State of the Writer, April 2013, and an apology

April

Posted in Books, DAW, Elantra, Essalieyan, Luna, writing.

So far, 2013 has been a more productive year than the partial disaster of 2012. I have finished and submitted Cast in Sorrow, which, given the existence of a cover and a publication schedule, is a good thing. It’s not — I know this will come as a great surprise to all of you — short.

I have finished, but not submitted, Touch, the book that broke my writing schedule for, in retrospect, not very good reasons. I am in a state of perpetual revision there, but I have committed to finishing and submitting it by the end of April. This April. I will reiterate the one thing that I’ve been forcibly retaught: do not attempt to break your own process. Everyone’s process is individual; no two writers work the same way. Sometimes, attempting to work in a way that is entirely unlike your normal process will produce results that … are entirely unlike your work, and not in a good way. Ahem.

I am working on War, sequel to Battle, and it is going well. In general, the West novels go well, but they’re always longer than I think they’ll be. In twenty years of writing, I haven’t figured out the ratio of length to story =/.

I owe you all an apology about the various Sun Sword ebooks. I have no idea how or why they were listed, because I am reliably informed they’re not publication ready. I also have no idea of when this will happen, and I am very, very sorry to be the bearer of continual bad news in this regard. I do appreciate — even if I don’t respond — that you point out to me the difficulties and problems; I pass them on immediately.

And last, on the leave the house to prove that I will not dissolve in sunlight front: I am planning to attend Confluence in Pittsburgh in July of this year; I am planning to attend Lonestar 3, which is the worldcon on Labor Day Weekend.

Tomorrow — or the day after — I hope to do a post about the various audio books available, because all of the House War books to date are now up on audible.com, and in the iTunes store, for download, as are the Elantra Cast novels.

The Cast novels, however, aren’t available — that I can see — in the UK market. Luna buys the rights to distribute World English versions of the various books. But Harlequin has international satellites in many countries, and the individual publishing companies choose which books they offer to their constituencies. If they pass on, say, the Cast novels, the Cast novels are then — in any format — absent from the markets they oversee. So while in theory Luna has the rights to sell these books in English anywhere, in practice, the exercise of the rights comes down to the offices that in theory know their territories.

I can’t actually change that.

In the case of the West novels, I control the audio rights, and can therefore ask audible to make their audio versions available in the UK, which is why the West novels are available there, even if there is no other version available in the UK.

78 Responses to State of the Writer, April 2013, and an apology

xandra says:

April 10, 2013 at 12:37 am

I’m really excited for Cast in Sorrow. I’m 36 & I’ve been a fan of the Cast series for a few years now. My brother, who is 26, loves them as well. We introduced them to my Dad, who is 62, a few months ago. He’s in the midst of Cast in Chaos right now. Considering that my Dad introduced us to the fantasy & scifi genres, it’s very cool to return the favor. I’m enjoying your series all over again talking to my Dad about it (regardless of rereads I’ve done) And of course my brother & I refuse to give him any spoilers… hilarious being on the other side of you’ll just have to keep reading, I’m not giving anything away. So I just wanted to say Thank You. We are a family of readers & sharing books has always been a big part of our lives. My Mom doesn’t read much fantasy, but earlier tonite my Dad was giving her this whole explanation of Kaylin & the different races of Elantra, and how hilarious he thinks some of the interactions between her & the dragons or the Barrani etc. are. It was great to just hear them chatting about it. Again, thank you. Your words have brought a lot of laughter into our family & I just thought you should know that your hard work is appreciated. Best, xx
Joey says:

April 10, 2013 at 12:38 am

TOUCH! TOUCH! TOUCH!

Thank you for the updates. Is this year’s WFC in your future?
michelle says:

April 10, 2013 at 3:42 am

Thank you :). I think Terry Pratchett occupies that space in my extended household, and yes, it is a lot of fun to have that in common with the rest of my family. So, yes, it’s nice to know that I’m part of that, indirectly, for other families.
michelle says:

April 10, 2013 at 3:43 am

At the moment, we’re planning to attend — but because it’s London this year, which is generally more expensive, it’s not a hundred percent. You?
David Woodhouse says:

April 10, 2013 at 7:05 am

I’m in the UK, currently enjoying my downloaded copy of Battle after failing to legitimately buy the ebook anywhere (even with US-registered credit card using a US address). I’d *love* to pay you for it. I’ve certainly paid you for every other book of yours I’ve read — sometimes (for the Sun Sword series) by buying paperbacks to go straight on the shelf, after reading a downloaded copy.

Please let me know how I can pay. Do you accept paypal?

By the way, when you say above that you can’t change the situation, I sympathise. But I *hope* you actually mean that you can’t change it until your contracts are next up for renegotiation? I’m aware that authors enter into contracts for a number of books in advance, and the existing contracts may have been agreed in the 20th century with weird territorial restrictions as a legacy from the days when books were only published on paper. But surely in the future there’s a little more hope for sanity to prevail?
Kathy Scappace says:

April 10, 2013 at 8:07 am

You’re alive! Whew. Had me worried there for a bit.

Not to minimize the importance of the fact that you are indeed alive but I was wondering if the tiny dragon is in Cast in Sorrow? Not asking for a spoiler here. I’m just wondering because I didn’t see it on the book cover and I personally love Mr. Small and Squawky and would love one of my own except that I already have two grandchildren under the age of two and I don’t really need another creature with the ability to take years off my life in less time than it takes to pull a bowl off a counter.

So please, is Mr. Small and Squawky in Cast in Sorrow?
Tyronne Hodgins says:

April 10, 2013 at 11:09 am

Ah Michelle.…no apology is necessary. Really. Your fans, just love your stories. As for not being able to write ‘ratio to length’ stories, my only comment is Thank God for that! While I do sympathize with you completely, your stories immerse the reader into the worlds you’ve created and identify with the various characters. You write from the heart and it’s readily apparent. Don’t stop. Please. The wait for one of your books has always been worth it. ALWAYS! As for the Sun Sword series, I look forward to the day when I can add that series to my Kobo! Take care and all the best in your endeavours!!!
Aaliya says:

April 10, 2013 at 2:11 pm

I think I’m pretty relieved to hear Cast in Sorrow is long. Not because it takes so long for you to write but that I’m hoping iI’ll be able to really sink into the book. The last Cast book really really pulled me in deep and I just wanted to go on and keep reading. I’ve been twitchy ever since wondering what new evolution of the story will occur. This is primarily because you’ve put the story in such a place where we have some clue of what Kaylin is next going to face because of who she is with and where she is but I’m just so eager to discover how her journey goes now that she’s finally arrived.

Anyway, I’ll stop rambling and just say I’m grateful your somewhat back on track with your schedule — I cant imagine how you manage it all and I’m just in awe of your work. Your words are truly powerful and your stories are magic — Unfortunately I’m a solo reader in my family so I dont have the ‘sharing’ factor available to me and I’m not one for online networking because sometimes I think people like to give in to negativity and I’m just not interested in listening.

So yay for your work, fingers crossed that the rest of the year remains as productive as it has been so far and good luck with all your releases this year (not that you’ll need it — you should be in the top ten of NYTimes).
Hilda says:

April 10, 2013 at 3:12 pm

I love my Sagara and West books loooong, so I’m happy that they are still coming that way. I think maybe this is because I reread them so much, and I seem to discover something new every time. They are long term enjoyment. They keep me busy reading and re-reading. My Sorrow has been in order with next day delivery for so long. I know the review process has many steps (you explained it one time), but I think August is too late if you have already submitted the final (I also imagine the publishers must have other authors). Do they ever shorten the publishing date? Is Battle expected to be published in December or earlier?
I’m very glad everything seems well with you and yours. Take sometime to enjoy the summer, maybe a beach for just 2 weeks. After all the events of past winter, it will be well desrved.
Pat says:

April 10, 2013 at 3:56 pm

Will Cast in Sorrow be available by e‑Book? I have downloaded all the books to my Nook. Love them and reread them. I could crawl inside these books and live! Thank you Michelle!
Laura says:

April 10, 2013 at 4:06 pm

Thanks for the info on the Sun Sword ebooks. Absolutely love this series and really want to download them on my Nook, so eagerly awaiting their availability. Already downloaded the Hunter books.
Debi says:

April 10, 2013 at 7:19 pm

Do you know yet whether you will be at Confluence-Pittsburgh every day or just one of the days? Are you are a panel or what? I’ve never been to anything like that, but my parents live in Pittsburgh so I thought I’d have a new experience while fitting in a family visit at the same time! Thanks.
Tchula says:

April 10, 2013 at 8:43 pm

Michelle, congrats on finishing Touch! You must feel like a great weight has been lifted. Now you can get a bit of a breather and only work on one book at a time for a little bit, haha. I look forward to Sorrow this fall, and hope War goes well for you with minimal stress and hair pulling. ;-)
Chris says:

April 10, 2013 at 9:20 pm

Perhaps you could plan on each West novel being 1100 pages? If it’s less then you’ll be pleasantly surprised, and if it’s more, we’ll be pleasantly surprised. :)

In any event, much thanks for the update.
michelle says:

April 10, 2013 at 9:40 pm

The tiny dragon is, in fact, a feature of Cast in Sorrow. I don’t think he was on the cover of Peril, although I guess the egg was >.>.
Ann Kopchik (@amergina) says:

April 10, 2013 at 10:24 pm

I figured you either had your nose to the grindstone or were banging your head against your keyboard. :) I am very much looking forward to Cast in Sorrow. I tend to shove all my other books off my bed when one of the Cast novels comes out…

And I’m also looking forward to Touch. I loved Silence.

I’m woefully behind in catching up with the West books. Pesky deadlines and such.

I’ll be at Confluence, as usual, so I’ll see you there!
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:12 am

It is possible that the way the company handles its World English market will change in the future – but the only control I have at the moment is whether or not to sell them the rights to publish the Cast novels at all; if I choose to continue to write them for Luna, I’m granting them the rights. I can’t force them to exercise them.

It’s been suggested elsewhere that I self-publish, but here’s the thing: less than half of the sales – closer to a quarter – are ebook sales. I could do a print on demand version of the book – but it wouldn’t get the distribution that the Cast novels currently enjoy. It’s almost impossible to get Barnes & Noble to carry self-published books. I would be essentially walking away from most of my print readers if I went that route, and while it’s true that I want to make a living writing, I also want to reach the widest number of my readers as I possibly can.

However: the lack of UK ebooks for the House War series is entirely on me. The Sun Sword ebook rights are DAW’s. The House War rights are mine. I haven’t done them because of an extreme time shortage — brought on by my struggles with Touch, in theory the shortest book I will publish in the calendar year it finally comes out.

I need to find a cover designer, I need to have them create UK covers, and I need to kind of understand the UK cover market a bit better, because of course I can’t actually use the DAW covers for those books. I admit that I haven’t pursued this because I have no presence in the UK market; I’ve never sold UK rights. I’ve possibly erroneously assumed my UK audience would therefore be quite small – which is kind of an explanation, but not an excuse.

So: I am now committed to producing at least an ebook of WAR for the rest of the world by the time WAR comes out in North America.

People frequently say that publishers offer no added value in this growing direct-market age. But…for me, perhaps because I started before the 90’s, they do. It’s not just in the editing, printing and distribution — although those, to me, are the obvious ones — but also the covers, the sales & marketing to the various bookstores. Some people feel that the time taken to do all of these things is trivial.

Perhaps if I were writing less, it would be; at the moment, it’s not; the time it takes to do it comes directly out of the writing time =/. (The time to constantly rewrite, or throw out 50k words and write new ones, also comes out of the productive writing time, sadly).
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:15 am

I was a solo reader, growing up, although my brother did like horror (which I don’t read very much of). My extended household has readers in it, though :).

As for managing things: clearly, this year, I didn’t .
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:18 am

In order to get a book into bookstores, publishers need a long window. It’s actually gotten longer in recent times. B&N and Amazon want the information at increasingly earlier intervals. This means the book has to have a cover, and general marketing information, six months or more before the book is actually printed.

The book itself is a different beast. It needs to go to the editor and copy-editor, and from there, into production. Publishers can produce the book itself with a lead-time of three to four months. But in order to have orders for it, they need to have the information much earlier, and it’s better — when possible — to have the book in hand. Mine is on the tail end of very late.
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:19 am

Yes, it will be available as an ebook :).

And thank you for reading.
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:23 am

As for not being able to write ‘ratio to length’ stories, my only comment is Thank God for that!

Thank you :). I understand that the length of the books isn’t an issue for my readers (thank god!), but — the length causes the usual internal struggles for me. I write to the end of the story.

I angst a lot when I’m heading toward the end stretch, though. Every single time. Because the book is either too long, which means I need to figure out how to cut, or the book is Too Damn Long and is not, in fact, a single book anymore.

When I start, I start with boundless optimism: this book is going to be short. And then I hit midpoint and realize it’s probably not going to be as short as I thought it was. And then I hit the beginning of the end stretch and realize it is going to be way too long.

And then I feel guilty >.>.
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:24 am

I (usually, traffic permitting) arrive at around 6:00 p.m. on the Friday evening (which is the first day of the convention). I’ll be there for all of Saturday, and will leave mid-afternoon on Sunday (the last day).

I will be on panels there, but at this point, having just sent in the questionnaire, I’m not sure what those panels will be — I will post more information when I have it, though :).
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:28 am

When I have finished revising the book, I will feel like a great weight has been lifted. At the moment, it’s hard for me to see the book through the various stresses of writing it — never a good thing.

This happened to me with Sea of Sorrows, too. I could not read that book for four years because I was so certain it was terrible — that people would read it and say “OMG, I waited two years for this?” When I could read it, having forgotten the actual act of writing, I was hugely relieved — but I honestly couldn’t approach it as if I hadn’t written it, and hadn’t thrown out the attempt to make it the final book of the series (which, well, for obvious reasons would not have worked).
michelle says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:29 am

LOL!

And you’re welcome :)
Tchula says:

April 11, 2013 at 9:06 am

Well, let me just say that I adored Sea of Sorrows, mostly because we learned so much about the history of Man and the Cities and even the gods. It’s one of my favorite books in the series. I’m glad you’ve recovered from the trauma of writing it, and hopefully Touch will feel like that for you in a few years, too. (Aren’t we fortunate to have mortal memory?) ;-)
Aaliya says:

April 11, 2013 at 2:02 pm

I dont think any of us can condemn you for not being on top of things because of set backs. We’re your fans not just because your work is amazing but because you’ve got such a commitment to your work that it clearly comes through your books.
I honestly do hope you’ve scheduled some breathing room in for yourself — you more than deserve it!
As for extended family reading — nope — the boys are too young and their dad is a gamer. So its just me who gets to visit Elantra!
lucid says:

April 11, 2013 at 8:39 pm

Thank you for the update … from A new reader who is anxiously awaiting the Sun Sword ebooks for Nook!

Is it better to read Sun Sword series before the Hunter novels? I tried googling for recommendations but couldn’t find much :)

Maybe I will start with Cast in Shadow …
David Y says:

April 11, 2013 at 9:25 pm

The Hunter’s novels take place before the Sun Sword series — Hunter’s Death covers much the same as House Name but more on the Hunters. And there is the 14 (?) year gap in the time.
rcoane says:

April 12, 2013 at 12:42 pm

just a heads up, just downloaded book 1 and 3 from amazon. why out of order?? strange.
rcoane says:

April 12, 2013 at 12:43 pm

sorry, of the sun sword.
Diana says:

April 12, 2013 at 8:08 pm

Hi Michelle,

I just wanted to let you know that Amazon has the ebooks for Sun Sword #1 & 3 now (and it previously had #5 available, for some reason). So hopefully the others will follow shortly. :-) If you want an email when they become available, ereaderiq works very well (http://www.ereaderiq.com/track/new/).

Thank you for everything, I love your books!

~Diana.
Paul (Drak Bibliophile) Howard says:

April 12, 2013 at 10:15 pm

I have News!!!

The Broken Crown and The Shining Court are now available at KoboBooks and for the Kindle.

I just purchased them from KoboBooks!

[Very Very Big Grin]
Paul (Drak Bibliophile) Howard says:

April 12, 2013 at 10:34 pm

Comment to active emails of follow-up comments.
Hilda says:

April 13, 2013 at 10:31 pm

I don’t understand why some of us seem to get different results from Amazon and Nook. Not that these companies are very helpful. I have gone as far as buying new books from the Sun Sword series even when, based on the comments here, they are not available. Within this past year, I have gone to Amazon and ordered second copies of some books from the Sun sword series where the original is almost to pieces. Also a few months ago, I ordered for my NOOK the RIVEN SHIELD (even though I have a paper copy tied with rubber bands), (I’m just looking at my NOOK copy now), and all the short stories. I have also had Cast In Peril in my NOOK, for several months now.
Lucid, you may benefit a lot if you go into Michelle’s website and read the comments she wrote just as her books were published. She gives a lot of information on her books. At one of them, she also wrote an extensive transition between the Sun Sword series and the House War series. It’s very helpful. Good luck.
Pat says:

April 14, 2013 at 11:02 am

Any idea if Cast in Sorrow will go electronic? I want to pre-order it ASAP. I love the series, and Ms. Sagara has joined the ranks of my favorite authors — Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, and Patricia Briggs. Awesome!
Joey says:

April 14, 2013 at 12:19 pm

WFC is in Brighton this year. Next year’s Worldcon is in London. I’m planning to attend both. Probably Lonestar, so hope to see you!
Halyna says:

April 16, 2013 at 11:32 pm

Hi Michelle,

I just wanted to let you know that you and the Cast books have helped me keep my sanity! I have spent the last 4 months taking care of my 90 year old dad who passed away 2 weeks ago of colon cancer and the one thing I truly looked forward to on those long vigils sitting by his beside was being able to go back and re-read my favourite Cast books. I am excited that Cast in Sorrow will be available soon — I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Thanks again for the many, many wonderful hours you’ve given me to get lost in your magical stories. Cheers.
AKkat says:

April 18, 2013 at 12:01 pm

Y’know it’s strange — every time you write one of your updates you just solidify your spot as Favorite Author. I’ve been taking my time listening to Battle on audio (waiting for paperback to buy it in book form), and once done with that I’m going to buy up all the rest of the audiobooks and start from the beginning! Buahaha.

I appreciate all your hard work, and I am grateful you are willing to go through creative brainspasms to bring us your imagination. Your books speak to my bookworm soul! And darn it, I’m not usually into YA stuff, but I think I am going to have to buy those new ones. Your writing is just too gosh darn good not to.
AKkat says:

April 18, 2013 at 12:01 pm

wait, that wasn’t supposed to be a reply!

Argh!

/fail
Halyna says:

April 18, 2013 at 12:29 pm

LOL AKkat!
Jacob says:

April 20, 2013 at 12:03 am

Just wondering when we might be able to see the sample chapter of cast in sorrow.
shadowkindrd says:

April 21, 2013 at 1:54 am

To add another voice: Sea of Sorrows is my favorite book from you. The intensity of the relationship between Diora and Margaret, between the far past and the present, that whole thing is fire to read. Beautifully written.

BTW, I can now get books one, three, and five of the Sun Sword on my Nook. Still waiting for the even numbered ones.
pharvey says:

April 23, 2013 at 4:11 pm

B&N now has Case in Sorrow in ebook — so it has been ordered. Anxious awaiting shall ensue.
scorbet says:

April 24, 2013 at 12:44 am

I think you are misunderstanding — for most people there is a difference between books being available in paper and being available in ebook.

Right now, the Sun Sword books (with the exception of the Riven Shield) are available in paper format ONLY. Anyone saying that they are not available is talking about the ebook edition, which is true. Yes, we know that we can buy a paper copy, but some of us want the ebook, for whatever reason, often to accompany our already bought paper copies.

The Riven Shield is not available in paper, but is available as an ebook.

The rest are available as both paper and ebook, at least in the US.
scorbet says:

April 24, 2013 at 12:46 am

Oops, make that some of the books from the Sun Sword are unavailable for ebook :-) Haven’t checked myself in a while and just read the comments below.
mandi says:

April 24, 2013 at 10:26 pm

That is one of my favorite statements: “It’s not short.” :) ;)

So looking forward to Cast in Sorrow. I’ve already pre-ordered it in hard copy and ebook! So excited! {Happy dance} Can’t wait for more info on what happens in the West March to Kaylin,Mr.Small & Squaky, Teela, Sevren, and Nightshade!
mandi says:

April 24, 2013 at 10:35 pm

In the past, the 1st chapter was released one month prior to the book’s release date.
lucid says:

April 26, 2013 at 9:18 am

I see that books 1. 3 and 5 of Sun Sword are now available as ebooks. Why not the evens? Here’s hoping they are coming soon.
Amanda says:

April 26, 2013 at 10:31 pm

I am so glad to hear that Cast in Sorrow is not short. I adore there books and the world you have created within them; the more time that I, as a reader, get to stay in them the better.
Debi says:

April 27, 2013 at 10:47 pm

Thanks for the info … I look forward to going to my first one of these conventions!
I love your Cast series, but as a high school teacher, I also loved SILENCE because your “teenage voice” is so realistic. Emma and crew could easily be a number of my students. :)
Danita says:

April 30, 2013 at 11:32 pm

How horrible is it that when I saw the book was “not short”, my greedy for more Cast self said, aha, then a Chapter a month starting May 1, shouldn’t be any problem right? Much anxious waiting. Glad to share it with fellow Cast lovers though! Danita
virginia Russell says:

May 3, 2013 at 8:54 pm

Hi Life gets in the way of plans but it seems to me that you get a shocking lot of writing done. I and my adult daughters (3) all discovered your work through the cast novels. LOVE THEM! Ive now read everything I could get my hands on or catch in the nook. Its so wonderful to discover an accomplished author with an existing body of work. i get to catch up on the older stuff while craving the new.(War for me). God bless You and Yours however you envision God on a good day. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and hard work.
Abby says:

May 4, 2013 at 8:40 am

I absolutely love the Chronicles of Elantra. I picked them up after reading another Luna book and saw the cover as an advertisement in the back. Once I began reading I fell in love with all the characters. I began mentally also stepping on Kaylin’s foot when she opened her mouth to speak to Sanabalis, excuse me, Lord Sanabalis. I would find myself asking, “When did she last eat? Sleep?”

Your ability to draw the reader in, to paint these perfectly unique and encompassing worlds filled with thought, intelligence and wonder is nothing short of spectacular.

I cannot wait until the next book, and dare I say it, I do hope that Nightshade and Kaylin end up together. There is so much to them that I find interesting and the reasoning of why he cares and why she does- is worth puzzling out. That and I’m always for pairings that aren’t “supposed” to be. Severn is Kaylin’s everything in so many ways, she relies on him almost completely- but can he be her future?

Thanks for reading my ramblings, and thank you for gracing us with this series!

Abby
Estara Swanberg says:

May 5, 2013 at 9:59 am

If you go to Loncon 3, too, I really need to actually show up. ^^. I hope you’ll come next year, too, then.
Estara Swanberg says:

May 5, 2013 at 10:11 am

I don’t know what her rates are, but Julie Dillon who is nominated for the Hugo this year and already has won two Chesley Awards has done covers for wholly self-published Andrea K. Höst (whose work I totally recommend to you).

So I sort of hope her rates are reasonable for a self-publishing venture. Her art is certainly beautiful
http://www.juliedillonart.com/

Here’s the art she did for Andrea
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9832204-champion-of-the-rose
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10134027-stained-glass-monsters
Estara Swanberg says:

May 5, 2013 at 10:18 am

You saved my equilibrium this year once more with my yearly reread of the Elantra books. My work life may not have evened out yet, but you really saved me from blowing up via disappearing into Elantra.

So thank you.
Christina says:

May 5, 2013 at 8:23 pm

Hi Michelle,

Thank you for the update. I’m really looking forward to Touch. I was just wondering if the release date for Touch has been pushed back to a later date or if it is still being released in May?????? Thank you
Chris says:

May 6, 2013 at 3:11 pm

Can hardly wait for “War.” Just finished reading “Battle” for the third time. Have completed all the Sun sword books, House War, and Hunt brothers at least three times — even going through them in chronological order. Excellent story lines and well written.
David Y says:

May 6, 2013 at 7:47 pm

I just saw that Silence is now out in paperback.
silentmum says:

May 7, 2013 at 1:07 pm

I must offically be an ultra- geek, not only do I have all the Sun Sword and Elantra books in papaerback but am now slowly collecting them as ebooks too.…so when they first come out, I can have the pleasure of the literally truning the page and then when I evetully I get the ebook I can re-read again and again — teh first Elantra book is held togther by sticky tape and love I read it so much.…..even Peril is looking dog-eared.…
Jaime Lester says:

May 12, 2013 at 8:22 pm

I am very much looking forward to Touch! I am sad that its release date was moved up to January of next year, but I will be ready whenever it hits stores. I am sorry you had such trouble with writing it, but I have no doubt that the end result will be unbelievably amazing! Silence blew me away, and so will Touch!
Mom says:

May 14, 2013 at 2:46 pm

I have been a fan of Terry Pratchett for years also. Just discovered the Elantra series and was delighted with them. Now in the process of reading them to my husband, who is really getting into them also. After reading what I could get my hands on for the third time I recommended them to Kerry Greenwood and she said she would keep her eyes out for them as well.
Mike says:

May 17, 2013 at 6:02 pm

Book 4 of the sun sword is now on kindle, fo those who have been waiting as anxiously as me. Now just need books 2 and 6…
lucid says:

May 18, 2013 at 5:13 am

Awesome — Sun Sword e‑Books 1,3,4, and 5 are available on Kobo and Amazon. Now just waiting for books 2 and 6!!
lucid says:

May 18, 2013 at 5:15 am

Also — Can anyone recommend a reading order for someone who has not read any of the series yet? Is Hunters » Sun Sword » House War the recommended progression? thanks!
Chris G. says:

May 18, 2013 at 4:01 pm

Hunters » Sun Sword » House War does work, though there are actually several possibilities. Awhile back the author suggested that the first three House War books are her recommended place to begin. And then I would think Hunters » Sun Sword » and the last House War books after.

Imo West improves as an author as the years pass, so by starting with the Hunter’s duology you begin with what some might say is her “worst” material and see the progression as she goes along. I’ve seen some people who enjoy the Hunter’s books and happily continue on, but others haven’t liked them as much, and so for those people the House books would probably be a better place to begin. Of course people won’t know their reaction until after they try them. And there are advantages to both approaches.

If you think that there’s a good chance that you’ll like the books then I would recommend Hunters » Sun Sword » House War.
lucid says:

May 18, 2013 at 5:36 pm

Chris — thank you for the response! I am pretty sure I will like these novels, so I think I am going to start with the Hunter duology. I’d prefer reading them in as close to chronological order as possible — as well as pub date.

Thanks again!
David Y says:

May 18, 2013 at 6:07 pm

lucid:
the Hunters books happen at the same time as the House Name series; Hunter’s Death duplicates much of House Name BUT there is some important information in Hunter’s Death that isn’t in House Name — about some rings. I just noticed this the last time I re-read them.
Chris G. says:

May 18, 2013 at 6:16 pm

You’re welcome lucid,

Though I’ll mention that chronological order can get rather tricky. The way I suggested is definitely the pub. order, but while I don’t want to give away spoilers, the chron. order is impossible to get exactly right because of how West wrote these.

If chron. order is the most important thing then you can’t get it perfect but I’d recommend House War #1, Hunter’s #1, House War #2, Hunter’s #2, House War #3. Then Sun Sword then House War #4 and up. For several reasons I don’t think that that’s the best way to go, but you could try it.

Once you read them all you’ll understand that there’s no one way. West is one of my favorite authors but no one is perfect and this area can be a flaw. Though there are good and artistic reasons why these books happened this way and it can be nice to have a series which is not a straightforward Book 1, 2 etc.
Chris G. says:

May 18, 2013 at 6:24 pm

David Y,

Imho I think it would be best to avoid spoilers for lucid if we can help it, but since you brought it up then different people do have different thoughts on “duplication” between books. Afaic there are lots of conversations, povs, and such that differ between Hunter’s Death and City of Night/House Name. I think the perspective on this depends on the individual reader.
Bonnie Holmes says:

May 18, 2013 at 7:47 pm

looking forward to cast in sorrow, already ordered. might make it up last week of august[fingers are crossed].if i do, will definitely stop and see you.
lucid says:

May 26, 2013 at 6:00 am

Thanks for replying, Chris. I think I am going to stick with the first suggestion of Hunter/Sun/War.

I’m just waiting for the remaining Sun books to be placed on Kobo before I begin .…. :)
Chris H. says:

May 26, 2013 at 7:36 am

The best chronological order I could use was Hunter’s Oath, Hidden City, City of Night, Hunter’s Death and House Name (these two tell some of the same story but from different perspectives, thus occurring at the same time), the I went into the SunSword Series followed by Skirmish and Battle. That is the best chronology I could find. Have read all these several times and now when I reread them that is the order I read them in.
Z says:

May 28, 2013 at 2:30 am

Rereading Cast in Peril again for the third time. Really looking forward to Cast in Sorrow even more now that it won’t be short :)
Benjamin Williams says:

June 16, 2013 at 6:56 pm

I love your work. Your Sun Sword and House Wars books are my favorite. I am not sure if you are aware, but I cannot purchase the second Sun Sword book on Amazon, though I can purchase copies of others in the series there. I still have my print copies, but in an effort to save space, I am trying to transition to all digital. You are probably aware of this issue, but I just wanted to make sure you knew. Keep up the good work! I tell all my friends about how great your novels are.
lucid says:

June 21, 2013 at 4:19 pm

Book 2 of Sun Sword has been added to Kobo!
Benjamin Williams says:

June 22, 2013 at 10:56 pm

Sun Sword 2 is now available on Amazon in e book form, but book 6 isn’t available yet. I am awaiting its availability with great anticipation.
Dan Pierson says:

June 30, 2013 at 8:07 pm

Sun Sword 2 is enough! 1 – 5 are now on my Kindle at long, long last. I’m willing to hope that 6 will be available not to long after I finish the rest.