It's far too early to talk about this novel. It isn't yet finished, and won't be published until 2015, so I shan't be mentioning it again until nearer release date. But I'm very pleased it will be published by OUP, who have done such a superb job on the Reeve & McIntyre books, and I'm looking forward to working again with the wonderful Liz Cross, who was the first reader and editor of Mortal Engines.
And for those of you who would like me to be writing vast science fiction epics about sprawling future worlds as well as having fun with Goblins and Seawigs, there is now light at the end of the tunnel. (NB: It may be an oncoming train...)
From the Bookseller
Congratulations, very exciting news! Looking forward to Railhead already.
ReplyDeleteOh great! Exciting news Philip :-)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI remember some years ago that you mentioned something about the dystopian trend in science fiction, and how you would like to write something that was a little less dark and depressing compared with so much else that has been written in the genre lately. Could this be the book you were referring to? Either way, I'm really curious about the plot and the setting.
ReplyDeleteHi Tim. That's well remembered! The new book certainly isn't a dystopia, but it has ended up being about a society much like ours, where wealth is pretty unevenly distributed - it's quite hard to get a good story going if everything's lovely and everyone has all they need! My idea of doing a sunny, utopian SF story kind of fed into the next Reeve and McIntyre book, 'Cakes in Space', which presents a very optimistic, 1950/60s view of the future - but that's a much shorter book, and a comedy.
ReplyDeleteIs there still going to be a fourth Fever Crumb book? I recall you saying it felt appropriate to have four to match Mortal Engines, but can't remember whether that meant you were going to go ahead and do so or not.
ReplyDeleteThe short, frustrating answer is that I don't know! I had hoped to publish Fever 4 in 2013, but that fell through, so I'm moving on and doing something new. And, having been immersed in this new world for a few years, I don't know if I'll want to go back to Fever Crumb, or if anyone would publish her if I did.
ReplyDeleteI almost cried I thought there was not going to be anything because I just recently invested my time into this series at first I was shocked to find that there was no mention of a book 4 to fever crumbs story seeing as how Arlo is a loose end and all ( I have not yet read the third book) so thank you so much for continuing this amazing book
ReplyDeleteReally can't wait for Railhead - I first read Mortal Engines when I was 9, and have followed through with the saga throughout my life! To see you turn your mind to another world will be very interesting indeed.
ReplyDeleteCan not wait for this!
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