A cheese store just opened up in my neighborhood, and I went in for the first time tonight. My reaction on entering…um, that’s a lot of cheese! They certainly picked an appropriate name. I ended up with a sharp Zamorano from Spain made from sheep’s milk, and a creamy vintage Irish cheddar. Now I need to find a cracker store and I’m set.

Later this month I’ll have all this information on my website proper, but for now I’ll try to keep everyone updated here. I’ve been receiving emails asking me about the next book so I thought I’d address it globally. I gather from your emails that a lot of readers have been burned over the years by series that were never completed, or took an inordinate amount of time with huge gaps (years) between books. I’m happy to report that Book II is on track, on schedule, and completed. I have in my hands the copy-edited ms for Burning Shadows which will shortly become first pages, followed by second pages, and so on. The pub date of July 28, 2009 (North America, not sure what it is for the UK, Oz, NZ, Russia, Japan, etc. yet,) is a go, which means the book will ship from the warehouse earlier that same month. Writing on Book III has begun, and as far as I know is scheduled to pub in the summer of 2010. Other projects/series are in the works, but at the moment that’s all I can say… 🙂

It’s been pointed out to me that my website is a bit, ahem, behind the times at the moment. Seeing as it still says Darkness will go on sale July 2008 I see your point. It’s going to get a complete overhaul this month.

There is now a map to the world of the Iron Elves. Actually, there always was, but it was only used by me to help keep things straight. Naturally, more than a few readers suggested they could use the same help, so both the mass market edition of A Darkness Forged in Fire and the hardcover of The Light of Burning Shadows will feature a map. I also plan to post it to my website in the next month as ironelves.com will be getting a complete overhaul.

I’ve seen the latest draft of the cover for Light and it’s looking…hot 🙂 I imagine it will pop up on Amazon or the S&S site first, but as soon as it’s final I’ll post it. Same goes for the UK paperback edition of Darkness which is the one that features Konowa on the cover.

In other news, it’s beautiful here in New York City today and I’m heading out for a run in the park.

The place is packed! Moving around the floor is an exercise in, well, exercise. In the span of a hundred feet I dodged two wookies, a naughty nurse, four super heroes, two anti-heroes, a stroller, a wheelchair, and a camera crew. Times that by a thousand and you get an idea of what it’s like. I was able to catch up with some friends including Charles Coleman Finlay and CC Finlay (it occurs to me I’ve never seen them together in the same room at the same time, hmmmmm) and his lovely wife, Rae. I signed a few books, chatted with a few fans, bloggers, and other web and radio oriented sites/shows, and hung out for a bit at the Simon & Schuster booth. Had a chance to chat with my editor, Ed, deputy publisher, Anthony, publicist, Melissa, and Chris from marketing for S&S Canada (who happens to be a New Yorker living in Toronto) which was great.

A fun if exhausting time.