16 Why did David Gemmell write "White Knight, Black Swan" under a different author name?
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This article is from the David Gemmell FAQ, by Tony Evanstony@gemmell-mania.org.uk with numerous contributions by others.
16 Why did David Gemmell write "White Knight, Black Swan" under a different author name?
From Grant Cadey (grant_cadey at hotmail.com)
"One of the items touched upon when I talked to Gemmell in LA was the
question of White Knight, Black Swan. It took me nearly two years to
lay hands on a copy. I know what Clay means when he asks why Gemmell,
being world famous, should have published it under another name. It
didn't seem to make any sense.
Gemmell told me that, as a kid, he used to be a big fan of Michael
Moorcock. He used to wait with baited breath for the next Moorcock
novel. One day he bought one, took it home and started reading it.
Instead of fabulous sword and sorcery with characters like Elric and
Dorian Hawkblood [?] there was a tale of a cross dressing transexual
named Jerry somebody, and there wasnt a sword or a wizard in sight.
Gemmell says he never forgot the disappointment, and, when he decided
to write a thriller based on his experiences in East London, he didnt
want any of his fantasy fans to suffer the same disappointment. So he
wrote it under another name. By doing this the book only sold about a
hundredth of what it would have sold, and is the only Gemmell novel
now out of print.
Its a strong story about a Rocky type figure in the London underworld,
and it explores issues like loyalty, courage, and personal codes of
honour. It is also a redemption piece with a truly uplifting
ending. In fact its quintissential Gemmell without the fantasy. I dont
know who has the rights to the book now, but I would think thered be
enough of a market to justify reprinting it."
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