History is a Bitch - a weblog by Jeanne Kalogridis

J.M. even combines her love of vampires into her love of STAR TREK, so I highly recommend her novel BLOODTHIRST. Can't you imagine Spock roaming the darkened corridors of the Enterprise in a cape?

By the way, don't bother asking her what the M in J.M. Dillard stands for. She's as tight-lipped as an Aldebaran Shellmouth about that...

BLOODTHIRST was such a blast to write... It, and THE LOST YEARS, are my two favorites (in terms of having such a good time writing them, and being pleased with the results).

C'mon, John, anyone with an imagination can figure out what the "M" stands for. My first name is "Jeanne," after all. Think French. Think hyphenated. (And no, the answer isn't Jean-Luc.)

Don't you love the picture of J.M. on the wikipedia website?

...Bambi with enormous red hair caught in headlights.

Ooh, you're *mean*.

Actually, I thought I looked more like a red-headed big-mouth bass trying to catch a few flies.

Ms. Dillard:

I just read your book Star Trek The Lost Years. I know it's 20 years old, but it's the best Star Trek book I've ever read. It should have been (or should be) turned into a movie.

I look forward to reading some more of your books.

Sincerely,

Chuck Fitzer

Hi, Chuck,

That's so sweet of you. I know I wrote LOST YEARS twenty years ago, but it's the most fun I ever had writing a STAR TREK book. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Jeanne

Dear Jeanne,

I loved Resistance. I have been working on my own Trek novel but have no idea where to begin as far as making it see the light of day, and become something more than a labor of love. Any direction or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rich

Rich,

Do what I did: some homework. First, I assume you know that the TREK books are only published by Pocket Books. Write the editor (the address is on the copyright page of every TREK book) and ask for a copy of guidelines. If they're not giving them out anymore, then check out a copy of WRITERS MARKET. It'll tell you how to make submissions and produce a professional-looking manuscript.

The next step is to really care about the writing itself. You have to be a writer first and a fan second. While I was writing my first TREK book, I checked out every single book on writing at my local library. I recommend STORY by Robert McKee, WRITING THE NOVEL by John Gardener, and any book by Lawrence Block on the subject.

Make the writing as good as you can, submit a professional manuscript... that's the secret. The world of books is nothing like Hollywood; connections will get you nowhere fast. It's the quality of writing. I tried helping out two different friends by putting in a good word with the editor years ago -- neither book was bought.

Good luck.