Ask the Author: Daniel T. Jackson
Answered Questions (24)
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Tom, thanks for your question. I have a couple of ideas in my head for new stories after I have finished this series. My next book will be a standalone; I want to set myself the challenge of writing a self-contained story in a single volume.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Rafan, thanks for your question. After I finish The Illborn Saga, I am more likely to focus upon writing a couple of standalone books. I am unlikely to go directly into writing a new series, and would like to give myself the challenge of beginning and ending a self-contained story within a single novel.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi, there is no descriptive sex and nudity in any of the 3 books. The book features the lead up to and aftermath of adult encounters, but 'fades to black' for any such scenes, and does not feature explicit content of that nature.
However, the books are intended for adults, and I would recommend a minimum reading age of 15+, as a result of the gritty nature of the medieval world, and the adult themes contained in the story.
However, the books are intended for adults, and I would recommend a minimum reading age of 15+, as a result of the gritty nature of the medieval world, and the adult themes contained in the story.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Ritchie, thanks for your interest and your question. I am self-published, without an agent, and the aspect of publishing which I find least enjoyable is probably the contractual / legal side (which foreign language versions would require). For that reason, I am holding off trying to arrange any foreign language versions of the books until the 4 book series is completed in full (in English). At that point, when I will have more time, I will try to sort out a foreign language rights agent to arrange deals with overseas publishers to produce versions in multiple other languages. Apologies that this is quite vague; I definitely intend to do it, but it might still be a few years away.
Daniel T. Jackson
Thanks for your kind feedback, David. If you get a chance, I would be very grateful if you could rate both of the books on here (and thanks if you have already done so).
I tend to write for 3-4 days a week, across Monday to Thursday during school hours, and typically aim to do 20+ hours of writing each week. I write as a hobby, and anything much more than that would start to feel like a job!
I only ever work on one book at a time, and I am only working on The Illborn Saga series until it is completely finished (I am well-progressed on book three at present). I am impressed by writers who can bounce between books and series, but I need to be entirely focused on a single writing project, particularly given the complexity of The Illborn Saga.
I tend to write for 3-4 days a week, across Monday to Thursday during school hours, and typically aim to do 20+ hours of writing each week. I write as a hobby, and anything much more than that would start to feel like a job!
I only ever work on one book at a time, and I am only working on The Illborn Saga series until it is completely finished (I am well-progressed on book three at present). I am impressed by writers who can bounce between books and series, but I need to be entirely focused on a single writing project, particularly given the complexity of The Illborn Saga.
Daniel T. Jackson
Haha, thank you for such kind feedback. I am delighted that you enjoyed them so much. Best wishes, Daniel
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi, thanks for your interest, and I am delighted that you are enjoying Illborn so far. I posted a blog update on book 3 at the end of last year, an extract of which is below:
"During the past year, I have made good progress in writing book three of the series, and am now past 165k words (80% + of my 'first draft'). I am well on track to finish writing the book during 2024, and am very excited by the story so far."
I would prefer not to share any news on release date or cover reveals until the book is completely finished and edited. Unfortunately, I am no longer issuing review copies for either Illborn or Aiduel's Sin, given how long the books have been out, but your support if you enjoy the books would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
"During the past year, I have made good progress in writing book three of the series, and am now past 165k words (80% + of my 'first draft'). I am well on track to finish writing the book during 2024, and am very excited by the story so far."
I would prefer not to share any news on release date or cover reveals until the book is completely finished and edited. Unfortunately, I am no longer issuing review copies for either Illborn or Aiduel's Sin, given how long the books have been out, but your support if you enjoy the books would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Ed. Thanks for your question and for your support. I am currently writing book 3, and have written over 80% of the novel. However, I am not giving any indications of publication date until I have a completely finished (and edited) manuscript.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Ed, thanks for your interest. There will be 4 books in total in The Illborn Saga series. I am currently writing book three.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi, thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, I am not currently planning to produce a non-special edition hardcover. The Broken Binding are maintaining a waiting list for the final c100 copies of the special edition which were held in reserve, so it may still be worth you reaching out to them to see if there are any places left on that waiting list. Best wishes, Daniel
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Dan, thanks for your question, and for your support for my books. I am busy writing book three. However, I have taken a decision with this book to make no announcements about publication date until the book is finished. Sorry for the suspense! Best wishes, Daniel
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Dmitry. Thanks for your support for the series, and I am delighted that you have enjoyed my books. I plan to release a hardcover of Illborn in the near future.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Paul, thanks for your question, and for your support for the series. There will be 4 books in total for The Illborn Saga series, including the first 2. I anticipate that books 3 and 4 will be a similar length to the first two. Best wishes, Daniel.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi Usman. Thanks for your question. It will be a 4 book series, including ILLBORN.
Daniel T. Jackson
Thanks for your interest. I am not sure what you mean by trade paperback? There is an existing paperback edition which is available from many retailers.
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi, I plan to release a hardcover edition during 2023 (probably middle of the year).
Daniel T. Jackson
Hi, thanks for your interest. I am hoping to produce and release an audiobook version of Illborn in the second half of 2023.
Daniel T. Jackson
I am delighted to announce that I have finalised the manuscript of AIDUEL’S SIN, Book Two of the Illborn Saga (and the sequel to ILLBORN).
I have also submitted this manuscript into the typesetting, printing and publication process of the self-publishing service which I use.
I am therefore happy to share that the publication date of the novel will be… 28th JANUARY 2023.
I am excited that the writing process for AIDUEL’S SIN has now finished, and that I am on the countdown to the release of the book. I cannot wait for the readers who have enjoyed ILLBORN to read this second novel in the planned four-book series.
Apologies that I have not been able to hit a publication date within 2022, but I wanted to take a little more time to do a final couple of rounds of edits on the book, and I believe that this extra work has been worthwhile.
AIDUEL’S SIN has finished as a 200,000-word story, compared to 220,000 words for ILLBORN, so it is another long, epic fantasy tale! I was thrilled by the positive response of my beta readers to the book, and I hope that it will produce a similar reaction amongst ILLBORN’s wider readership.
I am planning to share lots more information on AIDUEL’S SIN across the period between now and publication. I have now received the artwork for the cover (which I love), and I am excited to reveal the finalised cover and book blurb (within the next 2-3 months). I am also looking forward to sharing lots more news on the Illborn Saga series across the remainder of 2022.
If you have read and enjoyed ILLBORN, thank you so much for your support, and I hope that you will continue on with the story onto AIDUEL’S SIN.
If you have not read ILLBORN but are interested, the next few months would be a great time to start the series, to allow you to have the story fresh in your mind for when January arrives!
I have also submitted this manuscript into the typesetting, printing and publication process of the self-publishing service which I use.
I am therefore happy to share that the publication date of the novel will be… 28th JANUARY 2023.
I am excited that the writing process for AIDUEL’S SIN has now finished, and that I am on the countdown to the release of the book. I cannot wait for the readers who have enjoyed ILLBORN to read this second novel in the planned four-book series.
Apologies that I have not been able to hit a publication date within 2022, but I wanted to take a little more time to do a final couple of rounds of edits on the book, and I believe that this extra work has been worthwhile.
AIDUEL’S SIN has finished as a 200,000-word story, compared to 220,000 words for ILLBORN, so it is another long, epic fantasy tale! I was thrilled by the positive response of my beta readers to the book, and I hope that it will produce a similar reaction amongst ILLBORN’s wider readership.
I am planning to share lots more information on AIDUEL’S SIN across the period between now and publication. I have now received the artwork for the cover (which I love), and I am excited to reveal the finalised cover and book blurb (within the next 2-3 months). I am also looking forward to sharing lots more news on the Illborn Saga series across the remainder of 2022.
If you have read and enjoyed ILLBORN, thank you so much for your support, and I hope that you will continue on with the story onto AIDUEL’S SIN.
If you have not read ILLBORN but are interested, the next few months would be a great time to start the series, to allow you to have the story fresh in your mind for when January arrives!
Daniel T. Jackson
The title of book two is going to be… Aiduel’s Sin.
(please note that I shall remain steadfastly tight-lipped in response to any queries as to what the title refers to!)
Book two writing progress update as at 1st May 2022:
I finished draft one of Aiduel’s Sin at the end of last December. Since then, I have been working hard on rewriting and editing, and generally on improving the book. I have now completed c85-90% of that editing process, and intend to complete the rest of that work during May.
I have also sent the first two thirds of the edited book out to my beta readers, and I am delighted with the positive reaction so far.
After I have finished edits and rewrites, I want to spend a few weeks doing a final ‘polishing’ edit of the whole book, and my target is to have the manuscript completely finished before the UK school summer holidays in July (but if I decide before then that it needs more time and work, that is what it will get!).
The publication date thereafter will be dependent on what publishing route I decide to go down, so unfortunately, I am still not able to state a specific publication date. I will aim to announce a definite publication date before the end of the summer.
I hope that the above is of some interest, and apologies that I am still remaining vague about precise dates.
In conclusion, I am excited to finish writing Aiduel’s Sin and to share Book Two of The Illborn Saga wih my readers. I am massively grateful to everyone who has read and enjoyed ILLBORN, and I would love for you to continue the journey onto book two of the series.
(please note that I shall remain steadfastly tight-lipped in response to any queries as to what the title refers to!)
Book two writing progress update as at 1st May 2022:
I finished draft one of Aiduel’s Sin at the end of last December. Since then, I have been working hard on rewriting and editing, and generally on improving the book. I have now completed c85-90% of that editing process, and intend to complete the rest of that work during May.
I have also sent the first two thirds of the edited book out to my beta readers, and I am delighted with the positive reaction so far.
After I have finished edits and rewrites, I want to spend a few weeks doing a final ‘polishing’ edit of the whole book, and my target is to have the manuscript completely finished before the UK school summer holidays in July (but if I decide before then that it needs more time and work, that is what it will get!).
The publication date thereafter will be dependent on what publishing route I decide to go down, so unfortunately, I am still not able to state a specific publication date. I will aim to announce a definite publication date before the end of the summer.
I hope that the above is of some interest, and apologies that I am still remaining vague about precise dates.
In conclusion, I am excited to finish writing Aiduel’s Sin and to share Book Two of The Illborn Saga wih my readers. I am massively grateful to everyone who has read and enjoyed ILLBORN, and I would love for you to continue the journey onto book two of the series.
Daniel T. Jackson
Having people read my work, and receiving feedback about the emotional reaction the book has created within them.
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