Google's widget thingy sent me a link today to a blog discussing the Tide Lords series. This well-meaning blogger was complaining that when they got to the end of The Palace of Impossible Dreams the series didn’t end, clearly an indication that there are more books to come. Their exact words… That’s always a bad sign in a fantasy writer. Starting to look like delusions of grandeur.

WTF?

I was not aware that only certain writers were allowed to write more than three books in a series. How naughty of me. Bad Jenny. Why didn’t the publisher, when I sold them a four book synopsis, mention something about a permit?

Where do I apply in future if I want to write more than a three book series? Who regulates this? Is there a fine for not getting approval first? Should I put a cover note on any future series, assuring the reader that I have not overstepped the mark by thinking a up a plot that might go for more than a trilogy?

Can someone please inform me of an address for the DOPES (Department of Permission for Extended Series)?

Do they control sequels? I wrote six books in the Hythrun Chronicles, and I didn’t have a permit? Oh no! Is there jail time involved?

I think I need to get a lawyer…

At the very least, I need to lie down…

Dera Ms Fallon,

Our address is the second cupboard past the Narnia entrance (you've no idea how many tourist come in looking for the Ice Queen. Seriously do I look like the Ice Queen. Would the Ice Queen wear a grey suit and a Scotch College tie (I don't think so).

I relation to your Hythrun query - that was an error on our part. Young Mr Branson (who is no longer with us) chose to record your "series" as "Trilogy by 2", negating the need for a permit.

We have chosen to "let sleeping dogs lie", as it were, but I wouldn't go advertising it around if I were you. A simple slip of the pen and book 3 becomes a novella, and where would your trilogy be then missy.

yours (in)sincerely,

Mr B Brown
Public Relations Branch
DOPES

At least you didn't write a duology--thats the real kicker. Outside the norm AND assuredly underdeveloped...

I think they give the death penalty for that.

LOL well they shouldn't complain - even if it is FOUR books it's still a bloody good story *g* - but then again, I've only read the first two books... Will my excitement for the story wane after reading the third book...? I hope not! LOL

what a bunch of meatheads - blogs should be outlawed (with some exceptions, yours included of course)

(OT. Glad I settled on 'Cameron James' to avoid possible confusion in the future.)

I know a few people that groan at new fantasy series coming out as a trilogy, because there seem to be A LOT now. (Then there is my sister who is obsessed with trilogies...more specifically the number three, but she loves them so much she has been known to reference them as 'thrill-ogies') Wierdo.

For myself, I don't care if a book series is 2,3, 6 books etc, as long as the story reaches a satisfying conclusion. (And that the author has managed to keep my attention throughout the story.)

I didn't read the review from the blog but that comment did strike me as a little bitchy and unfair. 'Delusions of grandeur' implies you've written an unnecessary sequel/ volume. With two (depending on who you ask) series of yours now under my belt I can say, I don't actually consider you capable of writing one.

I wish I could write with your..'direction' I suppose. And the ability to give even the most minor character a significant part to play in the grand scheme of things.

...Honestly I could sit here and sing the praises of your books, but I'm going to stop myself before I make a fool of myself, again. Heh heh.

The fascinating thing is, when I sat down to write the synopsis for this series, I thought it would be five books but it soon became apparent that there was only enough story for 4 books.

Actually, I'd like to know how you get publishers to agree to big long never-ending series (ie The Wheel of Time). In my experience Publishers aren't normally that accommodating.

Uhhhh. Wheel of Time. The first few were all right, but the plots become so unnecessarily complicated around Fires of Heaven.

Brandon Sanderson is now finishing the last book in the series (predicted to be about 2000 pages from what I hear). Yikes.

Do not get me started on Wheel of Time - I liked the first five or six books - but when it got to the point where I needed a flow chart to keep track of characters (and really, I'm working on my PhD in English, so I'm good at keeping track of characters) I gave up on the series.

Seriously though - my only complaint about your series is that they take so long to come out here in the US. I'll be spending a small fortune to get them shipped to me when the fourth book comes out, because I just cannot wait until 2010 or whenever the last book comes out here. Normally I'd cheerfully take more books because I enjoy them so much.

I suspect the key to having a long sequence series is being male with a massive greying beard. Seriously, Robert Jordan, George R. R. Martin...

I think you guys wrong the Wheel of Time however--it is the most complex fantasy series about, but subsequently it represents a world that is massively life-like, and also consistent. If you find yourself needing character charts to keep track--well there are fans that have made them. Look up encyclopaedia wot.

I concur about your books Jenny...Its a fortune...but its a well worth it fortune to get your books as you publish them. I cannot say that about any other author I read.