Dead authors as brands

[Paul Whybrow]

We're advised to become our own brand these days, to be as much a part of what readers buy into as the stories we create. This is all part of the relentless marketing that's needed to get known, and is something that's alien to most writers, who shun the limelight and work reclusively.
Once an author achieves a level of success that sees their name as recognisable as that of their literary creation, then that's something publishers will continue to capitalise on - even after the writer dies.
It's happened with the James Bond series of books, where nine authors have written continuations of the secret agent's adventures since his creator Ian Fleming died in 1964. These include well-known writers, such as Kingsley Amis, Sebastian Faulks, William Boyd and Jeffery Deaver.
Stieg Larsson's untimely death has seen some nasty squabbling between his civil partner of many years and his family, about the fate of the Millennium trilogy of crime novels, including the continuation of the series. A fourth Millennium novel is about to be published, written by David Lagercrantz, a chameleon of a writer who specialises in mimicking the voices of others.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/19/stieg-larsson-girl-in-the-spiders-web-david-lagercrantz

This has caused much controversy, but I can't say that I'm surprised it's happened. After all, if J.K. Rowling or E.L. James dropped dead, do you really think that more novels would not appear, using their brand name?
What do Colonists make of this practice? Imagine your own identity as an author being continued after your death - would you be pleased for the ongoing fame (and income to your family), or offended that you were being exploited?

 

[Carol Rose]

What do Colonists make of this practice? Imagine your own identity as an author being continued after your death - would you be pleased for the ongoing fame (and income to your family), or offended that you were being exploited?

Considering I'd be dead, would I even know about it? Let's assume for the sake of discussion that I would know about it. If it meant income for my family, I'd be fine with it. Life insurance (when you have it) only goes so far.

 

[Amber Zade]

There's a really good website which offers tons of free information on creating an author platform. If I was less lazy I'd look it up. But googling author platform should do it.

Also, I'm not sure what possessed you to put EL James and JK Rowling in the same sentence let alone the same hypothetical situation.

I don't think author brand means what you think it means. To me, it has to do with what some people - I won't name names - call the contract with the reader. I believe it's about providing a consistent reading experience for your reader. After all, wouldn't you scratch your head if you read a Christian inspirational fiction novel and went to their website and found it covered with pentagrams? You click on the authors photo and she has gauges in her ears and is writing Amish fiction. Now of course, anyone can write anything they want. I'm sure an atheist could write christian fiction. Why they would want to is a different story and readers do have an expectation that the author have a foundation in the subject matter - this is not new.

I have a point somewhere .....

Branding is more about image consistency which I can't imagine being a problem for anyone. Some authors go as far as contrivance ... but they seem to be enjoying themselves. When it becomes a requirement.... or the only way to be noticed .... them be sad days.

Oh ... and your real question about the James Bond novels ... I USUALLY don't care for series which continue on after the authors death ... Herbert's son ... I don't think he can write .... I haven't read the end of the Wheel of Time series although I MIGHT .... but if people are enjoying the spy novels written by this new dude ... and they buy them .... oh well. I think even a writer who picks up an established series has to earn their way into readers homes - they have a boost up - but they still have to earn their way. This also is not new. It was common practice in the golden age of pulp fiction. Look up who wrote the Conan books. Also more recently the star trek series. Then there are all those gamer sort of fantasy books I don't care for ... Salvatore got his start there .. and from what I can tell really hasn't verged from his formula..... maybe Orson Scott Card too ... and also another guy ... can't remember his name but he runs around at conventions alternating between preaching to his fans and playing video games ... it will come to me later ....

More coffee. Sometimes I'm a nice person. Really.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

There's a really good website which offers tons of free information on creating an author platform. If I was less lazy I'd look it up. But googling author platform should do it.

Also, I'm not sure what possessed you to put EL James and JK Rowling in the same sentence let alone the same hypothetical situation.

I don't think author brand means what you think it means. To me, it has to do with what some people - I won't name names - call the contract with the reader. I believe it's about providing a consistent reading experience for your reader. After all, wouldn't you scratch your head if you read a Christian inspirational fiction novel and went to their website and found it covered with pentagrams? You click on the authors photo and she has gauges in her ears and is writing Amish fiction. Now of course, anyone can write anything they want. I'm sure an atheist could write christian fiction. Why they would want to is a different story and readers do have an expectation that the author have a foundation in the subject matter - this is not new.

I have a point somewhere .....

Branding is more about image consistency which I can't imagine being a problem for anyone. Some authors go as far as contrivance ... but they seem to be enjoying themselves. When it becomes a requirement.... or the only way to be noticed .... them be sad days.

Oh ... and your real question about the James Bond novels ... I USUALLY don't care for series which continue on after the authors death ... Herbert's son ... I don't think he can write .... I haven't read the end of the Wheel of Time series although I MIGHT .... but if people are enjoying the spy novels written by this new dude ... and they buy them .... oh well. I think even a writer who picks up an established series has to earn their way into readers homes - they have a boost up - but they still have to earn their way. This also is not new. It was common practice in the golden age of pulp fiction. Look up who wrote the Conan books. Also more recently the star trek series. Then there are all those gamer sort of fantasy books I don't care for ... Salvatore got his start there .. and from what I can tell really hasn't verged from his formula..... maybe Orson Scott Card too ... and also another guy ... can't remember his name but he runs around at conventions alternating between preaching to his fans and playing video games ... it will come to me later ....

More coffee. Sometimes I'm a nice person. Really.

Never mind being in the same sentence - I wonder if J.K. and E.L. have ever met? What would they say to each another? Could they write one another's books? Rowling is more skilled writer, though I fear what her fantasies would be. As for what James would have Harry do with his wand - well, that makes me tremble!

 

[Jennifer Stone]

I have toured bookshops and found 'new' Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot stories, I class them more as fan fiction incredibly better written. Some authors really capture the writing style of their predecessor and the nuances of the characters, you can tell they've created the story out of love for the originals.
If someone were to emulate me after my demise, I would hope for no less quality and attention to detail. And be really chuffed that my work was good enough for said person to continue.

 

[Jason Byrne]

Just look at Laurie R. King's The Beekeeper's Apprentice!

But just remember — for every Clarke Ashton Smith posthumously carrying your torch and making you look good, you'll also have an August Derleth ******* with your original material and putting out things that make absolutely no sense beside what you've already done. #originalmythos #cthulhufhtagn

 

[Amber Zade]

Never mind being in the same sentence - I wonder if J.K. and E.L. have ever met? What would they say to each another? Could they write one another's books? Rowling is more skilled writer, though I fear what her fantasies would be. As for what James would have Harry do with his wand - well, that makes me tremble!

lol

 

[Emurelda]

I love this topic...why didn't I see it before. July...let me think..yes I was traversing from one part of the world to another. Ok mystery solved.

Author brand vs Character brand.

Examples of author brand includes Virginia Andrews, Agatha Christie etc
Character brand includes Harry Potter, James Bond.

I personally wouldn't purchase JK Rowlings books because of her as an author but I did read the Harry Potter series and that's it for me. Loved them because I loved the concept of the stories. But not a big fan of her myself. Virginia Andrews - I went through a phase reading anything by her and even after she died. Not the same but still didn't put me off reading them. She has a formula (let's not go there ) and it was familiar. Same with Agatha Christie.

It's the same reason i would watch a Nolan film or a Shyamalan. I fell in love with their 'type' of films and watch 'em. It's something i'm conscious in myself. I know we are to build our own brands and for me I enjoy puzzles, incorporating them into my stories. Such fun to do. If I'm enjoying them maybe someone else will too. I hope. And that's how I discovered my 'formula' for brand building. Being associated by that may or may not be picked up on by others..but it's how I see it for the seed planting stage.

 

[Meerkat]

I personally don't like it. I am a huge fan of the Lisbeth Salander novels, and I was a little discomfited when I heard there would be a "new" Lisbeth novel. I mean, I'll read it, because it's got her in it, but I don't know how I'll feel about it.

I would not want my work to be added on to after I die, but that's just me. I'm not a brand. I'm not deliberately constructing my oeuvre . . . I couldn't even do that well if I wanted to.

 

[Jennifer Stone]

I've just started reading 'Art in the Blood' by Bonnie MacBird, a new Sherlock Holmes adventure. I was wary at first, as I really like Conan Doyle and was concerned it would be more than a little sloppy. She has done a really good job, though there are a few discrepancies in style, but that's to be expected. The author has added new depth to Mr Holmes, exploring his deep seated emotions and expanding on his family history. I would definitely recommend it.