A couple of publishers asked me this week to write a brief bit of catalog copy for them, describing MOBY–so I did. For those of you wondering What to Expect from the eighth book in the OUTLANDER series:
WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD is the eighth novel in the world-famous OUTLANDER series. In June of 1778, the world turns upside-down. The British army withdraws from Philadelphia, George Washington prepares to move from Valley Forge in pursuit, and Jamie Fraser comes back from the dead to discover that his best friend has married Jamie’s wife. The ninth Earl of Ellesmere discovers to his horror that he is in fact the illegitimate son of the newly-resurrected Jamie Fraser (a rebel _and_ a Scottish criminal!) and Jamie’s nephew Ian Murray discovers that his new-found cousin has an eye for Ian’s Quaker betrothed.
Meanwhile, Claire Fraser deals with an asthmatic duke, Benedict Arnold, and the fear that one of her husbands may have murdered the other. And in the 20th century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna is thinking that things are probably easier in the 18th century: her son has been kidnapped, her husband has disappeared into the past, and she’s facing a vicious criminal with nothing but a stapler in her hand. Fortunately, her daughter has a miniature cricket bat and her mother’s pragmatism.
The best of historical fiction with a Moebius twist, WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD weaves the fibers of a family’s life through the tapestry of historical drama.
NB: I’m still _writing_ this. With luck, it will be published in fall of 2013. (Update from the webmaster: This book will be released by the publisher on June 10, 2014, in the U.S.A.) Hope you enjoy it! (In the meantime, if you’re the sort of reader who likes to see bits and pieces as we go along, I do post brief snippets–from this book and other works in progress or coming up for release–most days, on both Twitter (my ID there is @Writer_DG) and Facebook.
NB2: I told my editor I want an octopus on the cover of this book. (There are eight main characters whose stories are told–and they’re all linked together.)
NB3: I call the book MOBY for short. My Own Heart’s Blood = MOHB = MOH-B = Moby. Geddit?
From the webmaster: Visit the MOBY home page for the latest information.
For those of you like me, who have read and re-read all of the books and are on the edge of your seats waiting for MOBY, can I suggest the audio books? They really do tell the story in such a different way, it’s almost like reading the books for the first time. When you read them yourself you have the images of how you think everyone looks and sounds, but when you hear Davina Porter read the books, it just puts the imagery in a whole new perspective. I’ve listened to the audio books quite a few times now and even though I feel like I can recite the books from memory, I still notice things I hadn’t noticed before. Plus, it’s nice to be able to close your eyes and imagine it all taking place.
Davina does a wonderful job.
Hope that helps! Happy Reading!
Diana: Hurry Up!!!! on on the last book of the series “Outlander” and need to continue. I have started the Lord John Grey series and love it as well so in between will “read-on” and enjoy a fantastic character met during all of the Claire and Jaime series but………there affair/love/marriage is integral to my interest and I believe the interest of other readers. If you are to marry her off to another, there has to be a reunion and reconciliation. Those two are an example of a great relationship with much affection, respect, sex and loyalty that is over-the-top but can happen. Our culture needs this kind of love so….please make sure that the convolutions and labyrinth of life for them leads them back to each other and a positive (perhaps unrealistic) ending that we all need to read.
Thank you for the great novels and all the nights I’ve passed in total bliss while reading about the adventures of Claire and Jaime.
Diana;
Thank you for all the wonderful hours of reading! Your books are perfect and fun and interesting and I have read them 5 times so far. I tell everyone who asks about my favorites that you are by far the most interesting
person, and splendid author I have read. I also enjoy your answers to your many fans, especially the very
honest and pointed ones.
I am coming up on my 76th birthday, and really hope I stick around to find out what happens next to all the wonderful cast of the books!
I wish you a long and happy life.
Thanks again.
Please please please let this next book tell what has happened to Jem. Last book said he was kidnapped and I have been on pins and needles since this ending. My daughter got me hooked on your books and my kindle has its own Diana Gabaldon collection. You are the only author that has her own designated collection. Please, I need to know what has happened to Jem.
Love all the books.
I am SO THANKFUL that I didn’t find out about the Outlander series until about a year ago. After the first book, I could not read the others quickly enough. If I’d had to wait 3 – 5 years for each new addition, I would have DIED. I’m having a very hard time waiting for MOBY. I think I’m going to have to reread the series. I can hardly express how much I love this series. Jamie Fraser has become real. I want to go to Scotland!
PUH-LEASE don’t end this series with Jamie or Claire dying. I won’t be able to take it. However, since I’m already 70 years old, I could well die before you decide to end it. hahahahahaha
One other thing: I don’t know if the producers of the movie series have decided on Claire yet, but, whoever they pick, she HAS to have a Lot of Curly Hair. Her hair was a big thing all through the books.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THESE BOOKS, Diana.
I guess I’ll have to read the Lord John books to try and fill in the gaps while I wait.
Hi Diane
Greetings from South Africa, I fell in love with your Outlander series from the first paragraph. I wait anxiously for the new chapter in this epic tail of true love. I just adore Jamie and in fact named my 2nd son after him.
You are so gifted to be able to conjure up these characters and I must tell you that I fully immersed myself in all of the adventures and hardships that Claire and Jamie have experienced.
With gratitude for many happy hours spent reading your script, I thank you.
Regards
Nicky
Hello Diana,
I too am a tremendous fan of your books, and anxiously await the next. Honestly, I must say that I am not overly excited about a mini-series or even a movie for that matter to cover the amazing story lines of The Outlander series. I much prefer the images of all the characters that I have in my own imagination based on your amazing description of each character and what they look and act like. I will just hope that if this comes to pass, the casting better be spot on, or it will ruin the whole thing for me (as I will watch at least the first part of the mini-series).
I only say this as from past experience with another of my favorite authors (John Sanford), who provides a very distinct description of the main character in each of his books (Lucas Davenport, who is white with two distinctive scars on his face and throat), and when the first book was made into a TV movie, they cast a black actor as Lucas Davenport. I don’t believe another movie was made from this series…..
So, I will hope and pray that the casting is done properly – with YOUR input.
Thank you for the wonderful stories that you weave – I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I’ll save time by saying I agree with the crazed fan mail. Me, too, me too!
As we await no. 8, I amuse myself by imagining what will be the plot, knowing all the while that I will be wrong.
Since you seem to be able to write more than one book at a time I would love to see the eventual collection of short stories and novellas, perhaps a series of such collections as your list grows.
I love the Lord John series which have an interesting virtue/fault characteristic: I can read them in a day! I am always impatient to see what happens and am sorry when it is over. Oh, well, all the more reason to use the time to read them and the main Outlander 7 many times, which I have done.
Do you have a story board? If so, how many walls have you filled?
JK
I had the pleasure of visiting Scotland this June. Our tour stopped at Culloden. Walked the field and thought of your wonderful books. I noticed the Fraser stone had fresh flowers beside it. I wondered if an Outlander fan had put them there. We drove through Inverness and was so disappointed that I couldn’t get off the bus!
I must tell you that I was telling all the people on the bus about your books. Another couple on the bus kept nodding their heads with vigor. They loved your books, too! I think I got you a few new readers.
The weather in Scotland was fabulous! Not a cloud in the sky and even rather warm.
Dear Kathy–
Was at Culloden a couple of days ago. There are always fresh flowers at the Fraser stone when I’ve been there–this time, there were two red roses wrapped in cellophane out on the field at the marker where Clan Fraser stood in the lines, as well.
–Diana
Diana,
I’ve had two kids since you published Echo In the Bone!
They’re twins so I’m being a little dramatic, but I’m ready for the next one. I mean the next novel, not another baby! I was hoping to get it for my birthday in September. Now I won’t even get it for Christmas! You’re killing me!
I can’t wait! I love the series!
I have learned my lesson, I will savor it and read it slowly. Unlike Echo in the Bone, which I devoured. I think I’ll reread Echo in the Bone to make myself feel better. There is only one novel that I’ve read that I actually read twice…so that is saying a lot about how desperate I am for the next book. I also don’t have a lot of time on my hands. Did I mention I’ve had twins since your last novel? I think I failed to mention I already had an infant when Echo in the Bone was published.
One of your many faithful and impatient readers,
Jennifer
Dear Diana,
First and foremost, I must say that your Outlander series is by far and away, the finest series I have ever been drawn into. I say drawn into because once your imagery grabbed me, I have since been stuck in time and have been dragged (happily) along wherever you have brought me. While reading was good, Having the Audible release with me on walks and while driving, has been amazing. Davina Porter has done a brilliant job bringing the feel and emotion of your characters and their world to life. I trust that the release of MOBY will be at the same time as the print version, and that Ms. Porter will once again be our guide.
Once again, thank you for a brilliant series and a great refuge from our day to day world!
I’m never going to make it until 2013… Argg
I think the producers from the Tudors would have done a good job with the series.
OMG!!!! I just re-read the catalog copy….Claire has to fear that one of her husbands murdered the other???? Holy C#$P. I mean I can’t imagine that either John or Jamie would go that far, but, well, if pushed too far….This is gonna drive me nuts so I will have to begin my re-read/listen if I only have about a year to catch up before I find out!!
There are a few people who are telling ending story lines…give those who haven’t read that far time to catch up and don’t spoil things!
Dear Diana, thank you for your brilliant writing and imagination!! I am an avid re-reader of the Outlander series. It is by far my favourite books. I would love to see Jamie and Claire go back to Claire’s time, so finally they would be at peace and together with Briana and their grandchildren…Any possiblity this could happen? Thank you!
Dear Christina–
Nope, sorry!
–Diana
Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ… I hope not..
But it looks like Roger and Brianna will be returning to the earlier time period, so they’ll be together.
yes!! I think I´m speaking for all of Sweden citizens when I ask if the new book will be translated???? love love love your series:) And loads of my dear ones to!
Dear Sweden–
I certainly hope so!
–Diana
Just reread Voyager (again!) since so many of the non-Outlander novels and short pieces happen during that time period. And of course that led to re-reading Drums…
I love the scene where Brianna goes to Lallybroch after she first goes through the stones, how she feels to be greeted and embraced by her extended family. It occurs to me that she and Roger could be trying to find Jenny and Ian’s descendents in the current day storyline. With so many children in the family, some must still be around. Any chance of that in MOBY?
Love your books and always waiting for anything you write. Where can we get Trail of Fire? Is on e-books too?
I will like to get it as soon is out.
Your books are always something special, reading them over you always find new insights and new learnings.
A magical pleasure! Thanks!
Dalma
Amazon is taking pre-orders of this book. The Kindle edition will be released on November 8. I just pre-ordered mine!!
Dear Alicia–
Really? [puzzled look] I know Amazon is famous for jumping the gun, but jeez… Look. I’m still _writing_ the book. It isn’t coming out until fall of 2013, believe me.
–Diana
Oh, I was answering Dalma’s question about where to get Trial of Fire. I apologize if I caused some confusion… : )
I don’t know how I missed the Outlander series for so long, but I found them back in June while surfing through audiobooks at Audible. Love, love, LOVE this series. I just finished Echo In the Bone and am crushed that after spending my whole summer following the adventures of Jamie and Claire I will now have to wait a WHOLE year to find out what happens!!!
In addition to the audiobooks I also bought the hardcover print editions (I like the feel of a real book) and switched back and forth, listening in the car and on the job, reading at home. For you fans who have not tried the audiobooks I recommend them highly. Davina Porter is the narrator and she does a beautiful job with all the various accents, particularly speaking the Gaelic. Such a beautiful language.
I can be counted on to be a fan for life and cannot wait for My Own Heart’s Blood…but could you write a little faster, lease? =D
I agree completely. Its like going through a period of mourning waiting for the new book. I also love Davina Porters voices. (When I started listening to the Lord John Series narrator I couldn’t believe it wasn’t Davina reading and I can’t quite get used to it) I read the first 2 Outlander books then discovered the audio version and listened on the way to work and home, while cooking tea and any spare minute I had. I didn’t have to wait in between as I could just pick up the next book but After Echo in the Bone its killing me to have to read something else until we find out what happened to all our Outlander friends. I also found it interesting the choices of actors on Utube picked for each character agreeing with some but the picture in my head didn’t quite match others.
Sorry Diana I agree you have to write quicker to put us out of our misery
I often read fan who like Davina Porters’s voice, but I must say that I didn’t. I really didn’t, I know an actor can’t satisfied every ones, but I listen a lot of audiobooks and what I don’t like with Porters’s work is that she is limited in her voices. She can’t make a lot of it “if you listen a book played by Anna Bentinck for exemple you’ll see the difference. It’s not her fault, it’s a question of range. Women have almost the same voice and the men’s voices are huggly. Is there really someone who find Willie’s voice attractive in Echo ?
So I was so pleased when I listened the Lord John serie without her.
It must be said !!!! thanks for reading my point of view
kiss to all the fan on the blog, I read your posts every day
I only read by talking book and I am the opposite – I had to stop reading The Lord John series because it didn’t sound right without davina porter. I think she does the accents wonderfully and she has sufficient range to make all the main characters voices unique – I wish The Lord John series could be done by her so that I could enjoyably access them
Dear Nomes–
I don’t know who the Talking Book (Library of Congress, you mean, I assume?) reader for the Lord John series is, but I assure you, Jeff Woodman (who does the Recorded Book audio versions of the Lord John novels) _is_ Lord John (i.e., he sounds exactly like his lordship actually sounds in my head. Davina, fabulous as she is, really doesn’t sound like Jamie or Claire do–to me, but that’s irrelevant).
–Diana
Dear Diana,
My name is Helena and I’m portuguese.
Your books inspired me!!! Unfortunately, in Portugal, I can only read the 2 first books of the Outlander series =( I don’t know why they’re not available in my country but I hope it changes becauses of the tv series!!!!
I just wanna say thank you for such a pleasure in all pages. And please, from the deep of me, i beg you to let Jamie and Claire together until they both die… I also love the man of my live with all my heart and I can’t stand the idea of loosing him somehow… I think you also love someone that way so you understand completely that fear.
Once again,OBRIGADO (thank you)
Sincerely,
Helena Machado
P.S. I’m sorry about my terrible english!!!!
Dear Diana:
I’ve never written a fan letter before so here goes: I’m a BIG fan.
Your Catholic sister,
Ruth
Dear Ruth–
THANK you! [smile]
–Diana