Several Variations of emails on the subjects of
“Alphas is to scary”;
“Will you be toning down the Alphas for publication, because you won’t be able to sell any books as is”;
“Please don’t tone down Alphas for publication, because you have to stay true to your artistic integrity”
and so on and so on.
I am not planning to start thinking about Alphas until 2011. We’re up to our ears in Kate 5 and it’s like pulling teeth at the moment. (Actually, Gordon pretty much made me leave it alone on Sunday and I ended up watching too much TV.) Alphas are in the future.
That said, finding a balance for each novel is a difficult undertaking. On one hand, it’s not our job to “tone it down”. It’s our job, as authors, to push the envelope and reach out there. If we need toning down, Anne, our editor, will request revisions. 
On the other hand, it is a well-known fact that books with wide commercial potential are not that edgy in terms of gore, odd and complex worldbuilding, and disturbing adult themes. When Alphas was written, it wasn’t written for publication. It was written as a self-indulgence. There is a difference between a couture gown and a mass produced garment, and as authors, we have to be mindful of that.
I once had a discussion about it with an aspiring author who declared in a shocked voice that he wasn’t going to compromise his artistic vision in the name of selling copies. We’re not talking about sacrificing artistic vision, but about making the work more accessible to a wider audience. (I really didn’t see and still don’t see any need for melodrama on this subject. We’re all grown-ups, but that’s an entirely new post.)
To reiterate, we’re not going to work on this until 2011, so there is really no need to worry. And I expect, when we start working, you will probably see some snippets and can judge which way the work begins to lean by yourself.
And that is that. 
At the very beginning of my career I had a conversation with Catherine Asaro about this very topic. I had a scene that just really squiffed me out and she said if that’s what the story called for, write it that way. I did and it worked. Ironically none of the reviewers bitched about that scene, but other stuff. I’m one of those who like books to skirt the edge, make me uncomfortable. But that’s a fine line and it varies from reader to reader. Ultimately you have to go with your gut.
Good luck on Kate 5. After the intensity of Kate 4 I’m figuring it’s hard to get back into the flow.
Who wants a boring book give me excitement. If I can’t read it I will put it down same as turning off the tv if I can’t handle the show. The way you write I will like it.
I’m an architect, my job works in the same way from that point of view!
Do what you do best…and I’ll be there to read it.
DItto
You do what you do best. If people like it (I’m all in) then awesome! If people don’t, well that is their opinion. Everyone likes different things. Unfortunately you can’t please everyone. I personally love all your work, regardless of how nitty gritty it gets.
I find that the books I like the most are the ones that don’t do the same old same old. I love your writing b/c I never know what is going to happen. I can hope and wish, but never know.
So.. I’m going to sound dumb here.. but there was already something written called Alphas that I’ve somehow missed?
Laura (soapturtle) – it’s the Alphamenz link.
I don’t think its a matter of pushing the envelope so much as it’s a matter of staying true to character. If you build a believable enough character then it doesn’t matter how far out the plot, world building, or anything is as long as the character is someone the general public can relate too.
In the Alphamenz blurbs you sucked me in when you gave me perspective from the anti-hero’s head. I liked him. And there is definitely room for him to grow.
Jane
I agree. Who can hate a scorpion for stinging when it’s just doing what it was born to do? And it’s so inter sting to see the world from the scorpions point of view.
Thanks for clue-in! All up to speed now.
I liked it. Gritty, yes. Twisted, sure.. but I liked it.
I’m looking forward to the new series, no matter how different!
I totally agree with you. If that´s what you want to write, then do it. In so many reviews you see people compleining about how alike some of the books or series are, but if someone tries to write something different they complain as well. I read the snippets and thought there were awesome and I believe there are lot of people who agree. So keep up your awesome, inspiring work! I´m pretty much in for all your work!
Hi, I would like to say that I am interested in Alpha and would like to see more… I also happen to work in a medical lab, so I have seen the damage a needle can do to an arm which makes me wonder how much damage a bite would do. Also how do I stop the runon sentances (fortunately I don’t write for a living, or even fun).
I think it is an honor to be invited into an author’s imagination. Some of those imaginations don’t intregue me: others do. But it is always an honor to go there, and when it is a story told in a way that I have not read before I love it there. So write your story, push the edges, and invite us in…again. I look forward to it.
I read many different authors and rarely do I like everything they write. I do enjoy alpha menz and hope that you don’t tone down the edginess. Not everything appeals to everyone . Over time tastes change. Good luck when you start writting these book
Maybe it is just me, but I didn’t think the Alpha Menz was that gore filled/disturbing. I thought it totally rocked though and am seriously psyched to see the reemrgence of the story and to see that it is to be published. 2011 here I come!
people are weird, an author can write stories that they like, how they like .. we have nothing to said about that, we love it or not that’s all. Don’t buy something you find too scary, even if it’s an author that you like, but let him make the story that are in his mind !
And for me published a book is always a good news, even the author thinks he have to changed a part of the story, you will have this complete, as a book, share it …
I have no idea of what Alpha Menz is about but i’m glad that you can published the story that you have in mind.
2011 is so far, there is other things to be scary about until this tim ^^ Relax everyone !
( sorry for my bad english hope you understand ^^ )
It makes me very happy to hear Alpha is something we might see published in the future! I didnt know that! /does happy dance
I love it, harsh as is cuz authors are supposed to write in new and different ways, otherwise we would still be reading the same same stories.
Tons of LOVE from Costa Rica! You made my day knowing i can look forward to Alpha Menz!
I might be weird and *sick* in what a read about….. but Aphaz is one of those stories that draw me….
I find my self liking this kind of a story, this kind of a dark – anti-hero that has this… weird kind of honor…
I like it too much that we will have the chance to read that story published and… I have this ‘faith’ or ‘trust’ that as the authors you know what you are doing. after all having read those first chapters, as well as Kate’s and the Edge books I know that the story will be really good and with its own balance between ‘good’ and ‘evil.
(I tried to read Mystic River once… I gave the book away after the first few chapters. and that’s quite irrelevant)
books are brilliant cos you can do what you like and portray it so much better because you have all this SPACE to put context and background and nuance etc etc…which means things can be so much more complicated. much like real life. and i think your characterisation is really good! i really like alpha! i like all the characters. well maybe apart from the servant woman person. though i see what you mean about making stuff more accessible but still…! whatever you do with it will turn out great, i’m sure. or at least great from my point of view.
incidentally all your books are the ones i’m most looking forward to this year.
ps: sick, twisted – watch Old Boy (korean film).
I like violence. And I like your books. Anyone who doesn’t can suck it.
I read alot of different authors and didn’t find alphas overly violent, only implied. If one reads Laurell K Hamilton, they would understand this. Please continue to write this series as you have started. It is captivating just the way it is.