Marcus Sakey’s Big Adventure
Wellington Leg: I think enough has been written about the Shakespearan legacy for us to grasp that most stories are either comedies or tragedies. The three act form allows for suspense followed by climax and resolution. You didn’t think Pee Wee Herman would be detained at the Alamo. Did you?
At times real life, while imitating art, leaves us hanging in the suspense pocket of what happens next. Marcus Sakey, author of The Blade Itself, has signed a four book deal with Dutton prior to the release of his second book from SMP. So what, you ask. You’re living in a former Soviet Republic near the ruins of State Tractor Company 45. For you global warming would be a lucky break.
In crime fiction circles this is a big deal. Why? Because publishing for profit is not a business. Sure it has elements of capitalism: money changes hands based on the premise that demand will exceed supply, that the success of Blade will replicate because of the author’s skill or his name or Dutton’s ability to promote the series. All of these things may be true. Soviet tractors were a marvel too.
I believe in the mud puddle theory. When confronted with a puddle you can go around it ( Vasco de Gama) or go through it. That second unpublished book is Marcus Sakey’s mud puddle, something of an elephant in the room. SMP is not going to promote a novel written by a guy who has already left the house. I’m assuming that the manuscript has been delivered and is in some stage of pre-production. SMP consists of people who have toiled on the first book, toiled on the second book and now are left like so many jilted lovers waving a wistful farewell.
My take is this: that second novel cannot be published by SMP. The balance of risk in this case spikes the wrong way for Marcus Sakey if the book is released and crushed by indifference. By the time his third novel is published by Dutton as their first title there may or may not be residual momentum remaining from the success of Blade.
Gilette makes its money selling the blades not the razors. Publishers make money on their backlist selling the umpteenth branded title to the proletarian masses trapped at airports. I wish Marcus well on his big adventure and hope it works out into a long career.
Stay away from Shakespeare at the Alamo. He didn’t die there.