Last week we had a visit from Sarah McIntyre, and as well as getting lots of nice walks in we found time to discuss some ideas for the second of our books for OUP. The first, Oliver and the Seawigs, won't be out till autumn 2013, but Sarah is already hard at work on the illustrations, and you can follow the process on her blog. (There's also a bit there about a comics workshop she did in my kitchen...) The second story won't be connected to ...Seawigs in any way - in fact, it's as different as we could make it, and I'm quite excited about it. Here's Sarah rocking the Vietnam LURP look in Wistman's Wood during one of our editorial strolls.
I was planning that Fever Crumb 4 would be my next big project, but sadly it's had to be put on the back burner for contractual reasons. I've consoled myself by starting in on a huge new story which I just call 'The Epic' for the moment. It's far and away the most science-fictional thing I've ever written, and it also looks set to be the longest - I've done 50,000 words so far and I don't think I've reached the half-way point yet. It's not a children's book, but whether it's 'YA' or for grown-ups (and whether anyone will want to publish it) it's too early to say. It's a lot of fun to write, though, so I don't really care. And as soon as it's done I'll be back to Fever 4.
And on a more practical note, we're having our shed done up to make a writing/drawing/photography studio. I'm not remotely practical so all the work is being done by our brilliant builders, Claud and Neil, but I did pop out between rainstorms to slap a bit of preservative stain on the exterior cladding...
If you're in Edinburgh next weekend I'll be appearing at the International Book Festival in Charlotte Square. If you're in Ireland in September Sarah McIntyre and I will be doing our thing at the Mountains to Sea Festival in Dún Laoghaire. And if you're a fan of SF or fantasy and can get to Bristol in October I'll hope to see you at BristolCon on 20th October.
And wherever you are, I hope you're having a great summer.*
*Unless you're in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case Happy Winter.
8 comments:
Good luck with everything. Sorry to hear we won't be getting a new Fever Crumb any time soon - but very interested to learn more about "The Epic"!
Nearly swallowed my hob nob whole when I saw the piccy of you sporting a bright shirt and pretending to be Mr DIY. Like the sound of the new "art" studio, great idea. Am intrigued by tales of "The Epic" sounds very interesting. Wistman's Wood pic made me think of Froud, hardly surprising really as it was one of his fave haunts anyway. Hope all is well in that hill of Bones of yours and that the Reeve household and entourage is all tickety boo. Ta Ta Fer Now.
A lot of people have mentioned that shirt - I didn't realise how out-of-character it was! And *everywhere* on Dartmoor looks like Froud, but maybe Wistman's Wood more than elsewhere. You know how in some of pictures there's a great frieze of twisted trees in the background with just darkness behind? I used to think that was artistic license, till we first drove on the moor at night, and when you come to a T-junction and the headlights hit the trees ahead that's exactly what they look like...
I just finished reading Goblins, which I loved, and now I'm really intrigued by this 'Epic' you speak of. I like a bit of Sci-Fi.
You say you don't know yet if it's for a YA or Grown-up audience, but I'm never sure what defines 'YA' vs Adult. Some my favourite books have been YA and I've never hesitated to recommend them to people of all ages. I'm sure it will be awesome whoever it's aimed at.
Keep going :)
Patrick RS (40 and three quarters)
Thanks, Patrick. I'm not sure about the YA/adult distinction either - a lot of the SF I read growing up could have been published as YA now, although the category didn't really exist in those days. But a lot of YA tends to be quite fast paced, and I find I want to pace things slower and slower, and maybe deal with older characters than before... so we'll see. It's early days yet, so I don't what it will end up as. Maybe nothing.
I love your Mortal Engiens Series and Loved the Fever Crumb books even more happy to know that Natsworthy had also popped up in book three too, I am eager to know what will happen next to Fever crumb ! I have also noticed that some people are talking about a Mortal Engiens film? Either way I for one cant wait for the next Fever Crumb !
Hi Jonathan, glad you liked them. No news yet on another Fever Crumb book or a Mortal Engines film, sadly.
I know that this blog is a couple of years old now but is there any more news on a Fever Crumb 4 book, after Scrivener's Moon?
They're amazing!
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