DUNE 7 BLOG

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Hiking, Copy-editing, and Blogging

Last week I took another trip out to the spectacular Utah desert -- Moab, Arches, Canyonlands -- to get a good running start on writing my next SEVEN SUNS novel, METAL SWARM. During many day-long hikes in the canyons (often 12 miles or more), I dictated a total of 24 chapters plus a new short story. In the evenings, in my hotel room, I completed the revisions and editing of our second Dune 7 tie-in story, "Treasure in the Sand." I also wrote a comic script and went over the copy-edited manuscript of HUNTERS. This is our last chance to make a few revisions to the manuscript.

As a nice improvement to the blog -- and so you don't get only my perspective on everything -- Brian Herbert will be writing some of the upcoming entries, as will Frank Herbert's daughter Penny and Frank's collaborator Bill Ransom. Brian's first note is below.

-- KJA

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On April 8th, we received the copy-edited manuscript from Tor Books. At this stage, the authors' corrections need to be returned to the publisher in less than two weeks. A short while later, we will receive galley proofs of the book, which show the finished type style and layout of each page. Only minor corrections can be made at that point. Then, just before publication, advance reading copies will be distributed to reviewers, and the authors may be able to squeeze in a few more minor changes. At each stage of the way, from brainstorming, outlining, the early drafts, copyediting, galley proofs, and advance reading copies, it is a filtering process, with the novel becoming more and more refined. The finished product, when it is finally in the hands of Dune readers, has gone through many stages of development and perfection, in order to provide the best quality novel possible.

Both Kevin J. Anderson and I have said often that it would be better if Frank Herbert were alive today, and he could be writing new Dune novels for his fans. But both Kevin and I were influenced by my father's creative genius and by his writing style. And, even though our styles and story ideas are not Frank Herbert's, we feel that there is an element of him in everything we write -- like the pearl of awareness of the God Emperor in every sandworm that travels across the great desert. Sometimes as I write, I hear my father as he speaks to me in his erudite voice, giving me tips about plotting, pacing, characterization, description, and so much more.

I remember so much about my father, the complex person he was, the genius who knew so much about so many subjects, the man who heroically did so much for my mother, Beverly Herbert, when she became terminally ill. Since my father made such a lasting personal impression upon me, and because I continue to work on new Dune stories with Kevin J. Anderson, the day does not pass when I do not think about Frank Herbert. So many details in his stories trigger fond memories about the man. I am especially delighted whenever I go on book tours, and fans come up to me with stories about him and about my mother, stories I had never heard before about their generosity and fascinating personalities. At this time I want to personally thank all of the fans who have been captivated by Frank Herbert's stories over the decades, and who -- in countless ways -- have helped to keep his incredible legacy alive.

--BH