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Dear
Reader
Long time, no see! Yes, I've been buried, I
tell you, buried in writing that sent me off into another world -- the
world of The Vampyricon.
In the final Vampyricon novel, the adventure
grows darker as a stranger pursues Aleric and Pythia out of the
burning city. Far from home, too far from his goal, the Falconer must
face the most terrifying journey yet -- and bring war down upon the
newly-risen towers of his homeland.
To do it, he must go deep into the ancient
ruins of Myrryd, where the first priests of his tribe cast Medhya from
the flesh into shadow.
The final Vampyricon novel took a lot out of
me, and was an entire year just in the writing (although the planning
came before that year.) It was worth it. The third novel is the
richest of the tales, and from a dark twist upon the high seas to a
drop into the depths of a cavernous fallen kingdom -- the red city of
Myrryd itself -- The Queen of Wolves is the longest of
the three novels and, I think, the most exciting of them. Ancient
mysteries, perilous journeys, armies of the dead, vampyres, and
a quest into the darkest shadows of the earth -- and that's only in
the first 100 pages.
I loved living in that world,
and I am sorry to have finished it (although someday I may return,
because there are characters in the trilogy that could have novels all
to themselves.) The Queen of Wolves should be out this September, in
hardcover from Ace. Keep watch at your favorite bookstores for
when it goes up for advance order (it's already up at one bookstore
online.)
The Vampyricon was four years of my life in the writing of
this trilogy, and a longer period of time in the planning of it as I
researched and explored the action, the characters, the philosophy and concepts of the story. I'm
hoping that every one of you will pick this one up in the fall, as
well as the other two (if you haven't been reading them all along.)
Now, on to other stuff:
1. Many of you wrote about my novelette, "A
Christmas Ghost Story." No, it's not over, but this final Vampyricon
novel drained me of creative energy once it was done. It'll be another
week or two before I finish up that novelette. In recovery, I'm seeing
movies, handling busyness business, and frankly, double-checking the
manuscript again. Yes, life -- or something like it.
Sure, you'll get a Christmas ghost
story in March and April -- you'll live, you'll live. Besides, this
will come out in a hardcover edition down the road, and you'll have
had first look at it -- so look at the bright side.
2. If you haven't yet, be sure to get the
free ebook downloads at the secret web page now. I'll be adding
another ebook or two within the coming weeks, as well:
Check 'em out.
3. You've got nothing to read? What?
Impossible!
You can read those ebooks as well as the first 100+ pages from my
novel Goat Dance at:
www.DouglasClegg.com/GoatDance.html
And there are additional excerpts here:
www.DouglasClegg.com/PriestofBlood1.html
www.DouglasClegg.com/LadyofSerpents1.html
www.DouglasClegg.com/mordred1.html
Don't forget to look at the special videos and mini-teasers for a few
of the books here:
www.DouglasClegg.com/video.html
4. A week or so ago, I found out that Mordred,
B*stard Son was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, in the
category of Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror. I'm happy for the little bastid, and I'm honored that this foundation noticed it. The winners
will be announced in May -- Mordred won't win, but it was nice that he
had a place at the table.
5. Check out the auctions --if you dare. Raul
is currently auctioning Mordred, The Lady of Serpents, The Priest of
Blood, Dark of the Eye, and Isis -- all hardcovers, all signed -- and I
can inscribe them to you, if you request this when you win an auction:
Check out the auctions
here.
6. Now my question:
When a novelist offers a free ebook or e-serial, does it encourage you -- a
reader -- to seek out that writer's work when you're in the
bookstore?
Answer at this page. --
and please bookmark that News page because I'd love for you to drop me
lines there and check out the regular news items I post.
Also, please be aware that it may take some
time for your comment to appear, so there is no need to post the same
comment twice.
Thank you --
Douglas Clegg |
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