The State of the Wicket – February
Now, we’ve been getting a lot of mail, Facebook comments, tweets, and so on, asking about the status of Book Eight, the short stories, etc. So I thought I’d give you a quick run-down of what-all I’ve been doing, where it all is at the moment, a short peek at everything, and—most importantly [g]—when things will be published.
For starters, I’m very pleased to announce that The Scottish Prisoner was released on November 29th, 2011. This release also includes a “teaser” chunk from Written in My Own Heart’s Blood (aka Book Eight, or MOHB (aka “Moby,” which is how I refer to it for convenience. I don’t _think_ it will be white, but it will certainly be a whale of a book [cough]). The teaser includes several scenes about different characters.
Now, I do normally work on multiple projects at once; it keeps me from getting writer’s block, and makes me generally more productive. I also think it’s entertaining to write the occasional short piece (novella or short story) that fills in a missing part of someone’s story and/or provides more depth to the overall tale.
The most recent of these short pieces to be published was “Lord John and the Plague of Zombies,” which was published last October—and which gratified me extremely by recently being nominated for an Edgar Award (for best mystery short story of the year—though it’s not all that short, really…)—in an anthology titled DOWN THESE STRANGE STREETS. The anthology is edited by George RR Martin and Gardner Dozois. http://tinyurl.com/Plague-Zombies
I’m presently writing a short story for another anthology (this one titled DANGEROUS WOMEN)—the story is called “Virgins,” and is about Jamie and his not-yet-brother-in-law Ian, as very young mercenaries in France. I don’t have a pub date for this anthology yet, but expect it will be out sometime later this year. I do post occasional brief snippets from “Virgins” (as well as other works-in-progress) on my Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/AuthorDianaGabaldon.
OK– on to Book Eight, which is probably what most people want to know about.
1) WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth volume in the main Outlander series. (It’s the sequel to AN ECHO IN THE BONE, where allll the cliffhangers will be picked up. [g])
2) I don’t know yet if WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the last book in this series!!
3) I am still writing WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD!!!
A) I hasten to say that most of the mail I get is wonderful, and Much Appreciated! However, I do get a small amount of idiotic email accusing me of having already finished the book, but “hiding” it from the readers, or keeping it off the market “just to be mean” or (of all insane notions) “to drive the price up.” (It ain’t pork bellies, people; the cover price is the same whenever it comes out, and I don’t set it.) I don’t mean to be impolite here, but…geez, guys.
i) Look. Books are
a) written in order to be read, and
b) published in order to make money.
ii) Publishers do not make money from books that are not in bookstores. Ergo….
iii) Publishers want to sell books as soon as the books are ready.
iv) So do authors. What do you think I live on, while I’m supposedly keeping a book off the market to be mean? And why do you think I’d want to be mean to the people who read my books? Sheesh.
4) Right. Now, I hope to finish writing the book around the end of this year.
OK, pay close attention now….
5) The book will not—repeat not—REPEAT NOT!!!—be published on December 31st, even if I finish writing it on December 30th. Why not? Well, because…
A) Books don’t go directly from the author to the bookstore.
B) Books go from the author to the Editor, who
i) reads the manuscript
ii) discusses the manuscript with the author, and
iii) suggests minor revisions that may improve the book
C) The book goes back to the author, who
i) re-reads the manuscript
ii) considers the editor’s comments, and
iii) makes whatever revisions, emendments, or clarifications seem right.
D) The book goes back to the editor, who
i) reads it again
ii) asks any questions that seem necessary, and
iii) sends it to
E) The copy-editor. This is a person whose thankless job is to
i) read the manuscript one…word…at…a…time
ii) find typos or errors in grammar, punctuation, or continuity (one heck of a job, considering the size not only of the individual books, but of the overall series), and
iii) write queries to the author regarding anything questionable, whereupon
F) The book comes back to the author—yes, again—who
i) re-reads the manuscript
ii) answers the copy-editor’s queries, and
iii) alters anything that the copy-editor has changed that the author disagrees with. After which, the author sends it back to
G) The editor—yes, again!—who
i) re-re-reads it
ii) checks that all the copy-editor’s queries have been answered, and sends it to
H) The Typesetter, who sets the manuscript in type, according to the format laid out by
I) The Book-Designer, who
i) decides on the layout of the pages (margins, gutters, headers or footers, page number placement)
ii) chooses a suitable and attractive typeface
iii) decides on the size of the font
iv) chooses or commissions any incidental artwork (endpapers, maps, dingbats—these are the little gizmos that divide chunks of text, but that aren’t chapter or section headings)
v) Designs chapter and Section headings, with artwork, and consults with the
J) Cover Artist, who (reasonably enough) designs or draws or paints or Photo-Shops the cover art, which is then sent to
K) The Printer, who prints the dust-jackets–which include not only the cover art and the author’s photograph and bio, but also “flap copy,” which may be written by either the editor or the author, but is then usually messed about with by
L) The Marketing Department, whose thankless task is to try to figure out how best to sell a book that can’t reasonably be described in terms of any known genre [g], to which end, they
i) try to provide seductive and appealing cover copy to the book
ii) compose advertisements for the book
iii) decide where such advertisements might be most effective (periodicals, newspapers, book-review sections, radio, TV, Facebook, Web)
iv) try to think up novel and entertaining means of promotion, such as having the author appear on Second Life to do a virtual reading, or sending copies of the book to the armed troops in Iraq, or booking the author to appear on Martha Stewart or Emiril Lagasse’s cooking show to demonstrate recipes for unusual foods mentioned in the book.
vi) kill a pigeon in Times Square and examine the entrails in order to determine the most advantageous publishing date for the book.
M) OK. The manuscript itself comes back from the typesetter, is looked at (again) by the editor, and sent back to the author (again! As my husband says, “to a writer, ‘finished’ is a relative concept.”), who anxiously proof-reads the galleys (these are the typeset sheets of the book; they look just like the printed book’s pages, but are not bound), because this is the very last chance to change anything. Meanwhile
N) A number of copies of the galley-proofs are bound—in very cheap plain covers—and sent to
O) The Reviewers. i.e., the bound galleys are sent (by the marketing people, the editor, and/or the author) to the book editors of all major newspapers and periodicals, and to any specialty publication to whom this book might possibly appeal, in hopes of getting preliminary reviews, from which cover quotes can be culled, and/or drumming up name recognition and excitement prior to publication. Frankly, they don’t always bother with this step with my books, because they are in a rush to get them into the bookstores, and it takes several months’ lead-time to get reviews sufficiently prior to publication that they can be quoted on the cover.
P) With luck, the author finds 99.99% of all errors in the galleys (you’re never going to find all of them; the process is asymptotic), and returns the corrected manuscript (for the last time, [pant, puff, gasp, wheeze]) to the editor, who sends it to
(1. The ebook coding happens somewhere in here.)
Q) The Printer, who prints lots of copies (“the print-run” means how many copies) of the “guts” of the book—the actual inside text. These are then shipped to
R) The Bindery, where the guts are bound into their covers, equipped with dust-jackets, and shipped to
S) The Distributors. There are a number of companies—Ingram, and Baker and Taylor, are the largest, but there are a number of smaller ones—whose business is shipping, distributing, and warehousing books. The publisher also ships directly to
T) The Bookstores, but bookstores can only house a limited number of books. Therefore, they draw on distributors’ warehouses to resupply a title that’s selling briskly, because it takes much longer to order directly from the publisher. And at this point, [sigh]…the book finally reaches
U) You, the reader.
And we do hope you like it when you get it—because we sure-God went to a lot of trouble to make it for you. [g]
6) As it happens, Random House (who publishes my books in the US and Canada) prefers to publish my titles in the Fall quarter (between September 1 and December 31). That’s because this is traditionally the biggest sales period in the year, what with the run-up to Christmas, and therefore all the publishers normally release their “big” titles in the Fall. I’m flattered to be among them.
However, if I do finish the manuscript around the end of this year, Random House (and the UK publisher, Orion, and the German publisher, Blanvalet) _may_ decide to release the book earlier in 2013. They probably won’t set a pub date until I deliver the manuscript—which I _HOPE_ (no guarantees, mind you. Stuff Happens) to finish by the end of 2012.
(The other foreign editions—I think we’re now up to 29 countries, including Israel, Croatia, Russia, Greece, and Korea, which is pretty cool—will be out whenever their respective editors and translators finish their production processes, but I’m afraid I can’t predict that at all.)
So—that’s why the English and German-speaking readers will almost certainly get Written in My Own Heart’s Blood _sometime_ in 2013.
When I have a specific publication date, rest assured—I’ll tell you. (Webmaster’s note: WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD has an official publisher release date of June 10, 2014.)
[Amended to add that the photo above is of me sitting down to a well-earned glass of wine at the end of all this...no, really, it's of me at a dinner at Culloden House last summer. Thanks to Judy Lowstuter, who took it!]
To all the people who read snippets of Ms. Gabaldon’s new book,and then accuse her of already having it finished…….SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t you know by now ,that anything good,much less decentis worth the bloody wait?! Come on people! I’ve been hooked since the first book,got several friends to read them and they are hooked….Good things come to those that wait! Let the lady do her job,and she’ll get it out to the masseswhen she thinks it’s finished and not one second before……………… on another note almost finished with book seven…….had to refresh my memory ona few things,so that I can pick up when the new one comes out. Ms. Gabaldon,I love this series like no other and I cry when someone dies…….I was cryin when Ian died…..but it will be good to have a new book in my hands,eventually and to see ……..in the end how it all comes full circle……..as in the first fifty pages or so of Outlander when Frank came back to Mrs. Baird’s and was white as a sheet and told Claire he’d seen a ghost. Of course,it was Jaime. God bless your very fertile mind,hope to see somewhere in Ohio in 2013 for a signing.
Great works of art take time – and I applaud you for not sacrificing your craft and the characters we dearly love – by caving to pressure of just getting the book done. As for the “idiotic” emails – you know you’re going get some more now with section L vi) – as they’ll likely believe killing a pigeon is actually how publishing dates are truly determined!
I thoroughly enjoy your commentary, every time I read something by you (ie. the article in Chatelaine Feb 2012) I can hear your voice and I am entertained! Thank you!
Diana, you have more than earned that glass of wine – hell – have a whole bottle! I, for one, love the anticipation of a new book just as much as reading it. Good things come to those who wait! You take your time, dear lady!
I-now own two complete sets of the series because I spend 6 months in Florida and 6 months in Rhode Island.
. My daughter-in-law and I took the Outlander tour several years ago and as soon as I returned I re-read the series…something I have never done before.
I had the pleasure of meeting you many years ago…I thanked you then and I thank you again for the many
hours of enjoyment you have given your readers,
You are grossly underpaid…
Holy cow! That was fascinating! I had no idea there was so much “back and forth”. Thanks for explaining…and “boooo” to anyone who dares to give you a hard time. Talk about biting the hand that feeds!
Loved this and I am sure all those other folks who work so hard on proofing, checking, printing, etc are sworn to secrecy … darn it. But what fun, what joy it is to have something so to look forward to. Your books are like Christmas is to a 4 year old.
Have to say, while we, your most devoted fans, hope and pray that eventually we will all know the end of the story… we honestly don’t ever want it to end. You put your heart and soul and a lot of hours (and hours, and hours, and hours…) into your works: it shows, dear lady, it shows.
I fell across OUTLANDER the year it first came out in paperback (a total stranger at a bookstore told me I HAD to read it…. she was so right!) , and have thoroughly enjoyed and promoted your writings every since.
I must tell you that I don’t have much to spend on books and when I actually purchase books, they are used, paperback… but YOURS, dear lady, are the only hard-covered books I purchase and they are most treasured.
And lastly, I just wanted to say…..Thank you.
As someone who works in publishing, on the production side no less, must say thank you for sharing that wonderfully detailed explanation. (On many occasions I’ve been tempted to respond to the myriad of comments surrounding your books pub dates, although my reply would not have been quite so fun to read!) Must say, I wish all of our authors understood the process so well, would make my job much easier.
To fill in the ebook gap; depending on the publisher files are either passed on for ebooks once final copy for print is approved or the ebook is done in tandem with the print edition at composition stage. This is unlike large print/audio/foreign publishers who want files early so they can start production for their own edition, which subsequently can cause different versions of book to be published if final files are then not procured (saw a few queries re: German ed vs US ed on your comp-serve forum).
Hope that helps…
Thank you Diana for creating such fabulous characters and giving them so many pages to tell their stories!
As someone who works in publishing, on the production side no less, must say thank you for sharing that wonderfully detailed explanation. (On many occasions I’ve been tempted to respond to the myriad of comments surrounding your books pub dates, although my reply would not have been quite so fun to read!) I wish all of our authors understood the process so well, would make my job much easier.
To fill in the ebook gap; depending on the publisher files are either passed on for ebooks once final copy for print is approved or the ebook is done in tandem with the print edition at composition stage. This is unlike large print/audio/foreign publishers who want files early so they can start production for their own edition, which subsequently can cause different versions of book to be published if final files are then not procured (saw a few queries re: German ed vs US ed on your comp-serve forum).
Hope that helps…
Thank you Diana for creating such fabulous characters and giving them so many pages to tell their stories!
Dear Janine–
Speaking for all authors–THANKS for what you do! [g]
—Diana
Diana, you are an incredible author! My mini “Outlander Book Club” are just thrilled with your series and we are happy to wait for, what is sure to be, an incredible continuation of our beloved story! Happy writing!
Hi Diana,
To call you mean is a travesty. You are the most generous writer to your readers and fans, very few, possible no one else, gives snippets of their works in progress. Nevermind, the fact that you are so available to your readers. You spoil us!
Do you sometimes feel like taking off and going ‘off line’ in order to just concentrate on your writing?
Jackleen
You are not a book whore. You make yourself accessible to an extent that amazes me in this day and age. Take the time you need and know we appreciate you for that, as each of your efforts is so well thought out and crafted. As we appreciate your characters, so we appreciate you. Though we have not met, I feel I know you and further, that most of us feel that same way.
Honestly, if you rushed the writing then they wouldn’t be as good still good just not as good, so take as long as you need to write. Your fans should be just sitting & waiting (maybe on pins & needle, but waiting) for the next one to come out.
OK, so not only are you meanly withholding the book from your adoring public, but now you want us all to feel sorry for you for how much work is involved in getting a book published!
Diana, thanks for sharing this! Of course we all know how hard you work, but it’s quite informative to get the rundown on all the steps that need to happen in order to get your wonderful stories from your brain — onto paper — into the stores — into our eagerly waiting hands.
Have a wonderful 2012! I’m so looking forward to reading MOBY, and meanwhile am happily devouring your Daily Lines on Facebook. Such fun!
BTW, my daughter was in Israel this past summer and picked up Outlander for me in Hebrew! (The Hebrew title is Nochria — that’s a “ch” like in Bach). I’m not sure that my Hebrew is good enough to make it through the whole book, but I’m also dying to see how Jamie “speaks” Hebrew!
Sitting patiently waiting for MOBY. Guess I’ll have to start from the beginning and reread 1-7 again!
Was in B&N looking for something new and was talking to a staff member she thought about it and started to describe a series (she couldn’t remember the title or author). Only a few words in I told her Outlander/Diana Gabaldon, she just looked at me. She had only read Outlander so far. Told her you hoped to finish 8 by the end of 2012; her response…. “at least I have time to get through the others”. But with the explanation above, she may be able to get through them twice; depending on how fast she reads.
Hello Diana ! I’m writing to you from freezing Paris, FR. Thank you for the description of the process. How dare some stupid people call you mean ? Don’t listen to them and keep on writing in as much time as you like.. I’ll be patient for MOBY it’ll be worth it !! Thanks so much.
My favorite books (and Star Treks) are time travel… romance, mystery, and history are high on the list too. Your Writting covers all my interests! If I have to wait ten more years, it would be just fine. I have received great joy in reading all your books, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for them. You have earned your place among the great authors, and I am proud to be one of your readers…
Thanks for the update, Diana. Did I miss The Space Between? I’ve read the teasers for that story and have been looking forward to it.
Diana, I am really sorry you have people asking the kinds of questions and sending the kinds of emails that require that kind of a response. I am patiently awaiting whatever you release. I am enjoying the excerpts. I don’t know how you do it all… Keep on truckin’.
In the meantime, I am reading all the other books in the world. I suggest some of the other fans do the same.
I am not going to complain simply say that I have loved every book in the Outlander series.
Ten minutes ago I was reading away at “An Echo in the Bone” where Ian and Rachel and Rollo were professing their love for each other.
I turned the page and went numb with shock. It was the end. I sat unable to move for a few minutes totally aghast as I new it was the last available book.
I dived onto your Website only to be mollified by the fact that Book 8 will come out next year.
Diana you are awesome and I love all the “Outlander” books so I guess I now have two options.
Read “Outlander” again or read the “John Grey” Novels.
What a long year 2012 is going to be.
Jim
Dear Jim Mac–
Read the Lord John books; it’ll go by in a flash. [g] if you’re not sure you’ll like them, I recommend starting with THE SCOTTISH PRISONER. That one is half Jamie, and–like all the Lord John books–can be read as a standalone novel.
–Diana
Diana,
I know you’ve said that before… Stand alone novel. But really.. Once someone reads anything you have written NOTHING can stand alone after that. The Outlander fever begins! Best all time series ever! Thank you for every second. Happily waiting for the next “bone” you carefully craft.
I also recommend reading THE SCOTTISH PRISONER (as well as any of the other Lord John books) before MOBY is available, but not just to make the time go by in a flash. THE SCOTTISH PRISONER provides a previously unknown (and unwritten) history between Jamie and Lord John that will (or should) affect their affection and trust for each other as they deal with the situation in which they find themselves as MOBY opens. THE SCOTTISH PRISONER also creates a history and a relationship between Jamie and Hal (John’s brother who is arriving in Boston), which should make any direct or indirect dealings between Hal and Jamie more complex than they would have been otherwise. I love that we now have this history as background for the continuing story!!
- Denise