OK, so this title is a little misleading. Until my new series is under contract, I don’t really want to be too specific, but I thought I’d follow up on my earlier post, “A New Start,” with a brief update on where things are and with some further thoughts about the new series and why I’m eager to forge ahead.
First of all, the update. Proposals are starting to go out from my agent to various publishers, so those of you who are hopeful that more books will be coming from me, this would be a good time to pray that my new series finds a home. While being published and having an agent both help when looking for a publisher, there are no guarantees and I don’t want to presume that getting a contract will be “automatic.”
Now, as for my excitement, there are a few things I want to say. One I mentioned already in the post referenced above, namely, the sheer scale of the world I’m developing. Since I’m going global rather than continental, I’m even a little overwelmed at the magnitude of it all. The southern hemisphere of my world is beginning to take better shape, because the story starts on a continent there, but above the equator – which has a special name & function in this world – lie many lands that remain somewhat shadowy in my imagination. Still, I am excited to discover and fully explore them as the later books take more definite shape.
Also, perhaps the most exciting thing about this new series, is the promising blend of fantasy and science fiction. In my mind, fantasy revolves mostly around stories displaced in time that use “magic” or powers like magic to do things not ordinarily possible in reality. Science fiction, however, refers more to stories displaced in space, using technology to do things not ordinarily possible in reality. Often, both types of story are really commentaries on the real world, just in imaginative ways.
As I was developing my story, I kept thinking about blending these conceptions. Why couldn’t a world displaced in time with “magical” or “fantastic” elements also have its own technology continuum? Do all fantasy stories need to have medieval castles, oil lamps, scrolls & parchment and so on? (Obviously not, as many fantasy stories don’t, but hopefully you get my point even if its a bit exaggerated.) So, I set out to build a world with an alternative technological basis that could approximate some aspects of a more modern world, even if fantastical powers were being also wielded and fantastical creatures were roaming the land and sea.
I think what I came up with – with the much appreciated help of some of my friends and confidants – will prove interesting to fans of both genres. It probably isn’t cool of me to say I think the idea is really cool, but I can’t help it – I think its really cool. That’s a big reason why I’m excited to write this new series, and as I hope to knock out most of the rest of the first book this summer, if not the rest of it, I can’t wait for my summer break to get going.
Another reason why I’m excited, is that the thematic center of this series is different than that of BOTB. That series was about restoration – a world approaching the time when some things that were broken will be remade, and some things that never should have been made will be destroyed. This series revolves around a different central concept, though I’ll be vague about it here. It is perhaps a less pleasant central theme, but I think it nonetheless a true and relevant one, and I’m excited to explore it. I hope that this series, like the previous one, will be both a fully actualized alternative reality that is an exciting place in which to tarry while you read the books, but I also hope it offers insight into who we are as a people & a culture as well as who we should be.
Just the other day I was thinking it was about time for a new post on this subject. Am waiting excitedly for the new series to earn a contract.
Can you give us a hint about how “modern” it will be? Would it be more advanced than us, or just advanced compared to the rest of your story world? Sorry, I really worded that badly…
That’s a good question, but hard to answer. Because the technology continuum – for lack of a better way to put it – is different than our own, the answer is probably mixed. Some things might feel more advanced, but other things might feel less. Overall, I don’t think you would say the world I’m creating as a whole is more technologically capable – I suppose that depends on the barometer you use for technological superiority – but there will be some aspects of life in this world that function differently in cool ways.
Thanks, L.B!
Sounds like a completely awesomeful idea. I can’t wait to get my grimy hands on this one. 😛
Very interesting, Mr. Graham. I’ll be looking forward to hearing more of this. I’m not sure how much I’d like the introduction of sci-fi to Kirthanin, but it would depend on the degree to which it was employed. I can’t imagine Benjiah fighting space aliens with laser pistols, to put it in another way (not that I anticipate that you would go that far).
I’ve had similar thoughts with my own books. My first one is continental (save for a certain sea voyage). The second one reaches out a bit further, and although it isn’t based there, it involves cosmology and mythology much more deeply.
Since the new series will have nothing to do with Kirthanin, there’s no need to worry about how Benjiah will defend himself against lasers – never fear!
So are we alowed to know what it will be called? I’m really curious 🙂
When I have the series under contract, I’ll be more specific when I blog about it. Until then, I need to be vague.
Understood, Mr. Graham. But trust me, we’ll be praying and hoping to here more on this soon!
sweet! wow this is so cool i am talking to someone famous!!:D
I am known to a small but dedicated base of readers, but I’m not sure famous is really the word!
Haha! well in my opinion you are famous. My favorite author and i am SO excited for the next one. TEN DAYS!! wohoo!
I can’t wait! And yes, L.B. is famous. All my friends know about him at least.
So will this story take place on planet earth? Or will it be more of a star warsey thing, with a different planet?
Like Kirthanin, it would be its own world. I think of it as a cross between fantasy and sci-fi, not because there’s interstellar travel, but because there are technologies that are atypical in “standard” fantasy works…
When I read about this (yes it was just now I have not had much time to catch up on slightly older posts) I immediately thought of the ‘Dragon Riders of Pern’ books by Anne McCaffrey. At first they seemed to be fantasy (which is wholey alright with) but then I found out it was also partly sci-fi.
I think it would be really neat. I’m on my third time through BOTB, and I like it very much. Another series about another world sounds good.
Our family LOVES your BOTB series! Were you able to find a publisher for your new series? You latest blog was almost a year ago, we are awaiting your new series with much anticipation.
Blessings!
I wish I had better news on the new series, but at this point, it doesn’t look like it will be under contract any time soon.
Any new updates?
Not really, but I’ve updated the “bar graph” in my sidebar to show progress toward completing the novel. You can keep up on how it’s going by following the progress of the graph. I hope to be finished and to start shopping the book in late spring or summer.
Ideas for extra revenue to consider while working on your new book:
-Various LEGO toy sets of Kirthanin scenes/characters.
-Age of Empires: Battle for Kirthanin (The Video Game)
-A Kirthanin Christmas Ornament Collection
-Barbie and the Black Wolves Nail Salon
-Joraiem’s Archery Game for Wii
-Color-by-Number with Aljeron Kit
Just a thought 😉
Nice. I think Barbie and the Black Wolves would get along famously.