469 replies to this topic

[Crom]

OK. Theo Berquist has provided me with some answers to your questions/suggestions.

Here we go:1) The community members would still like a 'Fan Writing' section that would take place in the Hyborean world. I know this was mentioned when the site opened, and you expressed some optimism about it at the time. Additionally, some members would like to be able to post 'fan Conan scripts' and 'fan artwork', but they are leary of the 'Terms of Use' and 'Intellectual Property'. Could I get a definitive answer on this?

TB/ The definite answer today would be no, but we still want to keep this door open for the future.

2) Are there any plans, or is it possible, to reprint any original Howard material on the site?

TB/ The site is first and foremost (today) a mirror of what is happening in the Conan world and what our partners are putting out there to the fans. We don?t have any plans today to reprint any original Howard material on the site, but again, in the future that may change.

3) The fans are concerned that the main site is not being updated to reflect recent Conan publications (or reprints) like 'Conan of Vanerium', 'Conan the Rebel', 'Conan and the Spider God', in addition to interviews with new Conan artists like Cary Nord, etc.

TB/ our intention is to update the site at least once every week. Unfortunately the last three weeks our webmasters and webdesigners have been out of the office. After the summer in early August this will change and we?ll get back to normal. Hopefully we can update the site twice every week by then. It is also very dependent on what our partners have in their pipe-line what we can/want to put up on the site. Bear with us, we know you want more and trust me when I say that they don?t have to worry. Crom is supervising this!

4) The members are interested in toy lines featuring Conan.

TB/ We will announce this in conjuction (or just after) ComiCon next week.

5) Any more information on the new pastiche Conan trilogy, and who would be the author(s)?

TB/ no more official news.

6) Any more info on the Conan movie, beyond what we are reading in the trade papers?

TB/ No more offical news.

7) Any updated information on a potential Conan PC game?

TB/ TDK are working 24/7 to fill the www.conangame.com site and the fans should expect some very nice screenshots and other info this summer. Semi-officially I can tell you that of what we have seen it looks awesome, and it is getting better every day. Most of the Conan fans will like this....!
So there you have it. I hope that satisfies a few appetites for now.

[Kane]

LD,

Thanks for taking the time to keep us informed on whats going on with the character. i do look forward to reguler updates and hope that the marketing of Conan will continue.

I do belive that an anthology of Hyborian World characters is a viable concept that Paradox should look into.

[Orkin]

A while back somebody suggested that they would buy a Cimmerian phrasebook, similar to the Star Trek The Klingon Dictionary.

An associate and I have been doing some studies regarding this (some really interesting things regarding language families in the Hyborian Age, etc.) and before we go further (getting an agent etc.), I would like to know if CPI is interested in such a product. Do they think it marketable, does it fulfill their idea for implementation in the future, etc?

[Crom]

I'll include that in the next batch of questions, Orkin. If anyone would like to add their thoughts or ideas, now's the time.

[Kane]

I'll include that in the next batch of questions, Orkin. If anyone would like to add their thoughts or ideas, now's the time.

While I would purchase a language guide or phrase book of Hyborian languages, it would need to be completely orginal.

I would not be intrested in a publication where modern languages were simply transposed to the ancient kingdoms, ie; French=Aquilonia, Irish=Cimmerian or Norge=Aseir.

I would need a work that showed the development of the various languages from their orginal forms to how they were changed by the introduction of the Hyborian language.

If someone were to but the time and effort into creating a ture history of the Hyborian languages, then they would get my money.


Another project I would spend money on is a set of maps showing some of the details of the Hyborian world. Since the 30's we have had ever changing maps of the Hyborian contenet. It would be nice if someone were to produce a definative map, with the locations of all the cities and territories form the orginal stories.

[Orkin]

I would need a work that showed the development of the various languages from their orginal forms to how they were changed by the introduction of the Hyborian language.

That's the approach we're taking - and the reason it's taking so long. Otherwise I'd just say buy a book on Old Irish!

Thanks for the advice and support.

[Kane]

I would need a work that showed the development of the various languages from their orginal forms to how they were changed by the introduction of the Hyborian language.

That's the approach we're taking - and the reason it's taking so long. Otherwise I'd just say buy a book on Old Irish!

Thanks for the advice and support.

With that approach, take all the time you need to get it right. If it ever sees print, you've got my money.

[sat]

If anyone would like to add their thoughts or ideas, now's the time.

Hi. I'm still a fairly new poster, here. But I'm a longtime CONAN fan, and am wondering about the *new* novels... so:

- Will the first new novels still be a trilogy?
Will Turtledove write all 3?

- CONAN OF VENARIUM seems a noticable departure from the history that creator Robert E Howard established for Conan, as well as the style of story REH would tell of the character; what was the plan behind this change?

- Are there any plans for new CONAN novels that are complete-in-one-book and that are more in the tradition of an adult Conan adventuring in an exotic and richly magical Hyborian Age, especially involving lost errie supernatural places & threats, such as in the tradition of REH's "Devil in Iron", "Tower of the Elephant", "Black Collosus", "Red Nails", etc, etc, etc... ?

- Any word on what other authors will be writing new CONAN novels?

- And, not about the books but, if the Dark Horse CONAN CHRONICLES trades are a success, will there be colored trades of the great Roy Thomas & John Buscema & Alfredo Alcala (among many others) Conan comic stories that were exclusive to the SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN black & white magazine?

[Crom]

Theo Berquist of Conan Properties Inc. has provided me with answers to your most recent questions/suggestions.1) A while back somebody suggested they would buy a Cimmerian phrasebook, similar to the Star Trek Klingon Dictionary. An associate and I have been doing some studies regarding this (some really interesting things regarding language families in the Hyborian Age, etc.) and before we go further (getting an agent etc.), I would like to know if CPI is interested in such a product. Do they think it marketable, does it fulfill their idea for implementation in the future, etc?

TB/ This is something that could be of interest in the future. Right now (we have) no plans to do such a book.


2) Would CPI ever produce a definitive map of the Hyborian world with proper country boundaries, city locations and places of interest pertaining to Conan's tales?

TB/ Yes. In fact we are working on such a map right now.


3) Will the first new novels still be a trilogy and will Turtledove write all 3?

TB/ That is our plan. But before we do the "Big Conan Trilogy" there is some other stuff we want to try as well. It is more than likely we will do the trilogy based on R.E.H?s work and try to fill in the gaps, rather than write new adventures, just like Dark Horse is doing with the comics.


4) CONAN OF VENARIUM seems a noticeable departure from the history that creator Robert E Howard established for Conan, as well as the style of story REH would tell of the character; what was the plan behind this change and is this a direction that CPI will encourage or agree with?

TB/ We (like R.E.H) think of the Conan stories as if they were told by an old warrior or his chronicler. Some of the stuff is true, some is not. Continuity in the character is much more important for us than his stories. I don?t think CPI will ever try to put out a complete timeline of all the books written, and try to fit them into Conan?s life. We must face the fact that the old warrior sometimes tells the truth, and other times he is just bragging and telling a tale. But to answer your question directly, I guess there is no doubt that R.E.H?s Conan is the one we like best, even though we like the twist Turtledove gave him.


5) Are there any plans for new CONAN novels that are complete-in-one-book and that are more in the tradition of an adult Conan adventuring in an exotic and richly magical Hyborian Age, especially involving lost eerie supernatural places & threats, such as in the tradition of REH?

TB/ First of all we want to re-establish the work of R.E.H. But, rather than writing more Conan novels it is more likely we will do novels about other heroes and adventurers in Hyboria.


6) Any word on what other authors will be writing new CONAN novels?

TB/ No


7) If the Dark Horse CONAN CHRONICLES trades are a success, will there be colored trades of the great Roy Thomas & John Buscema & Alfredo Alcala (among many others) Conan comic stories that were exclusive to the SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN black & white magazine?

TB/ We hope so, they deserve it.

[Orkin]

Any delay in publishing the Cimmerian phrasebook would work in our favor (provided we are tapped for such a job - please let me know if this is to be otherwise). The going is a little slow right now; the principles have other irons in the fire.

I am anxious to see what fruit comes of this "Hyborian Geographic" project. Could be good, could be bad. I assume precedence would be given to descriptions from original REH works. Is any bona fide geographer working on this?

The idea for the tales told by a grizzled old veteran (possibly Conan himself) rings true for me. Kudos! Perhaps there is a war veteran on staff?

War stories tend to become tall tales, and with every meadhorn the tales get taller; certainly not in sequence, and with perfect continuity... but cetainly entertaining!

[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

Ah, I am still learning about this board. I asked this of Kane, not having seen this thread, so I will ask it here.

Has anyone in CPI considered publishing a Conan short story in Weird Tales?

Surely there is a writer in the stable of Conan writers who could write a 10,000 word or less Conan story for the pulp that was the original home of Conan's adventures. I think it would be a good publicity move for Conan and would re-introduce the character to new Weird Tales readers which could lead them to the books.

[sat]

Has anyone in CPI considered publishing a Conan short story in Weird Tales?

Surely there is a writer in the stable of Conan writers who could write a 10,000 word or less Conan story for the pulp that was the original home of Conan's adventures.

Good idea.

I'm sure the current version of WEIRD TALES would be glad for the Press attention it might bring, too.

I'd definitely buy that issue, especially if the new Conan WT story was clearly in the REH Sword & Sorcery tradition, and well announced in advence here.

It would be a good thing, beyond satisfying the Conan fan in me. I'm also working on my own Sword & Sorcery adventure/mystery short story, and I'd love to have it published in the magazine that brought Conan to the world!

[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

I have read Frazetta is in ill health, but still painting. So. Have you ever considered asking...uh, hiring him to do a new Conan cover?

[Crom]

Has anyone in CPI considered publishing a Conan short story in Weird Tales?

Surely there is a writer in the stable of Conan writers who could write a 10,000 word or less Conan story for the pulp that was the original home of Conan's adventures. I think it would be a good publicity move for Conan and would re-introduce the character to new Weird Tales readers which could lead them to the books.

Interesting question. When I receive a few more I'll pass them on.

[sat]

As an addendum or an alternative to new Conan short stories in Weird Tales magazine, might CP & Tor or Del Rey (whichever publisher is interested) do a new anthology book of new Conan short stories & novellas by name authors who are also fans of Conan & REH's writing?

There are popular authors who fit that description -- David Gemmell, Jerry Pournelle, David Drake, etc -- that might not have the time to commit to a novel, but may be glad to follow in REH's footsteps with new Conan short stories.

And maybe, if a deal could be worked out, these new stories could first be published in Weird Tales (getting new Conan work onto the magazine shelves)?
And then later collected into a new Conan anthology, getting a new presence on the bookstore shelves?

I know I'd buy them. I'd just be conflicted whether to get them in the magazines as soon as possible, or wait for the book collection.

[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

Another question comes to mind. In keeping, more or less, to my Conan short fiction for Weird Tales, has anyone in charge ever thought to return Conan to the novella sized stories which were his origin? Mayhap publishing a series of Conan books featuring a number of stories rather than a bulky Conan novel?

[Crom]

Theo Berquist of Conan Properties Inc. has provided me with answers to your most recent questions/suggestions.1) Has anyone in CPI considered publishing a Conan short story in Weird Tales? I think it would be a good publicity move for Conan and would re-introduce the character to new Weird Tales readers which could lead them to the books.

Theo/ That is a good idea, and it has crossed our minds.


2) I have read Frazetta is in ill health, but still painting. So, have you ever considered asking him to do a new Conan cover?

Theo/ We have not asked him, but we all love his work and would love to work with him. Who knows, prehaps we will do that again sometime.


3) Has anyone in charge ever thought to return Conan to the novella sized stories which were his origin? Mayhap publishing a series of Conan books featuring a number of stories rather than a bulky Conan novel?

Theo/ Right now we want the pastiche program to rest for a while. We have big plans for Conan and the world of Hyboria and soon we will announce the new publishing program.

[Tarib]

Rumor has it that there are plans for three feature length animated conan direct to video films (source: Creative Screenwriting magazine volume 10 # 5 (sept./oct 2003 issue).

Can this be confirmed by CPI?

Thanks!

[Isaacson]

Whilst I understand that this question, or a similar query has been put to you in the past, I would very much like a polite response to my post here:


Hi.

Why can't you, Paradox Entertainment/ CPI, a commercial body, pay an employee to keep us fans, the potential buyers and target audience of your Licencee's products, informed of the merchandise promptly and directly; instead of , it seems, mainly relying on un-paid enthusiasts to undertake the research/legwork and advertise for you?

Of course, please set me straight if I'm on the wrong track here, but I find it hard to understand how fans, not employees, can find and divulge such information before the parent-company can?

Sincerly yours,
A disgruntled fan and purchaser, Danny.

[Crom]

Way ahead of you. I hope to have an answer soon.
BTW, all responses are polite. Not all questions or comments are, though.