Paksworld

Today I went to the publisher’s office–the Random House/Bertelsman offices–in Manhattan.   It strikes humility in the heart of the writer to see the display of all the other titles–well, a very large selection of the titles–that Random House has published over its history.   The ground floor display is amazing and wonderful.

Read the rest of this entry »

I realized I needed business cards for the upcoming trips, and having waited too long to order interesting ones in time, I bought software to make my own.  With my own graphics.

What a time sink!   What fun!    Three Paksworld-specific business card designs, two-sided, the back side with a list of the Paksworld books.   Unfortunately my favorite design, where the background was supposed to be the map for the new book turned sideways and ‘faded’ enough not to compete with the business card data, printed too pale, though the map showed up fine on screen.

Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve been told I’ll be getting the page proofs early in September.   This is the step that produces ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies, or review copies.)   As of September, we’re only six months from publication…scary thought.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today I read a bit of the new book to an unselected audience for the first time: a scene with as much interest and as few spoilers as I could find.  This was at ArmadilloCon.

The audience liked it, but you have to understand it was Sunday at a science fiction convention and everyone was looking a bit (some more than a bit) glazed.  All except one soul who apparently thought this was a critique group and not the reading of something finished, and explained what she thought needed to be changed.  (Hint: don’t do this.  It’s like the old joke about trying to teach a pig to sing–you can’t, and it only annoys the pig.  The book’s in production, as I told her with as much gentleness as I could muster.  No changes at this point.  But, ahem.)

Read the rest of this entry »

My UK editor has given me permission to post the cover art for the UK Deed of Paksenarrion omnibus!   So here it is:

Orbit cover for Paks omnibus

Read the rest of this entry »

Baen Books will re-issue the original three books with new covers to coordinate with the Del Rey release of Oath of Fealty.    And let me say right now that this is a very generous (and all too rare) example of cooperation by a former publisher.   Three cheers for Baen, not only for publishing these books when I was a raw unknown newbie, but for keeping them in print, and for agreeing to repackage them in 2010.  Hip, hip, hooray! (x 3)

Read the rest of this entry »

And I now have permission to share.  

Read the rest of this entry »

My editor just told me–the publication date for Oath of Fealty will be March of next year.  March 2010, that is.

I think March is a fine month to launch a book, especially as it’s my birthday month.

(Imagine author bouncing around the room, making silly sounds.)

I’m working on the last of the revision stuff now, and that will probably take me another working day, at most two.

The cover conference happened, and though I have nothing cast in stone to report,  my editor kindly gave me hints about what they’re thinking.   I’m very happy with it, and at least some of you will be, too.  When I’m permitted to say more, I will.

Note: these are time-limited questions, answers due by 8 am CDT.   (After that, they won’t have any force.)   Note also:  answers may not have any effect, even if I kick them upstairs on time.   If you choose to answer, please answer at least the first two questions.

1) What is the thing you’d MOST like to see on the cover of the new book?

Choose from a) scene, b) face of character, c) symbolic object, d) other.

2) What is the thing you’d LEAST like to see on the cover of the new book?

Choose from a) scene, b) face of character, c) symbolic object, d) other.

3) Name three books whose covers attracted you.

4) Name three books whose covers repelled you.

5) What colors on book covers attract you?  (limit of three)

6) What colors on book covers repel you?  (limit of three)

7) Which of the Paks/Gird/Luap  covers do you like best?