JMS Autobiography-"Becoming Superman" - NO Spoilers!

[DaveNarn]

Started reading yesterday and about half done.. holy cow!

[Jan]

Hopefully mine will be sent out soon.

I'm hoping he'll be careful of his arm and not hurry it. Sounded like a really bad dislocation.

[AstroBoy]

Update from JMS regarding the book plates.



When asked on Twitter he said there won't me more made available for now.

Hopefully mine will be sent out soon.

[Jan]

Update from JMS regarding the book plates.

Update on the Becoming Superman bookplates: 70% are now out the door, getting past the delays caused by no addresses and the injuries, and now that my signature looks mostly like mine again will focus on getting the last 30% out the door in the next few weeks.

When asked on Twitter he said there won't me more made available for now.

[babylonlurker]

I received my copy for my birthday (August 24). I was thinking of skipping ahead to the B5/Crusade stuff but decided to start from the beginning. Definitely the same JMS from the script book intros and stuff. We've been visiting my sister-in-law over the long weekend and I have found more time to read. It has been fascinating so far. Hard to believe he went through so much stuff.

I have a feeling I'll put this on my Hugo nomination ballot for Best Related Book.

That is an excellent idea.

[nottenst]

Now I am on page 356. Fascinating material.

[nottenst]

I received my copy for my birthday (August 24). I was thinking of skipping ahead to the B5/Crusade stuff but decided to start from the beginning. Definitely the same JMS from the script book intros and stuff. We've been visiting my sister-in-law over the long weekend and I have found more time to read. It has been fascinating so far. Hard to believe he went through so much stuff.

I have a feeling I'll put this on my Hugo nomination ballot for Best Related Book.

[Satai with Punsch]

I heard a very good interview with him on a podcast recently. It gave some perspective on the book, for example that some of the information is things he himself had to research.

[Ubik]

Similar issues here. I have the audiobook and didn't get past the first few chapters, didn't engage or pull me and I haven't gone back to it. This all despite loving Peter Jurasik's voice, and having a vested interest in JMS' work.

[spelldazer]

I'm not challenging his decision. I "get it". But a less committed "me" would have put this book aside. To explain, I'd really need to get into spoiler turf so TBC elsewhere.

[Jan]

In about 150 pages JMS rarely gives you a real glimpse into his inner psyche and that's understandable but it makes for a less engaging tale. The book really grips you where he does expose his emotions or inserts one of his wonderful snidy remarks, but those moments feel rare.

There are reasons for that tone. Partly he wanted it to be more of a reportorial tone but there are also reasons beyond that. I think he may have mentioned some of that in the part you read but there's more detail later in the book.

[spelldazer]

I was hesitant to get the book, afraid whatever I learn about the man would ruin my enjoyment of his works going forward. There were so many positive reviews suggesting this is a must-have for any writer (which I am) that I finally caved and got it. It helped that Bookdepository.com kept track of my cart and eventually sent me a discount coupon. Shopping these days...definitely not how it used to be. The book arrived very quickly and when I first picked it up, I actually thought it might have gotten damaged somehow haha. That black ink that's supposed to make it look damp and faded felt odd and I kinda fell for it.

Have only read about a third and then skipped to the end to kinda see about certain things I wanted answered before going to bed.

My impression so far is that it is NOT something I would really recommend to anyone who isn't an avid JMS fan. Avid JMS fans will already know a lot of what's described but there is definitely a lot of new info that will make you see JMS in a new light and revisit a lot of his works with a new sense of appreciation. The material in Becoming Superman is dark and the telling--for the most part--dry and factual. In about 150 pages JMS rarely gives you a real glimpse into his inner psyche and that's understandable but it makes for a less engaging tale. The book really grips you where he does expose his emotions or inserts one of his wonderful snidy remarks, but those moments feel rare.

I'll write more in the Spoilers thread later but wanted to kinda caution potential readers to expect a story that reads more like a police report than a police drama. This isn't to say it's not worth reading, but it's definitely not a must read for writers. To be honest, at this point I don't feel compelled to read the parts I skipped or just leafed through quickly. Not too surprising given that I typically find biographies boring. YMMV

[Jan]

Nice review in Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine:
https://www.sfsite.com/fsf/2019/cdl1909.htm

I know it turned out all right for the young Straczynski, but there were nevertheless many times I was on the edge of my seat with real worry for him.

[Satai with Punsch]

Not right now, I'm afraid. But a few folks have asked him to re-open it so maybe once his shoulder is better and he's traveling less? Hope so!

We'll keep our fingers crossed.

[Jan]

Thanks Jan.

By the way, do you know if it is still possible to order the signed bookplates?

Not right now, I'm afraid. But a few folks have asked him to re-open it so maybe once his shoulder is better and he's traveling less? Hope so!