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!]
All I can say is that I have loved the adventures, and feel a bit guilty that for all the time you take to create them, it only takes me only a couple days (or less depending) to read your creation. But, worth the wait. Thank you for all the enjoyment, laughs, and tears. I look forward to what’s next!
Folks, while I got an EYE OPENER into the world of publishing, do you realize Herself could’ve written a chapter of MOBY during the time she was explaining the above to us?
Is suáilce í an fhoighne (Patience is a virtue in Gaelic)!
Dear MaryFaithPeace–
I could have eaten lunch, taken a walk, or had a shower in the time it took me to write that explanation. [g]
–Diana
Ha! Shows you how much I know about writing, which I’ll gladly leave to YOU. I hope FL will be included in your MOBY book tours. I’ll even conjure up a silkie for you when you visit!
Your books are phenomenal, much like you I expect. Your devoted readers who hungerly devour your every word, are patient, loyal and loving. Take your time and do what you were born to do. Just let the crazy obsessive fans fade into the background. You don’t need to explain yourself to anyone. I look forward as always to your next book, whenever it comes.
I am rereading Outlander on my Kindle, after first reading them in hardback. I’ll get the hardback for my personal library and then read it on Kindle. Yours is one of the few books that I still buy in hardback. I’m really anticipating “Moby”. Your books are GREAT! As a former history teacher, they really come alive to me. Don’t let the negative people wear you down! Are ya’ll ever coming to Texas? THANKS!
Dear James–
Many thanks! I don’t believe a publisher has ever sent me to Texas, but I have now and then come to do a book festival or lecture at a university; that sort of thing. Trying very hard not to go _anywhere_ this year, though, in order to finish writing MOBY. [g]
–Diana
As a nurse who subsequently went to med school and has practiced as a gynecologist for 30 years, the Outlander series has warmed the cockles of my heart for many years, and has become comfort food for my soul. Diana Gabaldon is my favorite author, our century’s Charles Dickens, and Davina Porter is my favorite narrator. I have to sing unchecked praise for the Outlander series, and have always given 5 stars at audible.com to both the author and Davina Porter. The Lord John recorded books as a series has been harder to love, although Scottish Prisoner, the story (not the narration) is another wonderful book. I listen driving back and forth to work for 55 minutes/day, so I really need the books and stories to be available in audible. The Lord John series were released out of order, and some of the stories are not available in audible, making it difficult to listen in chronological order. I would greatly appreciate that a chronological Lord John audible anthology be created if at all possible, adding the stories that do not have audible versions, and redoing the narration of Jamie to the same standard as Davina Porter. I have bought the paper versions of the anthologies, and did not find the other stories to be of the same quality or interest, and only bought them to get the Diana Gabaldon story. This is an ongoing frustration every time a new Lord John book comes out, as there is no easy way to review the previous story lines. I have bought the paper and audible version of every book, and will re-purchase the Lord John compiled audible anthology if you’ll do it (as I think many fans might). Thanks for your wonderful story telling. Looking forward to MOHB whenever it comes out.
Dear Jill–
In the fullness of time, I do hope to have all the Lord John short pieces collected, in both book/audiobook and ebook form, to make them more easily accessible (and facilitate having good audio versions). The thing is, though, that when I do a piece for an anthology, there’s a period of time during which I can’t reprint the piece–reasonably enough, as that gives the anthology editors an exclusive period (usually 12-18 months) in which to sell their book, before there’s competition from the short pieces being sold alone.
–Diana
Yay! I was wondering if we would ever see the collected short stories available outside of their original anthologies. Do you have similar plans for the non-Lord John short pieces? I’ve been loving the bits and pieces of Virgins and The Space Between you’ve been posting on Facebook. As a fan who has at least four copies of each novel (yes, I buy the hardcover, trade, mass market *and* ebook version), I would love to add all the short stories to the bookshelf!
I know you’ve always said the Lord John books are stand-alone, but they’ve added *so* much to my enjoyment of the main series… everytime we see a character cross over (or even referenced), I get a big grin on my face. I strongly encourage those who *don’t* read Lord John (and I know they exist) to start. I know it doesn’t seem possible, but having read them makes Jamie and Claire that much better!!
Thank you for all that you do for your fans – you really are the best out there!
Dear Diana,
I am a big fan, I love all your books, but in the Scottish Prisoner, the narrator of Jamie’s voice just got it wrong. He just does not sound manly enough and the authority that he always seems to have in the books does not come out with this narrator, it’s like he never read the story of Jamie and Claire.
Sorry,
Kim S.
Dear Kim–
I don’t suppose he _did_ (read the other books). Why would he? He’s an actor, hired for a specific job. I would have preferred a good Scottish actor myself (and in fact, the Recorded Books people gave Allan Scott-Douglas an audition at my suggestion–he did a really good job with it, btw)–but the casting director explained to me that since we were using two readers, the most important thing was that the two actors have similar pacing and styles of emphasis in their readings. I.e., the same characters are _voiced_ in both readers’ segments–both readers do read Jamie, John, Hal, Harry Quarry, etc.–and while there will plainly be differences of voice and inflection and accent, if the rhythm and pacing and level of emotionality is similar, the scenes will blend, without being too jerky or jarring. (Allan’s reading was excellent on its own, but he reads much faster than Jeff, and with a more extreme level of emotion–reasonable, as he’s a singer).
Anyway, while one could quibble with this or that, I thought overall it was a fascinating audiobook and worked really well, once you got used to the voices.
–Diana
Hello Diana! I have loved your books for years and am so inspired by you. I was wondering if you knew anything about the process of becoming a copy-editor?
Thank you!
Sarah
Dear Sarah–
Well, it used to be that you would write to the Chief of the copy-editing department at one of the major publishing houses, to inquire about their specific needs and program (they did–and probably still do–have a test that potential copy-editors would need to pass before being considered for work). Pretty sure that these days, almost all copy-editors are free-lancers who work on contract, rather than being employed directly by the publishing houses, though.
–Diana
Diana,
Thank you for the info! Looking forward to MOBY!
Sarah H.
I love the series and I really liked “The Scottish Prisoner”, too. (The other Lord John novels were well written, of course, but just not that interesting to me.) The cliffhangers at the end of “An Echo in the Bone” make waiting for book 8 all the more difficult, so I can’t say I’m not disappointed that it will be more than a year before I get to read it. That said, it’s amazing to me that you can write such wonderful books so quickly! I managed to wait 20 years to finish reading the “Clan of the Cavebear” series since she was taking 10 years to write each book; I should be able to wait another year for MOHB. My disappointment in waiting is a testament to your skill, not a criticism.
I love your books and I am happily rereading all the books in anticipation of WIMOHB or MOBY. Just finished The Scottish Prisoner, and I am looking forward to more of the short stories. Ignore the weird stuff and keep writing. We’ll be here waiting for it when it comes out.
Take all the time you need, after all, you can’t rush perfection!
My 11-yr-old daughter who thinks it’s “weird” that the first thing her mother does each morning it check Facebook for MOBY Daily Lines, was good enough to remind me recently while I was lamenting about how long it is until 2013, “Wow Mom, it would really stink if the Mayans were right and the world ends before Book Eight gets published!” I predict a VERY ugly prom dress in her future in retribution for such a hideous thought the little stinker!
Wow, I can’t believe the nerve of some people! Anyone with half a brain should realise how long it must take to produce books of the quality and satisfying weight of your Outlander series. This was interesting reading though, and I will remember it when it gets to the end of the year and I find myself wishing forlornly that Santa could leave book 8 under the tree. I just count myself lucky that I happened upon the series in the first place, and that you really do manage to write these books astonishingly quickly in my opinion. I am grateful that a) you don’t take 5-20 years between books like authors of some other series I’ve read and b) that you take the time you need to keep the quality of each book so very high. Thank you for writing my favourite books of all time!
Super excited for book 8 your snippets on facebook keep me breathing lol..i’m reading the series again i just started a breath of snow and ashes the other day for the 3rd time, i loved scottish prisoner it was great. I’m thinking of starting on the lord john books as soon as iv finished an echo in the bone. Thank you so much for your books there are great escape from reality
xxx
I know so many of your fans are patient and know that it will be worth the wait.
As I do. I guess the one problem we who are older in all these fans worry about
not living long enough to get to know the ending of Jamie and Claire.
I had a very dear cousin and friend who so loved the Outlander series. She was
older than me and she used to say that she hoped she was still going to be around
to find out the ending. She died a few months ago of cancer. She said that when
it was my time to get to heaven she would be waiting for me to find out how the
story ended. I have introduced so many people to Jamie and Claire and they
all love it. Thanks for sharing your awesome talent at telling a story so well.
(patiently waiting and hoping to stay healthy) Thanks so much for the daily
snippits . Love them !!!
Dear Cathye–
As I said to Mary above, my psychic friends do all assure me that there are books in heaven, so perhaps your lovely friend will be able to tell _you_ what happened, when you meet again. [smile]
–Diana
I can’t believe someone would have the hide to complain about the release date of Book No 8. Would like to see some of them come up with the amazing story lines that you do in the Outlander Series. I am totally addicted to this series and to fill in time until the release I will simply re read No 7 so my mind is refreshed and ready to go. I am dreading the end of this saga, can’t Jamie and Claire go on forever? hehe….I was very happy to read in your post that you won’t say yet that book No 8 is definitely going to be the last book….please, please give us a No 9, I don’t care how long I have to wait. Congratulations on what is an amazing series of books, best I’ve ever read.
I cannot believe there are people out there who have the hide to complain about the release date of book No 8, and to say you were deliberately withholding it, how ridiculous. I am totally addicted to the Outlander Series and can’t wait for the release, but I will fill in the year reading book No 7 again so I am refreshed with the storyline and be ready to go, not complain like those others have. I’m sure they are in such a minority as everyone I know who has read your books, loves every one of them and like me are hanging on the edge waiting for the next release. Jamie and Claire have gotten into my blood for sure, couldn’t they go on forever? sure you can’t arrange that with your amazing story telling. This is the best book series I have ever read, I think your writing style and plot skills are amazing, congratulations on everything we’ve read so far and I am just looking forward to 2013 and your next release.
Ah, Diana! How do we love thee? Let us count the ways! From Mrs. Baird’s industrious Hoovering to Roger’s arrival at Lallybroch to pigeon entrails in Times Square, you have taken us on a journey through the stones along side Claire and company, and keep us ever wanting more. Your grace, wit, wordsmithing and imagination have entertained and educated us, and made us so much the richer for the experience of having read – and reread – your novels, novellas and short stories. And your Daily Lines on Facebook are an incredibly enjoyable way of beginning the day – and providing the fodder for delicious daydreams of where these most beloved characters are headed. Even if those daydreams prove to be wildly inaccurate!
As Tom Petty sang: the waiting is the hardest part…you take it on faith, you take it to the heart…
Thanks for the illuminating explanation of the publishing process; like many in your forums, I had no idea how many times a book bounces between author-editor-author-editor-copy editor-etc.
I just pray that all involved have taken Evelyn Wood’s speed reading course!!
And as for those who accuse you of holding back – or being ‘mean’ – REALLY, people?? Get a grip, learn the art of delayed gratification like the rest of us grown-ups have, and savor the anticipation. Sheesh!!
Wow, I’m surprised that we only get charged $35 for the book with all that work. Is greatly appreciated though, thanks to everyone. (I can’t believe someone said that you were withholding the book to be mean!?!?!)
I just picked up Outlander for the first time this past October and, as most do, instantly fell in love with the history of the book and its characters. I’ve become obsessed with researching Scottish history, which is absolutely fascinating in and of itself. Currently I am on book 5, The Fiery Cross, and I’m trying to read it slowly knowing there are only two more after this before I will have to wait…
In book 8 you say all cliffhangers will be answered. Does this mean we will finally learn why and how, from page 18/19 of Outlander, it is that Frank catches Jamie watching Claire brush her hair through her window in 1945? I should take your word when you say allll cliffhangers will be answered, but I must know for sure if that one will be!
Dear Lindsay–
I meant I’ll pick up the cliffhangers from the end of ECHO. [g] However, the ghost _will_ be explained–but it’ll be the last thing in the last book, and I don’t yet know whether the next book _is_ the last (am thinking maybe not, but not positive yet).
–Diana
I have always wondered about the ghost and looked for him in each of your successive books!!! It amazes me that in the first book you can plant a seed that you know is going to wait that long… =)
I’ve often wondered about Frank and Jamie’s ghost as well. That would be a wonderful way to tie up the series with a big, plaid bow! (Not that I’m in a rush for the grand finale, mind you; keep writing!)
Oh my goodness you’re killing me! However, I can wait if that means that book 8 may not be the final book, and it sounds like it may not be, which is more of a relief than the answer to the ghost. Thank you for these books. The writing is so wonderful. Even when there is no action I am never bored because the way you write about their daily life is so fascinating and the simple exchanges between characters are very endearing and insightful.
Sincerely,
Lindsay
Oh thank goodness someone else remembers this passage about Frank getting a glimpse of Jamie in 1945!
No one else I have heard of has mentioned this before. It is a question that I have always asked!
Diana your books are always worth waiting for and the wait is the best reason to start over again with Outlander and bring yourself familiar with the entire story and characters, so that you are fresh to carry on with the story when the new book comes out!
I am an original reader from when Outlander first came out and have lost count how many times I have
read the series over…..but will never complain, as aparently some fools do….
Dear Joan–
Actually, people ask about the ghost all the time. [g] The answer is that I _will_ come back to that–but it will be the last thing in the last book, and I’m not there yet.
–Diana
I have enjoyed reading all your books, first in sequence {when a friend suggested it to me four years ago), then going back to my favorite parts (which invariably [sp?] leads to a total reading of the series but not necessarily in order), and finally to supplement my other reading when it gets a bit too thick or diffucult or boring. This long entry is in a way anapology for getting things mixed up. My question (or just comment) is I thought you had addressed that ghost when Jamie was telling Claire that he had dreamed of her brushing her hair by electric light. He didn’t recall her hair color (and I thought Frank) because he was so focused on her doing an activity he enjoys watching but remember that part be cause he was kind of surprized that he was seeing her in a different kind of light.
I enjoy the history both in your writing and about your research. I thoroughly enjoy you sharing and taking us along in the process, even your good humored but justifiable anoyance with some of us. I have laughed till I cried, cried till it hurts (all the way threw “Dragonfly in Amber” everytime! [I still drag my feet when I feel compelled to revisit it]), been informed, and just engeneral and absolutely pleased! Kind
Two years between publications is really quick! Think about how many pages are in these books and try to imagine writing and editing all that yourself…
Hi Diana,
I really enjoyed reading and learning about the book publishing process … it was amazing!! Thanks for sharing that.