Sheri S. Tepper

I received this letter and passed it on…

Dear Miss Tepper,

I’ve been an avid reader of your books since I first discovered “Necromancer Nine” in my local library in 1984. I doubt that I can adequately convey the joy that your writing has brought to me over the years; suffice it to say that, as a bookaholic who reads anything well written regardless of genre, you are my absolute favourite author, and in my opinion, have the most original mind I’ve ever encountered in any literature. Just a small “thank you” for all the pleasure you’ve brought to me,

Anne Roy

and Sheri writes back…

Tell her thank you from me. It’s nice to be someone’s favorite something.

My cat, Jefe, explained that to me recently. It isn’t necessary, he said,
to be one’s favorite cat so long as one can be a favorite something, in this
case, blanket kneader.

Best

Sheri

Steve:

Most of the people who have been kind enough to write to me saying they have been amused, pleased, touched, or infuriated by my books have been women for the first three and men for the last one. Of course, when I started writing, the standard female sci-fi character was either a wonder woman clone or a woman waiting to be rescued by the hero. I was asked to speak once at a sectarian university and was cautioned a few days before the scheduled appearance that I should not say anything contradicting their religious position. Since everything I’ve ever written has contradicted their religious position, it smelled of entrapment. I visualized an inquisition and perhaps being burned at the stake. I replied, saying since I had no thoughts whatsoever that were not opposed to their theology, I could only say, ”Modest housekeepers and gentlemen, thank you and good evening,” and it didn’t seem worth the trip.

It is more than merely pleasant to receive a nice note from a real gentleman.

Thank you.
Sheri

“P.S. When might we expect your next book to be released?”

Last book was hung up, first at agents, then at publishers who let me know I was at the end of a long string of submissions. So, don’t know. I’m in the middle of the next one after the next one, which I have a hunch will have a better chance of getting through the road blocks.

Thing is, there are an awful lot of good young writers out there, and I was never a big, big seller– what they call “A Library author.” The libraries buy them more than the readers do. I keep getting notes from people “Can’t wait until it’s my turn at the library.” I want to write back and say, Hey, honey, try buying one. . . even used! It’ll make the publisher feel more inclined. . .

Best to you, and thanks.

Sheri

Here’s my response, keep badgering her pubisher – make them aware of your interest, and they’ll get us the next book!

My friend and I just read “Beauty”. It is our all time favorite
novel! We were wondering what your inspiration was for writing this
novel? We want to make an amazing book report/presentation on this
novel and adding an interview question would send it over the top.

—and Sheri responds—

One night I got to thinking about all the fairy stories and weird books I had most enjoyed as a young person (This was before television, movies were maybe once every three months or fewer, we lived way out in the country with no other children anywhere around, so I read a lot!) and how the “Happily ever after” phrase didn’t mean a heck of a lot. What happened to them, really? I decided to start with Sleeping Beauty because her life extended a hundred years, and once I was into that, and making it a love story, the other stories just sort of fitted in.

I’m glad you like the book. Thanks for asking.

Sheri Tepper

“I just received a note from my agent telling me that Six Moon Dance and The Companions are going to be on 99 cent ebook sale from September 4 until October 2. Might want to let people know…

Also, he’s got something going e-book wise with the early, Peter, Jinian, Mavin books. Ill keep you informed.”

To Ms Tepper and/or publicist,
Has there been any suggestion of making a movie from the novel “Grass”? This is a visually powerful story combined with many issues that are socially relevant to our world. The concept of a world where all species are linked by metamorphosis is a brilliant notion. There is much about this story that I imagine could appeal to the likes of Steven Spielberg, James Cameron or George Lucas? Please consider my suggestion. Could you rewrite the story as a screenplay? Thank you for your inspirational stories. Regards, Jeffrey A W.

Ms. Tepper writes back…

Jeffry W. needs to know that authors have absolutely nothing to do with deciding to make a film from a book they have written—except to accept or refuse an offer made by a producer or studio.  Writing a screen play of a book won’t help: most producers want screen plays written by someone they have confidence in, that is, someone who knows what “screen” requires.  If a reader thinks a book should be made into a movie, the person to tell about it is the director, producer, or studio.  It carries a lot more weight than anything a writer might say—all  of us, I’m sure, think our books should be made into movies.

 

I have always thought that the director who made movies of the Tolkien trilogy would find Grass an interesting book to look at, but, as the writer, I’m not the person to say so. 

I’m writing to you because I was wondering if there was a fuller description of the various classes of Gamesmen in the True Game world. While some of them, like Pursuivants, are pretty thoroughly described, and the big 11, who each have one power, as fairly clear, I was hoping to get a better picture of the limitations and nature of some who are barely mentioned in any of the three trilogies (Prophets, Churchmen, Phantasms, and Archangels, for example).

Do you have, somewhere, a chart or description of how each class can use its powers? Is there a published form? Thank you for your time and attention, I appreciate it very much.

-Russell

and Ms. Tepper responds…

  I think at that time I considered that the powers were rather like seasoning in cooking.  There was taste, and then there was “Did you salt this at all?” and “Whoo, you put in too much garlic.”  In other words, very little all the way up to too much.  This would allow an almost unlimited variation along the spectrum of each power and each combination.  Each one of the powers would affect the others in different ways, also.  I had some interesting correspondence back then with some young people into gaming who had made up their own games for this world.

 

Sheri