Author Scott Lynch on Creative Evolution, Industry Challenges, and the Long Road to "The Thorn of Emberlain"

BOSTON, MA – Renowned fantasy author Scott Lynch, celebrated for his intricate world-building and sharp-witted characters in The Gentleman Bastard Sequence, recently offered a rare and candid glimpse into his creative process, personal struggles, and the ever-evolving landscape of the publishing industry. Speaking at ReaderCon, a intimate, writing-focused speculative fiction convention north of Boston, Lynch engaged in a wide-ranging discussion that touched upon his innovative approaches to author-reader engagement, his unexpected foray into live performance, and the highly anticipated status of his next novel, The Thorn of Emberlain.

The interview, conducted by Fantasy-Faction, painted a portrait of an artist marked by profound introspection and resilience. Twelve years after a brief encounter at WorldCon London, where Lynch was basking in the success of The Republic of Thieves, the author presented a more careworn but equally brilliant individual. His quick wit, evident in his published works, remains undiminished, yet his eyes hinted at the burdens he carries—burdens he discussed with remarkable openness, particularly regarding his long-standing battles with depression and anxiety. This frankness, Lynch believes, offers a path to healing and solidarity for many.

A New Chapter: The Free Fiction Archive and Author-Reader Connection

Lynch unveiled a significant initiative aimed at democratizing access to his shorter works: a centralized "Free Fiction Archive." This project consolidates his approximately ten to eleven published short stories, many of which were previously scattered across various online platforms and podcasts.

Centralizing Short Stories and Defying Gatekeeping

Lynch articulated a clear philosophy behind the Free Fiction Archive. "I don’t make my money screwing it ¢30 at a time out of people by charging for short stories. That’s gatekeeping to the maximum possible financial exclusiveness," he stated, arguing that such practices offer "no artistic or social or even financial good in that for anybody." Instead, he sees the archive as a practical, ethical solution: if readers are inclined to pirate his work, he might as well make it easily accessible. This approach aligns with his belief that stories, even those sitting in "electronic vaults," serve no purpose unless they are actively consumed. He challenged fellow authors with extensive back catalogues to consider "letting them out" rather than keeping them under lock and key, emphasizing the mutual benefit for both writer and reader.

The strategic upside, Lynch admitted with a chuckle, is not lost on him. The archive serves as a "centralized clearing house" that simplifies discovery, reminds readers of his continued activity, and ideally, fosters goodwill that translates into support for his larger projects. It represents a "give" in the writer-reader relationship, a crucial element in building lasting connections.

Fostering Para-Sociality in the Digital Age

The conversation naturally extended to the evolving nature of author-fan relationships in the digital era. Lynch acknowledged the heightened sense of intimacy fans now expect with their favorite creators, citing examples like Matt Dinniman and Brandon Sanderson’s direct engagement with their communities. Providing free content is one such method to cultivate this rapport, a "smart choice, business speaking."

Lynch, however, is acutely aware of the delicate balance required. He distinguishes between genuine engagement and the performative aspects of social media. "It’s best for everybody if what you see is real, but it’s also edited," he explained, contrasting his approach with the often-unrealistic "magic author lifestyle" portrayed by some on platforms like TikTok. While he embraces authenticity, he maintains necessary boundaries, recognizing that a public persona is inherently curated. This nuanced perspective on authorial presence underscores the complexities of navigating personal expression and commercial strategy in the contemporary literary landscape.

From Page to Stage: Lynch’s Theatrical Endeavors

Beyond his written word, Lynch has recently embarked on a compelling journey into live performance, bringing his storytelling directly to audiences in a theatrical setting.

"The Tower of the Wizard": A Performance Reading

His current project, The Tower of the Wizard, is a live performance adaptation of his short story, “The Fall and Rise of the House of the Wizard Malkuril.” This endeavor is deeply rooted in Lynch’s fascination with 19th-century author readings, particularly the electrifying tours of figures like Charles Dickens, who famously captivated thousands with marathon readings. Lynch marvels at an era when a live spoken performance was a primary form of entertainment, an experience of raw, immediate connection.

His inspiration also stems from modern stage magic, notably Derek DelGaudio’s In and of Itself, a show that blended magic with spoken word and meditation on identity. This blend of playfulness, excitement, and tension, coupled with the inherent risk of live performance, is what Lynch seeks to capture. He envisions a richer experience than typical convention readings, advocating for proper theatrical environments with lighting and acoustics that elevate the art form. This pursuit is not a critique of existing reading cultures, but a desire to explore a "next level" of engagement, transforming a casual event into a focused, immersive spectacle.

Embracing the Unscripted and the Future of Performance

Lynch’s venture into acting is largely self-taught, drawing on eight years of Live Action Role-Playing (LARPing) rather than formal theatrical training. He readily admits he’s a "15 or 20 dollar ticket," not a hundred, but his confidence stems from a deep understanding of performance dynamics. He highlighted the stark difference in energy between the solitary act of writing and the immediate, reciprocal feedback loop of live theatre. While writing, he confessed to a "delusion" of performing for an audience, seeing himself as "the world’s slowest-motion song and dance man." This internal theatricality makes the transition to a physical stage less daunting for him than for some peers.

Looking ahead, Lynch shared an ambitious concept for his next performance: a blend of spoken word, card trickery, and mentalism. This project would tell the story of thieves in a shadow world, with the narrative order and character focus determined by the draw of a deck of cards, making each performance unique. This innovative approach reflects his commitment to evolving the form, constantly pushing the boundaries of what a "reading" can be. He also candidly acknowledged the inevitability of failure in live performance, drawing parallels to writing and professional sports. Embracing and learning from these "self-inflicted" punches, he asserts, is a "useful, healthy mental exercise."

Navigating the Publishing Labyrinth: Advice for Aspiring Authors

Lynch’s own journey to publication spanned eleven years of dedicated effort, a period he believes is often overlooked in the celebratory narratives of success. He offered poignant advice to those currently navigating this challenging "eleven years."

The "Long Tail" and the Power of Consistency

His primary counsel is to understand that the journey "sucks," but to persist. He introduced the concept of the "long tail effect," which, while sometimes derided, is effective if one "stick[s] around long enough for it to work." This means consistently producing work, building contacts, adhering to schedules, and cultivating a "brand"—which encompasses not just the work itself but also professionalism and integrity.

Crucially, Lynch emphasized the importance of a schedule. "Keeping to a schedule is one of the primary elements of building awareness, building a brand, and maintaining it," he asserted, recalling his early aspirations in comic book self-publishing where adherence to deadlines was a key determinant of survival. He cited the example of the New York Philharmonic’s dramatic increase in bookings after simply publishing its full season schedule upfront, highlighting the profound impact of predictable availability. While acknowledging the high-volume output of authors like Brandon Sanderson, Lynch stressed that the specific schedule is less important than the adherence to it. He admitted his own struggles with consistency due to personal challenges, regretting the disappointment and logistical issues his delays caused. The ultimate takeaway: "You must stay in the game. That is the only truly important thing."

The Unfair Game: Algorithms, Industry Shifts, and Personal Connection

Lynch pulled no punches in describing the current media landscape as an "unfair game." He lamented the imposition of algorithms on platforms like Twitter, which transformed organic spread into an unpredictable, manipulated environment. "The information playing field is not level. It is not fair," he stated, underscoring that success often hinges on factors beyond an author’s control.

He also provided a historical context, noting that the publishing industry undergoes significant transformations every five years. The industry he entered in 2004, with the sale of his first manuscript, "in large part no longer exists," drastically altered by the rise of Amazon, ebooks, and audiobooks. Furthermore, he criticized how "geniuses who control almost all of the money have spent most of their time destroying" the synergy that once existed between publishing, movies, and TV. The model that allowed Game of Thrones to become a massive cross-media success, he argued, has been "wiped off the face of the map" in just ten years, replaced by a short-sighted, blockbuster-or-bust mentality, as seen in the truncated runs of series like The Wheel of Time.

In this "weird" and "unfair" environment, authors must find "more intelligent ways to fight," he urged. This means cultivating "personal connection and a lasting brand connection with people"—precisely what initiatives like the Free Fiction Archive and live performance readings aim to achieve. He concluded that "our humanity is special… it’s also a selling point," emphasizing that direct, authentic engagement is, in many ways, "the only valid commercial approach."

The Weight of Expectation: "The Thorn of Emberlain" and Mental Health

The conversation inevitably turned to The Thorn of Emberlain, the long-awaited fourth installment in The Gentleman Bastard Sequence, and Lynch addressed the delays with profound transparency.

Progress and Evolution of the Long-Awaited Sequel

Lynch first clarified the role of the upcoming "Road to Emberlain Trilogy" novellas—More Than Fools Fill Graves, The Mad Baron’s Mechanical Attic, and The Choir of Knives. These novellas, he assured, will bridge the gap between books three and four, offering enriching experiences and answers without being essential prerequisites for understanding the main series. This stance directly counters the "comic book effect" he disdains, where readers are forced into subsidiary narratives to comprehend the core plot.

Regarding The Thorn of Emberlain itself, Lynch revealed that a draft from 2019, which he initially thought satisfactory, required a "major overhaul." Influenced by the TV series Succession, he shifted the novel’s focus from grand battlefield conflicts to the intricate, character-driven "power struggle" and "arguments they are having" in "smoke filled rooms." This approach, he believes, aligns with the most memorable aspects of stories like Game of Thrones, making the narrative "a major improvement." While still needing about "twenty thousand to twenty-five thousand words to stitch together," the book is "almost in a place where I’m happy with it." He acknowledged the internal struggle between artistic perfectionism and the need for timely delivery, stating, "I recognize at some point, this must end. You must shit or get off the pot."

Candor, Grace, and the Shared Burden of Depression

Lynch’s most impactful reflections centered on his decision to be open about his struggles with clinical depression and anxiety. This "accidental" revelation occurred during a 2010 UK radio interview where he faced a direct question about his absence. Realizing that obfuscation would mean a lifetime of pretense, he chose honesty, disclosing his diagnosis and divorce. The experience, surprisingly, felt "a lot better than I thought it was gonna."

He spoke of the benefits of this candor: liberation from concealment, the ability to confront how his illness impacted his life and career, and the realization that his struggles were far from unique. He recounted a pivotal conversation with his former editor, who, upon learning of Lynch’s depression, offered unwavering support and the invaluable insight, "Do you think you’re the first depressive author I’ve ever had? Do you think you’re the tenth?" This moment shattered Lynch’s self-perception of "crystalline solid of human failure," revealing the commonality of mental health challenges.

Lynch noted that his openness has fostered a "mutually supporting thing" within his readership, as many have come forward to share their own similar experiences. While maintaining personal boundaries (e.g., not discussing medication), his transparency has allowed him to build a system of living that works, leading to increased communication and productivity in recent years.

The emotional toll of the delays, however, remains significant. He frequently recalls a 79-year-old fan who, at ArmadilloCon in 2009, expressed hope of finishing the series before his death. "Statistically speaking, I have probably already failed that guy," Lynch admitted, revealing the profound impact of such memories. Despite the pressures and the occasional online negativity, he firmly believes that "honesty is a net benefit for myself and for everybody." He expressed immense gratitude for his "friendly, generous, patient readers" whose word-of-mouth recommendations have sustained the series’ success. With renewed vigor and a sense of urgency, he vowed, "I’m gonna try not to disappoint you for much longer, folks."

Looking Ahead: Projects and Support

Beyond the literary realm, Scott Lynch is also venturing into board game design with We Are Rich in Opportunity (currently in open playtesting) and Happy Hives. He is slated to be the Guest of Honor at JordanCon in Atlanta, GA, in 2027. Readers can stay updated on his activities and releases by subscribing to his Substack.

In a concluding reminder of the interview’s profound candor, Lynch ensured that resources for mental health support were highlighted: for those in the US, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is 988 (call or text); in the UK, the NHS Hotline is 111. Help, he emphasized, is always within reach.