Dear Readers–
Well, AN ECHO IN THE BONE debuts on the New York Times list next week at #2! (My publisher sent me a large bottle of single-malt Scotch in congratulation–and, I suspect, in apology for having released Dan Brown’s book a week before ECHO [g].)
HUGE thanks to all of you, and I’m thrilled that y’all seem to be enjoying the book!
A word about the ending…I did say, did I not, “Nobody’s going to hit the end of _this_ book, and think it’s the last one?” [g] Indeed it is not. There will certainly be a Book Eight–and no, I have no idea when that one will be out. At the moment, I’m home on a (very brief) furlough from book-touring; back on the road Monday, and won’t be home for good until Thanksgiving, which is the soonest I could reasonably resume anything like a productive writing routine–as well as a prequel volume about Jamie’s parents, a Volume II of the OUTLANDISH COMPANION, and heaven knows what-all else. But the story is definitely not over!
I was given your book Outlander as a birthday gift from my sister August 2008 (she had a sly smile to go with it) and I can honestly say with a fair amount of parental shame my kids spent 3 months playing in the bath (a place I can keep them contained) while I read sitting on the edge, often saying "shhhh mommy's in Scotland!" After completing the first novel I (and my husband indirectly) enjoyed the characters so much he returned from the bookstore holding all 5 of the novels following. I then discovered there was one left, it and the lord john series were savored until this new release. I find in between novels my mind drifting and wondering what Clair, Jamie and your other deep and colorful characters may be up to as if they are family or friends who have moved and we are simply lacking in correspondence. I just needed to describe my thorough enjoyment of your writing and brilliant story building.
To say it simply, Thank You!
Do you already know where and when you will be in Germany?
OK. I've read ECHO as slowly as I could. I know your life is busy, but remember that you've left all of us on tenterhooks!
It's a wonderful book.
Thanks for Echo Diana – it was fantastic! Tried reading it slowly to make it last longer, but couldn't put it down. Of course, you've left us hanging on the edge of our seats for the next one! Looking forward to seeing you when you are in Adelaide.
Cheers
I am so thrilled with the book and of course the entire series. I think I'll soon have to re-read all 7 of them again, probably during the long snowy winter. I am less than 60 pages away from the end of 7, and am dragging my feet because I don't want to leave everyone…. lol Thank you again Diana for bringing us joy, adventure, and life to such a wonderful group of characters!
I was walking around for days going "Damn cliffhanger" and now poor little Jem is stuck by himself for how many years in the dark LOL I have decided to go back and read them all again while waiting. I can't believe it has been 16 yrs since I read Outlander and Dragonfly… time
Went to Diana's dinner last night in Melbourne – great speech and quite funny at times. I think there were fewer than 10 guys amongst 150 or so – Worth attending one of these if you get the chance.
Very Nice posting
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I was there too, Mark. It was very nice to have the opportunity to hear Diana speak (even if I have heard most of what she said before, online) and to have her answer my question (about the graphic novel) and to get my copy of Cross Stitch signed. I also gave her a small gift of a scarf in what I hope are her "colours" which I made to say thanks for such an amazing series.
Hope Diana gets a nice rest on Saturday before heading off to Sydney, or Hobart or whatever's next on her itinerary!
Jen
I am so grateful, that my aunt introduced your books to me. You are the most talented author out there. I'm hooked. I could not put "An Echo in the Bone " down. I breezed right through,and it is my favorite so far, maybe because I get more attached to the characters with every book. I am not going to lie I am very eager for the next one,but no pressure I will wait patiently. I am impressed that the 6th book came out so soon.You are fast. Thank You, for taking me to another moment in time, and making my life more enriched.Congratulations on your much deserved success.
Much Love,
Melody
well i finally finished it!
(way behind i know, but working full time and going to school make little time for pleasure reading.)
anyway…WOW! it was wonderful! i keep being afraid that the books will start to seem drawn out, but no! better even than i expected. you are truely brilliant.
but now we have to wait two more years to find out how jemmy gets out of the well…er, tunnel!
@tillieblitz
These books were given to me in much the same way. In 2003 when the oncology ward had been my second home for a while, my mother gave them to me.
An avid reader all my life, I had always flatly refused to read series books before. I didn’t want to be tied down to a single story for too long, it made me feel like I was getting behind on everything else there was to read. However, now the world had stopped and since I couldn’t leave the bed (the cancer had also made me crippled), there wasn’t much else I /could/ do. So I from my bed I lived vicariously through my books. (or rather, more than I did before).
Isn’t it amazing how much more vivid books seem when your body is processing large amounts of poisonous drugs? These characters /were/ my life. (not that I recommend it, this is a comment on the bizarre, /not/ a suggestion!)
I can also track the progress of my “chemo brain” by the books in this series: the outlander and dragonfly I remember completely in detail as I used to with all books, voyager I remember a basic outline, drums and fiery cross I have only a few scenes and a general blur.
I don’t know what else you normally read or your “authors I liked”, but some of the other series’ that I read at that time were Mary Stewarts, “Merlin” books (my actual first series), Jack Whyte’s “Camulod” books, and Peter David’s “Sir Apropos” books (these truly appeal to the absurdist side of living with illness – the second and third, I didn’t like the first so much).
I am truly sorry that you’ve had a recurrence – keep reading, keep fighting.
Take care of your mind while your body is fighting.
~Lisa
Ps. I would have reached you personally but couldn’t find how. Since I felt the need to write, I decided this is where it would have to be.
Diana, sorry/thanks for borrowing space.
I have just finished Echo. All I can say is that it ended and I was greatly disappointed that it had to end. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next one in line. I cannot say how much I enjoy reading your books over and over. Every time I read the series, I find something else that I did not catch in my other readings. I just want to thank you for such wonderful books that grip you until you have finished reading them. Then you have to continue on to read more. I have not been so addicted to one set of books like I am with this series. Please continue writing such wonderful books and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Lucky me I've only just discovered this series. I'm on book two now:-) Thanks for a wonderful escape, and with sooooo much to look forward to! I greatly appreciate it!
With love,
Tracy
Thanks, Diana, for such a terrific night last night in West Brunswick! It was a joy to meet you. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Australia.
I also just ordered my copy of the Echo. I am not very patient person, but for this I waited long enough… I was supposed to get the Echo for loan, but I couldn't wait any longer so I ordered it today! ;o)
Also You have autographed me my copy of Outlander in Poisoned Pen (week was 26th-30th of October). I live in Finland so I haven't yet gotten it but THANK YOU before hand!
I discovered Outlander only about a year and a half ago and have now finished them all through An Echo in the Bone….Can't imagine waiting through 20 years to read them all. Maybe I can slip through some stones somewhere and read the next volume soon! I read alot! I'm an elementary school principal. But these books have characters I think about and plots I mull over in in my mind. What a treasure!
Hi again.
I just commented here at 14th.
I got the autographed Outlander today!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Still waiting for th Echo… ;o)
Le meas to you too! ;o)
I just waned to say that I absoloutly love your writing. A couple of friends of mine had been harassing me for the past few years to read Outlander, and the rest of the series. I was hesitant, as it seemed so daunting. Different from my normal, light historical fiction reads, I went to the local book store, and purchased Outlander knowing full well, There was no way I was going to like this book, but did so just to get my 2 friends off my back. Wow…. brace yourselves, cause it is not to often that this happens… But I was wrong… Yes.. I admit it. I have fallen irrevocably in love with these characters. I think of them often in my daily life, and once a new novel's spine is cracked, i find it painstaking to put it down. Its been 2 months since I first picked up Outlander, and I have read the first 5 in the series, having just finished Fiery Cross last week.
I have to be honest with you though, patience is not one of my virtues. Because I have been able to put one book down, and immediatly pick up the next one thereafter, I am not looking forward to Echo. Whatever will I do? LOL. I have heard bits and peices, my one girlfriend, (lets just refer to her as "the spoiler") basically told me the end of Jamie and Claire's story, and I have to tell ya! I cant do it… I cannot pick up the book and have it end in such a way, and have to wait for the next book…(in comes the patience thing again… im aware its a fault)
So my solution is, read "A Breath of Snow and Ashes", and wait. Wait with all the others lost in the Land Of Gabaldon, until I can read them back to back.
Here is my 2nd issue… After being introduced to your mesmerizing world, and the depth and beauty of its characters, I am finding I simply cant pick up any of my old style books, and truly anjoy what it is Im reading.I now am craving deeper, thought provoking stories, while staying within the Historical fiction era.
Do you have any recommendations?
I think I may tackle Ken Follet's, "The Pillars of The Earth". I have also seen many links on the net for Sara Donati.
Anyways, Keep up the amazing work, and I'll be waiting with baited breath for the next installment.
P.S.
There should NOT be a movie made of these books, there just simply is too much to put in a 2 hour time slot. What I would love to see… Is a series, either HBO or Showtime series. Like the Tudors or Rome… A season per book.. That would be great.
P.P.S Saw tou at the Kelowna BC book signing, (even though I have a buggered knee and couldnt wait in line to get my book signed dammit!!!) You were great! Funny and down to earth. It was a real treat. Thank-you
Take care
Shell Schroth
I completely agree with you Shell about the movie issue. There's just too much and, as we've seen just with Echo…simply no way to please everyone even with a novel. It would be next to impossible with a two hour movie. Mini-series…possibly. Love them too much to see them chopped up into little bite sized pieces!