Just a quickie to let anyone who has SOMEHOW MANAGED TO RESTRAIN THEMSELVES from buying The Iron Jackal yet, it’s now out in mass market paperback in the UK, and therefore cheaper. You can get it for just under a fiver in the UK and £4.99 on Kindle (which I assume is a price drop from the trade paperback Kindle edition to fall in line with the MMP). Epub editions are also at £4.99.
US readers, still no news from Spectra on whether it’s coming out on your shores yet (I understand they’re waiting for an outline for Book 4, which I just delivered to my editor like 10 minutes ago). So you can get it for the fractionally more expensive price of £6 (or the equivalent in dollars) at Book Depository. However, since that includes free international shipping it probably actually works out cheaper, or something.
Having spent an eternity plotting out The Ace Of Skulls (Tales of the Ketty Jay 4) to achieve the infinitely complex tesseract of plot, character, drama and good old machine-gunning-people-in-the-face that my hungry readers demand, I’m about ready to get going on it at last. Although first I have to edit Silver. Anyway, it’s all on schedule and well in hand. I’m planning to deliver by the end of the year, with tentative pub date Sept/Oct 2013, though possibly earlier if the schedule allows.
Hi Chris
Already read the Iron Jackal (simply maaarvellous book, daaahling), so I’m going to hijack the start of this thread
Any chance you could put up The Braided Path maps on your spiffy site? The Kindle is utterly, utterly useless at displaying them. It’s only fair as I found the omnibus just after purchasing the first one, so you’re quids in.
Cheers
A.
Yeah. I have a Sony Reader and it’s equally crap at maps. Incidentally, for anyone wondering why there’s no ebook of Malice or Havoc, that’s why: graphical limitations mean all the comic book bits look rubbish, or so I’m told.
I don’t actually have the Braided Path map files myself but I’ll ask my publisher and see what I can do…
I’ve got a Sony eReader but I don’t seem to have any problems with it displaying maps and whatnot. Not that I have many books on it that have maps but that’s beside the point.
Oooh! I can’t wait for the The Ace Of Sculls to come out! Damn you for teasing us with your (or maybe Frey’s?) awesomeness. Also, I now refuse to move from this spot right here *points on the one foot square on the floor* until I can have the book in my arms. I don’t care how long it takes for you to write, I’m not moving. Well, it’s actually a lie and I’ll probably have to move soon-ish but please, have mercy and finish it soon? Pwetty pwease?
OO A price drop!
Hi Chris. I can’t really relate to anything up there because I haven’t read any of those books
I’ve tried like I go to the book store and I’M like “Wooding weres Wooding O AAAALLLL the way down there were the roaches can reach’em.” So mess up my back grabbing them and I’m like ” What order do I red them in? Which belong to each series! Why lord why!” then I find like a Calvin and Hobbes comic book and I’m happy again. But I just found out Havoc is out in french (I saw a picture of the cover, not always reliable) and I really want to look into that, french being my second language. Can you plz tell me if french Malice/Havoc is out? Kay thanks.
Cool. Thanks.
@ Brooklyn: Malice is out (called Ravage, which is cool as he was my favourite Transformer) but Amazon.fr has Havoc as being released in September this year. That’s as much as I know. Honestly though, I’d read ‘em in the language they were written in, as you always lose something in the translation no matter how good the translator is.
(reposting this. please reply! *insert begging puppy face here*)
Regarding your answer on the third book, I wanted to say that I do sort of want to know what happens next? What about the Lack, the Queen of Cats, and the Shard? Do they give the new age of peace and democracy? Do they make things worse in the world? What if Tall Jake somehow rises from the ashes when the hatred of the world brings him to life? What if someone else brings him to life? What if he gets a friend? Maybe Tall Jake’s early life story is one that needs to be told!
I understand that there are many hings you have to do, and i understand it may be difficult. I just believe there’s more to this and I don’t want to have to go off writing a fanfiction that may or may not bring Malice a good name when the master himself can do it.
Oh, and to clarify: I don’t believe in happy endings either.
(GAH! Punctuation mistake! I feel so dumb right now… especially since my mom is an LA teacher, I’m posting this comment to an author, and therefore now look like a total jerk. I suck. erg…….. >:( In any case, whether punctuation sucks or not, I just think there’s more to the story. meh.)
I didn’t reply because I’d already answered it earlier. It’s not really up to me. Until Scholastic approve a new book (for which they have to pay an artist) there can’t be another Malice book. The wheels of publishing turn slowly. Not a lot else I can do about it, to be honest…
Off I go to write a fanfiction. Let’s hope it succeeds.
Hi Chris
I was intending to wait until this price drop to buy The Iron Jackal (kindle reader here), but broke after about a week and had to buy it ages ago. Am so glad I did – it was great.
Excited to hear you have started work on the fourth Ketty Jay book.
Out of interest, have you ever considered doing a book of short stories with the cast?
I couldn’t wait. I live in the US and I needed that book like BURNING, so I got it online. It’s a UK edition so it doesn’t line up with my US ones, height-wise, (SSSFHFHHAHHAHAASSSSHHH! Dx) but it’s about the same size of my Optimus Prime helmet (that I so classily use as a bookend) so it all worked out.
I did ask the publishers to factor in Transformers to the design spec. Some of the UK copies also transform into killer robots and burn rival books in the night.
@ Ryan – Short stories aren’t really my thing. I’m not very good at them, and I don’t read many (hmm, perhaps these two things are connected…) I guess I just don’t find them very satisfying most of the time, I need something novel-length to get my teeth into.
Well, its either going to be titled Descent or Phoenix. I’m thinking of making this first one a prequel. Then next one probably will be called Redemption and then after that is Discord and finally is Terra. Got the plots all figured out, going off to write now!
Er, the fanfics, I mean.
Hey Chris! I found a cool song that sounds exactly like something Tall Jake might sing! Lol. It makes A LOT of sense though. Go to the link I’m putting here to find it. It’s called Awoken. The lyrics are in the video’s description.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytKvgLuy7ng&list=FLo-j1tZ8kZkmY9Mikq4FzOA&feature=mh_lolz
I sat up in the middle of the night last night (or maybe I didn’t. maybe I was actually sleeping.) and thought: “OH GOD. Tomorrow is Chris Wooding’s birthday. I should invent a mixed drink for him.”
And then, if I wasn’t already asleep, I fell over and went back to sleep and came up with one. Which, really, isn’t a mixed drink at all:
Whiskey. On the rocks. But the rocks are golems. And the whiskey is also golems.
… And according to Wikipedia, it’s not even your birthday.
So I think I need to just sleep more.
ZOMG. Probably. Now I want a tumbler full of golems, though.
I don’t even know, man. It just seemed IMPERATIVE that I craft you a drink. Going by the description of the golems you’ve made, I can’t imagine it’d taste very great.
Things that seem like a better idea than actually doing my job = drawing all of the different golems hot tubbing in a tumbler. I… I think I should do that.
Ahhhh! As someone who’s been addicted to your books since I read Poison many moons ago, I have to say I am enjoying a glorious Sunday finishing off the Black Lung Captain… and can’t wait to get started on the Iron Jackal.
So much love.
Does anyone else picture the American Pickers when Harkins and Pinn are up to their shenanigans? :I I got the mental image once and I cannot unsee it.
Really good to hear Ace of Skulls is progressing well – I have blocked out a ‘reading weekend’ in my diary, booked my entire family into a B&B in the Outer Hebrides to ensure peace and quite and ordered a new sofa with extra soft cushions all for September 2013 in anticipation! The Diamond Jubilee? The Olympics? Both non- events when compared to the publishing of the next Ketty Jay book!
Any word on when Iron Jackal will be available for the Kindle in the US? I see that it’s for sale on Amazon.co.uk, but not Amazon.com.
No word, I’m afraid, since there still isn’t a US release date for it from Spectra.
Hi Chris I just bought Retribution Falls at my local book store and guess what? It was a “recommended title”. I bought the last one by the way. So in celebration of this victory I suggest you pat yourself on the back and go out for a beer. Just an idea.
If you insist. It is just past midday, after all!
Wait…. I just thought about something…. I should probably ask before I write these… am I allowed to use some of the original characters and places from Malice and Havoc? I mean, I’m not going to be saying I came up with them or anything, I’ll give you total credit for even the idea of Malice. I just think I should be asking you before I write something. I was planning on writing a prequel to the whole thing first, the whole story on Tall Jake’s early life, then writing one on Tall Jake’s perspective of the Malice and Havoc books, and then writing three more to completely end the story. (For what I’m planning, some characters get their happy ending, but many others don’t. I keep things on the dark side.
)
So just wanted your permission to use some characters and places before I did anything. Thanks!
I’m not allowed to do that, unfortunately. There’s all kinds of legal rubbish involved, but basically if I give my permission to you it can be read as waiving copyright and that makes it hard to stop other people using those same characters and stuff… and they might be doing it for profit. So the official line has to be no, I’m afraid, which sucks. Sorry. My publishers would kill me.
Still, what you write in the privacy of your own computer is your business, I guess, as long as I never find out about it…
Hi, do you have any Books singings coming up? or are planning to be anywhere you wouldn’t mind signing copies?
I thought I’d ask, I really enjoyed the ‘Tales of the Ketty Jay’ series, and like to collect my favorite books, but I can’t seem to find a single signed copy of any book from the Tales of the Ketty Jay anywhere. What’s up with that?
I was only just recently reccommended the series by a friend, but as soon as I’d finished the first book I had to follow it with the second and third!
Cheers!
I don’t get out much for signings and stuff. It’s kind of a dying thing. Back in the day people used to come to signings to meet the authors because it was the only way they could, whereas now you can just talk to them on their sites or Twitter or something, so most people don’t bother. Just one more way in which social networking sites are ruining the world
I always post up on this site if I’m doing signings, so best to check here. Glad you liked the KJ books.
My home has become a haven for lost Chris Wooding books. Every time I find one at a thrift store, I buy it, even if I already have a copy. :I My mum thinks I’ve got a mental disorder, but I can’t stop myself.
Blunderbuss pictures the american pickers when harkins & pinn are in action but i can’t get clunk & zilly from catch the pigeon out of my head,check ‘em out and you’ll see.
OH-HO-HO! xD You win. And now I can’t unsee THAT.
Oh Wow, That is very cool! (You responded!:I wasn’t expecting that, especialy not so promptly. I’d figured someone else might answer me =P) I can’t knock social networking sites for speed.
The subcription feed, would that bombard my email everytime someone makes a comment of just when you post an article? If I just try and Check regularly for a posting I know I’ll check on too late, Murphy’s Law.
I take it there aren’t any plans for any in the near future then, do these tend to happen around book releases or do you go to coventions too? Do you sell signed books online through somebody? or Donate them to be sold by a charity?
While I wait for the next KJ story is there anything you’d recommend I read? (Feel free to suggest a book of your own!)
Thanks for getting back to me!
Slower this time…
I don’t know about the subscription feed but I’m sure you could unsubscribe if it was a pain. Yes, book signings tend to happen around book release time: I have two out next year so probably more will happen then. You can find signed copies online I guess, maybe check the Forbidden Planet London website as I signed a ton there recently…
Suggest a book of my own, you say?
Why, then you should try The Fade. It’s bite-sized and not very much like the KJ books at all (but then, none of my other stuff is) but I do like to hug it every so often, which is a recommendation of ever there was one.
Phew! Almost thought you didn’t like me anymore =P
Looks like it’s everytime there’s a post, so I try regular checks for now, til next year. Had a Look on a few different sites, and alas still no signed books from the KJ Series. Though I did pick up proofs of the first and second book in the series and an omnibus of the braided path. Plus weirdly whilst I was buying a couple of books from a small store in the states (Rothfuss and Asprin books, You’ve gota love Abebooks for finding store’s, as long as you then go directly through the store to avoid commisions) the guy through in Poison beacuse I had mentioned you in the list I was looking for, nice suprise! Forbidden Plannet was a bust at least they have nothing online, I will give the store a call though, thanks for the tip! But I don’t mind waiting a bit til to have a book signed in person, which’ll be fun, and in truth a signed book is a lovely thing but it means more if it’s also a record of a particular day/meeting.
Sorry that paragraph got away from me there, it goes back and forth and sideways twice. Hope it’s still intelligible =S
Ha! I will most definetly have to get myself a copy of ‘The Fade’ then, Blurb sounds interesting, though can’t promise I’ll be hugging any books any time soon, I’ll Leave that to you… Authors (wasn’t guna say crazy people. Honest =P ) I’ll read this first on your recommendation, once I’ve finished reading Scott Lynch.
Have to say it is lovely that your this available to fans, and I amazed your not inundated with constant posts, mind you I’ve only just found out that authors do this and I thought myself pretty on the ball =P I always thought you’d have to go through agents and publishers. This is a nice step forward.
But I won’t take up all your valuable time, I’m looking forward to more stories of Darien Frey taking on bigger and meaner foe, will he finally get to meet the archduke? will the subvert battle raging between the archduke and the awakeners reach a crescendo? so many posibilities for so many books to come, I do love that that series. but no pressure =O Sorry again I’m just typing in my coffee break at work so there’s no real filters on at the moment (caffine hasn’t kicked in yet).
Oh, If you don’t mind me asking, is there a way to let an author know you dying for the next book without being an arse. For example everyone one seems to ask questions and favors and then demand that you get straight back to work on ‘their’ Fav book (really douchey to use an americanism) or be really sycophantic and say go ahead take all the time you need to right the best story possible ‘I DON’T MIND’ ( again ‘…!’) Now, I’m sure this isn’t meant to come across this way, and I’ve fallen it to this trap myself whilst trying to be personable, have you come a cross a way through this? ( I know putting the question forward in this way might be seen as puting myself above this, I might be seen as.. (some where not quite, snoby.. chauvinistic.. ah that’s right) a git, but I’m honestly just curious what works from your perspective.
Oh Well, Back to work (for me! =P ) look forward to reading more of your work in the years to come. Thanks for the reply too! Cheers
If anything (worse) happens to (what’s left of) Bess, I swear I’m going to flip all of England upside down and sink it into the ocean. >:I Because I love her so much.
Just finished Iron Jackal and came here hoping to find news of a fourth. OH HAPPY DAY!
Loved IJ, Chris… the Ketty Jay books just get better and better!
Hey Chris I’ve been a fan since the broken sky series at secondary school. I’m currently burning through the ketty jay series which I just finished the third not a day ago, I have a question do you have anything to tease us with about the ace of skulls? Brief synopsis maybe?
@ Richard – Do it like spoon did it a couple of posts above. That there is a masterclass in author compliment technique.
@ Blunderbess – Just give me a bit of warning so I can purchase an aqualung, a kelp farm and a pet octopus. Get ahead of the game, as it were.
@ spoon – Why thank you, glad you enjoy them.
@ Kurt – Hahaha, never!!! I don’t believe in teasers
Hey Chris I just finised Retribution Falls at 2 in the morning last night. I’d like to say of course it was really good but you also did a really good job describing the characters. I could totally picture Trinica in all her creepy clothes and Pinn being a bit of a loser. Also I really liked Jez but more importantly, she was pretty badass. I can’t wait to read whar happens next with her. I read the sneak peek to the next book and I nearly burst out laughing when I Frey said ‘orphans don’t fight back’. Well I’m going on a family vacation in 3 days (code for super boring 9 day trip waste of Summer vacation) but I might be able to convince my mom to take me to the book store before then. Alright seeya and thanks for actually reading my boring blog post
All silliness aside, though, you have legitimately remained my favorite author since about sixth grade. I saw the anime style of the Broken Sky covers and picked one up, and I’m not sure if that was a huge mistake or one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made (as your books take up a commanding amount of space on my shelf.) I give out your books as gifts like everyones’ least favorite aunt (‘oh, great, another book,’) and save any other I see in thrift stores out of both righteous fury and pity.
Back in the day you actually used to write to me via Scholastic, and I peacocked about through middle school like: “Yeah. I know a famous person. No big deal.”
I was in love with Whist then, I’m in love with Jez now (*fans self* dat girl…) and I think I’m slowly evolving into Malvery. You’ve been a really big part of who I am without really knowing it and I just wanna say thank you. Or… I dunno… bad job. :I You dropped the ball. But just a general thank you for continuing to write, for making great, original literature, and for making characters who are as much a part of my life as any meat’n'bone friends I’m likely to pick up along the way.
…
Sorry. That was soppy.
Aw, thank you. That means a lot. And sorry for probably ruining your life.
But… murderous adolescent boys, daemon girls and fat old alcoholics, eh? You sure know how to pick ‘em
Hey, I picked you, didn’t I?
Hi Chris I just bought The Black Lung Captain and The Iron Jackal and I am half way through BLC already. So far this is even better then Retribution Falls. And I thought Malice was awesome but now I’m blown away by your writing. It’s nice buying a book directed more towards teens to because theres alot more crass humour that makes me laugh in this book. I think my favorite part is when Frey tells Macarde that Pinn’s Skylance is as fast as “greased owl shit”. And all the stupid arguments they have (not to mention Harkins and the cat) ok keep up the awesome writing
Urgh. Must resist the urge to correct all the grammar mistakes of the above post
Ooh. Right there with you. Brutal!