Progress report

Since inquiries have come from several of the 3.6 Loyal Readers, I answer at large:—

Tonight I finished compiling and formatting the essais that will go into the Superversive collection, and to my surprise, they seem to hang together pretty well, and add up to a sustained and forcible polemic. I still need to go through the drudgery of compiling the bibliography and endnotes (always the worst part of the job), and to write a valedictory piece, ‘Recovering the Tao of Story’. Then I have got to talk Sarah Dimento into doing a cover. I expect to have the new book out in July.

I have also, at long last, come within a few chapters of completing the first episode of Where Angels Die. I am reasonably pleased with the work so far. My original plan was to make the episodes about 60 manuscript pages apiece; that is, roughly as long as the screenplay for a one-hour television drama. But the first episode has a lot more work to do, introducing the main characters and setting up the central conflict; so it will be double that length. This is not without precedent; quite a lot of TV series have premiered as made-for-TV feature films, which were then cut up into two episodes for syndication.

I have sketched out the next three episodes, tentatively entitled ‘The Little Charter’, ‘The Bad Enough Brigade’, and ‘Luck’s Travelling Temple’. I should like to release all of them at once, and get some of the ‘Liliana Nirvana’ effect I referred to earlier. We shall see if this has a salutary effect on sales.

Meanwhile, I am formatting several paperback books for Wendy S. Delmater, and editing a translation of a stage play by Bruno Moreno Ramos. I am open for more commissions of both these kinds, at the right price.

Once all these things are taken care of, I intend to get back to work on the Magnificent Octopus. It is still my firm intention to get The Grey Death out for an autumn release; though at present it looks as if it may be later rather than earlier in that season.

Comments

  1. Very encouraging news that you have been healthy and have energy enough to work on so many things – but just in case I will keep you on the prayer list. I am eagerly looking forward to the release, in any form, of Where Angels Die and the new collection.

  2. We compose our souls in patience.

  3. Stephen K says

    Great news.

  4. Dear enraged and impatient Simon fans,

    I understand your concern, but Mr. Simon has assured me his editing chores don’t interfere with his writing.

    Please, do not send any more ninja assassins.

    Yours sincerely.

  5. “Tonight I finished compiling and formatting the essais that will go into the Superversive collection…”

    I can’t wait to read this!

  6. E. Crook says

    I am especially looking forward to the Superversive collection — and I must say that I plan to give out ‘Death Carries a Camcorder’ to several friends for Christmas gifts; I think they would be amused and enlightened by the essais contained therein. I just got myself a copy and have been going through it slowly and savoring every well-turned phrase as well as taking note of what to avoid in my own writing.

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