INTERVIEW WITH ASTRID COOPER FROM TheCelebrityCafe.com ARCHIVES
DM) What was the first story you ever wrote?
GC) I have been writing stories since I could hold a pencil. I honed my writing skills by writing, editing and publishing fanzines (Star Trek, and S.F./fantasy). My first published story was a romantic erotica short story called "Birthday Surprise", and the same publisher has taken many S.F./fantasy and paranormal romantic erotica from me. My first published novel was Crystal Dreams, which has been nominated as a finalist for the "Romantic Book of the Year" award (Romance Writers of Australia), and it was also a finalist in the Sapphire Award of USA for best S.F. romance of 1998.
DM) How is your readership outside of Australia?
GC) Most of my books are obtainable through bookstores or mail order. My two fantasy romance novels can be ordered through my publisher's agency in the USA. The Australian erotica publisher does mail order outside of Australia. They are also branching out into electronic publishing, and one of my stories (so far!) is available this way. My latest sale is to an e-publisher in the USA, so between hard copy and e publishing, my work is accessible. The publisher of my two fantasy romance novels is also planning to launch an "interactive'' novel with a CD containing music, graphics, and a lot of information about the worlds and characters, etc... that her fantasy romance authors create, so when people read the book, they can click on to the computer and read background, see pictures, and listen to music.
DM) I've heard a lot of criticism on e-publishing. What is your take on it?
GC) First, what my publisher is planning to do with the fantasy romance line is not e publishing; it's interactive/enhanced novels -- big difference. There will still be a printed book, but also a CD to supplement what happens in the book (pictures of characters, explanations of the worlds, etc.), with music written especially for the book. Now, on to e publishing. It's in its infancy, but already it has started to change the face of writing and publishing. There must be something to it, because one of the biggest publishers of category romance in the USA has started to produce on-line books. One of the major complaints about e-publishing is that "anyone" can get published. I've seen some terrible examples of e-books (just as I have read some real clangers in "print" form); but to say that all e-books are substandard is completely false. The reputable e-publishers are as selective of the proposals submitted to them as any "print" publisher is. I know some excellent writers, best-sellers among them, who are published in print and are also going to e-publishing. Authors who have their book rights back from old works can now embrace the new technology and reach new readers. I've sold two stories to e-publishers for anthologies, and all but two of my works have been in best-seller lists. Best-selling authors are moving towards e-publishers, just as new authors are being taken up by the e-pubs. But where the e-publishers are coming into their own is in the fact that they are willing to listen to reader demand. The difficulty which some writers find (as I do) that if we write something that is too different, it is hard to sell. I write cross-genre romance (S.F./fantasy/myth) where there is a story above and beyond the romance. The "otherworldly" elements constitute 50% of the story, and the romance is the other 50%. This is not strictly "romance'' in the traditional understanding, wherein the romance is THE story and everything else is sub-plot. So, it's hard to sell my kind of stories, but the e-publishers - for many reasons - are willing to look at work that pushes the envelope. They give readers what they want to read, whereas some of the other traditional publishers are more concerned with markets and profits and re-releasing back titles of best-selling authors, rather than promoting new authors and taking a chance. I understand that writing is a business and businesses must make a profit to stay in business, but the tightening of the markets has cut many outlets for writers; and we are now turning to the e-publishers as a viable alternative. My dealings with e-publisher editors have been excellent. Reports from friends published electronically indicate excellent ethics, and practices and great working relationships with editors. However, before submitting to any e-publisher or signing a contract, as with any editor/author arrangement, get testimonials.
DM) A lot of your stories are crosses between romance and science fiction. I thought that most romance stories were about women on Southern plantations. How did you start in this genre?
GC) Romance fiction has come a very long way since those early days when stories were set on Southern plantations. Romance novels can be set on distant worlds, or time-travels, or about ghosts or reincarnation, as well as contemporary and many historical epochs.How did I get started in writing romance? Because I love the way characters develop and change and interact and how relationships develop, etc. The romance genre allows me to fully explore these ideas and themes. But the books I write and the books I love to read have to have more than a romance and a conflict to interest me. The books have to have a plot just as important as the romance. I started writing S.F. and fantasy romance nearly 20 years ago because I love these elements, and at the time there were no fantasy or science fiction or futuristic romances.
DM) What was the reader's initial reaction?
GC) Every reader has been enthusiastic about the combination of fantasy and romance -- both the fantasy and the romance are equally important in my books. Some readers have never read romance before, but they love the way I combine the fantasy/S.F. and the romance. I have also had male readers who love the combination of genres. They would never read a romance, they tell me, but they liked the blending of fantasy and romance ... without the cliches. (You can see these reader reactions on the reviews/letters posted at my web site.) I have more letters that aren't on my web site which reflect this enthusiasm and surprise that the genres of S.F./fantasy and romance can combine successfully.
DM) What authors do you read?
GC) I read a lot of fantasy/science fiction ... my favorite authors are: Guy Gavriel Kay, Tannith Lee, C.J. Cherryh, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Anne McCaffrey, Bram Stoker, Mercedes Lackey, JRR Tolkien, and Sara Douglass. I also read Anne Rice and "classics" such as Bronte and Dostoyevsky.For romance, I like Dara Joy, Justine Davis, Laura Kinsale, Maggie Shayne, Penelope Williamson, Nora Roberts, and Loretta Chase.I also read a lot of non-fiction -- New Age and metaphysics, history and biographies.
DM) Who are some of the authors you're reading now?
GC) Tom Holland, Bram Stoker, Guy Gavriel Kay, Maggie Shayne, Susan Carroll, and Tannith Lee.
DM) Do you ever find their styles creeping up in your writing?
GC) No. I have my own voice/style that remains constant. My publishers tell me that my writing "voice''' is very strong, so I doubt I will ever be in danger of losing it! I enjoy the way other authors write and sometimes I think -- "Wow! I wish I could do it that way!" but I never do, because, in my humble opinion, mimicry cannot be sustained, and certainly not for a 100,000-word book! By the time you reach "publication standard" in your writing, you have developed your own style and voice. To try to emulate another style or voice will cramp your writing to such a degree that you cannot write! I found this once. I was asked to write a short story "in the style of ..." and I could not do it, because that author's style was not mine.
DM) When did you feel that you reached "publication standard"?
GC) I reached publication standard four years ago -- when I sent out my first short stories and the editor accepted them. You know your standard instinctively. If you can't tell, then I suggest giving the work to a reputable manuscript appraisal service, or to a freelance editor. Your critique partner is also a good judge. Once you've started to shift words around in a sentence, rather than re-writing and polishing, then this is the time to send out the work. You can tell how close you are to publication by the rejection slips you get. If an editor takes the time to write to you personally on why he/she has rejected your proposal, take heart! But as to "when" I felt I had reached publication standard -- I began to objectively compare my work with what was on the book shelves. When I felt that my books were as good as what was being published, then I felt I had attained publication standard and it was only a matter of time before I made my first sale. But the only way to reach that standard is to write and write and polish and edit and then send out work.