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Posted by Evan
December 30th 2009Hi - I am a book collector from New York. I am looking to purchase a first edition of your Nebula Award winning novel The Seeker. Is the American or British edition the true first edition?" I have been collecting the Hugo and Nebula Award winning novel since 1985 (the ones before then are out of my price range) and I only purchase the true firsts. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
William Nicholson responded:
My novel is called Seeker (without the 'the'), and its first edition is the British one. It's the first in a trilogy called The Noble Warriors. I'm not aware that it ever won a Nebula Award. Is it possible you're confusing it with another book?
Posted by David P. Hoadley
December 30th 2009Dear Sir; Thank you for responding to my previous question pertaining to the nationality of 'Miss Laurier' in Firelight. I wish to say, and this is just a gut feeling that I've got, that part of the poor reception and review when Firelight came out was a result of a deliberate smear campaign by vested interests. Reading some of the reviews, and the all, I'm almost certain that many of the reviewers didn't even see Firelight, but use a previously prepared synopsis of it in writing their reports. Looking at some of the reviews that are still extent on-line, I came across one very negative one in which the reviewer stated that Elizabeth was paid '5000' pounds sterling for conceiving the child, rather than the correct amount of 500. I'm curious as to how such a mistake could have been made, and even more, how it could have gone to print without the author catching it on proofread, (after all there's a difference between the words, when spoken and heard, of five hundred verses five thousand) unless he didn't actually hear those words spoken, didn't see the film, and only relied on a printed synopsis in which the typo had previously been made. In short, I think that your film was deliberately sabotaged, and I think that you should push for it to be re-released in the theaters. DPH
William Nicholson responded:
I wish I could believe you, but I don't think it's likely. Critics aren't really organised enough to sabotage a film, and I don't think they have enough motive. Laziness, yes, that I can believe; but I myself think the truth lies in expectation. To prepare critics to receive a film favourably, they must have in their minds some model for approving its genre or approach. In my case I think all they could see was out-of-date melodrama. I would certainly push for a re-release if I knew how. My hope is that one day some work of mine will become so well-known that it will draw attention to my earlier work. So I press on...
Posted by Alex
December 29th 2009Hi. How do you split your time between reading and writing? Can you read novels while you are writing one? I have heard some writers say they can't.
William Nicholson responded:
I write in the morning, and read in the early or late evening. I can and do read novels while writing a novel, though it's true you have to be careful what you read. If it's too good it can be dangerously influential.
Posted by Pennsylvania
December 27th 2009can you ever visit my state? will you ever allow contact that doesn't involve public questions? I have so many questions. So many questions.
William Nicholson responded:
I've no plans to visit Pennsylvania at present, but if you'd like to write to my publisher or agent, they'll pass on a letter to me and I can answer it the old-fashioned way. I'm a lot slower with letters than with this site but I do get there in the end.
Posted by Ada Banks
December 27th 2009I came across "Firelight" while browsing the on-line movie network to which I subscribe. I do not understand why it was not more enthusiastically received I found it exceptionally good. I was very interested in Firle House I have tried to research it's history without success the double doors to the library fascinated me the locale was perfect for the story. The child Dominique Belcourt stole my heart I have not been able to find her in any other work can you help me with either of these inquiries. I am looking forward to reading Rich and Mad. Thank you.
William Nicholson responded:
The main location for Firelight is Firle Place, near Lewes in Sussex, the home of the Gage family for the last five hundred years. Dominique Belcourt was a schoolgirl when I cast her - she'd had no idea of an acting career before - and while she did do a little acting after my film, she has long since abandoned that world. I'm really pleased that you like the film.
Posted by Will Day-Brosnan
December 25th 2009Hi You may have heard this question ad infinitum. so apologies in advance. I was really curious as to which literary figures you admire and who have influenced your work. I've also detected religion perhaps as something of a thematic concern and was wondering whether you perceive it as a force for good within contemporary society. (Not to tempt you into too controversial ground !) Thanks
William Nicholson responded:
I admire the great nineteenth century moral realists (if that's a category) - Tolstoy, George Eliot, and so forth. Also Proust. The point being I don't much go for the stylists - I'm not too bothered about style - what I read for is insight into people, and insight into the struggle of living. For truth, to put it in a word. And yes, religion is always part of everything I write. I'm a lapsed Catholic, but remain fascinated by the questions that are left behind when God departs the scene. Is religion a source for good today? You know the answer. Some is, some isn't. I respect most religions, because I understand that they are entire cultures. I wouldn't dream of getting into a But-it's-not-true argument, even though I do think it's not true. Religion is about so much more than literal truth. No one says being British, say, 'isn't true'. But I myself continue to be sceptical about all God claims.
