Okay, here's the thing...
Last year my fantasy novel SIR APROPOS OF NOTHING was published. At the time I wrote it, I thought I was writing a one-shot. There was room for the story to go, but no contract. So I had a two-month block set aside to write the next New Frontier novel for November publication.
But APROPOS was so well received that S&S picked up their option for two sequels. And the timing was strategic: They wanted the first sequel to be out in summer of 2002 to time out with the paperback release of the first book (so they could run a chapter from the second book in the paperback as an enticement.) Furthermore, the average NF book is 80,000 words, while APROPOS and its sequels weigh in at around 160,000. Since both contracts were with S&S, I said, "Guys, I can't write both books in the same period of time. Which do I concentrate on?" They said, "The APROPOS sequel is more time-sensitive. Do that." So in the period of time I had blocked out for the next "New Frontier" novel, I turned out the length-equivalent of two of them, which was called THE WOAD TO WUIN. And then I had other deadlines I'd committed to (such as the KNIGHT LIFE sequel and the HULK novelization) which had to be met. So NF got shoved back. And I didn't want to just try and dash it out in a half-baked manner because that wouldn't be fair to the readers.
So now I'm working on the next NF book and as soon as it's in, I will *definitely* post here what the pub date is.
PAD
Posted by Peter David at September 10, 2002 07:52 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commentingI already thought that this would be the reason. I am happy that Apropos was so well received. Me personally, I enjoyed the first book very much. The second book is very well written as well but not so much my cup of tea. Hopefully the third (and last?) Apropos book will be more to my liking. So far I am more looking forward to the Knight Life sequel than more Apropos.
I learned from the Psi Phi website that you are planning to write a paperback with the conclusion of "Being Human" and then a hardcover will follow. Hopefully that is true. I love "Restoration". It is quality and quantity in one package and to me it is a very special story. I am hoping the next NF hardcover will offer that again.
Please take all the time you need. I can also wait a while longer :-).
Well, I can't wait. Come on David, you lazy bum, hurry up with New Frontier already!! :)
Just kidding. In all seriousness, New Frontier for me saved Trek fiction. It is exactly what was needed at the time -- a not-so-clean and clear-cut Trek. Every single novel has truly been a trip to read, and seriously got me back into Trek fiction.
Here's to a million more New Frontier books!!!
-- Anton
APROPOS sounds like a confused vein bear I never checked out the book myself. Keep up the good work I'm very sorry to Mark Evainer leave CBG he was much more then entertaining.
Check out our Kingdom site we care
but we don't know how :)
Home of Steven Bissete's the Swamp
"A confused vein bear?" That's right up there with "Where Man Josh."
Anyway, the Woad to Wuin was swell. I'll be waiting for Tong Lashing. (Hey, if you need a side character and you run out of horrifying, brain-meltingly foul puns, how about Rameses, the Trojan Shiek?)
"I said, "Guys, I can't write both books in the same period of time."
Damn. Another myth shattered.
You act like you need sleep or something.
heh.
Bobby
Wow- I feel honored. Peter answered my question. Now I have a request. next time you are going to take so long inbetween books- Will you please not make it A FREAKIN' CLIFHANGER!!!!!!!!!
I would be most thankful :)
Also- just a comment- but the posting going with the newest on the top to the oldest is kind of annoying. I liked it better the old way- made for easier reading.
I agree with Patrick. The first post should be at the top, and every subsequent one underneath. Makes more sense than to go down and then scroll back up.
Can't wait for the NF book.
And can I also make another suggestion? The author-identifiation should NOT be equidistant from both the text of its post above and the most recent prior post below. It should be cropped so that it is right next to its post, with a significantly larger space from the next post, so you can see at a glance how it works. Trying to figure out who wrote what is often confusing.
Despite the cliffhanger, I'd rather wait for a good Peter David story than a bad one from anyone else.
Case in point: I'm still waiting to find out from Robert Asprin if Gleep survived the poisoned arrow that was meant for Skeeve at the end of the last Myth Adventures book oh so long ago...
(The recent "Myth-ion Imp-probable" is actually number 3.5; occurring between the third and fourth books!)
What was that? Next NF in the works?
>loud gasp<
OMG! I'm still one book *behind* the upcoming sequal! Ahhh! I better get crackin' on a pay check here! ;)
So without giving anything away about the Hulk, do you think that it is up to snuff to what you did on the title?
Just thoughtof this, if you already answered this question, I'm sorry, new to this whole forum. Feel free to flog as needed.
Why is everyone arguing over the format of the message board? Well whatever, if it makes you happy. I'd just like to say that I'm glad I found this place - it's so neat to be able to hear updates from the author themselves.
Thanks for such fun books Mr. David. You rule. Especially for making cool people like McHenry, Kebron and Soleta.
Thank God you are finally going to finish the cliffhanger. I thought I was going to have to track you down and stand over you at a computer to get you to finish. I'm not a patient person on a good day, let alone a time frame where I'm out of work and looking for things to read.
On a serious note I recently discovered the New Frontier series and I must say I am impressed. It's not many writers who can make me hear the voices of the charecters in my head. Thank you Mr. David.
Kerri
Many greetings from Bonn, Germany.
After I read the first NF novel I became a great fan of your work, Peter. Some of my Star Trek Fans saw the books and now there is a big Fanclub in Germany who cannot wait to read the conclusion of "Being human". The first 6 novels are published in German, too.
Well, one thing we miss: A new NF Comicbook. Also we wish to see more NF Merchandise like the Coverarts as Posters or something like that.
Go on Peter, you do a very good job.
Your great fan
Daniel
Well. there's a lot to be said for some of the above comments. I personally would just like to take the time to tell the world via this forum that i think that Peter David is the best writer i have ever had the privilage to read. Also, i would like to add that the NF series put a fabulous new spin on the history of Trek. I also had heard a rhumour that the new series of Star Trek on tv was going to be nf. To say that i was dissapointed would be a major understatement. Please would somebody convince Paramount that a nf series would be the best way to keep Star Trek alive in the 21st century. PAD, keep up the great work.
new frontier good!
apropros good!
spider-man novelization good!
writing good!
peter david good!
Okay, I'm done.
I'm SO GLAD you wouldn't let the 'Being Human' cliffhanger 'hang' forever. I can't wait to read it!
I read the first NF book a year ago, and have read right through the entire series. It's too bad I caught up with the writing of it.
GREAT SERIES (now get to work :))