See the note below—this post is from July 6, 2014 and is a bit outdated…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").
After so many weeks of reading very slowly, just enough to sustain my need for anything Outlander, I have finally finish MOBY. I was so scared that this was going to be the last book that I nearly went into panic. Thank you Diana for such an amazing book, for all the long hours dedicated, and for fulfilling all my expectations regarding the development of this amazing story. I’m so happy with everything and the way that all came to be that I want to read all books again. I purchased the Kindle edition, and the Audible version and I can say that it has been a great experience. I shared the reading of my books with my oldest daughter (me being 41 and she 23), and we both exchanged our opinions and feeling after each chapter. We laugh, cried, and got so excited for each of the characters. It was a great experience, and at the end of the book when my daughter asked me, “when is the next book scheduled?” my response to her was, “honey, a book is like a newborn child. You don’t ask a mother who has gone through hours of intense labor, who is still rejoicing on the birth of her child, when is the next one going to be born.” She laughs and says to me, “That is so true, if someone asked you that you would surely say, “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ! Let me enjoy this one first! ” Again, thank you so much Diana.
Just new to you and your writing, you are an inspiration as I still have dreams of becoming a published autor myself. I have enjoyed your Outlander Book – ready to go onto Dragonfly in Amber however not sure if I should look at the TV series coming out as there may be too many spoilers, how far into the book series is it going once it gets started in August?
I believe the first season is just based on the first book, Outlander, so you should be okay. Diana can correct me if I am mistaken.
I have started this serious back in 1999….I waited years to read “An Echo in the Bone”, after I purchased the book, as I did not want the story to end….when I finally read it I was so excited to see there will be more….I pre-ordered “Written in my owns heart blood” and I read it within days…..and again, I am so excited the story will continue. I am not sure I want to see the movies, to be honest. The books are fantastic and I have re-read them numerous times, I am just not sure the movie can live up to it. And to be honest, we all have a certain idea what Jamie, Claire and the gang should look like…..Hopefully some day they will come out on DVD….
Hi Diana – I have just finished MOBY! Phew what an epic journey – You must b exhausted! I can’t wait to read what happens next. This is the first book I’ve had to wait for as I came across the 2nd book at a 2nd hand book sale then quickly started buying & reading the others. Since then Ive been shocked but not surprised by the number of people I have come across that have read these books. I saw you mentioned film? Is there a film or TV series? I would love to see it if there is! Keep up the GREAT work.:-)
Love your writing. Would love to read Jaime point of view for Outlander. His words and thoughts of meeting Claire from landing in Scotland meeting Murtagh being wounded and the rest of 1743. Please consider thank you.
I just finished “Moby” for the second time and am looking forward to the small screen version of Outlander in August. I admit I’m a little afraid because it can’t possibly live up to the incredibly vivid images you’ve painted on the pages of your books.
My ancestors came from Applecross, Scotland and I was born and raised in the foothills of North Carolina. I’d always wondered how the Scots ended up in NC. Unlike my husband, I’ve never been a real fan of American history. I lean more toward fiction and fantasy, but I was fascinated by events that actually took place, practically in my backyard. For the first time in 25 years of marriage my husband and I could actually discuss something I’d read for fun!
For years my family attended the Highland Games on Grandfather Mountain, but reading The Fiery Cross made it seem like more than a bunch of people playing dress-up for the weekend. The calling of the Clans in your book gave me chills because I’ve stood, with my family, in the dark mist of McCray meadow and watched the torches come down from the hills as the clans announced their arrival.
The Outlander series is more to me than just an achingly beautiful love story, or a multi-generational saga, or a very complicated fantasy involving time-travel. Thank you for making MY history real in a way that history books never could.
I just finished MOBY, it was wonderful, I laughed & cried , I weirdly feel that I know & love these characters you have created, once again I can hardly wait for the next one but can always read the
series again. Thank you so much
Hi Diana
Well, I’m only half way through MOBY and loving it.. just drawn in straight away but I don’t like to rush your books because you’ve put so much effort into them. You deserve them to be read well.
I have just been reading a passage when you use the term ‘because he couldn’t be arsed’, please tell me you didn’t find this in your full on research! I know most things come around and around but I thought this was a modern term. I always made my colleagues laugh because until recently I thought it was I can’t be asked! LOL
The only thing I am slightly dissapointed in is that the images of the series actors have taken over from the ones I had conjured up in my mind all these years. Not enough to spoil it for me I promise but it feels different this time. I hope everyone enjoys the series and will look forward to hearing about it’s popularity.
thanks for your good work
Diane
My sister and I sure enjoyed seeing you at the retreat in Seattle. I introduced her to your books when Outlander first came out and we’ve been reading the series since. We both loved MOBY. It is like a bowl of candy. I’m so happy to hear there will be another book. I don’t know how you do it but I’m so glad you can write such wonderfully rich and entertaining stories. Thank you so much for all the hours of happy reading. I am so happy your book make the #1 bestseller in both fiction and non-fiction! Really looking forward to seeing the Outlander series. Congratulations!
Hello!
Thank you so much for your most excellent and exciting storytelling. I own all your books and just had the privilege of finishing IMOHB. WOW.
Please, keep writing. You seem to have the “gift” of pulling the reader right into the story and I love that. Also, your characters are the best.
Your devoted reader,
Judy Brennan
Diana you have exhausted ME! I know you have spent years, months, days, hours and many minutes on your wonderful books…and I do mean wonderful, brilliant and exiting! So you have to be tired and in need of a break but I wanted you to know that I have been trying to play “catch up” and started the series in May and I don’t think I have been asleep before 1 am! I am captivated and my family has been eating a lot of take out and hamburger helper the past few months! I am happy to report that I am on A Breath of Snow and Ashes now and have never read such a wonderful series! I have learned French, Gaelic, and tons of history, not to mention herbs and medicine and a great romance to boot! I can’t see how you will ever end this series, just please don’t pull a “Dallas” on us where the main character wakes up and it was all a dream! Thanks again for your dedication and your brilliant story telling.
Hi Diana,
I just finished the last pages of moby. Well done indeed. As always you made me laugh (lots) and you made me cry (sometimes) and I enjoyed every single minute I spent with your wonderful story. Thank you very much.
p.s. I read parts of it during our holiday in the Highlands, could’t wish for a better place for it.
Greetings from Germany
Until about 4 years ago, if anyone ask what was my favorite book my reply was always Jane Eyre by Bronte. I love the main character and identified with her since I was 11 years old and read the book for fun (not for a class). An avid sci-fi & 19th century British lit junkie, when I finished everything Marion Zimmer Bradley had wrote (Avalon series & Darkover series), a friend recommended Outlander to take care of my ‘addiction’ to sagas. You are the first author that I have ever re-read their book in over 45 years of being an avid reader. Even my Jane Eyre I have only read once cover to cover (though I have read sections over & watched many a film/TV version). Now in my 4th reading of the entire series and eagerly awaiting the premiere of the TV series, I still find new tidbits in the readings – references or phrases that have more meaning now that the story arc is broader. Take a breather – a well earned vacation. And take a bow. As hard as it is to wait for the next volume or additional books (like OC2, the prequel, stand alones like the Lord John books), the wait is worth it. And make sure Ronald keeps the cast together for Season Two Dragonfly in Amber………….
Thank you, Judith! I’m very flattered. [g]
Best,
–Diana
Hello Diana
I was surprised not to see an update about The Cannibal’s Art? Have you no idea when that may be finished? Thanks for all your books (and for more to come). 
Dear Elle–
That’s one of those things that just kind of putts along on the side. [g] Whenever I write up an explanation of something for someone, and it looks like being useful beyond the present conversation, I toss it into the CANNIBAL directory. Eventually, I’ll turn my full attention to it and start sifting through the mass of stuff in there–but not just yet.
Best,
–Diana
Hi Diana,
I’m a very BIG fan of all you books, especially the last one, and can’t wait for the Outlander tv series. I was wondering if you could put up a name pronunciation guide because many of the names are so hard to figure out. Thanks, keep up the great work!
Dear Sherri–
People’s names, you mean? Hm…could probably put something like that in the OUTLANDISH COMPANION, VOLUME II.
Best,
–Diana
Dear Diana, Yes the name pronunciations would be wonderful…..I have seen some of the Gaelic lessons on your sight and love them, they are helpful. Thanks for making Jamie and Claire so real.
Thank you so much for Moby! I loved it and especially the fantastic ending. Looking forward to seeing how Brianna’s family got to The Ridge and all the adventures they will have now. I will miss them until book 9 but will just reread 1 to 7 again. Thanks again!
Diana,
I am extremely pleased to see you will be writing another Outlander book! I didn’t get the “cliffhanger” feel with this one as I did with Echo, and it kind of felt like you were tying up some loose ends in the last couple of chapters, so I wondered if maybe you’d go with another Lord John book to expand on his and Pardloe’s quest for answers instead of writing another BIG book. Then I remembered that Jamie still has a few lives left from the fortune-teller’s prediction, and that Claire won’t reach her full potential until she has a full head of white hair (according to the Indian woman whose name I can’t spell or pronounce) so I was hoping this wasn’t the end.
Now that I know you’ll be writing Book 9 I can’t wait to see the look on Jenny’s face when she meets Roger again. If my gut is correct and MOBY ends like I think it does, then Jenny (who is now in her 40′s..?) is about to see Roger looking exactly like he did when she was 17 when he came to Lallybroch looking for Jem. I know she knows what Claire is…but to actually have her experience it via Roger…I hope she survives the shock!
You continue to intrigue me with how you keep your story lines going and jumping and circling back around…both from the BIG books and from the novellas. How you do it without having a huge flow chart on your office wall is a mystery to me!
Now…go take a vacation! You’ve earned it!
Angie i guess Jenny has around 60 ears old , she is older than jamie!I hope i am right!Friend kisses…
Hello Diana.
I have just finished MOBY and sat with the book in my hands. What a great ending! I was hoping that everyone would end back together, but as each event came and went and no Mackenzies, I thought you were going to make us wait for book Nine.
I have reread the series with my IPad beside me, looking up all sorts of things mentioned in the books, like Heath balds, and trees birds and critters, clothing and corn cribs. May I join with all your other fans to thank you for your hard work and dedication in producing such wonderful and satisfying books.
Dear Diana,
I have had Lymphoma for 10 years, and I am determined to hang on until the end of the series,
whenever that may be. I re-read them occasionally, and always just before starting the latest
one out.
Thank you for the gift of these wonderful books. I have two sets, the paperbacks that I will loan
only to good friends, and the hard copies that NO ONE touches.
Good thoughts to you, always.
Dear Diana,
Thank you so much for your books. I absolutely adore them. My family (all 6 of them) just returned from a 3 week tour of Scotland. When we returned – your latest book was on my doorstep. We spent a lot of time in Inverness and Fort William – and even viewed Ruthven Barracks ( I was delighted when you mentioned it your book and I had been there). Your books were special before we went to Scotland and are even more so now. Thank you – I really am a junkie so even though you just finished book 8 – I anxiously await book 9 – but in the meantime – I will look forward to the movies on Starz. Thank you so much
T
I always knew I had an affinity with the British Isles. When I read OUTLANDER, I knew it was Scotland where I had lived a previous life. Since that time, I have worked on family history and found that one side of my family came from Scotland! I wonder how I would respond if I were in Claire’s shoes. Would I be able to cope with the primitiveness of the 1700′s? A long stretch from 2014. Aloha from Hawaii.