Shadows of the Apt

10 comments to “News update”

1. 

   henderson, February 29th, 2012 at 1:43 am:

   Just finished HEIRS OF THE BLADE, and really enjoyed. Looking forward to the next book.

   The only downside is the size of the paperback. Why is a different size that the previous six?

   Also, will you be writing more novels in the SHADOWS OF THE APT world after writing the tenth novel?

   Thanks.

   Henderson
   Shoreline, WA USA

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2. 

   Thomas, February 29th, 2012 at 4:39 pm:

   Just received HEIRS OF THE BLADE, agreed why is the paperback slightly larger than the other six. 

   The original cover for EMPIRE IN BLACK AND GOLD caught my attention read the summary which lead to the purchase and was hooked ever since. The newer covers just seem to busy.

   I like to keep my sets of books looking the same for a series. I ordered from Book Depository or Amazon UK to avoid the US cover releases. Please continue with the size and art of the original six.

   Love the series can't wait for the final three.

   Thank you,

   Thomas
   Chicago, IL USA

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3. 

   Matt, February 29th, 2012 at 8:30 pm:

   I've also enjoyed all the books so far. Any hints as to what the short story is about?

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4. 

   Adrian Tchaikovsky, February 29th, 2012 at 9:10 pm:

   Not a kinden story, and there's a dirty rumour it might be a venture into something approaching science fiction (gasp — will I stop at nothing to win the Clarke award?)

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5. 

   Adrian Tchaikovsky, February 29th, 2012 at 9:14 pm:

   I had originally thought that Heirs was coming out in normal paperback, but apparently not — I think the larger size (that's not the large, large size, but the size that's smaller than the large size but larger than the small size that previously was the only size) is now the new small size. Certainly the recovers that should start coming out relatively shortly will all be in that size. I don't think we'll be seeing the small small size for future releases. I have no control over this, or who gets to do the art (although I do get to badger the artist, when chosen).

   And yes, after the series concludes, there is more business in the kinden world to chronicle, but I hope to get some other stuff out there as well. My head is filled with worlds.

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6. 

   David H, March 6th, 2012 at 5:44 pm:

   Adrian
   I have just finished Heirs of the Blade and I have to say I loved it. A major problem I have with quite a lot of writing is that it is often quite predictable and I have come to expect that, but each successive Shadows of the Apt novel has thrown me repeatedly. Forgive the spoiler to anyone who hasn't read it yet, but the development of Che as a magician, and the final chapter involving the Empress and Tisamon is making me practically chew fingers off waiting for the Air War. I'm a hopeful writer who is trying to develop something even half as good as your work, though university provides endless distraction. Any advice?

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7. 

   Adrian Tchaikovsky, March 6th, 2012 at 7:34 pm:

   Advice for new writers is hard to generalise, but aside from the usual stuff about keeping on with it and listening to any criticism you can get, if you have something to submit, there is a thriving small/medium press market at the moment — imprints such as Solaris, Angry Robot and Jo Fletcher Books are well worth taking a look at.

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8. 

   Jedrzej Komorowski, March 7th, 2012 at 1:08 pm:

   !!!Who didn't read up to The Sea Watch care because there will be spoilers in this comment.!!!

   Dear Adrian,

   I have finished reading The Sea Watch today (I'm waiting for Heirs of the blade to be translated and published in Poland). What makes you kill the characters you decide to kill?
   Over the books so far you killed every character that I considered to be my favourite among the living (Acheos, Salmae Dien, Felise, Arianna, Theornis). Now I read because I like the world and your stories, but there are no characters that I could say that I like.

   PS. Will there be more moths in the last 4 books?

   Kind regards,
   Jedrzej

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9. 

   Adrian Tchaikovsky, March 7th, 2012 at 7:27 pm:

   Umm… I'm sorry I seem to be killing off your favourites. Characters die for a lot of reasons — because it's their time, because the plot demands it, because there is a limit to how much trouble even a hero can believably get out of — and also sometimes just because death, in a battle for example, can be unexpected and random. I have had characters die who I had thought would survive, and the other way round. In a long series the plot itself tends to make a lot of the decisions. I'm glad you still like the world, anyway, and yes, there are more Moth-kinden to come, and in fact quite a few new characters in the upcoming books, so hopefully you'll find another favourite amongst them.

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10. 

    Jedrzej Komorowski, March 7th, 2012 at 9:42 pm:

    Since no point of view character seen the death Acheos and his spirit was not shown either I still hold to the hope that he might still appear at some point. I still stick to the hope that this person who awoke in the forest with shattered memory will be him and not the mosquito sorcerer.
    Still big thanks for the answer.

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