Hi, guys.

It’s been a while since I’ve actually been on the site, partly because of how we got hacked, and then because of . . . stuff. But Gerry Martin and Rob McClellan have done a really good job of getting us back online and I plan to be checking in on a much more regular basis. Part of the “stuff” referenced above were computer problems at my end, and I think I made getting me credentialed on the site again more complicated for Rob than it should have been! Fortunately, he was patient with me.

Mostly, I wanted to give you an update — such as it is — on where I am on the various writing projects.

The past year has been a difficult one. Many of you may already know that we got hit pretty hard by Hurricane Helene, including the complete destruction of my office, the loss of over half of my reference books and library in general, and the total trashing of my pre-hurricane computers. Rebuilding has been incredibly slow and frustrating. In fact, we’ve only really gotten started on it in the last month or so. It’ll be another three months, at least, before it’s finished and I am able to move my current temporary setup into its permanent home in the splendid, completely rebuilt sunroom.

In addition to the dislocations occasioned by unfriendly hurricanes and slow contractors, there have been health issues for both me and for Sharon that have put a very noticeable crimp into anything remotely resembling an orderly writing schedule. As a consequence, I am far, far behind on virtually everything and have a lot of catching up to do.

At the moment, I owe a much delayed 40,000 words or so on a collaborative project that has hung fire very badly. I am in the process of sorting that out. And once that’s done, hopefully Tom Pope and I will do our part on the collaboration with Tim Zahn that has also been delayed but is scheduled for this July. The delay is completely at our end, not Tim’s, so any of you who are upset with the delay, please blame us and not him.

At the same time, I am looking at other projects which have been delayed to a greater or lesser extent over the past year.

Marisa Wolf and I have begun work on the sequel to TO END IN FIRE, although all the stuff I have in the queue ahead of that means that we probably won’t be racing ahead with it.

I also have Richard Fox’s portion of the next Terrence Murphy novel in hand, and I will probably be beginning work on it as soon I have the 40,000 words I owe on the OTHER collaboration and Tom and my part of the collaboration with Tim delivered.

I am looking at at least two more books in the Safehold universe, and the first of those will probably be my next solo project. It’s unlikely that I’ll get to it before the end of this year at the earliest, but I promise it’s coming!

There are at least four more books (as currently planned) in the SWORD OF THE SOUTH storyline, and even more than that in the Norfressa universe in general. Since I am officially 74 this year, it is entirely possible that I won’t get around to finishing Kenhodan’s storyline myself, but I have fully briefed Marisa on that project, and she will complete that storyline for me if I’m unable to. I’m also planning on some collaborative stories and probably at least a couple of solo novels by Marisa in Norfressa so that you guys can get to know each other and her writing voice. I venture to predict that you will like the way she tells stories very, very much. I certainly do.

Jane Lindskold and I have completed the story outline for the next Star Kingdom novel, and I owe her the first couple of chapters before we can really get started on that. I plan to take a long enough break from the 40,000 words to get those written and off to her, at which point she will have the launchpad to begin her part of the manuscript.

I’m sure there’s something that I’m forgetting, but I think that’s about everything. At any rate, it’s enough to keep me busy for the next little bit!

I’ll try to keep you updated if — although it’s almost certainly “when,” and not “if” — life decides to come along and disorder my plans yet again!

In the meantime, just let me say that you guys are the reason I’ve been able to write the books and tell the tales I’ve told for the last thirty years or so, and you are deeply, deeply appreciated. The fact that you’ve chosen to come along for the ride means a lot to me.

Take care, all.