Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Newsy bits

The big news is that I have finished The Singing. Or at least, I have written to the end of it (there will be editing to come - not much, I hope!) So, at last, the story of Maerad and Cadvan and Hem and Saliman and all the others, has come to an end. The book is due out in Australia and the UK in 2008 (no US pub date yet). I'm certain none of you wanted me to finish it more than I did! And yes, I'm very pleased. I won't know until it actually gets into the hands of readers, but I don't think it's an anti-climax. I have a feeling it's the best written of the lot.

I spent two weeks delirious with disbelief and relief, and have come back down to earth with a bad cold. And realising now that I have to do all the work that fell behind while I was writing The Singing. No rest for the wicked...

In the meantime, the largest independent German publisher Verlagsgruppe Luebbe (who also, I notice, publish Dan Brown) has bought the Pellinor books for release in Germany. I found out today that they have bought The Riddle and The Crow as well as The Gift - wow! That's demonstrating some faith in the series - the first one isn't even out yet! The Gift is due out some time later this year, with The Riddle due out early next year. Which seems very quick to me!

14 comments:

Ashley said...

Well I'm excited to find your blog! And thank you for publishing out some chapters on the final book- you have no idea how excited I am! I just finished The Crow, a book in which I was so anxious about I bought and had it shipped from the UK to Austin, TX. Because I couldn't even wait another month... Haha! Your work is incredible! Someone needs to inform Peter Jackson (productor/ director of Lord of the Rings) to check these out, I would love to see these on the big screen! Good luck and all the best for your future work!

Alison Croggon said...

Hi Ashley - you have the honour of being the first commenter! Yes, wouldn't it be wonderful if Peter Jackson filmed them, but he probably can't get out of his front door for the piles of fantasy books on his doorstep...

Unknown said...

Congratulations Alison on finishing The Singing! I love the Pellinor books - so beautifully written. I am very much looking forward to reading book 4 next year.
Can I suggest a hot lemon drink with honey and perhaps a dash of cointreau for your cold??

Alison Croggon said...

Mmmmm...cointreau...!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blog, Alison! Though I'm a little worried that those eyes won't stop looking at me ...

I'm sure Germany won't live to regret buying the books all at once!

Your books are the only ones (beside Harry Potter, of course^^) that I go rushing to buy on the day they're released. Roll on 2008! :D

Alison Croggon said...

Thanks Ellira! They're haunting eyes, for sure. I love Matt Mahurin's drawings - he designed one of the most beautiful books I've seen, Alice Hoffman's Green Angel (the book is worthy of the design, too) so I was thrilled when he was commissioned to do the Pellinor books.

Jenny Lee said...

Well, I am positively mad that a publishing date has not been set for The Singing in the U.S. Oh well, live goes on. I'll definitely will order it online since it will likely not be published till 2009.
Sorry to hear about the cold. If you still have it, my advice is this, drink plenty of water, chicken noodle soup (if you have it), and some oregano extract (if you can find it somewhere). The oregano extract is very powerful and all natural.
Green Angel's book cover was completly amazing! I had no clue that the same artist drew the Pellinor books as well... All I can say is, COOL BEANS! xD

Abigail Fitzsimmons said...

Essential oil (very, very strong - don't get it in your eyes!) is also good for stuffy noses and sore throats. All you have to do is get some at a store - you can buy a very small bottle because it only takes a few drops - like a health store or a natural foods type store. Then, boil a cup of water and put 4-5 drops of essential oil in the water. You must have a washcloth over your eyes to protect them, and then gently inhale the vapors from the cup, through your mouth and nose. But don't inhale too quickly because it'll burn. :D It really helps and makes stuffed up heads clear out in just a few minutes.

I can't wait to read the Singing - I almost wish I hadn't read the others yet so I could enjoy them all in a row instead of such urgent anticipation! :P

Anonymous said...

Alison,
Well, by now I hope you are feeling a lot better. But anyway, I am so excited about the fourth book. Your style of writing-which I can't really describe-is absolutely wonderful. You always go into how Maerad is feeling in every situation-more, I feel, than most writers go into their main characters. I have reread the Naming twice and written notes in many parts of the book, commenting on my favorite parts. Because I love every part of the book, I think there is pen on every page. It is a very artistic mess-I love it!!! Something like Nelac and Dernhil's desks. But what was your inspiration for the novels? When and how did the characters Maerad of Pellinor and Cadvan of Lirigon form?

Anonymous said...

Alison,
Someone commented on how great it would be if Peter Jackson filmed these. Personally, I think it would be really cool, but your books are so perfect I would be afraid to watch them for fear of losing the images that so gracefully formed in my head after reading the books. Also, for me Cadvan is Aragorn more humorously written and that is really special for me. I really don't think anyone could perfectly portray the Cadvan we all know and love. I absolutely adore Cadvan's wryly smile and sarcastic teasing!!! It totally adds to the character!!!! thanks.

Jason DeMars said...

I'm delighted to hear that you've finished "the Singing", but I wish that it could be releashed sooner in the US.

I can't imagine what reason there could be for the delay between Australian and North American releases.

~٭§цииŸ~ said...

hello.
i was wondering what is the release date of the singing? may/june 2008? i really hope it's early may....?

xCharleyPanda said...

Hello :]

I've just finished The Singing, and oh my god, talk about amazing! I couldn't put it down! I've been extremely bummed because ever since I read twilight, nothing seemed to compare to it, so when I found that your latest book was released I was absolutely thrilled! Your Pellinor books are my favorite ever, and I truly wish I had a brother like Hem, a bird like Irc, and a best friend like Cadvan! ^^ I read the first three books almost a year ago now, and still I remembered every detail from every book! And I never remember anything! That's how much I love them ;P x

Are you thinking of writing other books now, too? I hope so, my bookshelf is longing for some awesome readage. ^.^ x

Love from Pellinors number one fan, Charli! xx

Anonymous said...

Just out of curiosity, who did the cover art?