Back from a very pleasant trip to the Emirates Literary Festival in Dubai and having, for the first time in some considerable time, a little bit of a break, actually. Maybe the one I was supposed to be having when I started writing the Shattered Sea trilogy a couple of years back. The last book, Half a War, was a tough one to edit and with limited time, but I’m pleased to say it’s now turned in, edited, copy-edited, and due for release in July in hardcover, e-book and audiobook in the US and UK. Still some work to do on covers and maps and so forth, and because of the tight turn around the dates aren’t totally set yet, but I’ll have further details soon.
There’s not much rest for the grimdark, though. I’ll now be turning my attention back to the adult arena, hoping to get a few more stories together for a collection of First Law-based short stories which should hopefully be coming out in 2016 some time – that’ll contain all the short stories I’ve written in the First Law world, including those that have been published in special editions and anthologies and a few as yet unseen. As far as full-length books go, the plan is still for another trilogy set in the First Law world, but I’m still at a very early stage in the development of that, earlier than I’ve ever been before when finishing up a book. My plan is still, ideally, to draft out all three books before preparing the first for publication, which will hopefully mean we can publish all three in a timely fashion and in as good a state as they can be, but would mean a long wait for the first. We shall see. There are a few other non-book irons in the fire at the moment which look like they may keep me busy while I’m dreaming up ideas for this next trilogy.
I also seem to have got a hell of a lot of travel stacking up for this year. I’ll be at Eurocon in St. Petersburg in April, in Barcelona in May, Berlin and Stuttgart in June, touring in the UK for the release of Half a War in July, Poland in August, and Ireland in September. No firm details on any of these quite yet, but I’ll hope to let you know in due course…
And that is your progress report for March.
34 comments so far
Well it is good to see that you have assurances that your writing is appreciated by methods other than total sales. Sounds like a busy schedule.
Hopefully you will get sidelined for screenplay writing in the near future.
Choked on my Lemsip when I read ‘Ireland in September’. Looking forward to seeing you!
Hey there Joe!
when can we expect a trip to fair Lisbon?
Hey Joe,
You are without a doubt my all time favorite author. I’ve read and reread all your books and listened and re-listened to all your audiobooks (Steven Pacey being awesome and all). Looking forward to more from the First Law, any chance we might encounter some old favorites? Just seems like Glokta and Ferro deserve a bit more loving.
Just finished Half the World and it was so good. Eagerly awaiting Half a War. Also drooling at the bit for the next First Law trilogy.
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to your future publications.
Not sure if you can comment on this, but I had seen recently on Amazon UK a 500+ page collection of stories coming out on April 1.
Here’s the link- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Untitled-Abercrombie-Collection-Joe/dp/0575104694/ref=sr_1_40?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426026808&sr=1-40&keywords=joe+abercrombie
I’m assuming from your post that this is (unfortunately) not accurate, but I was curious if you could report on it.
Good news about Half a War. You should be really proud of that series.
And, we, readers, will be in for another treat when the First Law stories appear. I guess I should start taking better care of myself (diet and exercise – yecch!) so I’m still around when those new volumes appear.
Thanks for the update Joe. I’m assuming that “non-book irons” means HBO and worldwide multimedia domination thereafter.
Though, I would hate to see Ninefingers portrayed by some beautiful 5’5″ man. Film and TV usually abolish my mental image of the characters and fouling that up would be a sin.
Hello Joe,
Thank you for the update. Apologies if this ends up being a double post, but I wondered if you were able to comment on a book being advertised on Amazon UK.
It’s a 500+ page collection of your stories that is purportedly coming out on April 1.
Judging from your post, I’m guessing this is (unfortunately) not accurate (April Fools?), but was curious if you could comment.
Jordan,
Publishers sometimes put up placeholders on amazon. It won’t be coming out for at least a year.
Hi Joe,
You didn’t say that you’ll be attending the Fantasy-Faction Grim Gathering in Bristol!
I’ll see you there hopefully 🙂
Also, are you going this year to the Cesius 232 Festival in Avilés?
It was great to see you in Melbourne and very pleased to hear that I don’t have to wait very long for my next fix of Abercrombie.
Managed to catch one of your shows in Perth which was very entertaining. Thanks for signing some books for me and have a chat about your upcoming schedule. Also appreciate you including the First Law short stories from other anthologies so I can buy just your book instead.
Thanks for the update Joe. As much as I’ve been enjoying the Shattered Sea so far, I have to say, a return to the adult world of the first Law was music to my ears.
I was loaned The Blade Itself by a friend a few years ago and it took me a while to get to it as I have a huge backlog of books to read, but as soon as I read that, the next 5 of yours got bumped to the top of the pile!
I seem to remember a long while ago reading something about a short story with Glokta before his accident and capture. Perhaps I just dreamed that, but can you confirm there is one and if so will it be in the short stories anthology you are looking at releasing?
[…] Primera Ley‘ ha dejado unas pocas pistas más de sus próximos proyectos literarios en su página web. Joe Abercrombie, que acaba de regresar de un festival literario en Dubai (donde ha estado con […]
Oh oh oh, can’t tell you how excited I was to read a return to the first law world. Looking forward to seeing all my old favourites back again – assuming it is in the same timeline anyway.
One thing though, please keep fantasy where ut should be – swords and shields. I have it when fantasy ventures into guns.
The short stories will be the next book on my to pre order list!
C
I’m looking forward to meeting you in Stuttgart and Berlin this year. Is there any more information you can give regarding your travels in Germany?
Jens
You made made day when saying that you’ll be at May Barcelona. You’ll have me there, first row, trying to abuse you into making you sign all my Abercrombie collection!
And then, in July, a new novel (and propably the last one for a very long time!).
One question: you mention that you still have to work in the maps for Half a War. Does that mean that it’ll be different than the maps from the two previous books? Should we expect to see more lands? Or it’s just a new detailed map of the Shattered Sea? I had the feeling that the last book of the trilogy would be centered around the already familiar territories…
k to do on covers and maps and so forth, and because of the tight turn around the
Joe,
Thank you so much for the reply (and sorry for the double post).
Well, I’m disappointed that it isn’t coming so soon, but still very much looking forward to it.
Yeah, what happened to Ferro? Kind of a big role and then just disappeared, never to return. I suppose Murcatto took the role of angry-woman-on-a-mission in the next book. So many good characters though, I suppose you can’t have them all reapear in follow up books. I think that’s actually why I liked BSC, you weren’t afraid to tear everything down and start again with a whole new set of characters.
Many I’m crazy, but BSC reminds me of the second season of The Wire in that way. Strayed into new territory but with some familiar faces and in the same universe. Same excellent standard, though not everyone’s favourite
@Sword1001
Season 2 wasn’t for everyone, but it was the best AFAIC. Franky Sobotka is one fantastic character, and I thought the whole plot with the union was pretty damn good.
So yes, out of 5 fantastic seasons in the best TV show ever made, I thought season 2 was the best.
As far as First Law books go, Heroes are my favorite, it’s different and juicy and it’s filled it with so many characters who don’t feel like your usual main protagonists, I generally had no idea what to expect the whole book.
…
As much I’m loving Yarvi and Co., it’s Logen, Glokta, Shivers, Gorst, Dogman, etc. that I’m really waiting for.
First Law Trilogy HYPE!
(still 2 years away….? HYPE!)
I’m missing Ferro. I was hoping that she would turn up in Dangerous Women. Who is more dangerous than her?
I am hoping that she will have central role in the new trilogy.
Couldn’t say no to a lot more Glokta/Bayaz either. I’m guessing that Monza will make an appearance.
Thorn? Dangerous for sure. But still just a girl. 😉
I’m so happy that your doing more in the First Law. I really want to know more about Black Dow, the Hardening Grim and Froley. You are by far my fav living writer. I started to read your books when I was 17 and have loved you ever since.
Hi Joe
Just got done reading half the world and cannot wait for the next. Unfortunately i missed you in Sydney :-(:-(
Eagerly awaiting.
Ha ha !. Am I the only person who read the words “There are a few other non-book irons in the fire at the moment which look like they may keep me busy” and thought “OMG HBO has come to the party and we are getting a First Law TV series ! ! ! !”.
Glad you had a break, and are getting deservedly good feedback for the Shattered Sea books. Can’t wait to see how good the TV show is. 😛
Joe. It was great having you in Dubai. I hope you enjoyed your time here.
We are all really looking forward for Half a War. Next time you are in Dubai, let us know and we can put together a gaming night of some serious 5th edition or Pathfinder Society.
Cheers.
Hi Joe . I have read n listened to all six books in the First Law world n thoroughly enjoyed them. The diversity of characters is marvelous n kept me wanting to hear their voices n adventures again n again. I loved Stephen Pacey’s narration of these novels as he really makes your characters come alive with both a sense of humour or passionate fire in their dialogues. I look forward to more adventures n plot twists with Gloktor or Logan 9 Fingers or Temple …I will miss the Captain General who seemed to me to be one of your most memorable characters along with Gloktor 🙂 …unless your next trilogy takes place in a slightly earlier time line and many of these characters can be enjoyed again . I always wondered what happened to the woman who journeyed to the other side of the world with the MajI n Logan n future king …Anyway thanks for creating this world n I can’t wait to read n listen to Stephen Pacey bring your characters alive with his unique narrator’s style n voices !! Charley Brookfield living in Bali Indonesia.
It would be interesting to see some of the old chaps back from the First Law trilogy. It would also be nice to catch some more content about Juvens, the Maker and maybe some more art, why not. Thing is that some situations can definitely become awkward since I’ve ended up loving Calder, Monza, Glokta, each of them having now a land of their own.
Yeah… maybe I should just stop fantasizing and just wait for the books to face the light. That shouldn’t be that hard. I could bet that the entire trilogy would beat maybe not the next GRRM’s ASOIAF book, but the last one for sure :)) I suppose that was cruel, but still… you have to be realistic about these things.
Dear Joe,
Grom-Gil-Gorm vs the bloody nine in a fantasy death match, who would win?
Joe, did you get three contracts concurrently with Gollancz for your First Law world novels? I’m presuming that you didn’t start with a 9 book deal?
[…] „Big Joe“ selbst dürfte eine Lesereise gerade gut in den Kram passen. Denn nach eigenem Bekunden befindet er sich gerade in einer Schaffenspause. Als nächstes Großprojekt steht die zweite Trilogie der Klingen-Romane an, an deren Konzept er jedoch noch arbeitet. […]
Fingers crossed for A First Law tv series or Bioware-style RPG.
Hi Joe. Any date yet for the visits in Germany next month?
What happened to Ferro? I figured that was an end you left loose on purpose. Her tale of revenge definitely deserves its own standalone.