Byron Merritt: Literature in general is undergoing some significant changes in my mind (good literature anyway). There’s a melting pot going on when it comes to genres, I think. Many good writers out there incorporate a lot of different genres into their stories, so it’s becoming more and more difficult to say that “this is science fiction” versus “this is horror” or “this is mainstream.” I like to use Connie Willis when I talk about this because I think she’s one of the stronger writers in the ‘science fiction genre’ right now. Her 1999 Hugo Award winning novel TO SAY NOTHING OF THE DOG was a mesh-pot of genres, and was only loosely associated with science fiction (equal parts sci-fi, mystery and a little romance thrown in). As to my favorite authors today, I’d have to say the aforementioned Connie Willis is near the top, along with Dan Simmons (almost everything they produce is gold!).

3. Let's speak about your attitude to the screen versions of “Dune” and "Dune Messiah / Children of Dune"? Which of them you consider most successful and which saved the spirit or the main idea of the books?

Byron Merritt: I wrote a comparison study of the theatrical release of Dune (the David Lynch version) and the SciFi Channel’s miniseries. You can view this at http:// www.scifidimensions.com/May02/dunevsdune.htm. Basically, I liked the “feel” that the Lynch version showed (the dark rooms with a Shakespearean style) . . . but it also cut out A LOT of the story of Dune. So I appreciated the miniseries from that standpoint (that they were able to incorporate so much more of the actually pages of the Dune novel onto the screen). The Children of Dune Miniseries (which incorporated both the DUNE MESSIAH and CHILDREN OF DUNE books) was pretty amazing for a made-for-televison production. Brian Tyler’s musical score was spectacular, too! It really added to the flavor of the miniseries. I also think that Alec Newman (Paul) improved his acting role tenfold from the Dune Miniseries to the Children of Dune Miniseries. Alice Krieg was, as usual, superb in her role as Lady Jessica.

4. Do you know anything about new Dune movies? Can we expect to see new Hollywood version of “Dune” with at least 100-million budget and special visual effects?

Byron Merritt: Boy wouldn’t that be great! But alas, no. There are some projects under consideration—and with the success of films such as Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings they’re increasingly possible—which hopefully might come to fruition, but nothing has been given a “green light”. The SciFi Channel has the option for the remainder of the Dune books (God Emperor of Dune, etc.), but nothing has been exercised legally yet.

5. Do you plan to participate in the work on the new Dune-projects?

Byron Merritt: My uncle (Brian Herbert) and I have talked about this, but he’s been busy with his own projects as of late. I do, however, foresee us working together on something, but it’s many years away. Plus, I’d like to do something fresh for the Dune fans out there, something that would bring back the days of Frank Herbert besides just the Dune title. I don’t mean to sound like I don’t enjoy the prequels that Kevin J. Anderson and Brian are putting out (because I DO enjoy them!), but their novels are geared more toward the ‘current’ readership of SF out there. I’d like to target the SF readership of thirty or forty years ago . . . when SF was still developing.

6. What can you say about the creation of "father-and-son" and what do you think about the "continuers" in whole? We mean, how do you think, is it right to continue the Great Book?

Byron Merritt: That’s a great question. I do think it’s right to continue on in the legacy of Dune for two reasons: #1– Many times, great books get lost in the past and I’m happy to say that the original Dune series has been given new life thanks to Brian and Kevin (if you think about it, how many people are reading Moby Dick or Gone with the Wind or The Call of the Wild? Not many, I’ll tell you. My kids are in high school and they just don’t teach this material anymore . . . which is a damn shame). People are reading DUNE again; #2 – These new Dune books are good reads. They aren’t on the scale that DUNE was, but that was to be expected. Don’t you think so?

7. What is your most favourite Herbert's book except "Dune Chronicles"?

Byron Merritt: I’d have to say SOUL CATCHER. It was the first Frank Herbert book that my grandfather physically handed to me and let me read. So there’s some sentimental reasons behind my choosing this particular book. Plus it’s autographed to me and I have a first edition hardcover.

8. When did you read "Dune" for the first time? What impression did you have?

Byron Merritt: I first read DUNE in high school (my sophomore year, I believe). I knew that my grandfather had written it, but being a punk teenager I hadn’t read it because . . . well, reading wasn’t cool enough for me! But then, when I read it, I found out how much I’d been missing. DUNE put to shame all the other books I’d ever read. EVER! It was nearly an orgasmic experience (which is saying something considering those teenage hormones were running around inside me!). I think what astounded me the most about it was that it incorporated so much information into one book! It has religion, ecology, government, corruption, love, betrayal, science, and a slew of other ideals. It really is a must read for those who consider themselves ‘in the know’ of literature. And DUNE is literature, not just an old SF book.

9. Is Herbert Limited Partnership going to publish it's own Dune encyclopedia?