A couple of weeks late, this progress report, I must admit, but I was in the US again at the end of August and there was a milestone I wanted to get to before posting which I’m delighted to say I have finally reached. Yes indeed, I’ve typed the last words of the first draft of the sequel to the Devils.
A really shit first draft, admittedly. Partly that’s because I wanted to crash through and get a rough version of the book, see where I was going before I went back to pull it all together. Partly that’s because this is a much more complex book, both from a plot and character standpoint, than The Devils was, so a lot of ideas have come to me as I’ve gone along and there are a lot of plot threads and character concepts that have worked their way into the final part that weren’t set up at all in the first. I’m someone who really enjoys revising, and in the past books have come together quickly once I’ve got a draft, but there’s a lot of work to do on this one. First will come a re-read, rewrite and cutdown of the third part and likely a discussion with my editors, then the long process of rewriting the first and second parts to bring them into line with the final vision, set up and pay off all the character arcs and plot lines that I didn’t when I first wrote them. The aim is to get a coherent second draft, with everything consistent and basically in the right place, by the end of the year. Then I can start the work of editing and improving what I’ve got. At the moment, no certain release date, but I will post it when I know it.
Thankfully the travel and events are over for the rest of this year. I’ve done some brilliant events for The Devils that really have taken things to a very different level for me, including an amazing visit to a packed Celsius festival in Spain in July where I did the longest signing I’ve ever done by a mile (about 6 and a half hours, for pushing 1000 people). Thanks to everyone who turned up to any of the talks and signings this year. I still distinctly remember giving a lecture to 2 people in Holland soon after first being published, so believe me I always appreciate it.
Quite a lot of other bits and pieces going on – The Devils won a Dragon award, which is nice, and Spider Rose, one of the Love, Death and Robots pieces I wrote the screenplay for was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding animated programme, which I guess if you really squint means I could call myself Emmy nominated, but I doubt I’ll make a habit of it, since it’s Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who directed the piece, who deserves the credit on that one. I’ve got a few film and TV irons in the fire at the moment which will be taking up time in the run-up to Christmas, including the aforementioned development of The Devils for the screen, but nothing I can actually announce at this point. You’ll just have to take my word for it that it’s all incredibly impressive and exciting. Honest. There is also some interesting stuff on merch and limited edition hardcovers in the works, so keep an eye out if that kind of stuff floats your boat.
And that’s your (late) progress report for August…
28 comments so far
Congratulations on the finished Draft, Joseph. I appreciate you updating us. I’d prefer more frequent updates. But if I had to choose between more frequent updates or more frequent books, I’d choose books!
Any news on “Best served cold”? Hope being like damp and all that…
Your lecture for just two people in Holland was a horrible day for you, but it was a truly great day for me. 🙂
Since the first draft of the next Devils was just completed, is it safe to say that it wouldn’t be released on May next year? But would it still be released next year?
Spain was mad! We queued up over 2 hours early for your talk and still didn’t get in (why do I do this?!) Eventually got to see you several hours later and went home with a signed copy of Los Diablos. A day well spent.
Thank you so much for coming to Washington DC for the book signing! It was a pleasure to meet you and chat. Do you if the recording for your Pirates, Demons and Other Good Guys panel will be posted anywhere?
Just finished Devils, and must say it’s been one of my favorites in a long time! Looking forward to #2.
Joe! You forgot to mention your upcoming trip to Australia that’s yet to be announced but is definitely, absolutely happening… maybe? Bring your swimmers – it’s warm!! 🙂
Erik,
No news. As I always say, don’t hold your breath.
Wilfred,
It was a great day for me too! And very glad you’re still here. But I do like having a slightly bigger audience when possible…
Will,
It was pretty busy over there for sure…
Grant,
Love to go back to Australia. Maybe with the next book, who knows…?
Sad to hear your first event in the Netherlands only got 2 visitors. I ‘only’ discovered you like 6 years ago. Is there any chance you’ll visit the Netherlands again in the coming years?
Thank you, Joe. This is great. I missed you in the Philly area this month due to a scheduling conflict (was seeing James in Philly that night with my wife, which was amazing). Please know that your fans appreciate the Hell out of you in really all ways. Your writing style. Your stories. Your approach to trilogies. It’s just all so fantastic. Can’t wait for what the future brings.
Love your work. Any news about The age of madness future books?
Can’t wait for the nex book Joe!
Any chance coming to Finland?
You have lots of fans in here.
I would love get my book signed.
i just discovered your books a few months ago. I read The Devils and wow I absolutely loved it! I have now gone and read First law trilogy and and the two stand alones I have one more and then the second trilogy and I just have to say your humor just makes me laugh out loud! Glotka is my favorite character ever ! My husband is like why are you laughing so hard! I hope you come back to America soon! New york specifically! Can not wait for the second Devils book!
Loved The Devils. It was a delightfully twisted alternative history. Can’t wait to see where you take us next
I pirated the Devils so I could read it as soon as possible in my shitty, shabby country. I’ve since bought a copy to redeem myself. Admittedly, I almost gave up halfway through, but then the last third or so hit and I’m glad I didn’t. It pays of so hard.
Quick question: Ever considered writing something literary? Like McCarthy meets fantasy, or (my favorite thought experiment) WG Sebald meets fantasy?
I’m sure you got the chops and wit to push boundaries and make sonething artsy. There are quite sharp observations on the human condition sprinkled throughout your bibliography.
Appreciate the update.
Admire your writing voice.
Look forward to your future work.
Excited with any news! Very much looking forward to the sequel. Unless I have missed some short stories or novella, I believe I have read everything you have written to date. Some twice.
I missed you in Austin, as I was stuck at Audi dealership several hours. My autographed books were mailed to me. Not quite the same. I’ll catch you next time though.
Stay healthy please, and keep writing!
To “That one guy from DC” – Joe’s panel presentation at the National Book Festival is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPVh96EXH84
Looking forward to the next book!
You are one of my favorite authors and absolutely love your characters, and my favorite being Lamb!
Just to put this suggestion out there, Sigourney Weaver as Lady Severa would be perfect casting…
The fact you wrote an episode of LDR gives me great hope. I was telling my friend who showed me your work how The First Law series should be animated. Particularly by one of the studios from LDR. I think the world would be given it’s due via animation that real life filming could never achieve. As a union film set technician I will die on this hill.
As ever, I’m awed and horribly jealous of the unreal pace of your output. I can’t even keep up as a reader, and only just finished the Age of Madness (wonderful!). So, I’m awfully curious: will The Devils be the first of a three book arc, or can we anticipate a return to the world of the First Law after this sequel? Thanks for all the words and don’t forget to breath between books!
Joe,
While I love all of TFL, I thoroughly enjoyed your changes of direction / tone in The Devils. As per, your work always contains subtle humour and wit, the Devils was laugh out loud in places (esp. Vigga). Having read and loved the book, I “reread” it via the audiobook; Pacey has outdone himself (tbf he obviously loves your material). Top work all round. Looking forward to #2. Well done.
Esperamos con impaciencia tu prósima publicación. El mayor de los abrazos desde España. Un saludo.
Joe, every book of yours is a joy to read and a treasure to experience. I wish you the very best in getting The Devils trilogy into place, but why oh why are you so good at getting readers to care about the characters that perish?
I’m hoping you’ll consider prequels with back stories of the characters of The Devils, please. 🙂
I looking forward to the characters in the devil’s growing a bit more into my heart.
The first book in a new world is always a challenge as a reader, it’s a change and change is hard I’m just glad I don’t have to write it.
So fingers crossed the second book is going well.
Devil’s is…A holy riot, A laugh out loud blood bath! The Bloody nine on steroids! I don’t want it to end!