So, ahem, a couple of days late on this one. You could, in fact, say a couple of months late, since I missed the last one. Honestly, there just wasn’t a huge amount to report so it hardly seemed worth troubling anyone. But the last couple of months have seen a bit more movement.
The Devils continues to wend its crooked way towards publication – proof reading now all done, and internal art and design continues to develop, along with plans for several special editions via various retailers along with perhaps even some fine press editions in the fullness of time – more on that as I have it. ARCs are now creeping out there to the lucky few. There are actually three different types in the UK – a standard one (below left, with the skull artwork handsomely picked out in gloss), a special one for booksellers, and a special special one (below right with the fancy debossed patterning) for so-called influencers (I don’t know I was born in 1974) that’s limited to only 36 copies. Well, 36 and the one I’ve got, I guess. If you reckon you’re influential enough to qualify you can actually apply to get one over here.
A first draft of the sequel to the Devils crawls forward like a limbless corpse impelled by necromancy. I’m actually, incredibly, more than half way through now, though it’s sketchy as hell. I don’t think I’ve ever had a weaker grip on a book at this point in the process though a) I likely always feel that way then later forget how awful it was, like giving birth, and b) I’m deliberately trying to take a more freeform, scattergun, discovery approach with these books, interrupted as they are by lots of other bits and pieces, then lick em into shape with extensive rewriting and editing once the skeleton is in place. That may work long term (I bloody hope so) but it’s not great for my anxiety as I go. Still if it was easy everyone would be doing it. Right? RIGHT? I remain hopeful I can get a reasonable draft together by may, when the Devils comes out.
I was at Worldcon in Glasgow a couple of weeks back, which is the first English-language con I’ve been to in quite a while. Kind of an exhausting density of stuff crammed into two days but it was great to see some old pros, meet some new ones, crack some terrible jokes on panels, and of course sign some books and chat to some readers. Always strange how you end up seeing certain people over and over and totally miss others who turn out to have been there. By some miracle I did not actually catch Covid, though it seems that everyone else did…
And other non-book projects grind forward also. Various irons in the fire in the film and TV space, but nothing worth talking about at this point. When I can say something, I’ll say something. And hopefully you will hear from me again in the proper couple of months this time…
22 comments so far
Does Glasgow actually count as an English-language convention?
Only joking, Weegies 🙂
May I just say that as a reader who visualizes, the following sentence was a ton of fun:
“I’m deliberately trying to take a more freeform, scattergun, discovery approach with these books, interrupted as they are by lots of other bits and pieces, then lick em into shape with extensive rewriting and editing once the skeleton is in place.”
I am QUITE influential. To all two members of my household. So I feel I should definitely receive a copy of that fancy influencer’s edition.
Thanks for a great update. I’m heartened at how relatable your chaotic process is as well. Also very piqued by the mention of TV projects, however embryonic.
I would LOVE to see the Kings series brought to life – an adult, dark, witty, sweary swashbuckling series, yes please.
Good luck with the third trimester and PND.
Logan Somefingers, what’s the Kings series?
I always enjoy the behind the scenes info you provide. Never knew how much work went into penning a tome, although it also is disheartening to learn how long it takes to get a new book out. Still, I will patiently wait for the new read.
I have great influence in my immediate family. Send me a copy.
I’m astonishing you managed to escape COVID despite sharing airspace with myself on a train and in several panels, as sadly I did acquire the dreaded lurgi!
Good luck Mr. Abercrombie. Looking forward for your new book.
Does The Devils have a series name yet?
Keen to be an influencer. Let me know what critter I need to sacrifice in order to get a copy.
These are great news. I’ve met you at Loncon in London and in Helsinki in 2017 and I am really looking forward to The Devils. There might even be a chance to have a beer in a London pub (together with Myke Cole and Mark Lawrence) as we did once in the past after a signing. Good times!
Greetings from Germany.
Lovely Mr Abercrombie what ever pace you go at, is just utterly fabulous with us 9 finger fans. Carry on swashbuckling and do ya thing at your own sweet pace, Channel your inner Glokta and tell the nags to F## off ! We shall still be here x x
Rick, the series that Mr Somefingers is talking about is the Ash and Sand trilogy by Richard Nell (I assume)
So you’re ‘pantsing’ this one? (I hate that term, especially as a Brit where ‘pants’ is hardly auspicious; is there a better one?). Interesting. Tried both pantsing and planning myself, and pantsing is way more fun, though the rewrites are like digging the Channel Tunnel with a spoon. One of those small ones you get for eating grapefruit at swanky hotels.
Best of luck!
That’s great to hear. I was deep diving into the classics again and am in need of something new.
You’re the first who comes to mind when recommending to friends and family. “What’s grimdark?” I tell them no worries and that Abercrombie explains everything in his books. I usually get a text message at some point: “I’m the Bloody –” but I’ll leave it there.
All the best from across the pond!
Oh, the joy of suddenly being an Influencer and tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under your sandaled feet I hope those girls makes your book justice (not all that sure about what influencers are myself..)
Hey
Just wanted to say thanks for the joy of journeying through your books, they often come back to me when I listen to podcasts (did you listen to Revolutions with M. Duncan while writing the age of madness?) or discuss books with others. Really like your playfullness with archetypes and thurough exploration of concepts such as heros and vengeance. You have done wonderful stuff, love it. Anyhoo recently read the locked tomb series and are happy to report that the right necromancer can make wonders with a limbless corpse!
Hope you continue to find joy in your future endeavors.
Shout out to Friendly that wonderful walking D20.
I’m glad to see you’re writing the new series one book at a time rather than completing the whole series in advance. I enjoyed Age of Madness just fine, but it seemed to all fit together rather too neatly and was predictable at times. Looking forward to May!
I got on the JA train with Before They Are Hanged and have devoured all his work since. Although I love the First Law world, I can’t wait to delve into this new material.
Greetings!
imdb lists you as having something to do with that god-awful Borderlands movie abomination.
Is there any truth to that?
If so, what happened and how did your alcohol consumption change in the last year?
Ever thought of setting a novel in NZ(Or someplace fictionally similat)? For such a beautiful place you would be surprised at how dark the underbelly is and of course it would be a good excuse to visit in the name of research.
Lots of tattoos and missing digits 🙂