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Book Review: Tales From Development Hell (New Updated Edition): The Greatest Movies Never Made?

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Tales From Development Hell (New Updated Edition): The Greatest Movies Never Made?
By David Hughes

ISBN-10: 0857687239
ISBN-13: 978-0857687234

PROS:

  • An insider’s look at Hollywood’s movie machine and how it often takes years – or over a decade to make a film.
  • Snappy, exciting, writing style that engages as well as informs.
  • Lots of juicy, oddball, interesting information.
  • The author’s personal stories help flesh out the truth of the book.

CONS:

  • Occasional information overload can be distracting.
  • Complexity of the Hollywood system could have used some flowcharts.
  • You’ll want to punch Hollywood in the face.

SUMMARY: An indispensable book for anyone that wants to know how Hollywood works (and doesn’t work), and why a lot of films never happen – or turn out poorly.

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Focused Fandom Countdown: 8 Weeks To Go

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Wow?  Is it the 2 month mark already?  OK, not quite, but you get the idea.  Sort of 90% of two months.  Or something.

Right now I’m in the final editing phase of the book, which is a week of intense scruitiny, followed by deciding “eh good enough” and shipping it off to an editor.  In this case, one of my first fansouced editors, Jess.  As she’s also an artist, she’s perfect for this.

This is something I talk about constantly, but sometimes you got to ship it.  That includes shipping it off to an editor.

It’s also why editors are very important – because in any extended work, rare indeed is the person who doesn’t consciously, or unconsciously, decide at some point “screw this, I can’t go through this anymore.”  At some point you just can’t “see” your own work as an editor.

That’s when the real editor comes in, gently takes it out of your hands, and thwaps you with it.

If you’re self-published, let me note that an editor is still important unless you’re very good and can get through those barriers of boredom.  Even a cursory read or sanity check is a relief.

Plus it gives you a few weeks to not think about your book.  I know i’m going to enjoy those few weeks.

So hang in there, “Focused Fandom: Fanart, Fanartists, and Careers” is coming in April.  And me, I get a small break soon – while my editor gears up.  Also the book on Cosplay and Careers is still out there, brand spanking new (more or less), give it a try!

– Steven Savage