See the note below—this post is from July 6, 2014 and is a bit outdated…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 wanted to thank you for your wonderful books! I saw the first episode of Outlander and went out and bought the book. 3 months later I had read all of the series. I couldnt put them down. I plan to read the Lord John series next. Thank you for creating characters with the ability to make the reader laugh and cry! I actually cried at the end of your last book when Roger and Brianna came up the road and yelled “hallo the house”. I honestly dont know how you manage to keep all the story lines straight. You are incredibly talented and extremely intelligent. I have been reading since I was two and have read thousands of books. Yours rank in the top two! Again, thank you for entertaining us!
Thanks Diana for all your books and I too and waiting for 9. I will be visiting Scotland this year. I will only have 2 weeks but can hardly wait….already in love with a country you wrote about. I know I wont want to leave. Thanks for making them so real that they are like my family now…..I felt every joy and every pain they went thru. But most of all I felt their LOVE…..and in the world we live in now…we need that…..
Diana,
I adore your novels. I can wait for 9 (having plenty of Lord John to read) In the mean time I will continue to enjoy Outlander on Starz and try to get my husband to read the books, since he’s watched the first eight episodes of the TV show with me two or three times and he’s watched me reread and read the 8 novels. He knows exactly what Jamie means when he says Claire has a glass face.
I also have to say I was delighted to see the Doctor Who reference in MOBY.
Can’t wait to read what happens with William, Lord John and all the other little loose ends.
Thank you so much for this wonderful world of characters. They seem oh so real while I’m reading.
Vickie
Diana, I keep sensing that something has changed with Caitriona…she’s beyond lovely still but there’s just a something behind those eyes and that smile that is not quite as it was before Christmas. Can you put my mind at peace about Claire/Cait? Thank you for being ever-approachable.
Dear Sarah–
So far as I know, she’s fine. I saw her for a few days in LA last month, and she was very much herself–perhaps a little more rested now. [g]
–Diana
I must admit I only got onto the Outlander books through the TV series but have loved each book, so far up to no.5. I don’t want it to finish yet so having to slow down the reading, which is very difficult! Well done Diana, god speed with no.9!!!
Diana,
First, I am an English teacher, scholar of literature, and a LOVER of your books! When I go back someday to get my doctorate degree to be a college professor, I am going to write my dissertation on your books. I am smitten with the epic adventure of Outlander.
Second, I have two quick questions, as I make my way through the Outlander series for the second time. Does William show up in the Lord John novellas? Also, have you pondered writing any novellas about William? I have read The Scottish Prisoner, but I haven’t made it to the other Lord John books yet. If a million people have asked these questions, I am sorry to be a million plus one!
Thanks for all the great literature!
Adrienne
Dear Adrienne–
I would be deeply honored to be the subject of your dissertation, if and when. [g]
As to William and Lord John…the novellas starring Lord John are pretty much chronological, and SCOTTISH PRISONER takes place in 1760, so you wouldn’t see William any older than three, so far. But I do plan to write more novellas [g], and I imagine some of them may eventually concern William himself as an adult.
Best,
–Diana
I finished all the 8 books along with the companion books and Lord John Gray series. It was so amazing how the lives of Claire & Jaime evolves in so many years together. Looking back, I felt bad for Claire.. she did so much for Jaime and yet he even had a son and married Longhaire. I know he thought Claire will not come back and all along, he always express his love for her and yet doing things that makes my blood boil. I guess I am just over protective of Claire. I am looking forward to book 9 though!! Can’t wait to find out what is in Briana’s heavy bag that she brought with her from the 18th century, when they arrive in the ridge.
Thanks for giving us Claire & Jaime.
P.S.
Did Lord John Gray had any romantic feelings at all for Claire? I like both of them too, even though it was a very short marriage.
Dear Sallie–
Oh, Lord John is extremely fond of Claire–and she of he, despite the odd circumstances of their acquaintance. [g]
As to your blood boiling…well, what do you think Jamie was supposed to do? Live a solitary life, worshiping the memory of a woman he _knows_ is never coming back? (The answer is “no,” in case you’re unsure about it. [g])
Best,
–Diana
I will first post a warning that for those who have not yet seen the tv series, this is a sort of spoiler, so I’ll hit enter a few times to allow your eyes to slide past this post.
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After seeing the first half of season one, I know I won’t be watching further. I could just handle the tearing up scenes and omitting significant occurrences, as well adding things that didn’t take place in the book – tv only allows so many dollars to tell a story. What I could not bear, was though they are fine actors, Jamie did not have his great height or his *bright* red hair that Claire always repeated made him easy to find in a crowd – his hair and Claire’s are nearly the same shade. She supposedly rested her chin on the notch in his chest so onee either needs to grow or the other, shrink by several good inches. And what happened to his pride, his bright red Fraser tartan he wore on his wedding day in the book, tv producers? Poor Claire was nowhere near buxom or with the ‘fine round fat arse’ that Jamie was so fond of. In fact she was so slender I was surprised she could breath – the actor’s stays had to be so tightly bound in order to raise almost non-existent breasts and force a very meager swell of cleavage. Yes I am detail oriented, as is the book series. Reminded me of Game of Thrones when Daenarys Targaryen appeared without purple eyes, the stamp of her bloodline. Nobody could afford purple contacts with that epic budget? I know contacts are easier to find than actors, but the diconnect with the Outlander books is going to be too much for me.
Dear Eliza–
If you insist on exact correspondence, it’s probably best that you stick happily with the books. [smile] Though I will say that Jamie is mentioned in the books as being six-four; Sam Heughan is six-three–and having stood next to him on many occasions, I can tell you that he is indeed physically imposing. However, in the 18th century, most average-sized men would have been about five-eight; today, the average actor is usually around six feet. Possibly it would make sense to you to hire short actors who aren’t suitable for their parts instead of tall actors who are superb…but it doesn’t to me, and fortunately it didn’t to the production people, either.
All the best,
–Diana
I feel like Sam Heughan is even better than I imagined Jamie to be. I didn’t have an issue with him at all. I think the actress who plays Claire is great as well. She embodies who I imagined Claire to be, personality-wise, especially after I’ve read the books a second time. Plus, where on earth will you find and actress with Claire’s eyes? It would take away from the story even more for me if she was wearing contacts because it would look so fake. My willing suspension of disbelief would definitely suffer more if they used blatantly unnatural looking ways to make the characters look more like what people imagine while reading. Plus, everyone pictures something different. After years of reading books and watching their subsequent movies or TV shows, I’ve come to accept this. I watched the show knowing it wouldn’t be exactly what I pictured.
Long story short, I, personally, love all the books and will reread them throughout my lifetime, and I enjoy the show as well, although I’ll always have more of a fondness for the books, as is the case with most books-to-movies or books-to-tv shows.
pffffft.
I have just finished your book MOBY. I have read them all and shared them all also. I also read all of your Novella’s. My curiosity comes with knowing about the characters like George Washington and others you put into your books. Are there characters that are real other than the truly known ones. Like general Campbell. As I research the Campbell name, it appears that the name is only as in Clan. Many people of a region of people go with the “leader” name. Thus other families that are in the Clan can have different last names and not just the name Campbell
Dear Jan–
Yes, there are quite a number of “real” people in the books, besides the well-known historical characters. There are a lot of fictional ones, too. [g] The two volumes of THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION each have a “Cast of Characters” list (Vol. 1 covers OUTLANDER through DRUMS OF AUTUMN; VOlume 2 covers THE FIERY CROSS through MOBY), that no only tells you in which book(s) the character occurs, but also what his or her role is in the story, and whether he or she is fictional, historical–or one of my friends, whom I occasionally write in as cameos, for fun.
(The Revised and Updated Edition of Volume 1 will be released on March 31–to coincide with showing of the second half of Season One of the Starz drama, which will commence on April 4th–and Volume 2 will likely be out in late October.)
Best,
–Diana
–Diana
Hi Diana
So happy to hear The Outlandish Company 2 will be out later this year. So looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for all your hard work in writing these wonderful novels. Keep them coming please – especially Lord John Grey and his adventures.
Kind regards
Sarah
Diana, what’s very interesting about this book is that I own property in Virginia and my property’s ownership can be dated back to Revolutionary War time and it was owned by an A. Campbell who was involved in the war as a General.
When I heard that in the story I thought, “Diana, really?” Of course, my A. Campbell is Arthur, not Archibald, but still, the closeness was uncanny.
I have to admit that I had never heard of Outlander until I stumbled across the new show on Starz. I was hooked immediately and had to read the books. I just finished MOBY and am glad there will be another book in the future. I am planning to buy the series of books now (I checked them out from the library) because I want to take my time reading them again. Plus, I want books I can keep. Even though the cable series doesn’t strictly adhere to the book, for many reasons I am sure, I really like it and think they are doing a great job so far. I love all the actors (Sam’s pretty awesome even though I am old enough to be his mother) and I can’t wait for the next season to start in April.
Thanks for such a great series of novels, Diana! I can’t wait for book 9…well, I am sure I can but will definitely be waiting anxiously.
Question – Since Roger went back in time in book eight and met Jamie’s sister when she was a young woman, (before she was married to Ian), will she remember Roger when she sees him again in book nine and finally believe the whole time traveling thing?
Dear Susan–
I don’t know yet. [g]
–Diana
Dear Diana,
I hope she will. It would bring her closer to Claire and maybe to her son Ian also since he believes Claire and Briana’s explanation. Also I don’t get the Starz network but I just preordered the first 8 episodes of Outlander from Amazon and look forward very much to watching it. I have always enjoyed books much more than the TV or movie versions of them but I totally understand the need for “artistic allowances” when transforming books into a visual medium. Your books have so much rich detail and history – not to mention characters – that quite a bit of leeway must be allowed. (Much like the Harry Potter series as those books contained great detail and character development as well.) I have been an avid reader since the age of 5 or so (I am 56) and have read probably several thousand books, fiction and nonfiction. I love the revolutionary period of American history and have read over 100 books on just that period and our founding fathers. As a child I often daydreamed about traveling back in time to meet Ben Franklin, my favorite, among others. I came across “An Echo in the Bone” in a COSTCO and after reading the inside cover realized it was a story after my own heart. I went to the library so I could start with the first book and after 4 months of intense immersion in Jamie and Claire’s adventures it was agony having to wait 5 years for MOBY. You have become my favorite author. It never ceases to amaze me at the amount of accurate historical detail you seem to effortlessly weave into the stories. I understand why it takes so many years to produce one of your books. I look forward to the next installment! Thank you for the wonderful escape into adventure in the past!!!
Susan
A short addition to my 2-4 and 2-5 comments to you. I just watched the first 8 episodes of Outlander and absolutely LOVED them. The two lead actors are superb and the use of the native Scottish language really makes the viewer feel Claire’s confusion and remoteness in a strange time among people of a different culture! The show has managed to pare down so much of your first book without losing the character connections or story continuity. WELL, WELL, DONE!!!!
Susan
Diana:
I am an avid reader – for most of my 58 years. I am also a writer working on my own nonfiction historical book. I love the Outlander series, having stumbled on it when a friend who knows I love time travel books emailed me and said she’d seen an advertisement for the Starz series around the end of last July. I didn’t get Starz, so fluffed it off, but then it hit me smack in the face in an issue of Entertainment Weekly. Twice in two days was a sign. I subscribed to Starz just to see the show. Fell in love immediately. And have downloaded all the books onto my Kindle.
Here it is, early February and I’m a day or two away from finishing Book 8. I, like so many others, am so caught up in the characters that I don’t know how I’ll get by once I finish this book. (thank goodness a few months down the road the series picks up). When one is able to read a series like this back-to-back, you reach a point where you reach for your book and your mind says, “I wonder what Jamie and Claire are up to today?”
I specifically love your descriptions of smells and fragrances, sounds and other sensory experiences. Also, Claire’s adapting to use of herbs and the like. I’ve worked with aromatherapy for over 15 years and find it fascinating.
Thank you for the example of what a dedicated researcher and writer can do. EPIC!
Blessings!
Elizabeth
Dear Diana,
I’ve just recovered from finishing reading Written In My Own Heart’s Blood an hour ago, and have to say Well Done! Fabulous, gripping, funny as hell, heartbreaking. Is it me, or did I see alot more “narrowing” eyes this time?
But you’ve fooled me – that beautiful ending made me think this was the final chapter. It could have been, it was written so well.
Sincerely,
Nancy
Vancouver Island, Canada.
Bonjour Diana !
Je m’excuse de vous écrire en français ( je suis du Québec, au Canada). J’ai lu la traduction française de tous vos livres et je veux savoir quand le no.8 , MOBY sortira en français.
Félicitations pour votre oeuvre et merci de votre attention.
Monique
Baie-Comeau, Québec
The end of MOBY tidied up MANY, if not all, cliffhangers. I found it very satisfying. Who cares about the outcome of Percy Wainwright (The Prisoner).
I hope you don’t continue the series with the death of one of the principles. As much as I have had a wild and wonderful ride reading the 8 Outlander books and satellite novellas and Lord John books, I don’t want to read about the death of either Jamie, Claire or their children. The fate of William, though precious to Jamie, is not so compelling. Could be left as is.
Your considerable talent can be applied to various other historical eras of Scotland. Bless you Diana Gabaldon. You are a wonderful writer and thereby historian.
Hi Diana. Have enjoyed this whole series so much. It has been a joy to read and also has helped me keep my sanity. Thank you sooooo much. looking forward to the 9th with anticipation. Take care of yourself.
Best regards,
Miriam
I just finished MOBY. I took breaks throughout, because I had to make it last! Tonight, when I realized that I only had 30 some pages left, it was so bittersweet. I wish I could unread the series so I could start over again; honestly, each time I do reread the books (I’ve probably read “Out lander” at least a dozen times…and I’m on my second copy!), I still get goosebumps and sob during certain moments in the story. I can’t wait for the next book! Thanks, Diana!
I have finished reading all eight of the Outlander series – all of which are so very interesting and riveting. I could not put them down, Now however, I feel such a void in my life having been so engrossed in Jamie and Claire’s story . I miss the whole family. I was so happy to read that there will be ninth book (and hopefully more), though it sounds like it may be a while. As others have done, I believe I will begin reading them all over again until the next one comes out. And I will also get the Lord John series.
I am an avid reader, and so far I’ve not found another book to hold my attention since I last read Moby.
Keep on writing these wonderful books!!
Thank you,
Carol
Dear Diana,
Thank you so much for writing these books! I haven’t been reading for fun in quite sometime, and this series has brought the fun back in reading for me! My mom introduced me to the Outlander series, and she by my grandmother when it first came out. I love the whole Fraser family and am very much looking forward to book 9! Thanks again, and also can’t wait for the second half of season 1 on Starz!
-carissa
I discovered Outlander as a result of viewing the TV series. I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next and did a search on the series to see if I could find any info and stumbled onto the entire series on Amazon. I have spent the entire winter reading all 8 novels and am going to start the Lord John Grey group next. Will be searching this site as well as Amazon, awaiting whatever comes next. I am absolutely thrilled to find another novelist that I love. These have been rather scarce in the last several years. Thank you, thank you, thank you!