See the note below—this post is from July 6, 2014 and is a bit outdated…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").
Wow lady! There’s a lot to that stuff you do. Thank you for taking the time to share how all that book writing works.
So, this is the first blog type thing I’ve read of Ms. Gabaldons, and I must say I’m a little bit freaked out buy the Jamie9 file and the others. I’ve read these books twice now in like 20 years, but they’ve never been “characters’” until that moment. I’m a smart grown woman, it’s not like I don’t know they exist only in the letters that contain them, but it’s like they are really real in my heart. Just can’t picture Jamie as a file. Yikes right?? Well, Diana, take your time with book 9, I’ll wait and so will all the characters, steadfast in the flight of reunitement, until we see what happens next!!
Hello,
I had no idea these books excited, yet they are a perfect storyline/themes to get me interested. I started watching the show 3 days ago. I’ve already seen all 8 episodes so far and in the meantime I have also ordered the first book.
I am so stoked to enjoy my holiday with this new excited book series and I know the obsession will grow more as I read them and explore more of this (new) world. I am very excited to be a part of this world now, like any other fans of the books/series.
Dear Diana; I have read your books about three times and plan on doing so again now that my daughter has most of them. I plan on buying her Moby when it comes out in paperback.
I can only think that you must have very busy for the last month That you didn’t have time to read my post. I really do not know how you do everything that you do. I thought this was an interesting theory and when I posted it on a face book site it got a lot of comments.
I think the reason Clair was able to go through the stones the first time was her five times great grandmother was Brianna or maybe Mandy, since they came back at the end of Moby. It is entirely possible (at least as possible as time travel).
I also think that Frank knew a lot about what would happen to Brianna, Why else would he teach her to shoot and ride And just maybe he knew a lot about Clair’s ancestry too.
I would love to hear what you think about these theories.
Dear Susan–
“Busy” does not begin to describe it, believe me.
Interesting theories. One of them may be right and the other almost certainly isn’t, but I’m not saying which one.
Best wishes,
–Diana
Thanks for answering my post. I can guess which one might be right as the other would take many, many books to prove at least from the 18th century. It will be interesting to see how it play out. I can hardly wait for the next book, but will keep re-reading previous books, there are always things I didn’t remember until I read it again.
Have the early books been abridged? I have been searching through the early books dealing with life on the mountain. When I first read the early books fifteen or more years ago, I could swear there was a description about making torches out of dock and fat. These Claire kept by he door for use when going to the privy. I can’t find this anywhere. I don’t think I imagined it.
Dear Pat–
Have you been reading the printed books (in English?) or listening to them as audiobooks? The original audio versions (by Random House) were _severely_ abridged and I strongly urge everybody to avoid them. (We’ve managed to get all but A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES off the market; the license to that one expires next year, at last, and then they’ll vanish from the earth. [g]) The UNabridged audiobooks from RecordedBooks (available through Audible.com–and I _think_ through ITunes as well) are read by Davina Porter, a wonderful dramatic actress, and are great.
If it’s the print books you mean, though–and with reference to torches made of duck fat and burdock…I can’t say whether you’re imagining things or just misattributing something from another book–but that reference _isn’t_ in any of my books, no.
Best,
–Diana
I agree with your dislike of A Breath of Snow and Ashes
I bought an audio book not by Davina Porter and promptly returned it, she is by far a true compliment to your books and brings them to life in an amazing way
My reference to not liking was intended to be directed at the naration of Breath of Snow and Ashes not towards your writing by any means
Up late again addicted to your books
Dear Tammy–
Just to be clear, it’s the abridgment of the book I dislike, not the reader. But fear not; the license for the abridged version of A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES expires in (I think) 2016–at which point we will wipe it from the face of the earth.
Best wishes,
–Diana
So glad to know that there will be more books in the future! I am a self admitted addict! I have listened to all of your books at least 3 times! Try as I might I have not been able to find any other books that even come close to sucking me in as your
Outlander series!
I started reading the books last summer, after the extraordinary first episode on STARZ….and I am now finished through “MOBY”…..I was wondering if there were any plans to make the genealogical charts that are the endpapers in the hardcopy of MOBY available on line somehow? I think I might not be the only person interested in having a hardcopy around for reference from time to time….
Wonderful and engrossing series….the only comparable one in my opinion is Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin novels…comparable as in….pick one up, get started, and…..you’re away……
Thank you….I will have to take up the habit of re-reading these, as I did with Lucky Jack and Dr Stephen….
Also wondering how Claire and Jamie’s friends in France will do in the imminent Revolution…I know Jared has been warned…..but, the others? like the sisters in the hospital……
Dear Tom–
Actually, they _are_ available online. They’re somewhere on the Penguin Random House website, but I’ll have to go and ask someone for the link, because it’s been a while since I saw them last.
Best,
–Diana
P.S. That chart is also reproduced in THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, Volume 2–due out October 27th. It’s inside the book, though, not on the end-papers.
I have read the Outlander series probably 5 times and have fallen in Love with the story line and the characters. If either Jamie or Claire die in the last book, I don’t think I’ll be able to read it because such beloved characters have die. The perfect ending for this series of books would be for Claire to be be born again in 1918 and have Jamie come to take her back and live another lifetime TGH. It’s possible as it is science fiction after all.
Well, no one has yet explained who the Scot “ghost” was watching Claire in her bedroom as Frank came home and walked right through him. Did I miss that or has there yet beebn bno explanation for it?
Dear Dorothy–
That will be the last thing in the last book-and we aren’t there yet. [g]
Best,
–Diana
Hey Diana, will the Outlander series have a closure (final book)?
Dear Betty–
Yes, I think so.
–Diana
Will it be the next book?
Dear Georgia–
Will what be the next book? You mean, what’s the next book to be published? You got me… I’m working on the early stages of Book Nine (the sequel to MOBY), but also have a few small (novella) projects on the side, the possibility of another Lord John novel (I do normally work on more than one project at a time), and I’ve just finished all the pieces for THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, Volume TWO, which comes out this October. Don’t know if that helps?
Best,
–Diana
Dear Diana,
I discovered the Outlander series late last year. It was right before I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB lung cancer. I had to undergo 38 radiation treatments and a series of chemotherapy treatments. I could not go out in public because of risk of infection, so I stayed at home except for my treatments. So, I started reading your Outlander series, book 1 in November 2014, and yesterday, March 19, 2015, I finished book 8, a day after I got a good check-up report from my medical oncologist!
I spent just about every day with Jamie and Claire, and it let me escape from the terrible way I felt from the chemo and radiation, and the knowledge that I might not survive. Whether I live long enough to read book 9, well, that is in God’s Hands, but I felt closure from the ending in book 8. Right now, I am feeling okay.
Thank you for you help!
Sincerely,
Michael
Dear Michael–
Congratulations on the good check-up–keep it up! [smile]
Really glad that the books could give you a little respite when you needed it. Best of luck!
–Diana
Diana,
Just finished the eight book of the Outlander series. All I can say is what a ride! You said you decided to write a novel to see if you could and I’m so glad you did over and over! My only complaint is that the series will end sometime and I don’t look forward to that. I called my two best friends and got them reading your books. One said “they are very addictive” and I have to agree. As a family genealogist, I was glad you put a chart on the inside cover. Also, I have Scotch ancestry, William Fife of Fifeshire, Scotland, so can relate to that part. Your third book, Voyager, was the most uncomfortable to read as I almost drowned when I was 12 and their sailing from Scotland to America was more time spent on and in water than I’d want. The best part all the books is the relationship between Jamie and Claire. So, thank you so much for your hard work!
A fellow Phoenician
My mother always said “I wish she would hurry up and write the next one so I can read it before I die. I want to find out what happens.” That was almost 9 years ago. Now I find myself saying almost the same thing. “I hope I don’t die before she finishes the series.” My whole family is hooked and we are thoroughly enjoying the TV series. Can’t wait for Season 2 and Book 9.
Thank you for yet another wonderfull book! I enjoy them so much that i wish you would never stop writing them
Each time a new one comes out, I read the whole series again. There’s just too much to remember and I must refresh my memory.
There are so many characters to love in these books , but I do admit that Ian has become my favorite. The wedding night scene with he and Rachel was so sweet and sexy, and is now a part of this wonderful story that will stay with me forever. Thank you so much for sharing this incredible family with us.
I have been a huge fan since I first read ‘Outlander’ eons ago. When I knew that MYOB was about to come out, I decided to reread the first seven books before reading number 8. Once I started page 1 of book 1, I read nothing else until I finished the last page of MOBY. I can’t tell you how much fun that was, and how shocked I was when I clicked the Kindle to get to the next page…..only to discover that I have to wait for book 9 to continue. I never want wait for MORE…. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful hours I have spent with your books. I always feel like I am IN them, know all the people, and have traveled to Scotland, and everywhere else you take your readers. Please write faster…
When MOBY came out I must have had my head in the clouds because I missed its coming out by 3 months. I about came out of my skin as I passed by a book display and spotted it. I bought it immediately, excitedly exclaiming to my Sister how wonderful this series is. Then I calmed down. I picked up book one, reread it, and followed it by two, three, four, five, six, seven and then came MOBY. I loved it. So beautifully and thoughtfully written. Love, war, tragedy, reunion. I cannot describe how finishing the last paragraph tightened my heart. Well done. I came away feeling the excitement, bewilderment and pure joy that hello to the house caused! Most sincerely, thank you. I will wait….
Hi Diana,
I long to read more about the life on The Ridge, the rebuilding of the Big House, Claire’s new garden and herbs, and Brianna’s engineering projects. I can almost feel the clean air, and hear the daily noise of life in the farm.
It’s been almost a year, so may I ask when will book 9 will come?
Will it keep focused on the independence wars? Or will Jamie and Claire have some piece to rebuild what they lost and to enjoy their reunion with their children and grandchildren?
King greetings
Maria
Dear Maria–
Book 9 will probably come out about six weeks after I finish writing it, if it’s anything like its predecessors. [g] In actual answer to your question, though–I have no idea. I don’t plan books out ahead of time, I don’t write with an outline and I don’t write in a straight line. Books have their own ideas, and I work with them, not against them. That said, it normally takes me about three years to write one of the Big Books of the series (I do work on other projects side-by-side with the novels, as I find that makes me more productive overall). I’ve been actually _at_ work on Book Nine for about the last three months, so it’ll be awhile.
Best,
–Diana
I absolutely love your work, thank you for sharing your imagination and bringing to life a truly awesome story. You have me addicted to the series, I often stay up well beyond when I should because I can not put down the books.
Again thank you for sharing, truly looking forward to seeing the next book(s) from you
Now finished my re-reading of all the books including the Lord John ones in storyline order. Really must say how much more I enjoyed the LJ ones this time round now I feel I know the family! Also are there any plans for Virgins to come out in a future compilation?
Wonder if you have come across a toast in your research something along the lines of “Heres to thee and hears to me and heres to thine and mine’? My Mum (born 1905) told me she remembered older relatives using it when she was young and it sounds a bit Quaker to me? Or may just be old-fashioned? The thee and me and the thine and mine may have been swapped around a bit!
when will WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEARTS BLOOD be available in paperback? Love your books!
Dear Carolyn–
June 3!
–Diana