Fragile Things | Neil Gaiman | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Neil Gaiman discusses his career as a successful author, his experience with getting published, and his works such as Coraline and Sandman.

Transcript

I am possibly the luckiest author in the world um because I know exactly how hard it is to get published to get a volume of short stories published um Publishers don't like them if you want to watch Fear creep onto an editor's face just try walking up to you don't even have to be an author you can just try walking up to them and say I have a collec... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍰 Neil Gaiman considers himself lucky to have successfully published a volume of short stories, as publishers tend to be hesitant towards collections.
• 💠 He values personal recommendations and the influence of the internet in shaping readers' choices.
• 💦 Neil Gaiman's works have had a significant impact on the fantasy and graphic novel genres, garnering numerous awards and recognition.
• 🫵 He views himself as a storyteller, passionately creating stories in various forms such as comics, novels, and poems.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Neil Gaiman's experience with getting published shape his perception of the publishing industry?

Neil Gaiman acknowledges the difficulties of getting short stories published, especially collections. Despite this, he considers himself lucky to have successfully published his work.

Q: What are some examples of Neil Gaiman's notable works and their impact?

Some of Neil Gaiman's notable works include Coraline, Sandman, American Gods, and Neverwhere. These works have garnered numerous awards and have helped shape the fantasy and graphic novel genres.

Q: How does Neil Gaiman view himself as a storyteller?

Neil Gaiman identifies himself as a storyteller and highlights his passion for creating stories in various forms, including comics, novels, and poems.

Q: How does Neil Gaiman perceive the shift in the acceptance of children's fantasy as mainstream?

Neil Gaiman attributes the acceptance of children's fantasy as mainstream to various factors, including the influence of popular series like Harry Potter and the rise of personal recommendations through the internet.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Neil Gaiman shares his experience as an author and the challenges of getting short stories published.

• He reads two of his poems, "The Day the Saucers Came" and "Inventing Aladdin," highlighting his skill as a storyteller.

• Gaiman talks about his transition from writing comics to novels, including his works like American Gods and Neverwhere.