Ask the Author: Kate Elliott
Answered Questions (47)
Kate Elliott
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for your kind words about "The Long Walk." I knew I wanted to write the story of this "long walk" for years but thought I couldn't make it work, and then I did! So I'm really pleased with it, and delighted that so many people have liked it.
I have not written anything further in that specific setting. My forthcoming fantasy duology, The Witch Roads, uses a related setting of toxic peril (hard to explain more outside the context of the story) that is me adapting something from "The Long Walk" into a new setting. Will the two settings ever curve back around and converge? I don't know yet.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Thank you so much for your kind words about "The Long Walk." I knew I wanted to write the story of this "long walk" for years but thought I couldn't make it work, and then I did! So I'm really pleased with it, and delighted that so many people have liked it.
I have not written anything further in that specific setting. My forthcoming fantasy duology, The Witch Roads, uses a related setting of toxic peril (hard to explain more outside the context of the story) that is me adapting something from "The Long Walk" into a new setting. Will the two settings ever curve back around and converge? I don't know yet.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Brittany, Thank you so incredibly much for these very kind words. I am so honored to have been of help to you in a low point. That means so much to any writer, I believe. I couldn't do this gig without readers like you, and I so appreciate that you have read (and are re-reading) this immense series and its many characters. All best wishes, Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Angela,
There's a longer answer posted somewhere but I'll sum it up as efficiently as I can. Black Wolves was published in 2015. Orbit Books canceled the series (i.e. books 2 and 3) in 2016, which means that even if I turned in completed books they wouldn't have put them on sale. However, they also retained rights, so I am not able to publish finished versions regardless. Book two was about half written when this all went down, and needless to say I had to suspend working on it in order to work on books that I could get paid for (since I make my living writing). My agency has recently been pursuing the possibility of trying to get the rights to the trilogy back, but it is a complex and very very very slow process, so there's nothing on the table right now. If I ever get the rights back, I hope/plan to finish and publish books 2 and 3 along with book 1. But again, while I hope that may happen, I can't guarantee that it will. I appreciate your patience, and I hope that I may have better news in the future. The situation is quite frustrating for me as I know the entire story and hate to have it sitting unwritten. All best wishes, and thank you SO MUCH for reading my work. Kate Elliott
There's a longer answer posted somewhere but I'll sum it up as efficiently as I can. Black Wolves was published in 2015. Orbit Books canceled the series (i.e. books 2 and 3) in 2016, which means that even if I turned in completed books they wouldn't have put them on sale. However, they also retained rights, so I am not able to publish finished versions regardless. Book two was about half written when this all went down, and needless to say I had to suspend working on it in order to work on books that I could get paid for (since I make my living writing). My agency has recently been pursuing the possibility of trying to get the rights to the trilogy back, but it is a complex and very very very slow process, so there's nothing on the table right now. If I ever get the rights back, I hope/plan to finish and publish books 2 and 3 along with book 1. But again, while I hope that may happen, I can't guarantee that it will. I appreciate your patience, and I hope that I may have better news in the future. The situation is quite frustrating for me as I know the entire story and hate to have it sitting unwritten. All best wishes, and thank you SO MUCH for reading my work. Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Hasan, thank you so much. I really could not do this without the support of my excellent readers (who are clearly the very best of readers), and I so appreciate it -- as well as your kind words. I am currently (rather slowly, alas) working on the third Sun space opera, and meanwhile I hope to see an announcement for a mystery project soon, but can't say anything more until it is made public. Again, thank you so much, and all best wishes, Kate
Kate Elliott
Terri,
Thank you so much for your kind words about the Jaran books.
This is a complex question. I have written snippets for later books in the universe, and I know the basic outline of where I want it to go. For me the primary issue is that I likely can't interest any current publisher in a Jaran novel so would have to write and publish myself, which is an outlay of expense and time.
At the moment I am contracted to finish the third Sun space opera book. I also have a completed fantasy duology coming in 2025 (not yet announced). Once the third Sun is complete, I preferentially want to examine options for finishing the Black Wolves trilogy (if I can get the rights back, a big IF) and figuring out a way to write a novella or novel continuation in the Jaran universe, if I can figure out a way to afford to do it. Those two series remained unfinished and as an artist that bothers me.
So while I cannot promise or even predict if or when I might write more Jaran books, I haven't given up on the prospect. That's the long answer. I wish it was more confident. Meanwhile, once I have a draft of Sun 3, I'll be better able to figure out where things stands.
Again, thank you for your kind words and for reading. I couldn't do this without readers like you.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Thank you so much for your kind words about the Jaran books.
This is a complex question. I have written snippets for later books in the universe, and I know the basic outline of where I want it to go. For me the primary issue is that I likely can't interest any current publisher in a Jaran novel so would have to write and publish myself, which is an outlay of expense and time.
At the moment I am contracted to finish the third Sun space opera book. I also have a completed fantasy duology coming in 2025 (not yet announced). Once the third Sun is complete, I preferentially want to examine options for finishing the Black Wolves trilogy (if I can get the rights back, a big IF) and figuring out a way to write a novella or novel continuation in the Jaran universe, if I can figure out a way to afford to do it. Those two series remained unfinished and as an artist that bothers me.
So while I cannot promise or even predict if or when I might write more Jaran books, I haven't given up on the prospect. That's the long answer. I wish it was more confident. Meanwhile, once I have a draft of Sun 3, I'll be better able to figure out where things stands.
Again, thank you for your kind words and for reading. I couldn't do this without readers like you.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Paul, apologies for the delay in answering this! I don't check Goodreads very often these days. Thank you so much for your kind words -- I'm glad you are enjoying the trilogy so far! You are correct: Persephone IS the Ptolemy analog in several ways. I am following the history relatively closely in the sense that I am trying to adapt the main events and course of events to this far future world. Book three will stick close in some ways but also veer the farthest in others; I can't really give more detail than that. But overall my goal is to honor the spectacular nature of Alexander's life.
Kate Elliott
Natalie,
Thank you SO MUCH. I'm thrilled to hear you're enjoying the story and the characters. I invested so many years in writing the series. In the USA, DAW Books does have a trade paperback (larger format paperback) in print. I don't know if many bookstores carry it on their shelves, but I know it can be ordered at B&N and at indie bookstores. If you are in the UK/Commonwealth region, there should be print editions of the series available with Orbit UK.
Again, thank you for your kind words. Kate Elliott
Thank you SO MUCH. I'm thrilled to hear you're enjoying the story and the characters. I invested so many years in writing the series. In the USA, DAW Books does have a trade paperback (larger format paperback) in print. I don't know if many bookstores carry it on their shelves, but I know it can be ordered at B&N and at indie bookstores. If you are in the UK/Commonwealth region, there should be print editions of the series available with Orbit UK.
Again, thank you for your kind words. Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Annette,
Thank you for your question and for your kind words about Black Wolves, a novel that means a huge amount to me.
Unfortunately I don't have good news. In 2017 Orbit Books canceled the series but did not return the rights to me, so I can't legally publish books 2 and 3 were they to be finished. I haven't given up figuring out a way to finish the series but it may take a few years.
I wrote about this earlier this year on my newsletter: https://kateelliott.substack.com/p/20...
Thank you again, and I'm sorry there isn't better new.
Thank you for your question and for your kind words about Black Wolves, a novel that means a huge amount to me.
Unfortunately I don't have good news. In 2017 Orbit Books canceled the series but did not return the rights to me, so I can't legally publish books 2 and 3 were they to be finished. I haven't given up figuring out a way to finish the series but it may take a few years.
I wrote about this earlier this year on my newsletter: https://kateelliott.substack.com/p/20...
Thank you again, and I'm sorry there isn't better new.
Kate Elliott
Mark, thanks for the question! The first four books are all available now (from Tantor Media). Book five was just recorded and will be released (I'm told) on November 29 2022. Books six and seven will be recorded next year although I don't have a timetable for that yet.
Kate Elliott
Dennis, Unfortunately nothing has changed with the situation. The Black Wolves trilogy remains in legal limbo and at the moment I am not able to resolve it. While I don't know how things will turn out in the future, I still hope that I may be able to finish the trilogy at some point. I'm very sorry (both for my readers and for me) that I don't currently have better news. Thank you again, Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Stephanie, Apologies for the delay in answering. I checked with Jonathan Strahan, the editor of The Book of Dragons, and he says that Eleanor Caudill is the narrator for "The Long Walk."
Thank you for your kind words about the story. I am so pleased you enjoyed it.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Thank you for your kind words about the story. I am so pleased you enjoyed it.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Jean, thank you SO MUCH. I'm delighted you enjoyed Unconquerable Sun. I am working hard on book two. To be honest, I (like many writers I know) have suffered some from "pandemic brain" so I'm not where I wanted to be at this point (in other words, done). It is my primary focus and I will update people as soon as I'm finished. Thank you for your patience in this unexpectedly stressful time. All best wishes, Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Sue,
As I've unfortunately had to mention here previously, the publisher of Black Wolves canceled the series in 2017. Half of the second book has been written (and I know the entire plot well) but at the moment I’m very sorry to say the project is floating in a kind of legal limbo. I wish I had better news than that about these novels and characters, who are very close to my heart.
Why the sequels are still listed in some places as for sale I could not tell you. Since the books were contracted to a publisher, it is their department to handle that information (I can't change that information if it comes from a publishing house).
That is the bad news I have, and at the moment I don't have any way of making it less bad. I so appreciate your support, and your daughter's re-read. Please thank her for me.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
As I've unfortunately had to mention here previously, the publisher of Black Wolves canceled the series in 2017. Half of the second book has been written (and I know the entire plot well) but at the moment I’m very sorry to say the project is floating in a kind of legal limbo. I wish I had better news than that about these novels and characters, who are very close to my heart.
Why the sequels are still listed in some places as for sale I could not tell you. Since the books were contracted to a publisher, it is their department to handle that information (I can't change that information if it comes from a publishing house).
That is the bad news I have, and at the moment I don't have any way of making it less bad. I so appreciate your support, and your daughter's re-read. Please thank her for me.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Unfortunately this is the best explanation that I can link you to at the moment:
https://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2019...
Currently the series exists in a kind of legal limbo and I just don't have any news, good or bad or otherwise. I'm very sorry, and I hope that in time there may be a solution that will allow me to finish Dead Empire and complete the series.
https://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2019...
Currently the series exists in a kind of legal limbo and I just don't have any news, good or bad or otherwise. I'm very sorry, and I hope that in time there may be a solution that will allow me to finish Dead Empire and complete the series.
Kate Elliott
Danna, thank you so much for your kind words about Black Wolves. I very much appreciate you asking if there is anything people can do, but unfortunately at the moment the series exists in a kind of legal limbo and I just don't have any news, good or bad or otherwise. I'm very sorry, and I hope that in time there may be a solution that will allow me to finish Dead Empire and complete the series.
Kate Elliott
Egweenie,
This is a fascinating question, and for me the short version has two parts:
First, I am a better writer, which means I'm better at a lot of things now than I was them. I have a stronger sense of how scenes work. I can flag my drafts for pacing and description. I'm just plain better at revising. I can look at scenes and figure out where the pacing is off and how to make them work better.
But the flip side is that being more experienced means I tend to see the flaws immediately. As a less experienced writer I would happily write a first draft like a great rushing river, throwing down the story scene by scene just for the sheer joy of writing it and getting it out of my head. Now, my editor brain is constantly looking over my shoulder and making snide comments, and that slows down first drafting.
So I would say the biggest change in my approach is that I used to love first drafting best, and dislike revision because it was hard and clumsy. Now I struggle with first drafting because I have to fight the idea that it isn't any good, but I having finished a first draft because I love revising because it's like taking all the bits of cloth and putting them together into a beautiful piece of clothing. Which is what both I the writer and you the reader hope for, right? A great experience.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
This is a fascinating question, and for me the short version has two parts:
First, I am a better writer, which means I'm better at a lot of things now than I was them. I have a stronger sense of how scenes work. I can flag my drafts for pacing and description. I'm just plain better at revising. I can look at scenes and figure out where the pacing is off and how to make them work better.
But the flip side is that being more experienced means I tend to see the flaws immediately. As a less experienced writer I would happily write a first draft like a great rushing river, throwing down the story scene by scene just for the sheer joy of writing it and getting it out of my head. Now, my editor brain is constantly looking over my shoulder and making snide comments, and that slows down first drafting.
So I would say the biggest change in my approach is that I used to love first drafting best, and dislike revision because it was hard and clumsy. Now I struggle with first drafting because I have to fight the idea that it isn't any good, but I having finished a first draft because I love revising because it's like taking all the bits of cloth and putting them together into a beautiful piece of clothing. Which is what both I the writer and you the reader hope for, right? A great experience.
All best wishes,
Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Isabella, thank you SO MUCH for your kind words about the Court of Fives series. Buried Heart is available in hardcover but unfortunately the publisher, Little, Brown Books of Young Readers, chose not to publish a trade paperback edition to match the first two. I'm sorry not to have a matching set of the paperback, but there it is. I hope you are able to find the hardcover or ebook version because . . . as much as I love the first two books I think the third one is the best, and I hope you love it too. All best wishes, Kate Elliott
Kate Elliott
Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed the Jaran books. I don't currently have a timetable for the completion of the rest of the Jaran cycle, although I know what it covers. My medium term goal is to write a standalone novella as a new entry point into the world (since it's been so long), and while I do have that started, I'm not sure when I will have a chance to finish it. Unfortunately that's all the news I have at the moment. I appreciate your question, and your patience, and thank you SO MUCH for reading.
Kate Elliott
Karen, thank you SO MUCH for your kind words. I hope you enjoyed the rest of the series as well (I think each one gets a bit more intense than the last). I'm sure you have seen that there are also two novellas related to the series (they're both listed on Goodreads). I really appreciate you reading!
Kate Elliott
Aviva, my apologies for the long delay in replying. I'd be delighted for the Crown of Stars books to be translated into Chinese and published in China. However, so far no Chinese publisher has licensed the right to make such a translation.
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