Santa's (sad) sack #1

[adelaidesean]

Herein a few newsworthy items I've accrued in recent weeks but haven't done anything about, partly out of laziness, mostly out of not having enough time, thanks to

(1) The Devoured Earth, which became half a book a couple of days ago. That is, I'm halfway through the expected word length of around 150k. It's been fun, which has come as an immense relief, as it's the last in the Books of the Cataclysm and if I wasn't enjoying it I'd be worried that no one else would be either. The book before it,

(2) The Hanging Mountains, hit the shelves in Adelaide today, a hefty tome with a beautiful Greg Bridges cover. The cast gets larger with every book, but Sal and Shilly and Skender are still there. I can't promise that I won't kill them off at some point, though, especially after the bloodbath of

(3) The Crooked Letter, which went into its fourth reprint this week. The US edition is currently being laid out ready for its publication in hardcover by Pyr in April next year. The second book in the series, The Blood Debt, is due out in the States in October. That'll make three US hardcovers in one year, thanks to

(4) Geodesica, recently picked up in omnibus form by the SF Book Club for a February release. Both books will soon be reviewed in Locus. Watch this space.

(5) Good news comes in fives, but ways of linking them don't. Oh well. The final snippet concerns my Masters in Creative Writing from Adelaide University, which I seem to have passed. And passed with a High Distinction, what's more. That makes up for lots of things. I'm very pleased--and looking forward to wearing a silly hat and gown at the ceremony in a couple of weeks, and finally being able to put letters after my name. Woohoo! (The Changeling's ultimate fate remains in limbo. Will report here in due course.)

There may be more news before the end of the year. Using "#1" in the subject line definitely implies a certain hopefulness. I will keep my fingers crossed, but won't be disappointed if there isn't. It's been a good month. I'm grateful.

Sean

Comments

[lonewolf23.livejournal.com]

Huzzah x 5!

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks x 10!

[shadowsandice.livejournal.com]

Bloody overachievers!

Huge congrats, especially with the Masters. Tres, tres, tres awesome. Please share photos of you in the gown and mortar. ;)

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Will post a photo late December, assuming I don't look too ridiculous...

[shadowsandice.livejournal.com]

No one wears a dress and board and fails to look ridiculous. That's most of the motivation behind the photo request.

[deborahb.livejournal.com]

Feel free to start wearing a silly hat any time you want, lad.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Lawd. Don't tempt me. That's a box that doesn't need opening...

[(Anonymous)]

Good to hear! (And particular congratulations on the Masters.) Looking forward to Descent, which I gather is due in February.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

January in the US from Ace; February in omnibus from SFBC; April from HarperCollins here in Australia. I think that's right. It is a bit confusing sometimes...

Whichever version you read, I hope you like it!

[accy.livejournal.com]

Yay for Sean.

Mark@GalaxyBooks

[(Anonymous)]

Congratulations Sean - on all counts.

And FYI - Hanging Mountains is sitting pretty at #10 in the Galaxy Books Bestsellers list. (And yes, I LOVED it!)

Mark.

Re: Mark@GalaxyBooks

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Mark. That's the first feedback I've received on the finished book, and it's very welcome! And that's great about the sales. There's an awful lot of competition out there right now. :-)

S

Hayley from Adelaide

[(Anonymous)]

Congrats on the Masters - and it looks as if after 'the devoured Earth' is finished that you are long overdue for a holiday, (or at least a long, lazy lie on the couch with a refreshing beveridge of some kind).

Re: Hayley from Adelaide

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

That's a terrific idea. Picture me in my new garden on a sunny day with feet up, Sea Breeze in hand and a big smile on my face. That pose will last for about ten minutes before I have to go back inside to start the next book (Saturn Returns), but I will definitely enjoy it while it lasts. :-)

[(Anonymous)]

I'd just like to say "thankyou" for, and offer my congratulations on The Hanging Mountains! I really enjoyed this book, as much as I did The Blood Debt (though I think The Crooked Letter is still my favourite). I can't wait for The Devoured Earth - there are some intriguing issues you've left to be resolved. And I think we all have our suspicions on who the Goddess is...

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Well, thank *you*. This is a wonderful Xmas present. I'm glad you enjoyed the book. The Devoured Earth is nearing completion, and I hope it'll answer all your questions...

Huzzah!

[(Anonymous)]

Eagerly awaiting the Devoured Earth, the other three books are the first of your works I've read, but they certainly won't be the last =)

Godesses Speed. (=P)

Re: Huzzah!

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

Well, thanks again! You'll be pleased to know that I finished The Devoured Earth just last night, and I think it's a corker. (But then, I would. ) I have a couple of weeks to edit it before delivering it to my editor, and then, at last, I'm going to take a bit of a holiday...

Re: Huzzah!

[(Anonymous)]

Excellent news! Any idea as to when it might be released?

Re: Huzzah!

[ladnews.livejournal.com]

September 2006. A little later than originally planned, thanks to various unexpected developments last year, but not too far away, I hope. Here's the first line of chapter one, "The Breach":

Everything hurt.

Not much of a spoiler, is it? Sorry. :-)

Re: Huzzah!

[(Anonymous)]

Not much of a spoiler, no - but it (along with the chapter title) is a good tantaliser! And besides, spoilers do have the tendency to, well, spoil things. :p I'm sure the wait until September will be well worth it.