Been a while, finished Slaine: The Exile. Had a blast writing some of these scenes, especially after the arrival of a certain smart arse dwarf, but I am glad the book is done and delivered. Working adapting someone else's material was a new experience. I think I come out of the project a better craftsman than I was when I went in. Learning to submerge yourself in someone else's vision isn't a natural thing, at least for me. For once I had to show an element of restraint in how certain things developed because even though I was writing the book these weren't my characters. I have a new found respect for a lot of tie-in writers.

I have to say I love the cover - it has the raw charm of Slaine of old. I am very excited about getting my hands on this bad boy... It's up on Amazon and other sites already and is set to hit the streets for Christmas.

With the book done I am already outlining Retribution, the final von Carstein novel for Lindz at Black Library. It's due on the shelf in March. The second, Dominion, is at the printers right now and hits the streets at the end of July in the UK.

It is all pretty busy stuff - made more difficult by the fact that I have damaged my spine and can't sit at the computer for any real length of time. So for the first time in years I am working in pen and ink again, long hand... it's an interesting and subtle difference in the writing process - slightly more symbiotic and natural than a keyboard, but I find that my brain runs ahead of my hand far more than it ever did at the computer.

Now, to the serious stuff.

Books exist because of coffee.

At least mine do. I work in a great little coffee shop in a place called Gullmarsplan in Stockholm, Waynes. It's a friendly little spot, has wifi, and latte's to die for. Well it does today. On Friday it closes its doors. I am at a loss. I have worked in this place for ages, I've got good friends who work there, and know a ton of the customers... so now I have to wander the streets looking for another spot to settle down in to and make my own. It's daunting. We joke that if you ever want to hold a publisher to randsom kidnap the coffee maker... it's true.