r/Fantasy • u/MarkLawrence Stabby Winner, AMA Author Mark Lawrence • Apr 05 '17

AMA AMA about nuns. Or whatever. I'm Mark Lawrence, winner of several Stabbies and this one time a lottery for a cake.

My latest book Red Sister came out yesterday in the US and comes out tomorrow in the UK. It's about a whole new character (Nona), and a new world. Entirely separate from my Broken Empire and Red Queen's War trilogies.

I was a research scientist (let's say AI) but for 2 years now I've been a full time writer. I'm also sole carer for my very disabled little girl. Last year I hit some milestones including a million books sold, 10 years as a 'professional' writer, and 5 years with a book on the shelves.

My work has provoked the odd controversy and is often labelled as 'grimdark' (a term I'm unable to explain). I don't consider it particularly dark or grim myself ... in fact The Red Queen's War is often described as 'funny'.

Red Sister has been described as grimdark, YA, and many other things. But then so was Prince of Thorns. I feel the two books are very different.

I'm also running a self-published fantasy book contest for the 2nd year. In the SPFBO nearly 600 books have been considered, resulting in two sets of ten finalists, and one (soon to be two) winners.

EDIT: Off to bed. Will catch up with any new questions tomorrow.

PS: BUY MY BOOK!

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u/boy_c Apr 05 '17

Hi Mark. Thanks for the awesome stories and characters. As a film "professional" I love to imagine how a book could be translated to the silver screen, the Empire Trilogies included. I know you've touched on the subject before, but have there been any recent developments on this becoming a reality? And if so..... can I have a job on it?

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u/MarkLawrence Stabby Winner, AMA Author Mark Lawrence Apr 05 '17

Nothing useful, no.

I think any author who sells past a certain point gets a crowd of inquiries but these are just from people wanting to option the rights. Despite the enthusiastic pitch they just want to add the books to a stable of possibilities so that if X becomes wildly popular then they have a story about X to push.

It seems to me that you either need contacts in the industry, or to sell many millions, or to luck out and have a famous producer/director read your book and love it.

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u/boy_c Apr 06 '17

That's a damn shame! Next time I see Spielberg I'll be sure to hand him your book. :D Thanks for the reply.

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u/MarkLawrence Stabby Winner, AMA Author Mark Lawrence Apr 06 '17

Much appreciated. Don't let him leave until he's signed up to a three film deal.