How many people here are writing Alexander books?

[karen]

Hi companions:I know Marcus is writing an Alexander novel, and Ruth one about the aftermath of his death -- now I'm curious as to how many more people here are doing similar. In a private message Sikander told me that he knows of seven people writing Alexander novels -- are they all here? (I'm also interested to know of any non-fiction projects out there, too.)I am writing a three-book series myself, covering his life. I have the first one about half-written, and have so far been turned down by two agents, though I have yet to try publishers. (Alas, my former publisher doesn't do historicals. That would be too easy...)Love & peace,
Karen

[marcus]

Hi Karen,Well, I know of at least one other, but I'll let him/her admit it on the forum .If it's any help, I am considering a non-fiction piece, too. I was going to try to get on an MPhil course, but at the moment I can't afford it; so I'm thinking I might just start the research project anyway, and see what happens...All the bestMarcus
(1 volume novel only, not covering all of Alexander's life)

[nick]

I know my experience is limited: I have only published two books in all my life, one about "Tourism and the Environment" (1999) and one about "Blind Dates - for Dummies" (1994 - yes, how low can you go). (The original titles are in Dutch, I use free English parafrases.) Also my experience is limited to the Dutch publisher's market.For all of you writing books my advice would be: get a good plan or concept first, then contact publishers to see who is interested, only then
start serious writing. I have seen too many disappointed people with huge manuscripts - but no market at all. Months or even years of tedious work could easily end up exclusively on your own bookshelf - and no one elses.I will admit I wrote one private book on Alexander as a birthday present for the 8-year old son of a very good friend of mine. The child was fascinated by knights, Roman legions, heroic warriors. It was fun to do and I think I completed the manuscript in two weeks of flowing inspiration. I had Bessus killing Darius by cutting him in half vertically with a giant axe. Bessus in turn was locked in by Alexander in cave with a huge cave bear - and eaten alive. Just a personal touch for the sake of excitement. I do not know if the story would have pleased the average politically correct parent. But the boy loved it.Regards -
Nick

[jan]

Hi Karen,Thanks for a good question. The only possibility of my writing a book on Alexander will be for the children's market.I like pop-up books, and I find that a series of books about historical personalities would be fun. Alexander is a great subject and can never be overworked in my opinion.As a romanticist, I like the information I read in a book about his marriage to Roxanne with Hephaestion as his best man. But I will not attempt to write romance.But as of yet, I am only in the exploration area and am just finding all this to be very entertaining.Jan

[davej]

Hi Karen,I have no real imagination to speak of so I will not be doing anything in the way of a fiction book. To which, as Marcus will attest I am allergic. I am planning on doing something on Alexander's army and tactics, particularly focusing on Sarissa and it use. This may also encompass some aspects of Hellenistic warfare, which I beleive are very badly covered by historians.

[ScottOden]

Though I'm not writing an Alexander book per se, he does play a large role in my Work-in-Progress: a fictional account of the life of Memnon of Rhodes. This will be my second book (the first is about the Persian invasion of Egypt, and is currently being shopped around by my agent). Actually, if anyone has been to Ephesus or Asia Minor, and has an eye for detail, I'd love to hear from you about your impressions of the area. I'm also on the lookout for a Greek nickname for Barsine. Something personal that Memnon may have called her. Sadly, I speak no Greek myself. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated :)Scott Oden

[ScottOden]

Nick wrote:"For all of you writing books my advice would be: get a good plan or concept first, then contact publishers to see who is interested, only then start serious writing. I have seen too many disappointed people with huge manuscripts - but no market at all. Months or even years of tedious work could easily end up exclusively on your own bookshelf - and no one elses."I do agree with this if you plan on writing non-fiction, since publishers (my only experience is with American publishing) will look at a non-fiction book proposal before a word is ever written. But, with fiction, the book has to be finished if you want a publisher to consider it. Unless of course you're Stephen King. Publishers have introduced a new wrinkle to this, too: Now, the large conglomerates demand that a writer only contact them through a reputable literary agent. Mid-size publishers prefer agented material, since agents act as a filter to keep the reams of crap floating around out there off their editor's desks. Small publishers abound, but few offer advance monies for manuscripts (the advance is generally where the writer makes his living). Couple all this with a 97% rejection rate and it paints a gloomy picture of American Publishing. But, if you're a writer, tenacity and stubbornness should be the cornerstones of your life. Add a dash of luck and you're in, baby!
Depressingly OptimisticScott Oden

[kat]

Hi everyone,
Yes, I'm another in the list of many writing Alexander fiction. My trilogy is nearly completed, and proposals for Book One have just been sent out to a few publishers. Since I didn't think I could write a better story than Renault about his ancient life, I've taken a different approach, preferring to bring him into the 21st Century. The only way I could think of doing this was to have his remains discovered, a scientist clones him but, as the boy grows, he begins to remember his ancient life and and the line between his ancient and modern lives disappears. No longer master of all he surveys, Alexander must now find a path in the modern world where he can make use of his vast abilities, yet keep his true identity hidden from the masses, from those who might feel revulsion and fear at the reappearance of such a notorious 2400-year-old conqueror.
I know this could never happen in real life; a cloned being would be a completely unique individual because of different outside influences...but it was a convenient plot device in this case. Alexander's personality was so strong, I could see it poking through no matter what his new circumstances!
I consider it mostly mainstream fiction but it does have a bit of sci/fi, a bit of fantasy, and some historical fiction based on fact. Now let me put a hypothetical question to all of you:
What *would* your true reaction be to such a situation, a very prominent world figure (not to give any plot away!) turns out to be the clone of a very prominent ancient person who just happens to remember everything about his ancient life?

[nick]

Thanks Scott - yes, fiction books are of course... very difficult. It is exactly the same in Europe. I would guess the rejection rate is even higher than 97% and I do not think we have a flourishing business here for literary agents.I suppose the fastest way for publishing your fiction book is: get famous first. Well known people like tv hosts, actors etc. sometimes manage to get mediocre fiction published rather easily.Regards -
Nick

[gahauser]

I must confess, I have written one as well. This summer mine will be released, as I already have a publisher. (but, it took forever to get it accepted). When it is available, I'll put the info here in case anyone is interested. No time travel! No clones! No romance bodice rippers! I promise!
Cheers-

[marcus]

Oh dear! I got excited when you said no time travel and no clones... and then you ruined it all by denying us the bodice-ripping.I suppose I might, grudgingly, read your book when it's out, but a few private chapters with all the bodices and ripping wouldn't be turned away :-)M

[susan]

I think that it may be useful to put these in a permanent section on the site - just a brief description of the author, the subject matter of the book, and its progress - when it's likely to be published. It could be like a showcase of work by forum visitors - without being commercial, it may stimulate others to write and share their work as well. Do you agree ?Susan

[Linda]

HiI would be interested in why people (so many people) are writing fiction about Alexander? What is it you want to say about him, and why write about an actual person rather than a fictional character? What inspired you - a character, incident - and has anyone got Alexander as a baddie..?I am not writing a book.

[marcus]

Hi Susan,Well, I don't mind if we do that, if others will do it too - a sort of "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" :-)After all, seven is quite a paltry number - I think we should aim at getting at least 20 works in progress on the site! All the bestMarcus

[marcus]

Hi Linda,Judging from the number of us who clearly *are* writing books on Alexander, perhaps I can throw back the question to you: why *aren't* you writing a book? :-)As for your questions... I'll be more than willing to answer them if we put together the section on the site that Susan has suggested. But of course I won't want to divulge my secrets unless others are prepared to do the same... All the bestMarcus