Kevin's Watch

The mailing list strikes again.

Stephen R. Donaldson
March 2017 News

When I first launched my newsletter project, I intended to put out three a year, or possibly four. But that hasn't happened. Readers of my previous "blast" know what occurred last year: my publisher, Berkley, instructed me not to announce their decision to publish my new trilogy, The Great God's War, until they had issued their own press release--a process that took several months. (During that time, Gollancz also came on board; but they haven't imposed any "gag orders.") And now the same thing has happened again. I approved Berkley's cover art and design for Book One, SEVENTH DECIMATE, almost three months ago; but Berkley told me to keep the image to myself until they could do their own "reveal." Which didn't take place until today. So now at last I can send out my third newsletter.

For readers who are interested, there will soon be a downloadable PDF of the "Prologue" from SEVENTH DECIMATE posted on my web site (www.stephenrdonaldson.com). But be warned: in the immortal words of Valorie Ebert, "Prince Bifalt is an asshat." (I wanted that for a cover blurb, but nobody else thought it was funny.) Publication is scheduled for mid-November--as it is for Gollancz in the UK. But I don't recall seeing the cover art and design for that edition.

The Gollancz cover I've included here is for their upcoming paperback of "The King's Justice" and "The Augur's Gambit": both novellas in one volume. But I hasten to add that this is a preliminary image. Details may change.

Sadly, I have no other solid news. I'm told that Berkley intends to release an audio version of SEVENTH DECIMATE, but I don't know when--or who will do the reading. (E-books now are almost automatic.) Other than that, I'm hard at work on Book Two, KNOWLEDGE AND EVIL. There isn't much I can say about it at this stage, except that I find it very challenging--and that the finished version will probably be at least twice as long as Book One. Oh, and I'm in no foreseeable danger of missing my deadline.

Maybe this year will be different. Maybe this year I'll be able to muster three newsletters. <rueful grin>

As always, if you want off this list, use the "unsubscribe" link above, or contact: NMJen11@yahoo.com. And if you know someone who wants to be added to the list, use the same contact.

--Steve

A link to the online version of this letter, which has some book covers, an author headshot, and no fannypacks: link

wayfriend wrote:But be warned: in the immortal words of Valorie Ebert, "Prince Bifalt is an asshat." (I wanted that for a cover blurb, but nobody else thought it was funny.)

I thought it was funny. And I can't wait!

Sorus wrote:

wayfriend wrote:But be warned: in the immortal words of Valorie Ebert, "Prince Bifalt is an asshat." (I wanted that for a cover blurb, but nobody else thought it was funny.)

I thought it was funny. And I can't wait!

It's funny because now we have to add "asshat" to The SRD Dictionary of (Semi-) Obscure Terms.

It's always exciting to receive SRD news. He loves his rueful grins, doesn't he!

Dude, once again I fail to get a SRD newsletter, even after confirming last time I was on the e-mail list. I think they just want to blacklist me from getting the news.

-jay

I got it...

--A

Awesome!

Seriously? First posts in 7 years and this is all we get? How the hell are you Sky?

--A

Hi, Sky!

Avatar wrote:Seriously? First posts in 7 years and this is all we get? How the hell are you Sky?

--A

Hahaha ... eek
Great! I'm great! So much has happened over the passing of the years lol
But I note that you might come to regret that statement lol .. as I've already been reading in Hile Troys Think Tank lol .. .. would seem not a lot of representation from the left these days Hahahaha..

I thought as an introduction I'd upload pics and for the first time really ever share my story lol .. so maybe avoid that thread LOL ..

Although I've been a Watcher since the old Watch and in this great land that Jay and Vain originally built here .. and it has become a thing of beauty .. to be sure .. I was pleasantly surprised that my login was still operative and my profile in tact!!!

I've posted here and there since I've returned home (feeling a little like the prodigal son LOL) .. but keeping my head down .. and focussing on reading all the new stuff .. which has been fun .. 'The Decimate' ? .. you fall out of the pic when you've been away so long huh Avatar?

Wasn't entirely sure I'd be welcomed as warmly but am very grateful for those of you that have shot me a hi or a wave! I have much to learn. I have missed being here and all my fellow Watchers. I will bridge the years lol .. as succinctly as I can

So great to see many of the old crew are still here!

Hi dAN so great to you again

Welcome back!

Skyweir wrote:.. would seem not a lot of representation from the left these days...

Yeah, we're terribly outnumbered now.

I thought as an introduction I'd upload pics and for the first time really ever share my story lol .. so maybe avoid that thread LOL ..

Not a chance...where is it?

I was pleasantly surprised that my login was still operative and my profile intact!!!

Why wouldn't it be? You think we abandon our members the way they abandon us?

Wasn't entirely sure I'd be welcomed as warmly...

Oh ye of little faith.

So great to see many of the old crew are still here!

Still too few these days, but at least one (you) has returned to us. Good to have you back.

--A

New newsletter from the mailing list, for them who might not be getting it.

14th Nov announced as the release date for the new book.

Also a link to an interview about it here: www.unboundworlds.com/2017/03/stephen-r ... -new-book/

--A

I am happy to read this:

Stephen R Donaldson wrote:I have to add, however, that I don't consider "The Great God's War" epic in any way that's comparable to "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" - or even to the GAP sequence. Put crudely, my intentions for this new trilogy are not archetypal. Despite some dramatic differences in tone and narrative methodologies, "The Great God's War" has more in common with "Mordant's Need."

That's nana-worthy!

I was thinking what I'd read so far had a bit of an MN feel to it, even in the names of the characters.

Signed up last week ~ got the email this week ... niice!

I still don't get the e-mails.

-jay

Try sign up with a different address?

--A

Another news blast has been blasted.

Stephen R. Donaldson
December 2017 News

At last--that's how it feels, anyway--SEVENTH DECIMATE, Book One of The Great God's War, has been published. Berkley in the US, Gollancz in the UK. Hardcover, digital, and audio. Of course, this isn't really "news," per se. The information should be widely available by now. But now I can tell you that the book has received at least a couple of good reviews, one on the Barnes and Noble sci-fi-fantasy blog, and one in--of all places--the Wall Street Journal. If you're interested (and you're better at web searches than I am), you should be able to find them. It's always nice to be reviewed by people who actually read the book--and actually understood it.

And I also want to mention that earlier this week I did an interview for the "StoryMen" podcast. I'm afraid I got rather carried away. That happens sometimes when I'm asked intelligent questions I wasn't expecting. You should be able to listen to the interview here: www.norvillerogers.com/seventh-decimate/

But from my point of view, the real news is that I've finished the first draft of Book Two. At roughly 200,000 words, it's 2.5 times the length of Book One. Of course, I hasten to add that I'm far from done. I revise a lot. I'll do one complete revision before I show the manuscript to my agent. Then--best case scenario--I'll do one more complete revision for my editor. (SEVENTH DECIMATE is an example of the worst case scenario. For that book, I did a total of 8 drafts.)

So how, you may well ask, did I end up with 200,000 words when I thought I had already written that much three months ago? Simple. I was wrong three months ago. And I've done a certain amount of restructuring to improve the balance between Books Two and Three.

Meanwhile, I've changed my mind about the title of Book Two. After living with KNOWLEDGE AND EVIL for a long time, I've decided I don't like it. It seems rather heavy-handed, and not especially apt. My current working title is THE WAR WITHIN. Of course, my editor make take a different view; but I'll bridge that cross when I come to it. ("Bridge that cross" is an in-joke for people who eventually read Book Two.)

As always, if you want off this list, use the "unsubscribe" link above, or contact: NMJen11@yahoo.com. And if you know someone who wants to be added to the list, use the same contact. AND, if you've already asked to be on the list, but you don't get this newsletter--ha, ha--look in your spam folder.
Be well!

--Steve



[link to online version]