I explained what I meant by a "proto-series" here. Poul Anderson's "Margin of Profit," "Tiger by the Tail" and "Time Patrol" became series whereas his The Game Of Empire, "A Tragedy of Errors" and "Starfog" remained proto-series.
In SM Stirling's works, the Draka and the Change are series whereas Conquistador remains a proto-series with a conclusion opening up endless possibilities for sequels. See Just Beginning. The Peshawar Lancers is borderline. On the one hand, there is a single additional short story but, on the other hand, it is a prequel, therefore does not advance the history of the Angrezi Raj, which is what we want.
These reflections were initiated by opening the most recent Change novel, The Sea Peoples, and recognizing the names of familiar characters. Each new series is a world unto itself, easily reentered. We appreciate the many series that exist - and want to read more about New Virginia and the Angrezi Raj.
4 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Ummmm, in the first paragraph you meant "A TRAGEDY of Errors," Not "Comedy."
I too would like to see more of the Angrezi Raj and the post Fall world of that timeline. I rather hope something inspires Stirling and he discovers he has more to say about that alternate world.
My understanding is that Stirling did write, or planned to write, a fifth Draka book, UNTO US A CHILD. But legal difficulties has prevented it being published. Pity!
I do know, from Greg Bear, that PA left behind boxes of papers when he died. It's my hope those boxes contains publishable fragments. Including, perhaps, one or two short stories needing only a bit of editing to be completed.
Sean
Sean,
Error corrected. Thanks.
Paul.
I generally leave a "tag" for possible expansion in books. After that it depends on the publisher, and in turn on the audience reception. I always have more ideas for books than I have time to write them!
Dear Mr. Stirling,
I'm inclined to agree with you here. An England which had not been conquered by Duke William might well have remained "oriented" towards Scandinavia (esp. Denmark and Norway). At the same time, considering how near southern England (and the de facto co-capitals of Winchester and London) were to France, there would have been influences from there as well.
Sean
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