In previous interviews you have spoken of your distaste with the current publishing model. How do you see that world changing with the success of self-publishing? Do you see your success with Wool causing change in the industry? "I don't think I'm changing anything about the publishing model. Instead, I see my unique route as evidence that the model is changing. These things would be happening to someone; it just happens to be me It's happening to a lot of people. "What troubles me about the old model is the limited shelf life an author enjoys, the lack of investment in a burgeoning career (the trend of dropping a writer if each book doesn't launch right out of the gates), and the high prices of digital content. "E-books ought to cost less they should come bundled with hardbacks. And there are so many clauses in contracts, like non-compete clauses that prevent writers from publishing more works throughout the year, that benefit no one. "The last thing I'll mention might be the biggest: because of e-books and print on demand technology, books are now in print for the rest of time. Publishing contracts should no longer be indefinite, but for 5-7 years, and then the author should get the rights back so they can continue to promote their works. "This really needs to happen It's the norm for foreign publishing deals, and domestic publishers need to adopt the same practices."
There are a lot of talented writers out there who have their own blogs or who just write in the comfort of their home. Many of them lack the confidence to try it professionally. Do you have any advice for anyone looking to do more with their writing? "It's a shame for any great story to go without an audience. If you enjoy writing and have something to add, take the chance on getting it out there the tools are available for anyone. "Start with your handful of existing readers; test your material on them; get feedback; polish the work to perfection; and then publish!"
The Wool series has obviously taken up a lot of your time recently. The final chapter of the saga will be released in just a few weeks. Can you speak to what it is like to wrap up such a major series and change gears to something completely different? "It feels like breaking the surface of the sea after an excruciatingly long dive. When you are in the middle of a series, you are always holding your breath you can't relax, there's no closure. "Once that final chapter is put to paper, a weight comes off, and you feel like you can go anywhere and do anything. And then a few weeks later . . . you start to get a little sad and wonder when you can go back just for a short visit.
The last book in the Wool universe comes out August 17 but you also have several other works on tap. What can you tell us about what we'll be seeing from you in the future? "I have a bevy of stories on hold right now that I can't wait to get to. I've got a story about a boy and his dog in the distant future, and this one has a very original premise. "I have a post apocalyptic romance novel that I want to write. And I have a wasteland story in SAND LAND that I've been daydreaming about for years." You've recently announced a comic book deal for Wool. Can you provide some details about that project? "Sure it's going to be six issues that tell Juliette's story from the Wool Omnibus. "They'll be delivered serially to those with color tablets, and available as physical issues on newsstands, and there will also be a collected graphic novel edition. The first issue should be out in October." What upcoming books, movies, TV shows are you looking forward to? Are there any hidden gems outside of the "mainstream" you can recommend? There's a book I'm recommending to everyone, and that's LEXICON by Max Barry it's brilliant. "I'm a geek for comics, so I look forward to seeing more of the fantastic run of Marvel films, and I haven't watched any of the Game of Thrones series yet I'm waiting for them to be complete so I can marathon the lot of them. I'm eager for that. Ender's Game or Catching Fire? That's a tough one. I've always wanted to see how Ender's Game would be adapted, but I'm also bracing for a letdown. Catching Fire is interesting for me because I haven't read the novels, so the story will be as fresh as The Hunger Games was. And then there's Jennifer Lawrence, who I have a crush on ever since Silver Linings Playbook. So I'm going with the surprise answer of Catching Fire. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Just to thank them for their support and generosity. They've changed my life, and that's an incredible thing to do for someone. Dust, the final chapter in Hugh Howey's Wool saga is due out August 17. His other offerings, including Halfway Home and Molly Fyde are also available in e-book format through Howey's website www.hughhowey.com