Just heard from S&S UK about the B format (which is sort of mass market size in North America but a bit bigger). Darkness is going to get a completely different cover when it comes out next summer. This new one will feature a character or characters. At the moment they are looking at different models on which to base the painting. No sketches have been drawn yet, but I’ve seen the artist’s work and all I can say is wow. Should look stunning. I was thrilled with the original cover and can’t wait to see the new one.

The Aussies continue to knock me for six (see how I got a cricket reference in there). I just found out A Darkness Forged in Fire is being featured in their Christmas catalogue. The really cool part, however, is that my book is placed smack dab between one by Terry Pratchett and one by J.K. Rowling (perhaps to better illustrate just how massively successful they are in comparison to a rookie no one has heard of). Still, as I happen to be HUGE fans of both of them I’m tickled.

In other news a whole host of fantasy authors have been nominated for the David Gemmel Award and I was pleasantly surprised to find out I was one of them. If you’d care to check this out and see my page and even discuss about why you love me – sorry, I should have let you finish your drink first so you didn’t spritz your keyboard – you can have a look here.

VOTE! If you’re an American citizen and registered then please go out and exercise your right to change the world tomorrow. As a Canadian living in the US for the last eight years (and with a Poli Sci degree on my wall) I have been riveted by the politics here and my fascination is only surpassed by my frustration that I can’t vote (or sit on a jury or get drafted, but I digress).

Cheers,

Chris

Lately my life has become more interesting as it’s gotten progressively busier. Life as an editor remains gratifyingly challenging, especially in this current economic nightmare. I work with some truly exceptional authors and I am constantly in awe of the work they produce. Two of my newest books to hit the shelves are Armored Thunderbolt by Steve Zaloga and The Gettysburg Companion by Mark Adkin. If you’re at all interested in WWII or the Civil War you’ll want to check those out. Add to them the very recent works of Charles Jones, David Danelo, Kirsten Holmstedt, Col. Dominic Caraccilo, Lt.Col. Andrea Thompson, and George Bradford and I’m definitely over the moon with what they’re accomplishing. I joined a gym and am now going there regularly, still running, and (hopefully without jinxing it) dating. I’ve even cleaned my apartment. And all of it, or at least my perception of all it, flows from my writing which is going very well these days. Not that I can’t edit or run or date when I’m not writing, but it just seems that when the story is moving well so am I.

In fact, in 9 days I plan to do just that, but until then I am addicted to polls. I need my fix. Zogby starts me off in the morning followed by a check of Pollster and Real Clear Politics for a rolling average of the biggest national polls. Then, around 9ish, I clock in with Rasmussen. My day isn’t complete until Gallup come out with their three day rolling at 1pm, but then I need more and slide by 538.com for some real hardcore stats. If that isn’t enough to satisfy I’ll cruise a few blogs and even as a last desperate act, the network websites.

Sarah Palin – if god does exist she conclusively proves he/she/it has one wicked sense of humor.