World, Writing, Wealth discussion

Introducing a guest star author and his guest star hero, I thought it was fun and a gimmick of a sort. As expected the opinions vary. Some find it innovative while others don't ken what for. Here the excerpts from two reviews:

"The concept of a "guest star" appearance by another author is new to me, but it works well here, and the guest star chapter is a well done addition and introduces a new character, the enigmatic Aidan Stone. What role Aidan will play in the story as it unfolds will presumably be revealed in future installments..."

And

"Rather oddly the book contains a chapter written by a guest writer Alex Shaw, a British thriller author who has worked in Kiev and the book also makes reference to one of Shaw’s characters Aidan Snow. I cannot see that this adds anything to the book other than a bit of co-promotion."

What do you think?

It's intriguing as a gimmick. I've seen TV shows where they get some famous writer to pen an episode. The challenge is that the guest writer's style meshes with your own and doesn't jar the reader when they reach that chapter.

J.J. wrote: "It's intriguing as a gimmick. I've seen TV shows where they get some famous writer to pen an episode. The challenge is that the guest writer's style meshes with your own and doesn't jar the reader ..."

Yep, it was a challenge and I'd enjoyed tackling it-:) I offered the guest star author a choice between a few chapters, roughly outlined at that moment, and it was interesting to weave the one he'd returned written neatly into the book. Sure, the style is different and some will freak out, but I also hope some will enjoy. And yes, I do see as a co-promotion of a sort

And what's your opinion on guest-stars in books?

Tim wrote: "unless the guest's name is Lee Child. Then, maybe, the press interest generated would calm my distain... ..."

Of course, the promotional value is also a factor here...

I believe I saw the guest star characters work once between James Rollins and Steve Berry surrounding the Sigma Force characters. It was neat to see characters you knew from the other book in this book (sort of the whole expanded universe concept) but it didn't really add anything to the story.

Would you invite a guest star into your thing?

No way.

Even if I was giving up my one shot at superstardom.

It can work, as in Nik's book. Added an interesting element.

A draw, so far :)

Looks like Metal are enjoying hosting Miley:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBmSS...