Byron Merritt Interview

[Inoculator9]

I recently have been in contact with Byron Merritt, nephew of Brian Herbert and grandson of Frank Herbert, and he recently concented to an interview with me, via email. I'm posting here to hopefully get some ideas for additional questions, as I have many of them already worked out, but not enough in my opinion for a dedicated interview. So, fire away!

Here is the current question list:

Do you believe living around such a creatively gifted family as yours has proven to be, has been an influence on your own writing skills and styles?

What were your first impressions of your grandfather, Frank Herbert's Dune novels when you first read them?

What were your first impressions of your uncle, Brian Herbert's Dune prequels when you first read them?

What were your first opinions on the Dune Encyclopedia by Dr. McNelly? Though the Dune Encyclopedia coudl fit well in the original Dune series of novels, the prequels removed much of it's base in the Dune universe, what are your thoughts on this?

Did you perhaps have any contact with Dr. McNelly before or after the publication of the Dune Encyclopedia?

Do you hold confidence in the success of the new Butlerian Jihad series of novels and the possibility of a continuation of the original Dune series?

The new Butlerian Jihad and Dune Prequel novels have created two camps as most would suggest, one loving them while the other strongly dislikes them. Would you have originally anticipated such a divided reaction?

What involvment, if any have you had in the new Dune novels?

In a previous email with me, you suggested that you were advocating the creation of a series of young adult books set in the Dune universe, is this correct?

Do you have any stance on the future of the Young Paul series of novels?

Would you perhaps advocate the renewed production of Dune action figures and game boards?

Have you had an opportunity to use any of the official Dune games for time enough to form an opinion on them? If so, would you perhaps advocate the construction of more such games?

What were your first impressions and later thoughts regarding the recent and past Dune film projects?

How would you describe your position with Herbert Limited?

As an author and skilled writer yourself, has the desire or option to write or co-write a new Dune novel ever come to you?

[Mahdi]

Here's some questions. Probably think of more later.

Since the Dune Franchise is owned by a company (granted, a family company that you're a partner in) how much influence does the Herpert Partnership actually have in your novels? Do the completed works have to be presented to the Partnership in order to get their approval, do you talk discuss the course of the novels with the other family members as you write them? Or are you and Kevin pretty much independant when it comes to the writing?

Do you have any plans to have other family members who are authors join in co-writing the Dune Novels?

Was the huge success Dune has been having recently (the books, miniseries, etc.) predicted by you or your family?

In a recent chat witht he sci-fi channel you did not mention Paul of Dune or the Young Dune novels as being future projects for you and Kevin. Are they dead, or did they just slip your mind?

Is it pretty much confirmed that Dune 7 will in fact be two novels?

The new novels have pretty much divided fandom into two camps: One hating the prequels, and one loving them. Did you anticipate such a reaction?

The late Dr. McNelly said that before your father got sick, the two of them were planning on writing a novel together called "The Butlerian Jihad", and that he actually finished two cahpters of it before your father passed away. Dr. McNelly has also said that he sent you said chapters and asked if you were willing to join him in finishing the book. Is your "Legends of Dune" trilogy based in any way on this work? And what changed between the early ninties and late ninties to cause you to want to begin writing stories set in the universe of Dune?

[Mahdi]

I thought these were to be relayed to brian through Mr. Merritt?

[Inoculator9]

No, hopefully an interview with Brian Herbert will come later.

[Mahdi]

For Byron then, you can save Brian's for later:

As an author yourself, have you any desire to co-write any new Dune novels? Has that been an option for you?

[Inoculator9]

Since no one seems to be immediately available, I'm just going to send what I've come up with with Mahdi's help. So, no more suggestions. I'll post Mr. Merritt's reponses hopefully within a day or two. Considering his speedy responses in the past, I don't expect a long wait.