It is my intent to post status on this volume - when the "countdown" becomes relevant. When I have a finalized contract in hand, and some inkling of a guesstimate for release.
Rest assured, meantime, it IS being worked on. I have spent some of the interrim period, also, rechecking ALL prior volumes to be sure that no bit is left unresolved (beyond what I meant) at the ending of this Arc. It's been awhile since I wrote Fugitive Prince, and as that is the foundational one for this arc, the review had to be a close one.
At this point, I can say, ain't NO Way you'd have the book properly done without the split off from Traitor's Knot. There's an intricacy to the resolution of this phase that needed the extra time and space.
I can say, the latest installments were written to the Soundtrack to "Alexander" and now, the part I am embarking, soundtrack to The Last Samurai…
Any teasers and snippets are going to wait - both for a firm commitment to press, and also, until after people have the chance to see Traitor's Knot, since anything from this volume would spoil the last.
originally posted by Richard King
Grrrrrrr.
I'll continue waiting "enthusiastically" … though it may kill!!!
Hmmm … next story arc!? Does this mean there may be moe happening after this coming volume?
originally posted by Trys
Richard King,
Yes. Stormed Fortress will complete the third arc with two more arcs to go.
Trys
originally posted by Mark Timmony
But Janny!
I already have customers asking when the next one is due!!!
originally posted by George
Janny,
I know this question must drive you to DISTRACTION (and I realise that there are many things which are beyond your control in terms of timing with your publishers AFTER you have written the book), but is it possible to give us a "tentative" time for when Stormed Fortress will be published? ie, 1 year? 2 years?
Thanks a bunch,
George.
George - the info I have is not yet firm…and I've learned what happens when "not firm" gets misinterpreted as 'look for it on This date' - I do expect to wake up this topic most thoroughly, soon, so you will not be left in the dark.
Let's get the US edition of TK into reader's hands, yes? (grin)
Then we'll all be starting from the same place, globally.
I have some short stories due out, meantime…and of course, To Ride Hell's Chasm, for those who didn't leap for that one yet.
originally posted by Wolfhunter
Thank you Janny,
for keeping us up to date. I am sure this process of securing a contract and printer must be as frustrating for you as it is for us to keep panting for the continuation of this monumental story.
In the meantime since finishing Traitors Knot a long time ago (so it seems) - and sorry to the US readers.
I have been busy chasing up all the books containing all your short stories - the last one was Extreme Flights of Fantasy - and now I have run out and am running on empty - like the rest of your loyal readers. So have you got any more firm details on titles for the books containing your new short stories?
Cheers Wolfhunter
Wolfhunter - Fantastic Companions, edited by Julie Czerneda is out in Canada from Fitzhenry and Whitside, with a US release slated for later this summer.
I was asked on another anthology - and I turned in TWO stories for that one, giving them a selection. One was an Athera story, and the other, a SF/Contemporary. The book's editor opted for the latter, which leaves the Athera one free for something elsewhere. Meantime, I am awaiting "formal word" on the status of this submission - which would let me make it public.
I just finished draft for a near future SF story - which is in final adjustment and polish stage - and should see print pretty quickly. Look for detailed announcements on these two projects in the Short Story topic.
There's another opportunity also flung out there in the ether - and it's a nifty fun idea, with some exceptionally great editors - so that one's pending in the mental story mixer, and something will come of that one.
For anybody worried about Stormed Fortress - that's marching along, too. With the latest short fiction deadline turning in today, it's on the front burner, as of now.
It is not outside possibility there could be another collected volume in the future, as these little guys keep on piling up. Also, I've even teased myself with the thought of centering a few short pieces, and maybe a novella, in Athera, around some significant years, to shed light on the complexity and richness of the backhistory.
Note: when you readers comment, I NOTICE. If you keep being mystified about some point, often I can work it into the current volume, to clarify your confusion. Sometimes, your curiosity lets me play too, and shed light into an area I already know, and you badly want to…it's interactive to a degree. Your feedback is helpful - and sometimes your wishes get answered. When somebody just itched to see what happened to Felirin, and I had to extend the plot of Fugitive Prince due to a split volume the publisher wanted, but I had never intended - they got their wish. I know the yelling to see more of Traithe let him walk into a scene in Traitor's Knot - he'd probably have been there anyhow BUT, I could hear that fan's chortling in the background as he stepped out of the shadows with his raven. When Lynn at MM called and said we "have six blank pages to play with" in the US TK edition - I leaped straight in with that appendix, and the contents of that were a direct answer to many questions chewed over by you on this chat - it's not unlikely more of this sort of thing can happen, but not if I don't get to share in seeing your comments. The EEE-vile Laugh doesn't happen, really, so much as I get insight into what you guys need clarified further. (grin)
Anybody who didn't track down Child of Prophecy that's in Fawcett's Masters of Fantasy anthology - this is a significant "piece" of the story puzzle. It can be left out, but it's richer, more depth, and you will have further insights into the main storyline of TK and also Stormed Fortress's opening. I can hope Reins of Destiny (the other story, just completed) can find a way into your hands, too. It takes place just a little earlier than Child of Prophecy, and covers another aspect of the rising in 5018.
originally posted by Auna
I have a huge crush on the F7, so any added tidbits with them is awesome by me 
originally posted by Blue
I know the yelling to see more of Traithe let him walk into a scene in Traitor's Knot - he'd probably have been there anyhow BUT, I could hear that fan's chortling in the background as he stepped out of the shadows with his raven.
Janny, I must plead guilty to this, as I am a card-carrying member of Traithe's Babes.
originally posted by Kam
A novella? I'd be ESTATIC about that.
I would really like to hear more about the paravians. I mean, they're so central to the plot and to Arithon's goals, but so far we've only seen little snippets of them - I loved that centuar in PG.
I would die for a quick snippet of the sunchildren in action (although I suspect Janny's hoarding her cards on that one!)
originally posted by Auna
I would love to see more clarification of the F7 restrictions. Sometimes it seems like they could do more and just don't. Other times I think I can almost see why they don't intervene (like telling Elaira, oh btw, you could do something about that oath), and why don't they send Arithon off to help them except at dire need, or why don't they have more spellbinders to pick up the slack.
I guess I'm confused because they were willing to go against town free will when they tried to crown Arithon, yet after that they retreated and did nothing against the townsmen when I felt maybe they could have done something (before they got too busy) more to help.
Also, I'm curious how far they can teleport if they don't use a focus circle. They did this in the first book to get Lysaer from the balcony where he unleashed the curse on Arithon to the palace, then never really did it again that I recall.
Finally, why is Davien the only one of the Fellowship that seems to have a handle on something Ath's adepts can do (be solid as a ghost type thing)?
STATUS: The contract from HarperCollins UK has come for the next two volumes in the Wars of Light and Shadows series - Stormed Fortress, and also, the opening volume of Arc IV, no title announced yet.
Now - celebrate with me - but - !! - Please do NOT start leaping up and down for knowing a press date NOW. This is not set, and will not be for some time. Until I have the manuscript finished and turned in, anything is a guess. Your book shop or any retailer you ask, or any statement made by them online will not KNOW. Until a book is turned in, edited, approved for production, and finally IN production, the schedule is subject to change.
We are now entering the CONTRACT phase. Wherin I agree to produce the book on a schedule, and the publisher acknowledges its stated intent to produce it on a second schedule - with many interrim steps to be completed before the arrival at production and final release.
Yes, I have been at work on the manuscript. No, it is NOT going to be turned in for awhile yet.
originally posted by Lady Kelryn
Congrats Janny!
originally posted by Auna
Go Janny!
originally posted by Trys
Yay Janny!!
originally posted by skeoke
Woohoo!!
(Can we ask about cover art? 
)
originally posted by Sandtiger
WOOOHHOOOO!!!
And I am glad to see them doing a contract for Stormed Fortress AND Book One of Arc Four. Now there is GREAT news.
Sandtiger ::Popping open some virtual champagne::
originally posted by Emrys
Congratulations! And reassuring, with things getting tougher in the publishing world. More books to look forward to!
originally posted by Dorothy Isles
brilliant news, Janny.Congratulations!