Why? Well thank you for asking, or at least reading my question. I’ll tell you why. My uber agent, Don Maass, my brilliant editor, Ed Schlesinger, and the awesome and incredibly supportive Gallery/Pocket Deputy Publisher Anthony Ziccardi, also known as my friend, have done what Congress couldn’t and made a deal that has everyone happy and working. I am, though there are no smores (I always thought they were called schmores) in sight, a happy camper 🙂

There will be many more details to come over the next weeks and months, but for now I can tell you that my next book will be a fantasy with a strong military component (big surprise, right) but it won’t be in the Iron Elves world, and it won’t be using a Napoleonic time frame.

In the meantime, cool stuff is in the works for the Iron Elves. More to come…

First, thanks to everyone who took a guess, or two, or three 🙂 I know it was crazy hard, but hey, even free isn’t free, or something like that.

From that massive list of series (located here – http://walkintomordor.com/the-longest-fantasy-series-and-why-we-read-them) I realized that I had read a sum total of three of them. I’ve read parts of many more, but only three from beginning to end. And they are…

Lord of the Rings (naturally)
Harry Potter (naturally)
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn

Two people actually guessed that! What the heck are the odds. Um, probably high. Still, congratulations to saturnboy and Mickanick. You’ve won the complete trilogy in hardcover, signed. Email me with your details and when the third book is available I’ll sign all three and get them in the mail to you.

I had put three sets of books up for the taking, and as there were two correct guesses, that leaves one set to be given away. To be fair and impartial, I wrote down every one’s name on the back of my business cards, turned them over, then shuffled and spread them out again. Oh, but first I made myself a snack of Raisin Bran and almond milk. Feeling satisfied, I came back to the cards, picked them up and shuffled them some more, then spread them out again. I then picked one up and turned it over and saw….

Lanyn. Congratulations, you’re the third winner.

Thanks to everyone who took a guess. I might just try this again, but I’ll come up with a different idea.

Cheers,

Chris

I’ve been fielding a few questions about the series from curious readers via email so I thought I’d try answering some of them here. Sort of interviewing myself although if the questions get too personal I’m outta here. Plus, it’s raining outside so I’m postponing my run.

Q. When is the next book being published?
A. After taking longer to write than anticipated, the third Iron Elves book, Ashes of a Black Frost, is publishing this October in North America and the UK. Precise dates are always a bit iffy, but everything I’ve seen says October 13 in the UK, and October 18 in North America.

Q. Will you still be offering free, signed bookplates?
A. Absolutely.

Q. You should eat more dark vegetables like broccoli.
A. Mom! I’m in the middle of something, and that wasn’t a question.

Q. Is Ashes of a Black Frost the final book in the series?
A. Yes…almost 100% yes. While I’m loathe to speak in absolutes, for now and for the foreseeable future, the Iron Elves is a trilogy with a beginning, middle, and most importantly, an end. Writing the adventures of Konowa and the lads has been the most satisfying and enjoyable experience of my writing career so far. It’s not easy to say goodbye to that, but in a way I’m not, because those characters are with me forever.

Q. Will you be touring anywhere?
A. Quite possibly, but details are still being worked out. When I have something specific I will post it here and on my website. Oh, I will definitely be at New York Comic Con this October.

Q. OK, why don’t you eat more dark vegetables like broccoli?
A. Sigh. You’re right, I should. Yes…yes…I know…yes…OK…yes, OK…love you, too.

Q. So if the Iron Elves is a trilogy, what comes next?
A. That is an excellent question, and I should have an answer very soon. I will say that I have already started writing a new book. It has strong military elements, is fantasy, but does not use a Napoleonic time frame.

Q. Can we guess?
A. Sure.

Q. Will you tell us if we’re right?
A. Nope, at least not until my agent and publisher shake on it.

Q. When will that be?
A. Could be as early as tomorrow 🙂

Q. Why are you still single? You live in New York City with millions of women and you can’t find one you’ll go out with on a second date? You’re too picky. Grandchildren don’t just fly in on a stork you know.
A. That’s it, this interview is over!

He was clearly the center of attention at the recent San Diego Comic Con. Truth be told, I’m a bit envious. I was thinking of getting a puppy and taking it for a walk in Central Park, but maybe I’ll just go all broody and sharpen the tops of my ears.

If you’re a Facebooker (is that a term?) and looking for something to do between Farmville and tracking down high school ex’s, drop by and say hi on my pages. The Iron Elves page has been up for a while now, but I try to keep it updated with all the latest news on Konowa and the lads. And now I’ve added a new page that will highlight the series I publish at Stackpole Books for those interested in military history.

The Iron Elves page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Evans-Iron-Elves/435233515470

The Stackpole Military History page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stackpole-Military-History-Series-by-Stackpole-Books/247110561975726

Cheers,

Chris