Whatever holidays you observe, please accept my heartfelt felicitations and best wishes for the coming year.
Looking backwards for a moment, a year ago today I was worried that I’d need to find a job to keep the bills paid. This year, I’ve got a job–thanks to the thousands of people like you who’ve found my work. I need to get better and I need to get faster. My production in 2011 was limited to one podcast, two short stories, and a novella. We got Full Share released in May. I’m planning on six novel length works in 2012 along with a few shorter pieces. My new desk set up, a project schedule, and some grit should help. I also need to get better and more aware of the craft of story-telling. I’ll be taking a course in March and I’ve looked into getting some more formal training. I think the ‘school’ part of that will fall away but I’m looking forward to spending a week in Oregon with Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith. That’s gonna be a blast.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the good news that you’re all waiting for. Double Share will not be out before Christmas as promised. Ridan has not yet returned the edits to me and I can’t imagine that–even if I got them back this morning–there’s time left for me to review almost 125k words, return them to Ridan, and leave time for them to review and publish. The only way we can make the deadline now is if Robin publishes the book without my seeing her edits. That’s something I suspect she will not do.
Yes, I know you’re disappointed. So am I. From a marketing perspective, all the momentum that the promotion of Quarter Share generated in November has almost disappeared. It’s not quite back to October levels, but it’s lost a lot of oomph. That means we’ll have to rebuild the franchise anew in 2012. At least there’s a solid base, even if a lot of people have given up on me. With any luck, the eventual release will spark enough interest to rebuild things.
Before you break out the torches and pitchforks–and to preempt the outcry–Ridan will finish out the Share books. As disappointing as this year has been in terms of their ability to meet production goals, I still like what they’ve managed to do with the books when we’ve gotten them released. In the short run, looking at things through the “I’m still waiting” lens, it’s hard to keep a big picture perspective. Looking at this strategically, the books will be in print for a long, long time. Getting them right is much more important than getting them now. The plan is to get the last three Share books released in the first quarter of 2012. Will we make it? I doubt it, but that’s the plan.
Also in my plans are another trilogy featuring Ishmael Wang, two more books in the Tanyth Fairport series, a Philip Carstairs novel, and at least two novella length works–one in Scott Sigler’s Galactic Football League universe and another story about Odin’s Outpost.
Speaking of Tanyth Fairport, I hired Kip Ayers to create a set of covers for the trilogy. I got the rough first draft of Zypheria’s Call–Tanyth’s book two–done in November and I’ve been pondering it ever since. I think I’ve found most of the flaws and I’ll be working to get those corrected and the book produced by the end of January. You can see the cover and keep track of other happenings in Tanyth’s world over on Lammas Wood.
Merry Christmas, joyous Yule, and a safe and prosperous New Year to one and all. Thank you, again, for adding so much to my life and I hope I can continue to add to yours in the months to come.
Great to see your plans for 2012. I’m looking forward to reading all future planned work, especially the new Ishmael trilogy. Have a good rest and lots of fun over Christmas and New Year, it looks like you’ll need it.
Glad to hear the production schedule and that things are moving along, if at a snail’s pace. I’ll also be happy when the rest of the hardcovers are released too (another point of contention i’m sure). Is Ridan still having trouble with finding a good printer?
Either way I’ll be getting the books. :) I’m looking forward to the new stories. Its also appreciated that you’ve been keeping us up to date with the goings on. Keep up the great work sar. ::salute::
While the book delays are disappointing (an understatement, particularly as I’m not an e-booker/podcast fan and don’t intend to be so anytime soon) you have my sympathies.
I was beginning to wonder if Ridan was indulging in the old computer software exercise of announcing vaporware – an exciting development that never arrives. Whatever, I’ll grit my teeth and wait as patiently as possible until the promised hardbacks and softcovers are reality.
As to the Oregon bash, sounds good. I’ve got a lot of respect for KKR and her ‘Retrieval Artist’ books are among the best. Hope you enjoy it.
I’m going to be cheering you on toward those goals! It would be wonderful for you and us.
I very much like what you have done with the layout of this website! I had to look back with the “wayback machine” to see what it did look like. The image at the top with the light background looks great to me. That reminds me that I haven’t done anything with my own site in two years or so. Maybe this year I’ll get it together…
“That means we’ll have to rebuild the franchise anew in 2012.”
If that’s the worst that happens, it will still be a great year. Looking forward to it, sar.
Happy new year!
Hey, just wondering where in Oregon. Being a native Oregonian myself it would be awesome to say “Hi” if possible. If not than I hope you like our state! If you have an plans of being in Eugene/Springfield area (or almost anywhere in general vicinity of Interstate 5) get in touch.
Skipper,
Thanks for the awesome update. While the slow publishing process can be irksome, it’s still just fantastic that you’re getting published. I can’t wait for the books (especially those hardcovers!).
I’m really excited about the new trilogy about Ishmael. Count me in for picking those up.
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Shannon
Happy Holidays, Sar! When the marketing machine needs cranking again, we’ve got your back!
Happy holidays to you and yours, Nate.
I suppose we’ll have to grit our teeth and tolerate Ridan, at least until the Share series is done. It’s not like you are giving us an option.
But please – self publish anything else. I’d rather find typos that can be fixed in a follow-on release than know that Ridan is making money off poorly supporting your work and consistently breaking promises. Shucks, they didn’t even keep their word on Percepliquis – and it looks like the Starbridge series is going to miss Christmas as well. Those books are long-since written works – and they wrote one of them. At this point I’m probably not the only reader who is just hoping they go away and quit costing our favorite authors money.
If I didn’t like your work so much I’d have abandoned the series because of the publisher quite some time ago. And I’ve completely given up on hardbound copies.
The new works sound great – especially the trilogy! – but at least consider the damage Ridan is doing and the success you’ve had with Ravenwood.
Nate, As an author myself, though all nonfiction, to me it is time to get rid of Ridan. If they cannot meet your expectations, or your customer’s expectations, time to find a new publisher.
I do understand publishing delays, but really, when they can’t meet an award winning author’s schedule, go back on what they promise to that author, and his customers, time to find someone who can.
You are a great author, with a great future, and with a great story to tell. Time to find someone who deserves you as a client.
I’m with the other authors above – you deserve better. Good publishers don’t change publishing schedules on a whim and then expect their customers to wait faithfully while they prance around NYC to bookstores promoting Sullivan’s books.
You deserve better. You can find a better publisher to put your fine works in print, a publisher who wil RESPECT you and your time. At this point it appears that Ridan is just grabbing the headlines by signing big names and forgetting the authors who made them what they are – or what they were.
Best of the season to you but I’d seriously consider moving on to a better publisher who doesn’t screw you over.
Thanks for the update. Although the delay is disappointing, in the grander scheme of things, it’s a fairly minor mishap. I just finished reading (3rd time? 4th?) Quarter, Half and Full Share, and I’ll wait semi-patiently for the next three. PLUS I can now start to wait for the new works you are contemplating.
Thank you VERY much for hours of enjoyment, and happy holidays to you!
Happy holidays to you and yours!
It’s a disappointment to have to wait so long for Double Share, but apparently there’s no way around it.
I am happy to hear about the new trilogy and the novel about Pip, so thank you for all your work so far, and I’ll be waiting to be showered with your books in 2012! ;-)
Captain,
Glad to hear about all the production next year. We can wait for everything to be done right. Anyways, nothing compares to the great wait for Full Share episode 16. Compared to that anticipation, this is a walk in the park!
One question for you. I don’t see Cape Grace mentioned anywhere. Is that project on a back burner for now?
Thanks for the countless hours of entertainment.
Happy Holidays!
As you said, right is much better than quick. Good books last.
=
Dear Nathan,
Brilliant news, especailly on the Ishmael Wang trilogy. My husband and I have listened to all the shares 7 times over the last 2 years and when one starts listening, the other one does too. It’s my stock ‘pick me up’ when life takes a left turn. It will be great to catch up with Pip again too. This news has made my Yule, thank you!I also enjoyed the first Tanith Fairport, so am looking forward to the next installation on her life.
I’m currently reading A light in the Dark on my Kindle and it’s a really comfortable read even if the subject matter is a little uncomfortable (they’ve just had the ‘incident’)
Looking forward to 2012 even more now, Thank you!
I want to thank you for the share series. I have never gone bact to re listen to any other stories before on podiobooks. I have listened to the share series three times. I just finished reading quarter share and hot half and full share for Christmas.
I was worried about wearing out this book wanting It to stay in pristine condition as it is your first printed books. But looking a the softened edges of of the cover of quarter share now that I have finished reading it, I don’t really feel that bad about it. There is nothing sadder than a book that has never been read.
Thanks again
Robert
“That means we’ll have to rebuild the franchise anew in 2012.â€
Mr. Lowell, most of the current so-called big name authors publish, at most, a single novel a year. We the readers have been trained to that schedule for years.
So while there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth because we the readers *know* that you’ve already finished the other books and in the Internet age we want it all and we want it now, I suspect that you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that you won’t truly have to “rebuild the franchise”. At worse, you’ll just have to do some light maintenance.
That having been said, there is room to worry ’cause if Ridan isn’t getting the books out, you’re not getting paid!
reinharden
Thanks for the update. I wonder, have you abandoned the idea of recording your books for Podibooks prior to publication? I can tell you that it builds a lot of interest, and you do it so well…
May your 2012 be as successful as you want it to be.
Tom Pencek
Not at all.
I may be producing them concurrently from now on, but I’ll always produce my books for Podiobooks.
I’ve actually got some outside work to produce there as well. Lots to listen to next year. :D
Thanks for the update. I loved the Ishmael Wang books best (I am one of those sci-fi types who avoids sorcerers, vampires, or fantasy novels). Still I recognize that writing what is in your heart is the best way to write – tell the stories that are within you to tell, not the ones we ask you to tell. Yet, let me just say that I am thrilled to hear that there are more Solar Clipper universe tales on the horizon. Keep up the good work and stay happy – you have some solid fans out there, and I am one of them. Best wishes, B. H. Giza (UTEP Assoc Prof of Ed-Tech, btw, which makes me thrilled to see a fellow academic make good in this genre).
OK I cant express how very lame Ridan Publishing is. It seems that everything they can do wrong, they do. But hey! I dont even care after reading: “Also in my plans are another trilogy featuring Ishmael Wang, two more books in the Tanyth Fairport series, a Philip Carstairs novel”. That is so very great! Thanks so much for all your hard work.
I look forward to holding you to that schedule. The pages on Quarter, Half and Full Share are nearly worn out. (Pretty neat trick with an e-book!)
Actually I hope that you stick with the quality over the schedule.
Cheers
Hope this year goes well for you. I would be very interested to know what the advantages are for you of publishing via Ridan. Is it just for the editing process? If it is, is it worth it? You are already selling so well that “real” (sorry!) self-publishing would seem to be a no-brainer to me – what am I missing?
Nate,
Does Ridan have plans to offer the Share series as a collector’s set? I’m interested.
@Gillian – Ridan brings some marketing expertise and legwork to the table. If it were just editing and art, you’re right. It would be a no brainer.
@Harry – The Share books are offered in a signed/numbered/limited edition hardcover. So far only Quarter Share has been released but the plan is for all six books to be offered that way.
Thanks for the update – can’t wait for the next book. I would seriously consider self-publishing your other books via Amazon. Not only will they come out much more quickly, but you get to keep 70% of the royalties. Follow Joe Konrath’s blog to read all about it.
Regardless, best of luck and thanks for the great stories !
Nate – if your books aren’t released, marketing is immaterial. They have to be published to sell.
Any update on the possible release date ? I agree with some others regarding the fact that the third novel ends well regarding a break in the series. Still, I would enjoy greatly the opportunity to keep reading. I find a comment by Sean well said, as I assume many of us are ready to purchase without a marketing campaign. it seems I’ve been checking amazon daily, as I have no idea when the release will happen
Unfortunately, no. I should make a post to that effect. Thanks for the nudge.
Nate – no way to post comments on the latest update, so I’ll say it here: good luck! We’re all rooting for you!
Relieved to hear you have thought through the details on pulling out of Ridan as well. The covers were sweet, but it’s the stories we crave. On an ebook the covers are less important anyway. And It would be good to know you have a revenue stream to support future writing.
Cheers!
Oh, and noting that some of your fans are from down under… In the States, this usage of ‘rooting’ for someone means we’re cheering them on…
Captain, good luck. If you need some support, I, and many of your fans, will be happy to provide it. I’ve faced the fire, as a first gulf war combat veteran. Nothing can provide the same pressure, not even an a publisher, or agent. LOL
Keep up the good work, keep writing, I am waiting patiently for your next Solar Clipper offerings.
Jeff
Thanks for the books captain, I have devoured the solar clipper series and look forward to more of Ismail Wang. I initially found the series on amazon and look forward to when i can purchase the rest for my kindle as I had to buy an iPad to listen to the rest of the series. I hope you can work out your issues with Ridan, bit would support you in any form. I am a die hard sci-fi fan, and hope you can find a publisher to support you. My favorite publisher is Baen, and purchase many books from them just because I like the content they support. It is really easy to send ebooks to my kindle or get them from amazon, just a thought…….
Any updates as of January 25th?
Nothing has changed since I made the Mid-January post, Charles.
Sorry to say.
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