George RR Martin - The Winds of Winter - Not coming soon.

[GlennD]

GRRM isn't my bitch, because I refuse to read his books until he finishes the series. Already been down this path with the Wheel of Time (and respect that Jordan chose to do what he could to get his ending to his readers).

Martin and other authors are hurting the genre, IMO. I will simply not read any 'epic fantasy' series until the author finishes it - and it is due to the failure of Martin and authors like him (Melanie Rawn, anyone?) to fulfill what I believe is at least an implied agreement. It may be 'art' but it is also 'product' and a writer who can't produce will find himself with a hobby instead of a job.

(The one person who gets a pass from me on this is Brandon Sanderson....because he has shown himself to be not only very good but prolific as well. He's also young enough that I actually believe he will finish the series he has started. )

[bgalbrecht]

David Gerrold has been stuck on book 5 of The War Against the Chtorr since 1993, or thereabouts, with a cliffhanger sneak preview of book 5 at the end of book 4. He's claimed for a number of years now (on his website and in person) that book 5 is almost done. He's written several other series since then, so I'm assuming that he's written himself into a corner, and can't write himself out of it.

From my perspective, there are series where the same characters are in it, there may even be an overall story arch, but each story pretty much stands on its own. I'd rather read one of those series before reading one that each book ends with a cliffhanger, and then, if I'm caught up with the series, I have to wait one or more years for the author to finish writing the next one, have it fit into the publishing schedule, and if the author has several things going on, maybe have to wait for the author to get back to this series, if ever.

And then, we readers are stuck with "Do I buy this book to support the author even though I don't want to read it until the series is done?", or read it and then have to reread one or more books because there's a gap of several years between books (and who knows, maybe the suck fairy stopped by), or skip it knowing that the publisher might just dump the series?

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by bgalbrecht

David Gerrold has been stuck on book 5 of The War Against the Chtorr since 1993, or thereabouts, with a cliffhanger sneak preview of book 5 at the end of book 4. He's claimed for a number of years now (on his website and in person) that book 5 is almost done. He's written several other series since then, so I'm assuming that he's written himself into a corner, and can't write himself out of it.

From my perspective, there are series where the same characters are in it, there may even be an overall story arch, but each story pretty much stands on its own. I'd rather read one of those series before reading one that each book ends with a cliffhanger, and then, if I'm caught up with the series, I have to wait one or more years for the author to finish writing the next one, have it fit into the publishing schedule, and if the author has several things going on, maybe have to wait for the author to get back to this series, if ever.

And then, we readers are stuck with "Do I buy this book to support the author even though I don't want to read it until the series is done?", or read it and then have to reread one or more books because there's a gap of several years between books (and who knows, maybe the suck fairy stopped by), or skip it knowing that the publisher might just dump the series?

Yes, David Gerrold is one of two authors (Roland Green being the other) who I simply stopped reading because they stopped a series in the middle of things.

I don't mind buying books from an author before a series is finished, because most will finish their product. Few are in a position of Rothfuss and Martin where they have sufficient money so they can take such extended holidays. Financial pressure basically forced most authors to write, and I think that most writers like to write, that's why they do it.

[Shad Plante]

Originally Posted by GlennD

(The one person who gets a pass from me on this is Brandon Sanderson....because he has shown himself to be not only very good but prolific as well. He's also young enough that I actually believe he will finish the series he has started. )

Brandon Sanderson does do a pretty good job of laying out what projects he will be working on and about when they will be done. Something might come up that changes plans, like how The Apocalypse Guard novel he was working on ending up not working like he wanted. Unfortunately the last Wax and Wayne book has been postponed because of that. At least he should put out his annual Staye of the Sanderson next month that should give an update on where that book stands.

[hildea]

I absolutely agree with those who point out that the not-your-bitch-relationship goes both ways. Readers don't owe authors their time, money, or attention. I've abandoned series myself for many reasons, including declining quality (Jim Butcher), exhausted when the protagonists never seemed to be able to catch a breath at the end of a book (Naomi Novik), or having forgotten so much when the next book came that rereading felt like a chore (Steven Brust). Being disappointed, writing negative reviews, deciding to never again read anything from an author -- I completely understand all of those.

The only reaction I don't have any sympathy with, and which reeks of entitlement, is those who act as if the author owes them the next book, and think it's reasonable to criticize them for chosing to do other stuff -- whether that's going to conventions, painting their house, writing other books, or anything else.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by hildea

The only reaction I don't have any sympathy with, and which reeks of entitlement, is those who act as if the author owes them the next book, and think it's reasonable to criticize them for chosing to do other stuff -- whether that's going to conventions, painting their house, writing other books, or anything else.

When a book is standalone, or the type of series in which every book can be read as if it were standalone, then sure, you're right, there's no obligation on the author to write any more books. When it's the sort of series that's a single story spread over several books, though, it's a different kettle of fish. In that situation I think the author does have an obligation to purchasers of the earlier books to conclude the story in a reasonably timely fashion. There is a clear implication when the earlier book is sold that the reader won't be left hanging indefinitely.

[bgalbrecht]

While I don't feel Gerrold owes us the complete series, when he and his publisher include a cliff-hanger preview of the next book and never delivered it, as he did with A Season for Slaughter, I feel he's broken an implicit contract with his readers for the next book. I've still purchased a few Gerrold works since then, but I'll never buy another one of his series unless I know it's finished.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by HarryT

When a book is standalone, or the type of series in which every book can be read as if it were standalone, then sure, you're right, there's no obligation on the author to write any more books. When it's the sort of series that's a single story spread over several books, though, it's a different kettle of fish. In that situation I think the author does have an obligation to purchasers of the earlier books to conclude the story in a reasonably timely fashion. There is a clear implication when the earlier book is sold that the reader won't be left hanging indefinitely.

I was collecting multi-quotes to respond to, and you ended up succinctly described by thoughts.

I've always felt that series like this with storylines that cross over multiple books are a sort of contract between the author and reader. I'll keep buying your books, you'll give me a resolution in a reasonable amount of time.

I can't expect it to resolve the way I want - no matter how much I might hate that - but I do feel I have the right to expect the books, where it's in the author's power.

[MegAnne]

I gave up. He will never finish.

[NNolan]

Originally Posted by GlennD

(Melanie Rawn, anyone?) to fulfill what I believe is at least an implied agreement. It may be 'art' but it is also 'product' and a writer who can't produce will find himself with a hobby instead of a job.

\

Rawn did eventually come out and admit she'd written herself into a corner with the Ambrai story and "The Captal's Tower" was never going to happen. Martin, Rothfuss and Lynch haven't admitted any such thing yet.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by NNolan

Rawn did eventually come out and admit she'd written herself into a corner with the Ambrai story and "The Captal's Tower" was never going to happen. Martin, Rothfuss and Lynch haven't admitted any such thing yet.

I think that it's fairly obvious that way too much has to happen in the Stone Door to resolve the story line. Rothfuss has said that he plans a bunch of other stories, so some things won't be resolved. I think that if Rothfuss had produced something in the last 7 years, readers would be a bit more understanding about such matters.

[Ken Maltby]

The Jim Butcher references must be to his Harry Dresden Urban Wizard Series, his Codex Alera fantasy series was completed in a timely manner and (IMHO) compares well with the Ice & Fire series/GOT. It would be great if he were to write a follow up story or series in the same universe, but the original series is complete.

I do wish there were a way to tell from the start if a series was going to be made up of independently satisfying stories (like Modesitt's "Saga of Recluce") or one long drawn out story, awaiting an ending.

Luck;
Ken

[Apache]

I think Modesitt's Recluce series is probably the best series, in which every book is interesting and able to stand alone. I still like reading the series in order but they can be read out of order with out any problems at all. And so far he does not leave you hanging for years waiting on his next book. The 21st book in the Recluce Saga is due out August of 2019.
Apache

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

I do wish there were a way to tell from the start if a series was going to be made up of independently satisfying stories (like Modesitt's "Saga of Recluce") or one long drawn out story, awaiting an ending.

They don't want you to have that information. I agree it should be made plain. That's why if I'm unsure, I wait until some whose opinion I trust has read it before I start. That way they can tell me if there's closure, or if it's just left as an open-ended mess. I would like to start Peter F. Hamilton's newest series, for instance. But I've been assured there's no closure, so I'll wait.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

They don't want you to have that information. I agree it should be made plain. That's why if I'm unsure, I wait until some whose opinion I trust has read it before I start. That way they can tell me if there's closure, or if it's just left as an open-ended mess. I would like to start Peter F. Hamilton's newest series, for instance. But I've been assured there's no closure, so I'll wait.

I think that much of the time, they are waiting to see how well the first book sells. The Eye of the World, the first book in the WOT series, I thought was a fairly satisfying stand alone read. Yes, there was a lot more story line to develop, but the basic plot line and initial quest finished up. You weren't left hanging. For that matter, Name of the Wind was a pretty satisfying stand alone, in my book.