I wasn't sure about adding anything since Chris and Ron did such a great job but I'll say this--

I joined JA.com back in 2003 and if Mark hadn't been involved I wouldn't have stayed. In my opinion, without him the boards would have looked like NRA message boards. Discussions about guns and that's it.

Two of my prized possessions are autographied copies of Destiny Run and Savage Sun he sent me when I mentioned I had trouble finding them.

Mark has been very generous to most of us veteran members of JA.com and if we share a sense of loyalty to him and not to GE that's the way it is. I don't expect everybody to feel the same way.

 

 

 

Posted By Millennial Man on 22 Apr 2009 12:50 AM
First off I like OL but I don't have this cult-like feeling about Mark Ellis that he is a God: and can do no wrong.

If Mark has a cult-like following, he definitely earned it--the hard way.

I read 'em both.

I like 'em both.

I love pulp fiction. I can enjoy a bad pulp novel almost as well as a good pulp novel at times. It all depends...on a LOT of things...but as far as any author goes there is only one thing that matters to me...does their book keep me entertained and/or educated in something that interests me.

That's it.

To wit...whether an author is treated fairly by their publisher, well, it's interesting to read about and gives a lot on insight into the way publishing works, but as part of the producer/consumer relationship that aspect really doesn't come into the equation with me.

Sure, I think it's great, awesome even, when an author interacts with his fans.

But that's as far as I can really care...which would be about the same any author I read reciprocates with the relationship.

Family, friends, co-workers, these are the ones that matter to me.

As far as I know and go none of the authors I read fall into those categories.  (I have heard that author Beverly Cleary is distantly related to me...but Warren Murphy?  James Rollins?  Mark Ellis?  John Ringo?  Bob Mayer?  William Forstchen?  Nope, none of the above...)

I may follow and be even considered fanatical about certain things, certain authors, certain characters...but loyal? Grateful? Obligated? Worshipful? Dedicated?

Nope.

I can definitely understand how the so-called "cult" following an author develops will react to things. I can also understand why others don't get it or get tired of it. Or hearing about it.

That goes both ways, for sure.

I don't consider any authors...or artists, actors, athletes, musicians, etc to be any more important to me than I am to them.

So...I'll still keep OL on my GE subscription, along with DL, Mack Bolan, The Executioner, Stony Man and Rogue Angel, and read 'em until I don't enjoy 'em any longer or get tired of it.

Incidentally, based on how much I enjoyed the author's work on OL I purchased the Death Hawk TPB.

Didn't like it...

But you won't find me running the book... or the people who loved it... down.

What would be the point?

Just my opinion and thoughts on this topic...your mileage may vary.

In which case its nice that some of us who have benefited from our interaction with Mark over the years from his generosity giving us free books or his time giving free reviews of our own attempts at writing stories are able to post our thanks and to let him know he means a little more than just a name on a copyright page.

That's great! I think it's totally wonderful Mark has treated you so kindly.

But should that matter to anyone besides yourself?

If so, why?

Maybe I'm missing something...?

Hi mikeclr. I know where you are coming from, as of a few years ago I did not have a computer , so I had know idea who was writing what and what was going on behind the scenes. Ron has a great site here and I really in joy what goes on, but I'm a fan of both books no matter who is writing them or who the publisher is. Its great that Alan and Mark get on the site like everyone else, but if they didn't it still won't change anything for me, I read what I like. Thanks

Posted By mikeclr on 25 Apr 2009 12:25 PM
But should that matter to anyone besides yourself?

By that standard why should whether Ryan uses a pistol that doesn't exist matter to anyone?

People still post about it..

Quite simply because that would be something anyone who reads Deathlands can chat about.

I'm sure you will disagree, but one of the reasons this board withers on the vine so often is the way the faithful seem to interject their devotion and dedication to Mark and Outlanders into nearly every topic.

Like I said, it's great that a few of you share a close and personal relationship with Mark. If you want to discuss that, good for you.

I just don't understand the need to bring it up so often.

Belittling other points of interest because they don't interest you is fine in moderation.  Maybe.

For example...some people are interested in firearms. It can be an interesting conversation.

Like AP said, guns are a big component of Deathlands.

If people wanna talk about 'em, let 'em!

Or any subject for that matter...

If you did I bet they would reciprocate and let you and the others talk about your love for Mark and his output on Outlanders to your heart's content without the negative responses posters without your perspective usually give. 

A lot of times I think some take a negative comment to personally and get very defensive...that goes for both sides of the "eternal debate"...and then respond in a knee-jerk fashion...keep it respectful and everyone will stay civil!

And Mark is a big component Outlanders, just like guns are a big component of DL.

Nobody is keeping anybody from talking about anything that I've seen. If you feel you have the right to comment about Mark's fan-following, then it stands to reason others have the right to comment about a fixation on firearms.

It's not a contest.

Some things matter to you, some things matter to me. I usually don't comment on things that don't matter to me.

No argument there.

Enjoy the day!

Look, this is really starting to turn out to be essentially 'old guard' vs. 'newcomers'.

The old guard doesn't want to deal with many of the topics that have been talked about time and again.

Just deal with it people. We have newcomers here and whether the old guard likes it or not, they're here to stay. They won't be forced out (unless they're trouble makers) because the old guard doesn't like what they have to say.

'Nuff Said.

Chris

Actually, Mike, Cerberus Man and myself all got bored with this topic at about the same time and agreed to go get drunk instead.

Man, I wish I could drink.  Unfortunately I'm not home...

Ohhh...my head! That Night Train is a mean wine...!

Here's a fresh perspective for you. I read Deathlands but I have never read Outlanders. This is a deliberate action. People tell me I would love OL and I tell them that's what I'm afraid of. I listen to DL books I have missed on Graphic Audio and so I've heard many previews of OL books and they sound great. But I barely have time to read the series I currently follow. I read lots of non-pulp stuff too (I'm a mystery junkie) and with work and family it's tough to fit them all in. When I do break down (and I know I will) I want to start OL from the first book. In my opinion the real fault lies not in either series but on the heads of the Gold Eagle editors. The writers and the readers are "meat" to these guys and they don't care a stickie's sucker about quality as long as it gets puked out onto the store shelf on time. They derailed The Destroyer (my favorite series) and they have even damaged Stony Man to some extent.  Sloppy writing can kill anything whether it's an adventure paperback or a soap opera. Maybe that's why that old Guiding Light show is going off the air after about a thousand years. Okay. I'm done.

Even if you're limited I would definitely try Outlanders if you get the time, it's well worth it.

I can attest Outlanders is a very addictive series, particularly since unlike DL, it's not stand-alone episodes...at least the first couple of years worth of books aren't.

I'd say the first 11 books are a complete epic...from Exile to Hell through Armageddon Axis, OL is a completely fascinating series. Mark reveals the "hidden history" of humanity, the truth behind the nukecaust--on top of writing gripping action adventure stories full of great characters, good and bad and excellent plots.

Mark seemed to unfold the OL series in chunks--like the first 7 books were the whole Archon connection to the nukecaust chunk, setting up why going back in time to stop the nukecaust wouldn't work and all the whos and whats that made OL so different from DL.

The 2d chunk started with the Lost Earth saga trilogy and went up until Tomb of TIme.

The 3rd chunk went from Devil in the Moon until Children of the Serpent.

The fourth chunk went from there until Dark Goddesss.