggest belief in 'the long tail' and a mellow mix of shameless self promotion, being open to spotting the next good thing, enjoying what is around you and much satisfying weaving.
Hi all:
Thanks for the continued support!
Self-publishing is tricky. If a New York publisher can't market and sell my work, with all their contacts and channels, the idea of me being able to do so on my own seems remote.
Plus there's all the overhead of marketing and trying to reach a readership, getting the book into stores, etc.
I'm working on something now, and it's good. I have every confidence that when it's done, a NY publisher will buy it.
If not, perhaps THEN I'll consider self-publishing.
Happy reading!
--Syne
Hi Syne,
I just finished TLMM.It was one of the best scifi books I have read in a long time.sorry to hear about the publisher news.almost my whole family has read TLMM now.Im going to go buy some more of your work and check it out.Im still holding out hope you will be able to continue the series.Mabey with some of your spare time you could put LMM2 out there for some of us fans to read.lol.thanks for putting some good scifi out there and im looking forward to more of your older books as well as the new ones on the way!
P.S. Im now into following biotech news after reading your book.
THE LAST MORTAL MAN
Darn...that is too bad. I also enjoyed the novel. I would think the publisher owes it to the readers to follow-up when they publish a novel with a planned sequel. Oh well...good luck with your current new work and maybe we will see the rest of TLMM one day.
I am completely devastated that there is not going to be anymore Deathless books. I have been looking forward to book two since I finished TLMM back in September. Please keep us updated if someone else decides to publish it. In the meanwhile, keep up the good work, TLMM was the first sci-fi book I read since I was a kid and it totally got me back into the genre.
Hi, Syne!
Three facts for ROC to consider:
1) I am a science fiction fanatic, have been for over thirty years (My favorite authors list has over 300 names on it - not books, names!).
2) I spend an OBSCENE amount of money on sci-fi books each year.
3) If Syne Mitchell wrote as fast as I read, I would have to declare bankruptcy.
I really enjoyed the last mortal man. So much so , in fact, that I came looking for your homepage hoping to find out when the next in the series would be released. I was sorry to hear that your having problems getting published. I have no doubt that someone will pick it up at some point, just hang in there.
Hello Syne,
I am an avid sci-fi reader who only came upon your books after looking at your profile on the Yahoo attachment parenting group. Most of the books I read I just pick out of the pile my husband leaves behind:) He reads any chance he gets throughout the day; I only read at night before falling asleep, and in the last year, while nap-nursing my daughter.
I finished TLMM last week and am VERY disappointed there will not be any more Deathless novels. I did put my email in at ROC so they'd let me know when the next one came out. This was before reading your blog. I first read MG & the CP by checking them out at the library but purchased TLMM because I wanted to support your efforts. Good luck and I hope to read more of your work soon!
Sydney Wissel
I had jury duty last week, and on my last day, I trotted across the city plaza to the library and looked for something that would hold my attention. As I was already past my lunch hour (and a half), I decided I'd better grab something before the judge ordered a bench warrant for my delinquency. I found LMM on a paperback turnstile and grabbed it. It did a fantastic job of holding my attention! I'm now 125 pages into it, and Googled for the next book(s) in the series, only to find this blog post. Argh! Oh well, I hope you keep writing quality, imaginative material.
Hi Syne, I've meant to pick up LMM for a while now, and now I regret not doing it. Hang in there. You have a good publishing record and I'm sure your new book will sell. Are you planing on being at Norwescon in April?
Best of luck,
Dave B.
Hi Syne, Just a quick comment to let you know I enjoyed your book. I passed it on to my Brother who loves it also. I was really disapointed to find that you won't be publishing a sequel anytime soon; however, at least I've discovered what a great writer you are and will check out some of your older books. Good luck with future projects.
I cannot beleive that they stopped the series!! I absolutely loved TLMM. I did the same thing as one of the people above me, i googled trying to find when the next one was coming out! Imagine my horror when i found this instead! =( Part of our english class read this book as part of the literature we have to read, and have to present later.
I hope that you find a way to publish the rest.
Cant we like sue the publisher for putting a "Look for the next book in the series!" at the back, and a sample chaper? Thats gotta be like false advertising or something!
Hi Syne,
There is nothing i can say others already haven't but..The LMM is really a good book! Was looking forward to the #2. The whole idea of Deathless and Nano-world is something new to me. Trust me,(i've read hundreds of Sci-Fi books), you are good writer. I hope, in future, you get the chance to finish series. We will be waiting.
Dejan.
I'm really sorry to hear that, Syne. Like everyone else here, I'm hoping to see you land a new contract soon.
I found Mortal Man on a plane while travelling and having not brought anything to read, I started to read it. I was very compelled to finish this novel even though it didn't belong to me. I don't regret it either. I do regret learning that there will be no more Deathless series published as that was the 1st thing I looked for when I finished reading. Somehow, I feel a little...incomplete. Not a completely unhappy ending as I discovered more novel's that I can get involved with.
I think I will return the favour and leave Mortal Man on the plane when I return home...
Well someone is still selling LMM, I just bought it about 2 weeks ago.
Read it in a day and was disappointed to find that there will be no more.
Sure wish it was otherwise.
Loved it!
Must say, it was definitely an enjoyable read (got me through some jet lag sleeplessness on a business trip in January) and as I was cleaning up today I came across the book and said, hey, I've got to find the next one in this series. Suffice it to say, while I'm disappointed that there (currently) isn't more on this series, I'll definitely be looking into your other books, and I'm sure I'll enjoy them! It's always great when I find another author who's writings I've yet to devour!
Best of Luck!
Hello Syne,
I bought LMM soon after its release, and devoured it. Seriously, I've not read a book so quickly in quite some time. My fellow readers would acknowledge, that is no small undertaking with LMM. While reading this novel - it was so easy to see the reality, job well done.
I marked my electronic calendar, to remind myself about the release of the next edition. This morning I found the tragic news.
One day, think movie. (smile)
I guess I will read one of your other pieces of work, but I am deeply bummed not to read more of this world.
Darn, I was hoping that there would be more in the series. I really liked the atmosphere you created in the book, and how there were twists in the story. I hope one day it would be possible to continue you work on the Deathless series. Until then good luck.
-Andy K.
I just finished reading LMM and throughly enjoyed it. When it comes to a theme on immortality, I'd easily rank it up there with the Otherland series by Tad Williams.
I'm sad to see it won't continue, but glad for the privilege of reading one book. Good luck with your future writing and hopefully the series can return in better times. I certainly will be looking into your other books and those to come.
I am truly devastated by the news of no new deathless novels...
*moment of silence*
the world has truly lost out on a fantastic work of literature.
You know, I came across this book as I was wandering the aisles of Barnes & Noble. Just browsing around. The cover of LMM immediately caught my eye, and I took note of the location of the novel. I ended up buying 7 other books along with LMM. When I arrived home, LMM was the first book I opened, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was reading the work of Eric Nylund's wife. Coincidence, that I had stumbled upon a novel written by the wife of my favorite author. I began reading the story with high expectations, and oh, those expectations had been most definitely fulfilled.
Thank you for such a great story, and I am truly, deeply sorry that it cannot be continued (at this moment in time).
Matthew K.
Wanted to add my kudos to the list of others for LMM. I have been and continue to be an avid reader who is always on the prowl for new authors. Like a previous commentator, I was browsing the aisles when your book caught my eye. Being a fan of nanotech novels that are well done, I eagerly began the book and finished it quickly. I was looking up to see when the 2nd book would come out when I saw this news.
Just goes to show the "greater minds than ours" are not necessarily all that great. I do wish you success in your new project but will also harbor a wish for LMM to continue someday. The characters you created will stay with me until that day: a tribute to an excellent author.
I have a friend who writes (though not novels, he does role playing games), and from what I've observed over the years...
Wait for TLMM to go out of print, let the rights revert to you, then pitch this excellent book (and series) to another publisher. Or self publish.
I admit it, I'm greedy and want to actually see the next in the series. :) Too rare to see good books in this genre.
Dear Ms./Mrs. Mitchell, my younger sister recently (last night around 10 pm) handed me your book, Last Mortal Man, when I inquired about any good reads she had recently picked up. I finished this morning at 6 am having stopped only a handful of times to delve into the depths of my fridge for food and to stretch from sitting. I am already re-reading the book and wanted to let you know that I absolutely love that novel. Because of that book alone, I will most definitely purchase as many of your other works that I can get ahold of. I am truly sorrowful to learn that the trilogy is to be destroyed before it even has a chance to grow. The ploy-wonderful, characters-personable, struggles-endearing, and the smoothness with which you authored that story, and how it came to life as I read it. Beautiful. I pray that one day publishers will pick up the ball where ROC dropped it, because I for one, would greatly enjoy to read how you envisioned the trilogy to continue and end. God bless and hope your thanksgiving was wonderful! I am thankful my sister handed me your book while I've been home from college for thanksgiving. If you read this, my e-mail is alpsman_05@yahoo.com
[Michael]
Gawd. I just finished LMM. Had checked it out from the library of all places. And I was wondering whay I couldn't buy the sequel. *Sigh* so sad.
Anyhow, thank you so much for LMM. I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down.
Does This Mean there won't be a second book in the series ?!?!? Thats going to be horrible knowing that the story has to stay unfinished *sigh* maybe you could create an area of the site dedicated to the Deathless series and post a new chapter of the 2nd book every week?
Crappers!!! A friend asked me to recommend a good scifi book and I decided to recommend LMM. And then I got to thinking..."Hey, I wonder if the sequel is out yet." This is just craptastic! I really enjoyed LMM and the concept of the Gaia Net (which we are fast approaching). Sad that you don't get to finish the next story.
Post a Comment
<< Home