Author Interview: Alison Hart'

Here are some questions we asked Alison Hart, author of Darling, Mercy Dog of WWI.

How long does it take for you to write a book?

 I do extensive research, especially for historical fiction, so the actual writing can take only several months while the research may take up to a year.

What inspired you to write Darling?

  

 I am a dog lover as well as a horse lover. The majority of my books such as the Gabriel’s Horses trilogy have been written with a focus on horses, so I decided to take a break and write about dogs and their many contributions to society and their partnerships with humans.  Other authors had written about dogs in war, but there were few books about mercy dogs, a fascinating subject.

Apart from Darling, who would you want by your side in a war?

 I would never want to go to war. I have written about the Civil War and World War I. Both were horrible to man and beast.

What were your favourite books when you were ten?

 Ten years old was a long time ago. Interestingly, I was a fan of Jim Kjelgaard’s dog books  like Big Red, which are still out in paperback. I loved Black Beauty and Black Stallion books  
as well as Nancy Drew mysteries.

What kinds of writing quirks do you have?

 I am busy with teaching and antiquing and I love researching, so deadlines  are a must or I will never get to the actual writing part.

Are you able to make a living as a writer? If so, how long did it take you to get to that point?

 I have written over sixty books, yet I have never made a living as a writer. Advances have not changed much since I started, and only a handful of my books earn royalties. Beginning writers see J.K. Rowling fame, but most writers—even those who have great careers—don’t make it to the top.

You did a lot of research for 'Darling' -- how long did it take you to do all that research?

 Research is time-consuming but fascinating. I do it hit and miss, so it’s hard to pinpoint an amount of time. First, I research before I write the initial book proposal, which can be extensive since I want to capture the excitement and history of the era I am writing about.

 Next I have to research to flesh out characters, setting and plot. I am a very sensory writer, so I want to know smells and sounds as well as sights. I also want to know the tiny details such as how soldiers cooked their meals in the trenches. Online sources and photos as well as museums are invaluable to writers.

Who is your favourite author, and why?

    

 I do not have one.

How did you come up with Darling's personality?

 I wanted Darling to ‘grow’ and change in the story (just like a human character would grow). I know the quirks of dogs bred for herding, so I started her out as a slightly hyper, mischievous sheep dog (think Australian Shepherd) with lots of smarts but no direction.  Once she discovers her purpose, she uses her brains, agility and ability as a mercy dog to save lives.

What was the most challenging part about writing Darling?

 I knew nothing about World War I, so my initial research focused on understanding the big picture – the whos, whats, whys etc. Then I had to narrow down an actual battle (I chose the Battle of Messines out of thousands) and concentrate on understanding that particular battle from beginning to end. It was daunting and I am sure WWI buffs and historians will find fault. There was also little on mercy dogs and none on their use in specific battles though they were used extensively in WWI.

Author Interview: Kevin Luthardt

Kevin Luthardt is the author and illustrator of 'When Edgar Met Cecil.' We think you'll enjoy his answers to our questions. 

How did you get the idea for 'When Edgar Met Cecil'?

 I have 4 boys... so robots and aliens are part of the Luthardt family culture!  I was actually painting a mural in my sons' bedroom, transforming their room into another planet (see attached photo) with aliens, robots, spaceships, etc.  After drawing and painting these things for a few weeks, a story idea evolved.  I'm also a big Star Wars fan, so I've always wanted to do a space themed story.

 What medium do you use to illustrate your books?

Although I have used a variety of mediums in different books, for the past several years I have been working with acrylics.

When did you decide you wanted to write and illustrate children's books?

Well, since I was a young kid I always wanted to be an artist of some kind (back then I wanted to create a comic strip like Peanuts).  I studied painting in college and my images always seemed to lean on the narrative side and the whimsical side.  I also started working with kids in different venues (art camps, etc.). After graduation as I was wondering what to do with my life, for some reason I found myself in bookstores and libraries often looking at picture books.  A light bulb clicked over my head, and the rest is history. 

Who is your favorite author, and why?

I'll focus in picture book authors... I am amazed by authors that can say a lot with just a few words, or ones that can tell a simple story in a clever, fresh way.  I guess I am drawn more to humorous writers like Mo Willems, Jon Scieszka, and Lane Smith.   I recently read the book I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.  I read it out loud to my different sons and each time I (along with them) laughed out loud.  It's been a while since I've enjoyed a picture book that much.    

Who is your favorite illustrator, and why?

I am drawn to illustrators that make feel like I need to go take some drawing classes... ones where I say to myself "how did he/she do that?"  Some illustrators that amaze me include: Lane Smith, Peter McCarty, Chris Van Allsburg, Eric Rohmann, David Weisner, Michael Sowa (German illustrator), Quint Buchholz (another German illustrator)... an artist I recently started admiring is Shaun Tan--his book The Arrival is hauntingly, visually brilliant. 

Which is harder, writing or illustrating?

I don't know if one is harder... they are basically two different "languages".  For me, ideas come visually first since I began as an artist.  So, the illustrating comes more naturally to me.  Then, I develop the text and images back and forth together.  Once I began making books, I gained a much deeper respect for writers as "artists of words". 

Which is more fun, writing or illustrating?

I guess the most fun part about making a book for me is when I am in the final artwork stage where I am in that "zone" working feverishly on illustrations.

What's your favorite thing to draw?

Characters with big heads.

What's your least favorite thing to draw?

vampires, werewolves, and zombies... these also happen to be my least favorite themes for movies.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to write children's books?

Write, write, write...  and then write some more!!!  Read lots of books, all kinds of books.  Simple advice, but you can never overstate the importance of honing your craft.  Find ways to get real feedback for your writing outside of your mom and relatives and friends (who will always tell you your work is awesome!).  Once you have a manuscript you want to send out, be very aggressive and get it into as many editor hands as possible.  When you receive that rejection letter, use it as fuel to push you even harder forward.  Learn about the industry from organizations like the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).   

What advice do you have for someone wanting to illustrate children's books?

Draw, draw, draw... and then draw some more (see above question)!!!  Someone told me once that I wasn't a real painter until I did 100 paintings.  That may not make you an artist, but there is something about the continual, purposeful development of your work that makes you a stronger artist with each piece that you create.  Frequent art galleries, art museums, libraries, bookstores and look, study, be influenced.     

Author Interview: Anna Lee Huber

We recently had the opportunity to ask a few questions of Anna Lee Huber, award-winning novelist of The Anatomist's Wife, the first in a series of mysteries featuring Lady Darby. The series takes place in the 1830's; the first is set in Scotland, and as we're half Scottish, we immediately took an interest. 

How long did it take for you to write The Anatomist's Wife?

It took me about nine months to write and polish The Anatomist’s Wife before I submitted it to literary agents.

What gave you the idea for Lady Darby?

I wanted to write a historical mystery series where the heroine was the main protagonist, but I wanted to be certain she had skills to bring to the table other than just keen powers of observation. In 1830, most men would not have allowed a woman to take part in something so gruesome as a murder investigation, unless there were extenuating circumstances. So, I decided to make her a portrait artist, talented at reading people. And then I decided I also wanted her to have a useful knowledge of anatomy. Crafting her back story in order to give her this knowledge gave me the idea for the plot of The Anatomist’s Wife, and everything continued to build from there.

What sort of research went into the writing of The Anatomist's Wife?

I did a lot of research about the time period, especially in regards to medicine, trying to discover what knowledge the surgeons of that time possessed and what they didn’t. I read extensively and also traveled to Scotland to have a firsthand feel for the setting and other details. Such a beautiful country! The most useful destination I visited was the Surgeons’ Hall Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons at Edinburgh. They had fascinating exhibits, including ones on the infamous body-snatchers, Burke and Hare.

Do you have any other novels planned that aren't part of this series?

I do. I’m currently working on a Gothic suspense novel that I hope will be the first in a trilogy of related novels.

Who is your favourite author and why?

I absolutely adore Mary Stewart. Her novels are absolutely riveting and stand the test of time. And I don’t think anyone has such an amazing gift for writing setting.

What is the writing process like for you?

I don’t really have a set routine, and it’s constantly evolving. The beginning of my novels are usually a bit more free-form. I let my imagination take me where it will, and when I think I have a good idea to work with, I then pause and loosely plot out the rest of the novel. I try to allow myself some give and take, but I also need the structure to be sure I slip the clues and red herrings in where they are needed. I try to stick to a word count goal for each week, which gives me flexibility with my days while still keeping me on track. I usually go through three or four drafts before sending the manuscript to my editor.

Is writing a lonely occupation for you? If so, how do you combat it?

It can be. And when I feel the walls closing in on me I try to get out and do something, even if it’s just taking a walk. If I absolutely must work, I’ll go to a coffee shop so that I feel less isolated.

How long did it take you to break into writing? Do you have any manuscripts that haven't got published?

It took me seven years from the day I started to research my first novel to the day I signed with my literary agent, and soon after my publisher. I have four complete manuscripts that are saved on my hard drive that have not been published. (The Anatomist’s Wife was my fifth.) Someday I might try to revise them, but for now I’m more interested in writing new stories.

Can you give us some tips on establishing a writing routine? 

My routine is pretty fluid, because that’s what works best for me. But I will say that to be a writer, you absolutely must make time to write, if not every day, then at least a few days a week. It’s so easy to let your time get away from you, or your fears steal your words. I have a post-it stuck to my bulletin board over my desk that says, “You cannot call yourself a writer if you don’t write.” It’s as simple as that. If you write, whether or not you publish, you’re a writer. If you don’t, you’re a dreamer or a washed-up has-been.

Do you have any advice for authors looking to write a series?

Be sure to leave enough mystery to carry over into the other books in the series. It doesn’t matter whether you write mystery or romance or fantasy, whatever the genre, you need to leave a bit of mystery to your characters and plot. Each book needs a satisfying ending, but you also need threads that run continuously through each book that will drive the reader to pick up the next novel to find out what happens. I try to be as ambiguous as I can get away with, that way I have a greater variety of options later. If you make things too concrete, then you might write yourself into a corner.

Author Interview: Karen E. Olson

Karen E. Olson is the author of, among other things, the Tattoo Shop Mystery series by Signet. She was kind enough to answer a few of our questions. If you haven't read any of her work before, we highly recommend 'The Missing Ink' and its sequels. 

How long does it take for you to write a book?

It depends. It took me two years to write my first published book, 
Sacred Cows. It took me two months to write the first tattoo shop 
mystery, The Missing Ink. It just took me about three months to write a 
young adult novel. 

What kinds of writing quirks do you have?

I don't think I have any writing quirks. I don't listen to music, 
because I tend not to hear it. I just sit with my laptop in my living 
room or on my back porch or at my pool club in the summer and write. There's no ritual involved. I just sit and write. I think that's from my years as a journalist, when I had to write my stories and meet deadline.

How did you get the idea for the Tattoo Shop Mysteries? For Brett?

My editor asked me if I'd be interested in writing a tattoo shop 
mystery. At first I said no, because I don't have any tattoos and 
didn't know anything about it. But she talked me into it, and I'm glad she did! I learned a lot as I read a lot of books, visited tattoo 
shops, and talked to friends who had tattoos. And because I have a 
little bit of an art background, I decided to make Brett a frustrated 
classical painter who turns to tattooing to make a living. I really 
loved developing her, since she is a strong, independent woman who runs her own business and can solve crimes on the side!
 
Who is your favourite author and why?

I have many favorite authors, but the most recent "favorite" is John 
Green, a wonderful young adult author who wrote the amazing The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. He really understands the 
complexities of teenagers, and his characters leap off the page. I've 
just finished writing a young adult novel, so I've been reading a lot 
of those. 
 
What is the writing process like for you?

My writing process varies from day to day, depending on what I've got going on. I write an hour or two, whenever I can find the time. 
Sometimes I write 500 words, sometimes 2,000, depending on the day. I try to keep to a rule of writing five pages a day, but I don't beat myself up if I can't meet that. 
 
Do you belong to a writing group, and do you recommend joining one?

Before I was published, I belonged to a small writers' group, but once I was published and was getting notes from my agent and editor and my time was a lot less flexible, I left the group. I still have a few first readers who are invaluable. 
 
Who is your favourite character to write about? Why?

I love all my characters. Brett was really fun to write, since I didn't 
know anything about being a tattoo artist. She really grew the more I learned. But I think my favorite character from the tattoo shop series is Jeff Coleman, the rough around the edges street shop tattooist who isn't at all the way he seems at first. Developing Brett and Jeff's relationship was one of my favorite things about writing that series. 
 
How do you make a living as a writer?

I don't. I have a part time job, because I have to pay the bills and my writing hasn't produced enough income yet. 

How long did it take you to break into the writing business?

It took about fifteen years of writing and querying agents and getting a publisher. Nowadays, you don't have to be that patient, since you can just upload something online, but I'm not ready to take that leap yet. 

Is writing a lonely job for you? If so, how do you combat it?

Writing is not lonely at all! I spend so much time with my characters, crafting my stories and having a ton of fun with it. I really get caught up when I'm writing a book, and I find myself thinking about the characters and the plots all the time and what I'm going to do the next time I sit down to write. 

Author Interview: Joyce and Jim Lavene

How long does it take for you to write a book? It takes months for the idea to grow and fill in enough to write it. The characters have to get in line and we have to find the right place to set it. Once we sit down at the computer, it takes about three months to write the book. Then it's another few months of editing with the publishers. 

How do you write together? Do you write an outline together and then separate the chapters, or what? We come up with the basic ideas and write out a long synopsis of how we think the story will go and what will happen to the characters. After that, when we are ready to sit down and write, we tell each other the story as we type it in to create the rough draft. It goes something like this, 'And she walks out of the house and sees Roger across the street.' 'No, that's not possible. Roger is out of town.' 'Is he? Then that must be Sam.' 

What kinds of writing quirks do you have? Not sure if it is a quirk, but we have rituals. We start each morning rough draft writing session with a latte as we talk about what we're doing. We break at five pages for a short meditation time. We have a snack and write another five pages before lunch. After lunch, we do promo work and revision. We always celebrate a new book with champagne and sign contracts with our special pen set. 

Where did you get the idea or inspiration for the main character in the Renaissance Faire Mysteries? Jessie! We love her. She is every woman. We wanted her to be scared sometimes, curious, not always certain of what she's doing. She is a compilation of people, but mostly our sister-in-law, Marcia, who introduced us to the Ren Faire many years ago. She loved going! Marcia passed away in 2004 at the age of 43. Too young. But we like to think she lives on through Jessie. 

Who is your favourite author, and why? We'll have to separate on that question. Probably Jim's favourite author is Anne McCaffrey. He loves all of her books and has read them dozens of times. He has a thing for dragons and science fiction. Joyce loves Barbara Hambly and Tanith Lee equally. She loves their wonderful narratives and descriptions. 

What is the writing process like for you? Is it the same with every novel you write? Our writing process is about the same with every book. Some differences are shifting and moving offices. We now write on laptops that are networked together. Sometimes, one of us will have a virus and the other will work by themselves on editing. We quit our day jobs in 2012 and that made a huge difference because we have all day to write. 

Do you belong to a writing group? If so, how does that help you, and do you recommend joining a writing group for people who want to write for a living? We do belong to several writing groups, Sisters in Crime, national and local. We also belong to some very small (five or six members) local groups. Both of us feel that it's not necessary to belong to a group, but it's fun. If you can keep from comparing your writing to others' and not allow yourself to be overly influenced by the group, we recommend it. 

Who has been your favourite character to write about so far? Why? That would be like asking us which of our two daughters we like the best. Each of our characters has their good points and bad. Sheriff Sharyn Howard was our first, so we love her for that. Peggy Lee was very interesting with her poison plants. Jessie is the most fun to write. Dae O'Donnell in our Duck mysteries is mysterious and dedicated. Our new series features Fire Chief Stella Griffin. She's a fighter for what she believes in. Oh, and Zoe Chase in the new food truck mystery series loves food and is trying to get her own restaurant. The new Pie Shop mysteries feature Maggie Grady, who is trying to redeem herself. They are all good friends!

Do you think a writer needs an agent to get published? It all depends on what sort of publishing they want to do. Publishing avenues are opening up to writers like never before. There is a great deal of freedom publishing your own digital books when you want, and about what you want. No one telling you how to write. On the other hand, if you want to play with the big boys (and girls), you probably need an agent. They are very hard to get. We have a wonderful agent, Gail Fortune with the Talbot Fortune Agency. She knows so much more than we do about publishing. It's nice to have her in our corner. 

How do you make a living as a writer? (I hope this was what you meant.) Writing fiction. We write the occasional non-fiction, but mostly we write mystery and romance for Berkley, Charter Books, Amazon, and Harlequin. We have published more than 60 books, usually on the average of four to six books a year. 

What are you working on currently? We are working on the second book in the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mysteries, set in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Stella Griffin is a Chicago firefighter who comes to Sweet Pepper to help them rebuild their volunteer fire department. She finds a lot more than she bargained for when one of the town's most influential women is killed during a house fire. She also finds out that the cabin the town gives her to live in is haunted by the ghost of the former fire chief. We have had a great time writing about Stella and her friends! Thanks for interviewing us! 

Author Interview: Susan Stockdale

Susan Stockdale is the author and illustrator of a number of children's books, including Bring on the Birds, Fabulous Fishes, Carry Me! Animal Babies on the Move, and Stripes of All Types, which will be reviewed on this blog on 18 March. Stockdale's books have won awards from Parents' Choice, the National Science Teachers Association, the American Library Association, and Bank Street College of Education. Her work is featured on puzzles and in colouring books and other products. 


How long does it take for you to write a book? It usually takes me
a few weeks to come up with my rhyming text. Then it takes me a few
more weeks to write the addendum, in which I provide additional
information about the animals included in my book.

What medium do you prefer to use for your illustrations? I
always create my illustrations with acrylic paint on paper. I like using
this medium because of its bright, opaque colors and because it’s
very “forgiving”; I’m able to paint over my mistakes easily.

How long does it take for you to do an illustration? It can take anywhere
from a week to a month, depending on the size of the illustration.

What kinds of writing quirks do you have? I say my words out
loud as I write them. I need to hear how they sound. This is especially
important since I write in rhyme, and the rhythm has to be just right.

Who is your favorite author and why? I have lots of favorite
authors! They range from writers of nonfiction like Doris Kearns
Goodwin and David McCullough, who impart historical information
with suspense and excitement, to fictional writers like Michael
Chabon and Jonathan Franzen, who write with imagination and
elegance.

What is the writing process like for you? Is it the same with
every story you write? I follow the same process for every book. I
get an idea, for example - how animals carry their young. Then I
begin researching my theme and gathering information. Then I
synthesize this information into spare, rhyming text and an addendum.

What inspired you to write 'Stripes of All Types’? I was stirred to
create the book after seeing an exhibition of colorful frogs at the
American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Many of the
frogs had stripes that served a purpose, usually alerting other
creatures that they were poisonous. That gave me the idea to create
a book about how different animals benefit from stripes. I also love to
paint patterns, so this topic was a perfect fit.

Can you make a living as a children's writer? I’m trying! I’d say
that, adding the income generated by my school presentations, I
currently make the salary of a part-time job.

How was your first publishing experience? It was a steep learning
curve because I had been painting fantasy landscapes for years.
Then suddenly I was writing and illustrating a nonfiction book, in
which all the details in both the text and illustrations had to be
factually accurate. But I had a great editor and art designer who
patiently showed me the ropes, so it was a very good experience.

Author Interview: C.J. Cherryh

C.J. Cherryh, who wrote The Chanur Saga, The Dreaming Tree, Merchanter's Luck, and the Hugo Award-winning Downbelow Station, and who writes the Foreigner series, has been one of our favourite authors for many years now. We recently got the chance to interview her. 

How long does it take for you to write a book?A BOOK TAKES FROM 3 MONTHS TO 9 DEPENDING ON THE BOOK. I HAD ONE ONLY TAKE 2 WEEKS, BUT THAT WAS WHEN I'D BEEN BITTEN BY A POISONOUS SPIDER AND WAS SLEEPLESS ON MEDROL.  How long does it take to write a short story? ABOUT A WEEK TO TWO WEEKS: THE PAY SCALE IS NOT COMMENSURATE.

Do you prefer writing books or short stories? Why? SHORT STORIES DON'T MUCH INVOLVE THE ASPECT OF STORYTELLING I LIKE BEST: CHARACTERS. MOST SHORT STORIES ARE IDEAS GIVEN FLESH, BUT YOU DON'T VERY DEEP INTO THE WHYS AND IFS OF CHARACTER.

What kinds of writing quirks do you have? I WRITE WHILE WATCHING DISASTER DOCUMENTARIES AND HISTORY. I CAN WRITE ANYTHING, BEING A 'TECHNICIAN' IN THE SENSE OF SKILL; BUT I HAVE DEFINITE PREFERENCES FOR STORIES WITH CHARACTERS I LIKE.

Who is your favourite author and why? CURRENTLY, MOST OF WHAT I READ IS JANE FANCHER'S BOOKS AND LYNN ABBEY'S. I ALSO LIKE PATTY BRIGGS, MARTHA WELLS, LARRY NIVEN, NIVEN-POURNELLE, FRANK HERBERT, JACK WILLIAMSON, ROGER ZELAZNY, JACK VANCE, LEIGH BRACKET AND CL MOORE.

What was the most challenging thing about writing the Chanur Saga? COPING WITH THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF COPYEDITING AND GALLEY CHECKING, WHILE TRYING TO WRITE THE OTHER BOOKS: TRYING TO REMEMBER WHERE YOU ARE IS REALLY HARD WHEN THE PUBLISHER NEEDS YOU TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU WERE WRITING LAST YEAR.

How did you get the idea or inspiration for Pyanfar? FRANKLY---IT WAS BECAUSE I'D GOTTEN A COVER WITH AN AIRHEAD FEMALE AND GOT SO VERY ANGRY I DECIDED TO WRITE A FEMALE NO COVER ARTIST COULD TURN INTO BARBIE.

Who is your favourite character to write about, and why? I THINK ARI EMORY (I OR II) OR BREN CAMERON ARE MY FAVORITES.  ARI AND BREN ARE BOTH A BIT AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL, AND ALSO HAPPEN TO BE IN A POSITION TO KNOW JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE THE STORY WORK. NEITHER TOO MUCH, NOR TOO LITTLE. 

How do you make a living as a writer? I WRITE FULL TIME, AND WROTE and TAUGHT UNTIL I HAD BANKED ENOUGH MONEY TO GO ONE YEAR WITHOUT TEACHING; THAT WASN'T THAT HARD. I NEVER DEVELOPED CHAMPAGNE TASTES, SO LIVING ON A WRITING INCOME IS NOT AS HARD AS IT COULD BE IF I DECIDED TO BUY NEW CARS AND DIAMONDS OR TAKE UP POKER. MAIN RULE---PAY YOUR TAXES ON TIME, HAVE AN AUTOMATED SAVINGS WITHDRAWAL FROM YOUR REGULAR ACCOUNT, AND NEVER SPEND MONEY YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY GOT IN THE BANK...REMEMBERING ALSO THAT THAT MONEY HAS TO LAST UNTIL YOUR PUBLISHER PAYS YOU, OVER WHICH YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. MANY THINGS MAKE PAYMENTS LATE; NEVER GET BEHIND THAT EIGHT-BALL, AND NEVER RUN THE ACCOUNT LOW. CURB YOUR WANTS LONG BEFORE YOU GET IN THAT SITUATION.

          Would you ever consider writing for children? THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING CHILDREN FROM

             READING MOST OF MY WORK. THERE ARE A FEW BOOKS I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND BECAUSE OF                          
             LANGUAGE OR CONTENT, BUT IF THEY CAN READ THE SENTENCES, THEY SHOULD HAVE NO
             PROBLEM.

Tell us something about Closed Circle. How did it come about?  LYNN ABBEY, JANE FANCHER AND I ALL HAVE BACKLIST PROBLEMS IN THE MODERN WORLD ---WHEN BACKLIST USED TO BE YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN, IT BECAME DEAD AS A DODO IN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THAT WANTS ONLY 'NEW' BOOKS. STUPID PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THE FIELD GOT IN CONTROL, AND STILL ARE. SO SF, WHICH DEPENDS HEAVILY ON BACKLIST TO EDUCATE NEW READERS, FOUND THOSE GATEWAY BOOKS UNAVAILABLE---AND THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BACKLIST---COULDN'T GET THEM OUT THERE. SO---WHAT THE INTERNET AND COMPUTERS CAUSED---IT CAN ALSO SOLVE. WE DECIDED THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T BE A COMPANY AND PUT OUT OUR OWN, WHERE WE HAVE THE RIGHTS. AND WE DID. AND WE HAVE. WE BRANCHED OUT FROM THERE IN THE NOTION THAT IF WE CAN DO OLD BOOKS, WE CAN ALSO REDO BOOKS TO MAKE THEM WHAT WE WANTED TO BE INSTEAD OF THE CONSTRAINT OF THE TIMES; AND WE CAN ALSO JUST FLAT DO NEW WORK THAT WE WANT TO DO.