A few days late, but I daresay that only serves to sharpen your keen anticipation for news of my progress, right? Right?
Well, at least as far as books go, we grind forward, like Grond toward the gates of Minas Tirith. Delighted to say I’ve now finished a pretty solid second draft of the sequel to the Devils, so I actually have a coherent, consistent book with a beginning, middle and end. I love it when that happens, and how ever often I do this (14 times and counting) it never feels like a foregone conclusion that I’ll get there, believe me. Now comes the (relatively) fun bit, polishing that turd till it shines. First will come a round that focuses on character, looking at one point of view at a time and trying to get as much personality into each person, secondary characters too. Then will come a round that looks at setting: weather, time of day, world building detail, stuff like that. Finally a pass through, usually where I make the text really big, where I look at prose detail. My editors will be doing a line edit at some point during this period as well, where they’re marking up the text and I’m responding to comments in detail. Hopefully that should all be done by end of may, and there’ll only be the copyedit and proofread to finish, though we also aren’t really underway on the art side yet so there’s plenty of work to do on that too. Book’ll be out May 2027, folks. Mark your calendars…
I’ve also been hosting a lot of events for other writers when they pass through Bath – Jay Kristoff back in November, Ryan Cahill in February, then I’ll be doing one with Christopher Buehlman on the 23rd March for the re-release of his excellent medieval horror Between Two Fires, and I believe one with Shannon Chakraborty on 2nd June. Always nice to get away from the desk for a moment and talk to others toiling down this lonely road we call a writing career.
Talking of which, I’ll be touring myself again in May in the US and UK when the mass market paperback of The Devils comes out. Don’t have quite all the details yet, and I’ll post them as soon as I have them, but we’ll be hoping to fill in some of the places that haven’t recently been illuminated by the glory of my presence. So April 27th-May 4th in the US, and current destinations look like Boston, Tempe AZ, Portland OR, San Diego, LA, and Chicago. Then May 6th-10th in the UK visiting Liverpool, Manchester, York, Leeds, Cambridge and possibly London.
Then there’s the signing. Dear god, my hands, the signing. I have been doing a lot of signing lately. Mostly for the Lit Escalates special edition we did via kickstarter at the end of last year. That’s 18,000 straight signed and 6,000 signed and dedicated. On course to be shipped in July, I believe. But there have also been sig sheets through my doors recently for Sub Press’s limited edition of The Wisdom of Crowds, Curious King’s letterpress edition of Last Argument of Kings, and some very handsome Broken Binding editions of the Shattered Sea books with all new art. It’s incredible how these sections of the market – subscription boxes, special editions, high end limited editions – have flourished over the past few years and it’s awesome to see readers revelling in alternative covers, special endpapers and, of course, ever more inventive and technically challenging sprayed edges. These beautiful embellishments will, I’m sure, continue. But, merciful heavens, as far as the physical signing of each book goes it’s gonna reach a point where the sheer amount of time, as well as the physical wear and tear on the hand, is unsustainable. So we may have to look at some other options as time goes on…
And I leave you with some Vigga Ullasdottr fan art by Ernesto Irawan. Fan art can be a bit of an odd thing for a writer – I always love to see people doing it, cos it means someone found the material inspiring, but I don’t always love looking at it, cause it can conflict with what’s quite a personal notion of what a character or a world should feel like. Honestly, it can kinda freak you out a bit. But this one’s great…
27 comments so far
Maybe an interview on Sword & Laser during your trip? Veronica is very fond of you.
Great job on ‘The Devils.” I’m looking forward to the sequel. Have a good one!
I second a book interview with Sword & Laser podcast!!
I appreciate the great update. See you in Chicago.
I believe I am the only one who would love to see the drafts of, say, a single chapter to see the differences that occur as you go through the multiple rounds you describe. But if you think there may be more than just me, you should consider releasing that. Pretty fracking please
I love looking at good fan art, because I can barely write my own name.
I’ve always been in awe of people who can draw. I was always bright and literate, but I can’t draw for toffee.
Happy writing! Keen for next Devils book. Please say there’s at least beeb positive progress on The Devils movie and it’s not dead in the water?
Agree with Matt, that would be super interesting to learn more about the writing process. How does the drafting, and refining, and editing actually work in practice, with real world examples from some of your existing books.
Even just a paragraph, to learn about why it was changed from one way to another. Would be fascinating!
make it may 22 2027 for no particular reason;)
Perhaps a slight detour to a windswept, desolate wasteland you likely have never heard of to round out your trip? Just take a few short steps north and you’ll find yourself in Canada. The weather may be cold, but I believe you’d receive a warm welcome…
Also, as an aspiring writer, I really appreciate the insight into your process. It really is a slog…
Hi Joe, all good news, can’t wait to see and hear you again in Liverpool! I took your advice and read a couple of Chris Buehlman books, “The Daughter’s War” and “The Black Tongue Thief” and they, (whilst being no Joe Abercrombie novels!) were excellent. I know Chris has a reputation in the horror genre, which I only occasionally visit, but these fantasy tales were really good, especially “The Black Tongue Thief”. His acknowledgement at the back of the book was quite moving, but I wont spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read the book yet. My advice is give it a go, I was pleasantly surprised and will certainly be buying the next instalment which I think comes out this year.
If I was an author there wouldn’t be a cat in hells chance of me signing thousands upon thousands of books for special editions, screw that I’ve just spent years creating an amazing story for you I’ve done my bit.
As a reader I love all the special editions, but I buy them because they look great on the shelf and often come with some nice new art. If it’s signed then great, but it’s pretty meaningless to me, the only signatures I care about are books signed at an event, then you can get it signed to you or even inscribed and more importantly you get to actually meet the author!.
Wonderful to see you sharing the insight into your crafting process. A few years ago, I sent the first draft of my first book to a beta reader. I quickly learned that this was a terrible idea – that first draft should never have seen the light of day! And thanks again for the brilliantly entertaining and informative session you and Ryan Cahill held in Bath. In-depth answers to sharp audience questions. Oh, and on signing – I see that Steven Erikson has stopped physical signing due to the wear and tear you mention. I think that given what you and he have delivered to us over the years, we can forgo the scribbles of ink for the sake of your health!! It would be interesting to see what ideas your readers have as an alternative to physical signing – if indeed they think one is needed.
No chance of a Dublin or Belfast date Joe?
Really hoping you come back to HHC to do a signing. I saw you last time but was too star struck to say anything.
I’m now in charge of doing the signings so would have to not be star struck this time.
Surely an Australia tour sometime
Be great to hear anything about JA’s craft and processes. Very impressed with the tightness of the work – characters, scenes, pacing, etc.
Love your work Mr Abercrombie. A friend recommended you to me in 2020 and I’ve read everything numerous times since. Any trips to Ireland on the horizon? All the best.
Ah hell, does that *really* say 2027? You almost had me there, talking about May. Maybe just skip all that boring stuff just this once? I’m really light on reading material these days.
Awesome read,again! Been with you since the 1st law,you have become one of my favorite authors! Can’t wait for the Devils sequel!,
Joe your books are the firm nipples in a world of soft wanks. Write anything you want, and we’ll keep reading them.
nice nice nice, a sequel to the devils, the only book i periodically check once a month when the release date will be
The first book of yours I have ever read is “The Devils” and I am a fan for life. I am 78, so who knows how long that will be? But, I hope to make it to “The Heretics” and a few more of your masterpieces before I shuffle off my coil.
I’ve been reading for a hell of a long time. Since I was 6, now 71. It’s my passion, most people say I’m very critical in my reviews of works. I just recently found your work and must say you are amazing. I’ve read all of your books.
You’re humorous, and extremely intelligent and talented. Please continue to be yourself and help the literary world. Looking forward to enjoying more of your works.
Had to figure out what I was goin to do during the pandemic, you have to be realistic about these things. I took up reading The blade itself was my first series and my third, seventh and so on, into my reading rejuvenation. All I can say, is well done sir, I laughed, I didn’t cry it became a part of me
Re-reading The Devils and it’s even better. Love the characters and the dark humor. This is my favorite Abercrombie book and can’t wait for the next volume!
Hi Joe, found your work via ‘The Devils’ and never looked back. Read and completely loved everything now so impatiently waiting for ‘The Heretics’. The North needs you, come visit Scotland soon.