Well, 2020 was a … year. Good riddance to that bag of tripe. Though I was perhaps more fortunate than others given my location here on Vancouver Island, and by working for myself, but it was still one hell of a slog from January to Dec.
I’m not going to dwell on anything 2020-related. That’s why I only stuck to the good stuff in my yearly montage last week. Continuing along that vein, let’s look forwards to 2021, and all the good stuff that’s coming your way.
Mas Libros!
For those of you like Ron Burgundy who don’t speak Spanish: MORE BOOKS. Just like last year, this year’s all about books.
Heavy Lies The Crown is the sequel to the new Forever King and book 2 in The Scalussen Chronicles. I’m beavering away on that as we speak. The cover is coming shortly, too!
In the meantime, I’m also working on the book I’m co-authoring with phenomenon David Estes. It’s currently called Blades of Tarlena and it is so weird but dark and awesome and I’m loving working on it.
My goal is also to tackle book 3 of The Scalussen Chronicles as well, and hopefully finish that by the end of the year. That’s called To Kill A God, and it’s going to be one mental finale to this new series. I might not know the path there, but I know how it’s going to end.
I’m also still tinkering with my super secret project Dread Rising. That’ll one day see the light of day. I’ve also got this burning need to write a book called The Dead Men, which is an idea that burrowed into my head over December and refuses to come out.
Bookplates
To help you awesome people get signed copies without expensive shipping from here in Canada, I’m releasing bookplates next week. These are square stickers you can put in any book, signed and stamped by me. They’re much easier and cheaper, and though not quite the real deal, the more options, the merrier.
Emaneska Hardbacks
Whether I have the time to do a Kickstarter this year, or whether I just get it done myself, this will be the year that hardbacks of The Written, Pale Kings, and Dead Stars appear. My plan is to create illustrated editions to celebrate 10 years of Emaneska. These will be individual hardbacks for definite and possibly a big ole omnibus edition, too. I’m planning these for spring.
Audiobooks
Today I got to announce the news I’ve been sitting on for a week or two now. I’ve just signed a deal with the excellent Podium Audio to produce The Scalussen Chronicles in audiobook! We’re working out narrators and schedules, etc, but you will be able to listen to The Forever King in audio format later this year. So pleased.
Work smarter not harder
I worked hard last year, and I mean haaaaard. I think it was my way of coping, I think. The schedule I put in place at the start of last year to maximise writing time was spot on. However, it was a difficult year to trial it in. It ended up being an excuse to just work, work, work, and then work some more. I felt a pressure of productivity I’ve never felt, and despite my few respites, it actually became too much. it was only until the Forever King launch in December that I realised I need to chill the fuck out. That’s why, for the last few weeks, I’ve been doing nothing but creative and enjoyable stuff: writing, gaming, painting minis, even drawing, as you might have seen. It was a reminder that my true joy comes from creativity (and travel, but I can’t do that right now!) and I really needed that reminder. That’s why I’m making more time for creativity and less on admin in 2021.
Illustrations and arty stuff
When I was but a smaller human, when I wasn’t writing or reading, I was drawing. Over Dec, I dabbled with some sketches both digital and on paper, and frickin loved it. Each week, I’m going to draw… something. Mostly scenes from Emaneska and Chasing Graves. Here’s the first attempt: Farden approaching Carn Breagh in The Written.
And breathe. That’s a lot to accomplish this year, but I’m determined as always. What else is there to do at the moment but stay indoors and make the most of lockdown, right?
Hope you’re excited. I certainly am. Stay tuned to social media for daily updates and stay safe out there, peeps.
2020 was hell for us all. Some more than others. So many questions and even more concerns. I’m glad we’ve all made it 2021. Only the furrier knows what that will hold. The updates for the future from you sounds absolutely awesome. I can’t wait for the book plates and hardcovers!! Looking forward to the available and the yet to come. Thank you so much for the Emaneska series of books. This was definitely the right story to start my year off with.
Hi Ben seems like you are going to be very very busy again this year.
Can I ask if the books between written and forever king will be done by audio?
I use audio mainly due to problems with hands although I will buy the books so I can put stickers in them and keep them on the do not touch book shelf .
They hopefully will be, at very least in 2022, but I’m working to get them done earlier. Thanks for your support!