So, I know I haven’t updated this blog in a bit. And likewise, I know you’re disappointed. This blog filled a certain hole in your life, and its momentary absence left you without the melodious soundlessness of my written pomposity. You’re weeping, bitterly, wondering if you can ever read a blog again, wondering if you can ever love again after what I’ve done to you.
But baby, I had a good reason.
As you might know, I spill authorial blood in the name of Pyr Books and its mighty, hairless overlord, Lou Anders. When one enters a publishing contract, one is usually required to swear all manner of blood oaths to get there, usually under the careful observation of a demonic overseer. In our case, Lou and I both offered our blood to Onostrov, Lord of Vendettas (it could be worth; Scalzi had to offer up his soul to Stephen, Demon Accountant).
Thusly, when Lou emailed me with the title: “PANIC TIME,” honor demanded that I oblige swiftly.
As it turns out, media galleys for Black Halo are due…well, I guess next week! It was “in three weeks” when Lou sent me the email and so I’ve been busting my bottom and engaging in all manner of self-flagellation to make sure I finish his notes, my British editor Simon Spanton’s notes (fact: he gave me the award for bad sex writing, it did not come with a cash prize) and made sure it’s hit my own personal standards.
What does this mean for me? Well, mostly, that I’ve trimmed a great deal from the book and made it flow with the sort of nice and easy speed that one requires when describing the digestive processes of a colossal sea serpent when said sea serpent interrupts a particularly bizarre romance in which the female protagonist wonders aloud if it makes her less of a person if she can’t kill her love interest. It’s the sort of fascinating thing that–hey, are you listening?! Oh, I see. You want to know what this means for you, don’t you?
For you, this means that Black Halo is out ALL THE FASTER. Media galleys are a stepping stone between line editing (in which the editor wonders exactly what it means to scalp someone without a knife) and copy editing (in which the copy editor wonders how you got published in the first place), and shortly after that comes galley editing and then, finally, publication.
So when is Black Halo coming out?
Ask Lou. I don’t get to decide these things!
Well, that pisses me right off, Sykes! I’d be surprised if you survived the night based on my own personal reaction to this. I suppose you’d best give me something to soothe my soul!
I have just the thing! If you check the site, you’ll see that the Lost Pages are now up! Go in! Admire the fantastic artwork by this great gentleman here and the accompanying entries! Plucked straight from Lenk’s journal to better offer you a glimpse into the society that spawns madmen and madwomen, I hope you get as big a kick out of this as I’ve gotten planning it!
Look.
LOOK NOW.