JMS Autobiography-"Becoming Superman" - NO Spoilers!

[babylonlurker]

That is a fantastic introduction from Neil Gaiman.
I am looking forward to a difficult read.

[Jan]

From JMS:

For those who would like to pre-order my autobiography, Becoming Superman, coming out from HarperCollins Voyager next July, here's a link to the hardcover, the ebook and the audio book. (Haven't decided on a reader yet.)
https://www.harpercollins.com/978006...ming-superman/

https://twitter.com/straczynski/stat...93624653381633

There are about 30 photos that will be in a central spread...I don't know if they'll be doing color but either way I always prefer a book I can hold. The rest is between you and whatever deity you worship.

https://twitter.com/straczynski/stat...95274587701248

Somebody suggested that Neil Gaiman read the audio-book.

Neil is far too dignified and gentle a soul for a job like this. If we want somebody tonally suited to the autobiography, in the absence of Sam Kinison, I think Bobcat Goldthwaite or Gilbert Gottfried would be just about right.

https://twitter.com/straczynski/stat...96110227279873

Oh, and the title seems to have expanded a touch:

"Becoming Superman: A Writer's Journey from Poverty to Hollywood with Stops Along the Way at Murder, Madness, Mayhem, Movie Stars, Cults, Slums, Sociopaths, and War Crimes "

[Jan]

Have I mentioned that I'm going to Comic-Con?

Yes, the good folks at Harper Voyager will be providing a limited number of copies for @comic_con next year...dunno if it'll be packaged or a special edition or just advance copies, but either way it will debut at San Diego, which I think is highly appropriate.

[babylonlurker]

Have I mentioned that I'm going to Comic-Con?

Lucky you !
I would sooo much love to be there for that.

[Ubik]

Have I mentioned that I'm going to Comic-Con?

Oh man, I'd love a signed copy.

[Jan]

Oh man, I'd love a signed copy.

We'll have to see how the schedule is. With luck he may have multiple signings throughout the weekend. If so, we'll see what we can do.

[Jan]

JMS posted about getting the page-proofs for his autobiography and if your device can zoom in, you can read the page (203) he pictured!

https://twitter.com/straczynski/stat...77544961986560

(It's about Norman Corwin, I believe.)

[Jan]

And - looks like the book is *done*! And we may well be getting a Superman cover, too boot, from the sound of things.
https://twitter.com/straczynski/stat...87125821775872

[Jan]

Cover's been revealed!

[Ubik]

I am looking forward to this, but good god, that cover is just awful. It looks like a 'how to' PC instructional book from the 90s. The fonts and layout are terrible. Is this a proof or is it actually the final cover? Man, who on earth designed that? My graphic designer friends would have a field day with this.

[Jan]

I am looking forward to this, but good god, that cover is just awful. It looks like a 'how to' PC instructional book from the 90s. The fonts and layout are terrible. Is this a proof or is it actually the final cover? Man, who on earth designed that? My graphic designer friends would have a field day with this.

JMS' tweet says that it's the final cover and he mentioned a couple of days ago that DC had approved it. There's an old saying "Don't judge a book by its cover", as I recall. :-) JMS mentioned that the photo of the suit is one he actually owns.

I'm really looking forward to this but I know it's going to be a really hard read in some places judging from his panel at SDCC year before last and things he's posted in the past.

[Ubik]

The image itself is fine, it's just the layout and fonts look really amateurish. It's a bit cluttered and looks very 'self published in the 90s'. I can't explain it much better than that.

I am also deeply looking forward to the book, but the cover design looks amateurish and unfortunate and it wouldn't grab my attention at all in a book store. I think it would actively put me off. At a glace I would say 'bad self help book'. Somewhat surprised JMS didn't call in a favour from a good artist from the comics world to do a cover.

I'll get it on kindle for sure.

[Jan]

Somewhat surprised JMS didn't call in a favour from a good artist from the comics world to do a cover.

My understanding from others is that the author doesn't always have a lot of control over cover art - especially since he hasn't been published in the mainstream for quite a long time. I don't see anything wrong with it, but I tend to like easy to read fonts.

[Jonas]

I don't love the cover either, but even hugely successful authors frequently get no input at all on cover design.

[sftv]

Joe has mentioned a book tour to promote the book. Still working on making sure Phoenix/Scottsdale is a stop. Depending on which stops there are, you should be able to order a signed and personalized copy from one of them.

Since Poisoned Pen is a mystery focused store, I'm emphasizing that Joe worked on Murder She Wrote to the owner...