Slight delay on this month’s progress report, but I’ve been at Lucca Games and Comics without a reliable internet connection. An amazing event, by the way, with untold crowds rammed into the old walled city. Don’t think I’ve ever seen such swarms of excited and enthusiastic people, or such a high density of dedicated cosplayers.
Anyway, another couple of months roll by. Page proofs of Half the World for both the US and UK editions have now been read over so the text is finished, and aside from some work on maps, copy, covers and etc. the book is done and ready for its Feb 2015 publication.
In spite of a lot of dealmaking distractions which all seem to have come up at once, and a quick trip to the Frankfurt book fair, most of my time has gone into working on the third and final book in the series, Half a War. I’ve drafted the third part and am now well underway with a first draft of the last, so it’s looking good for a finished first draft near the end of November. I’ll then need to spend some time considering what needs to be done, before embarking on some hefty revision and rewriting in December to hopefully produce a coherent second draft by the end of the year. We shall see. Feels like there’s a hell of a lot of rewriting and reshaping to do, right now, and just a fair bit of detail, personality and, you know, good writing to add, but in the past things have come together surprisingly quickly once a first draft is finished. That’s the moment when you know where you’re heading, when you know the paths the characters need to take, and therefore exactly where they need to start. So, fingers crossed that we’ll still be able to get Half a War ready in time for a July 2015 publication as planned.
We should know by the end of the year…
17 comments so far
It feels just like yesterday that I picked up Half A King and plowed through it in only a few sittings. Now I can barely wait for the next book to roll around.
What’s the word count on it? Not that HaK was too short, but I’d like to know how much meat we’re getting on next year’s bone.
Fanboy from Australia,
Jeremy
Thanks for the autographs at Lucca, Lord Grimdark.
You are an awesome writer!
Jeremy,
Half a King was about 79,000 words. Half the World is about 105,000. So noticeably longer.
Joe,
Ah. Marvelous. Can’t wait to sink my blackened teeth into it.
Speaking of which, a little decapitated bird told me you were popping around to Australia sometime early next year. Is this true?
So are you going to call the collection Half a Trilogy?
I cannot wait!
It’s always great, and massively reassuring, to read these progress reports. As someone who writes reviews and features for a music web site, I have to say that my first drafts are inevitably the work of a cross eyed illiterate with no grasp of language. Yet, I’m constantly amazed by how rewriting, polishing and reshaping can produce something that’s actually readable. I particularly like your line about adding ‘good writing’, as that’s very familiar. I used to always wonder why I couldn’t pen an immaculate first draft, but now I just accept it and surrender to the inevitably of having to put actual work in to make it decent.
Do you have any longer term plans past the Half Trilogy?
Obviously I’m stoked about the release of book two and the progress of book three. I’m also really stoked that, unlike certain other fantasy authors, you’re able to release TWO BOOKS (in a series) IN THE SAME YEAR!?! Unheard of!
But what excites me more than those details is what you said about things moving quickly after the first draft is done. It’s been so long since I finished the first draft of my debut that I’d forgotten what it feels like; to finally see all the characters and their paths as a whole.
I’ve been bogged down in the story I’m writing for far too long, always hoping that when I write “And everyone lived shittily ever after” that future edits, revisions and drafts would be smooth seas.
Your words help me believe that they shall, indeed.
Hi Joe,
I’m just wandering if your other books (except from The First Law trilogy) will be translated in Greek. If you know (and of course if you can) please answer me! Can’t tell you how much i’ m waiting for ’em! I barely sleep at nights! Please saw some mercy!
A bloody fan from Greece,
Nkiforos 🙂
Can’t wait to read the next books, Half a King was so intriguing and action-packed that I finished it in one night, and omfg I want to know Isriun’s plans so badly.
I’m pleased that you had enjoyed Lucca C&G, it’s been a pleasure meeting you there, hope to see you soon!
(And thanks for your hard work, man)
WHY is there no “NINEFINGERS” TV SERIES yet?!?!
ATTENTION HBO!!!
Please sign Joe Abercrombie quickly!
His books are wittier and more ready made for TV than GRRMs!!!
Hi Joe.
Always good to read about your progress. Read all your novels and short fiction.
Any update on the tease you gave us a while back about a potential Steven Erikson collaboration? 🙂
Thanks for the update Joe, amazing how you can write so quickly yet so well! Can’t wait for Feb
Loved to meet you at Lucca! The internet was congested the whole time but I hope you liked the festival, eh, “high density” really sums it up. Looking forward to Feb 2015, I’ve just seen the cover at SFX, looks fantastic!! Thank you for the progress report.
I have my copy of Half A King but I haven’t read it (yet).
I have been reading science fiction lately (some new, some old favourites) and I wondered do you ever think you will turn your hand to a science fiction novel or trilogy?
regards,
David
Hi Joe,
I am wondering, will there be some preorder events like with the first book? I have most of your books signed and “Half a King” is signed and numbered, so I’d like to keep up with that tradition 🙂
I knew you went to the book fair when I read your twitter post. So sad I’ve missed you. (I was there the same day 🙁 …)
Next time you happen to visit Germany, please post in advance where your German readers could get an autograph.
Best regards.