KJA in London Friday 4th Feb 2011

[Tleszer]

Nice explanation, Amp!

[SandChigger]

Let's count the number of happy people in this photo ...

Is that where he was having to sign 500 books in 50 minutes? (And somehow got it done, because, you know, he's always on time?)

[SadisticCynic]

"Critical darlings" is the term Keith uses to describe people who actually craft their writing and win all the awards with their measly one book while his yearly half-dozen are produced on-time and hit the bestseller lists and have probably never even made it onto a short list for a prize of any seriousness.

I know who he uses it to describe, it just seems like a meaningless combination of words. Does he mean that Mieville and the others are critical of him, he is critical of them, or that their works are critically acclaimed while his aren't? That's what I was trying to ask.

(Also, I'm sorry if its blindingly obvious and I'm not getting it; that happens sometimes... )

[SandChigger]

I've always assumed he meant that those (better) writers are the darlings of the critics...



Which when you think about it, doesn't really make a lot of sense, does it?

[Ampoliros]

Critical Darlings = the go-to "favorites" of the literary critics. I'm sure Keith sees it as some kind of popularity contest and that the award committees just don't respect the level of his craft (newsflash! they don't!). It really burns his hide that 'quality' wins all the awards over quantity, especially because he refuses to even deal with the 'quality' issue.

He honestly believes that he is a better writer because he publishes more books 'on-time'.

Sorry Kev, but we'll never hear the words "And the Hugo goes to And Kevin J Anderson!"

[SandChigger]

Not unless he really gets down to work.

Who knows, all these years of dictahiking may have given him the lower jaw strength and stamina needed...

[Ampoliros]

well after reading (most) of the prologue to Hellhole, I'd only say he's getting worse, faster.

[SadisticCynic]

OK, now I get it.

What a wonderful guy.

[Hunchback Jack]

It really burns his hide that 'quality' wins all the awards over quantity, especially because he refuses to even deal with the 'quality' issue.

He honestly believes that he is a better writer because he publishes more books 'on-time'.

It's even worse that that. He honestly think that critics *assume* his books are crap because he writes so many of them. As far as he's concerned, he *does* write quality books - just look at how well they sell - but critics won't give him a chance because they're prejudiced against his incredible professionalism, his hard-working can-do attitude, and his refusal to be a writer's-block-ridden prima donna.

HBJ

[TheDukester]

Is that where he was having to sign 500 books in 50 minutes?

Possibly. It looks like an Anderson-esque assembly line, don't it?

(The thought bubble for the woman in the front: "How did I get mixed up with this pompous hack and his hellish harpy of a wife?")

[Hunchback Jack]

After not a single crowd shot at any previous book signing or SuperDuper Dictahiker's Workshop, we get this:



... at a panel in the UK, with Hamilton, Mieville, and Baxter. Gee, I wonder if Keith was the drawcard?

HBJ

[SandChigger]

And Jabecca right there in the front where she can bodyblock—with extreme prejudice!—anyone daring to heckle KJA.

[Omphalos]

well after reading (most) of the prologue to Hellhole, I'd only say he's getting worse, faster.

Remember when he wqs describing 7 Suns as "my masterpiece?" dumb ass just don't get it.

[lotek]

I guess he knows there are people out there dumb enough to take his word on it.

[inhuien]

And Jabecca right there in the front where she can bodyblock—with extreme prejudice!—anyone daring to heckle KJA.

I wonder who her +1 was, someone with the sense to be AWOL. So not a close friend then.

[merkin muffley]

And Jabecca right there in the front where she can bodyblock—with extreme prejudice!—anyone daring to heckle KJA.

I wonder who her +1 was, someone with the sense to be AWOL. So not a close friend then.

She is her own +1.

Oh, snap!

[Hunchback Jack]

Very nice, merkin. Very nice.

HBJ