See the note below—this post is from July 6, 2014 and is a bit outdated…
I’m about to head back out in a few hours, to do my _last_ US/Canadian book-tour event in Traverse City, MI. But thought I might grab an hour to do a bit of updating before I absquatulate again…
First—I’m delighted that so many of you like MOBY!* Thank you so much for all your kind words.
As for the next book(s), I have no idea.** I finished writing MOBY on April 15th (having stayed up 36 hours straight to do it), spent the rest of April working 16 hours a day to finish the copyedits and galley proofs, then spent most of May dealing with everything (including stuff associated with the TV show) that was pushed out of the way during the Final Frenzy of MOBY. And on June 7th, all hell broke loose and I’ve essentially been on the road for a solid month, with three brief touchdowns at home (ranging from 12 hours to a whole day-and-a-half). So far, I’ve signed roughly 38,000 copies of MOBY and will undoubtedly hit between 40-50,000 by the end of summer. (No, I don’t have carpal-tunnel syndrome, but thank you for your concern.)
Now, I realize that it’s difficult to know what to say to a writer at a book-signing; I’d be tongue-tied myself, in the presence of someone I admired but didn’t know. It’s always great to hear, "I loved this book!" or "I love your books and I’m really looking forward to reading this one!" if you need a default. "WHEN WILL BOOK NINE BE OUT?!?" is possibly a little less welcome.
But I do appreciate the enthusiasm/impatience that spawn this question, so here’s what my immediate writing future looks like (assuming I survive the rest of the summer):
At the moment, there are only scraps of Book Nine—plus a useful "What I Know" document that I wrote right after finishing MOBY, about the "shelf-hung" subplots (those are bits that are kind of folded back on themselves, but not left as cliffhangers—like where William is going or what will happen to Lord John next).
I haven’t even formally sifted MOBY’s Mfile (the regularly updated list of files written for a specific book) and moved the remnant files to JAMIE9 (the directory/folder for Book Nine) yet (that’s a two-day job in itself). The next thing I do is to go through my major reference shelves, cleaning and tidying, and in the process, assemble the "core" shelf for Book 9–for any book, no matter how many references I consult along the way, there will end up being maybe five books that are _very_ helpful/relevant and that I use a lot, and maybe 5-10 more that I want to keep close to hand, for more limited but still important stuff. I keep one shelf for that core reference stuff, and refurbish it when I start serious work on a new novel. adding new sources as I come across them. Then I read through the relevant portions of ALMANAC OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, a _very_ useful book that gives brief notes on everything happening everywhere <g> on a given day, that had any importance in the Revolution. This is my first pass at a historical timeline (which lives in my head and evolves constantly over the course of a book). I’ll probably write bits and pieces while I’m doing these necessary chores, but it’s pretty random and nothing like the sustained effort that comes as I move fully into a book.
In other words, you’re not likely to see #DailyLines from Book Nine for awhile.
Now, there’s a _lot_ of THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, Volume 2 in existence. I’ve been messing about with that on the side for the last 2-3 years, and most of it is _there_, if not yet tidied into its final form. There are a few chunks of original writing still to be done for that–the detailed synopsis for MOBY is the first that springs to mind, though I’ll also need to add commentary to a largish excerpt section (specialized excerpts), and a few other bits to be collected or contracted (i.e., I may have to get someone to produce things like maps or floor-plans, as I can’t do better than crude sketches on my own). But IF I move OC2 to the top of the work pile (not as the main focus, but as the main side-project), it _might_ be ready for delivery to the publisher around January, and thus might be in print sometime in the first half of 2015, which would be nice. (I also need to do slight updates to OC1, removing obsolete material and maybe improving the Gaelic Pronunciation Guide—that sort of thing.)
Then there’s the HOW TO (AND HOW _NOT_ TO) WRITE SEX-SCENES ebook. That’s actually complete, but I finished it right before both the show and MOBY hit high gear, so I now need to read it through again and do final fiddles (and maybe include a few scenes from MOBY), then run it past my agent for response and suggestions (if any). Ebooks can be produced _very_ fast, though, so once we’re happy with it, it could be out within a couple of months–I’d kind of like to have it out this fall, but that’s a matter for discussion with agents, publishers, etc.
And more or less on the same level with Book Nine (in terms of how eager I am to work on them) are the prequel volume about Jamie’s parents (for which I have only fragments at the moment) and the first contemporary crime novel. I think I have about half of that, and it’s "live" for me–but will take a good bit of intensive work, both in terms of research and writing. On the other hand, it’s short by comparison with everything else on my menu.
And on the outskirts of my mind are the germs of what might eventually be novellas, but I haven’t had the time even to _look_ at those with any attention. They _are_ brief, though, and I might well pick one up to get back into my regular routine–come September. I’ll be traveling/working most of July and August, and won’t have anything like peace and quiet ’til Labor Day. (No, I’m not going to Dragon Con this year, unless Starz decides they want to have a presence there for the show, and at the moment, they don’t.)
In the meantime, any eager soul who foolishly asks me, "When will Book Nine be out?" will be politely ignored. Or bonked on the head with the copy of MOBY they just asked me to sign, depending…
*(And for those few who complained that the ending of MOBY was a cliffhanger….go back and read the end of AN ECHO IN THE BONE, to see what one actually looks like. <g> If you just wanted to "see" what happened next in MOBY…feel free to fill in your own version of "OMG! OMG! OMG! <hughughug> <weep tears of joy> OMG! OMG! OMG! <broken endearments> OMG? OMG? OMG? <hopping up and down> OMG!" I have complete faith in my readers’ intelligence and imagination, and I don’t tell y’all things I know you can figure out for yourselves.)
**Webmistress’s Note on August 28, 2015: A lot has changed in the year since Diana posted the blog above on July 6, 2014:
- See Diana’s Book Nine webpage for excerpts (aka "Daily Lines") and current information.
- The revised, updated and expanded version of THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, VOLUME ONE, was published on March 31, 2015 in the U.S.A. This ultimate guide to the OUTLANDER series covers the first four major novels: OUTLANDER, DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, VOYAGER, and DRUMS OF AUTUMN. (The original OC was published in 1999. The U.K. edition of this guide was titled THROUGH THE STONES.)
- THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, VOLUME TWO will be published in the U.S.A. on October 27, 2015. OC II is the guide to the second four major novels in the OUTLANDER series: THE FIERY CROSS, A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES, AN ECHO IN THE BONE, and WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD (aka "MOBY").
I finished this morning. I savored every page (though I did gorge in spots:). Such wonderful rich use of words and metaphor…Really delicious storytelling. I am constantly amazed at the sheer number of characters in each tome. It really upsets me when someone asks about “the next”-I am still at the table eating this meal. Thank you Diana. I have plenty to think about and talk about for awhile. Back to my re read. Oh yes, and thanks for ending on such a happy note this time:). Mamas need a happy every now and again:).
Blessings,
Tangela
Hi Diana
OMG! You are one talented and busy lady. But I want to thank you for the chuckle I enjoyed today. I was re-reading The Fiery Cross on my Kobo when I noticed a link to something titled “Discover Diana Gabaldon”. Being a curious sort I followed the link. After the basic author bio and a listing of your other books, I scrolled to the bottom and found a picture of Claire and Frank with the label, “Outlander the Musical”. Now maybe you are exploring other venues for presenting your work, but just the picture of Dougal, Rupert and Jamie singing and dancing across the stage, with their kilts atwirl and Jamie singing off key started me giggling.
So I raise my glass to you for Outlander, the book, the series, the television show and now the Musical.
♥♥
Dear Diana,
Thank you very much for all smart , beautiful , informative books with great characters , heroes you have created and shared with me and all other readers. I love them all. I have them all on my bookshelf and on kindle, and re- read many many times.
Reading the MOBY is like a meeting with old friends, gives pleasure and happiness, and little bit sadness at the end, when time to leave.
Thank you very much for giving me chance to be so happy and exiting about a new book.
I wish you to stay healthy and energetic and get all support from your wonderful family and us readers.
Thank you for yet another riveting book that was as usual very hard to put down. Like so many others I can’t wait for the next book but in the mean time I will be content to re-read the whole series AGAIN and eagerly await the premier of The Outlander TV Series here on Australian TV.
I’m 48 pages into MOBY now, and I’ve been grinning like a fool for the last couple of hours. Thank you so much for this, Diana. And thank you for publishing your latest book so close to my mum’s birthday. It’s only fitting that my birthday gift for her is the latest in the series she got me addicted to many years ago. As my mum is such a fan of your books, I had to find out whether or not she already gotten a copy. I was quite subtle about it, too. I asked her yesterday ‘So have you got the latest Diana Gabaldon yet?” ‘No!’ she cried in anguish. “Don’t you buy it!’ I cried in reply, and my birthday surprise was no longer a surprise. She’s excited beyond words, though. ‘What’s next?’ people ask you? If the first 48 pages are anything to judge by, I’d say your answer should be ‘I think I’ll rest on my laurels for a while’. You’ve earned it, many times over. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE BOOKS!
I just finished MOBY for the second time yesterday. First I read it through, and the second time I listened to the audiobook while I spent hours knitting or driving. I’m fairly certain that my boyfriend though I had lost my mind as there were parts that I was laughing so hard and then others where I was like “WHAT just happened!?!?!?!? Noooooooooo, WHAT NO!” and then started crying. He loves to read as much as I do, but hasn’t tried your books yet, though I’ve repeatedly told him that he should at least try them he hasn’t.
I hope you get some down time soon, and for the time being I will happily re-read all 8 books annually until book 9 comes out. Wow which means that I’ve re-read the first 4 books a minimum of 15 times (though I know its much more than that if including the audio version) so I do believe that I’ve re-read your books more than any other book I’ve read!!!!
Looking forward to the tv show in August. (Is there going to be another Lord John book – I love his exploits)
Yes I really hope MOBY is being translated to french ! If someone has a release date, that would be greatly appreciated… because I Just Can’t Wait !
Diana– Equally harder than speaking to you in person is deciding what you want written and autographed on MOBY.
Should I pretend that we are best friends so my friends will be jealous?
If I ask her to write too much, will she get really irritated with me and unfriend me on her facebook page?
Should I make HER say that I am the best fan in the world?
Or should I have her write something short and boring like “Enjoy the book- Diana Gabaldon”. Hmm.
I would also like to say that I liked the way you dirtied up Lord John in the latest book. He got messy, dirty, beaten, and totally exasperated by William and the things going on around him. It made me love him even more.
Hi Diana,
This is the first time I’ve ever written on someone’s blog, although I have my own badly neglected one.
Your books, however, have been the most wonderful experience for me. Our tour bus driver told me about them on our trip to Scotland 2 years ago, and that started the journey.
As a 75 year old artist, author, Bible study teacher and writer, I had my reservations at times as I devoured each book, but have put them aside. The fully committed relationships between the married characters are so refreshing, and peeking into their love life is never offensive. Also, the deep spirituality that emerges with maturity in Jamie is a wonderful contrast to Claire’s more secular view of things….although she seems to be finding her faith roots in MOBY. I do cringe at her use of the J word as a curse so often; however, that is who she is. Maybe she’ll find a less offensive way to express herself.
I would, however, love to hear more about your spiritual background and personal beliefs.
I have special praise for Davina Porter because I have heard all the books by audio, and she immediately transports me to a place “in the moment”. Her ability to dramatize and speak the male voices as well as the female along with the various brogues and accents so seemingly effortlessly is amazing. You found the right narrator. The TV series will have a hard time competing with her, although I can’t wait to see if my pictures of the characters and events will mingle with hers.
I will await the 9th book re-listening to all of the prior eight, while recovering from knee replacement surgery this fall. Thank you.
I do care when the next book will be out but I can wait even though it will be hard. Right now I’m all about the show and starting the series over.
And thank you for MOBY because wow was that awesome and FYI you have permenant book sales from me.
I also have a feeling that if you could put books out faster none of us would function in life as we’d be sitting around reading Gabaldon books non-stop so it is probably for the best that we have to wait.
THANKS!
Dear Diana,
I just turned 80 on May 5 of this year – very traumatic, having lost my husband exactly 2 years before – and was “turned on” to your incredible books about 16 years ago (is that possible?). Finished reading MOBY a few minutes ago and discussed it with the sister of my heart in great detail. We are both reading the same books and could barely wait for number 8.
Now, I have a question – I am confused – my age? – doubt it! In the middle of the book it is ascertained that Roger arrives in Scotland in 1739. Also, several times, the year of 1778 is mentioned as to the time of Claire and Jamie. How is it possible then, for Roger et al to show up on the Ridge whilst the Frasers are rebuilding their home?????? Where have I gone astray?
Bless you for bringing me (and millions of others) many hours of reading happiness. I look forward to the series on STARZ and number 9 whenever it shows up.
You are amazing!
Dear Claire–
I’m glad you enjoyed MOBY! As for the issue you mention…it’ll be explained in the next book.
Best wishes,
–Diana
Thanks for answering my question, too. I just finished MYOB. I read all the books after the TV show ended, missing Claire and Jamie so much. You have an astounding ability to bring characters, scenes and smells to life. Thank you for one of the richest reading experiences of my life. More, please…..
What do you say about a book that moves you to tears and to the heights of joy at the same time. I have fallen completely and utterly in love with this series. MOBY is by far the best (even better than Outlander) of the series. My review of the previous book was harsh because I have high expectations of this series; and MOBY absolutely makes up for my previous disappointment. MOBY has had such a visceral impact on me that I find myself dreaming of the book and its characters nearly a week after my first read. I was moved to tears multiple times while reading this story and also loved the comic relief of Mrs. Figgs’ character. I finished the book for the first time last week and have been compelled to go back and listen to the book again. It’s just a GREAT book!
Diana, I was in the front row of the audience last night in Traverse City MI. I left the auditorium thinking “I have just met the most intelligent woman I’ve ever encountered – not to mention the most creative, inspirational, and self confident woman on earth.” Downright awesome, that’s what you are!
I wanted to share that I just returned from an Outlander tour of Scotland, accompanied by Hugh Allison. I was absolutely amazed that you were able to capture Scotland so well in Outlander without benefit of experiencing it firsthand. It was a great trip and now I feel I need to re-read the series to experience Scotland on yet another level. I would recommend both the trip and Hugh [who is more of a scholar than your average run-of-the-mill tour guide] to anyone who is interested in expereincing Scotland through the lens of the Outlander series.
You were generous with your time and patient with our questions, even though I know that you’ve answered them repeatedly. Thank you so much for your past, present, and future bodies of work.
Diane
THANK YOU doesn’t seem like enough to say about MOBY. Finished this am, and cried for the third time. Won’t mention why – don’t want to be a spoiler.
I volunteer in a library that receives hundreds of donated books to be sold for fund raising. I see most of them when I restock the sale section. I have seen only two of your books – one was a hard back from the Lord John series which I bought and took home. The other was a battered Outlander paperback. I picked it up lovingly and brought it to the attention of a fellow volunteer. I was surprised that she hadn’t read any of your books and told her about them. She took it from my hands and as she walked away I was jealous because I wanted to go back in time and read it again. . .for the first time.
I bought MOBY the day it came out and am so sad only because I finished it so quickly! I read the first 7 books on a binge and have only had to experience waiting for this last one. I stumbled upon “The Outlander” on a trip to the library. I read only one chapter before I knew I was hooked. I read the other 6 as quickly as I could; I just couldn’t get enough of the story. I have been anxiously waiting for MOBY so I could continue on the journey. Then, as soon as I finished it, my immediate first thought was…”what next?” However, I am forcing myself to be patient because great writing like this takes time! I so appreciate all of your hard work. I cannot even imagine what it takes to write such a compelling, complex, fun and dynamic series. I’m so glad that there will be another book in the series. The Fraser/Mackenzie/Grey clans are near and dear to my heart. Like many of the others here, I found myself tearing up at many moments during this last book – so many great moments, both happy and sad. I feel like their stories have so much farther to go before they are finished. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I fully enjoy your books and look forward to the upcoming offerings, Great big books, short stories, novelettes what ever you publish next. I just wanted to say I adore your sense of humor in all of your writings, especially when your not writing in character. I find myself reading things I don’t care about just to get your take on things such as “Cauliflower ears Meant (obviously) as an insult”. The “obviously” just cracks me up.
I will be ordering Starz so I can watch to TV series and very much look forward to it as the casting seems to be prefect.
Thank you for all the enjoyable hours I’ve spent with your characters,
Susan Frank
THANK YOU FOR MOBY. I loved it. Have already read it twice. I have been reading your Outlander and Lord John books since Outlander was first published. Have recently had to purchase fresh new copies of several of the books because I have read them so much some pages have gotten loose. I met you and you signed a couple of books for me at a bookstore in Decatur, GA about three years ago when DragonCon was being held in Atlanta. I do read a lot of other books, but your books about Claire, Jamie, Lord John, and the others are like comfort food for the soul. Thank you again for writing such beautiful books. I hope I live long enough for another book or two about them as I am already 70, although healthy so far. Would love to see more about Master Raymond. I would presume Briana, Roger, and the children went back to the present (1980) and then back to 1778 where Jamie and Claire were, or maybe just did it in a single trip by all of them concentrating on Clair and Jamie. The first seems more likely. MOBY took about five years since the last big book, not counting The Exile, The Scottish Prisoner, and A Trail of Fire, which helped the wait for MOBY. Hope Book 9 doesn’t take quite so long. I enjoyed the spoilers, although I don’t really believe they are spoilers. None of them really gave away the flow of events in MOBY or the VIRGINS story.
Having been given Cross Stitch while in Scotland (met a fine Hieland man there myself) in 2001.
I’ve learned to truly appreciate the in between times for these treasures that you share with us. It gives me time to look into some of the historical references from the book and to imagine where I woould see the good people of Fraser’s Ridge and their friends go next, plus this summer we will have the pleasure of seeing your books come to life as I’ve also thought they should be. (personally much better and historically accurate that Braveheart lol) I’ve always believe that good things come to those who wait and I’ve not been disappointed.
Thank you so much !!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! A friend got me hooked on your Outlander series several years ago. I was lucky to read all 5 books in quick succession with a short wait for book 6. I appreciate how difficult it must be to write, while in the same breath, I can’t wait for the next book! Keep up the good work! Please know we (fans) aren’t angry having to wait for the next book, we just can’t wait to see what all our friends have been up to!