Friday, June 24, 2011

The End Of The World

Ah, Skulduggery, my old friend. Look how much you’ve changed my life. When you popped into my head six years ago (to the very MONTH) I had no idea what it would mean. Valkyrie came to me within sixty seconds of your arrival. In the next three minutes, I had China and Ghastly and Tanith and Bliss and Serpine- and suddenly I was writing a book. More than one, actually.

A nine book series. Thank GOD I envisioned this as nine books. What if I’d only envisioned it as a trilogy? Then it would have ended two years ago, and these characters who I love writing about would be finished, with no more stories to tell.

It isn’t JUST the nine books, though, because now there are a host of short stories I’ve written, and a lot more I’ve yet to write. These stories are a way for me to write about things or characters or ideas that I just don’t have the space for in the books. At the moment, these stories can only be found in the paperback editions, and while we’re looking into ways of making them available to everyone, for the moment the paperbacks are the only way you can own them. I’d love if there were a way for you to hand over a few cents or pence in a bookshop so you could take that short story home with you, but we can’t do that just yet.

However, next year you’ll be getting something a little special.

World Book Day is a worldwide celebration of reading and books. In Ireland and the UK it’s usually held at the start of March, while the rest of the world tends to hold it in April. I don’t know why it can’t be held on the SAME day, but there you go. To encourage people to pick up a book and start reading, a select few are sold for one pound, or exchanged for Book Tokens. They’re fairly small books, it has to be said, and so they’re REALLY a sort of extended short story… But even so, it’s a wonderful enterprise, and I’m honoured to have been chosen to write a BRAND NEW Skulduggery adventure for World Book Day 2012.

I’m writing it at the moment, actually, in between edits of Death Bringer. I’ve managed to get my publishers to agree to make it 15,000 words long- which is the most they could manage (the average Skulduggery short story is anywhere between 3000 and 5000 words). Frankly, I wanted to make it the longest book it could possibly be within the World Book Day limits because I want to make it worth your while to pick up. In terms of a page count, 15,000 words is roughly equivalent to 90 pages of the Mortal Coil paperback, so it’ll probably be around one sixth of the length of Mortal Coil. It isn’t a full length book, but it’s something cool and new and AFFORDABLE to add to your collection.

The story takes place a few months after Death Bringer and it’s called The End Of The World. Apart from anything else, it’ll be a nice way to bridge the gap between Death Bringer and Book Seven, which will be released in September 2012- as planned- and which is called, er… Dave.

4,480 comments:

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Mar-Chu said...

*flips through a few books*

*grabs Mortal Coil and tries to find the word 'destruction'*

Aquila Felis said...

*wakes up*

Hi Mar! Hi Thalia!

Min (Thalia) said...

Hello, I'm back. Had to go paint.

Aquila Felis said...

Paint a wall?

Min (Thalia) said...

Paint the floor of our sun porch. My idiot cat walked in the wet paint.

Aquila Felis said...

Well, that'd give nice footprints, I guess...

Min (Thalia) said...

*nods*

Such an odd cat...anyway....comment 3333! Woot!

Mar-Chu said...

*leaps back*

WAHA!

*straightens up*

I have news.

Aquila Felis said...

What news, Mar?

Min (Thalia) said...

Hi Mar!

*hugs*

What is it?

Mar-Chu said...

I won't be on for a while, starting on July 11th.

Min (Thalia) said...

Ok, um, why though?

Aquila Felis said...

*waits for Mar's answer*

Min (Thalia) said...

*kick her internet*

Stop crashing

Mar-Chu said...

Well, we're going to Montana. And Wyoming. Much to my displeasure. I'd be fine with Montana and, say, IDAHO, but not Wyoming.

Min (Thalia) said...

Oh.

*hugs Mar*

Have fun! I think I'll be in Canada when you get back, but I'll see you sometime in August!

Min (Thalia) said...

Oh, I g2g for a bit. Bye all!

Aquila Felis said...

Bye Thalia!

Mar, why not Wyoming?

Mar-Chu said...

I don't like Wyoming.

*shifts from foot to foot*

Reason not to be mentioned.

*waves*

See you later Thalia!

Mar-Chu said...

*scowls*

My mom told be something...but I wasn't even half awake...and now I think she went somewhere...and maybe there's something I have to DO...

Mar-Chu said...

oh...Oh...OH!

I KNOW WHERE SHE IS!

AND I REMEMBER WHAT SHE TOLD ME TO DO! AHA!

BRB!

Mar-Chu said...

...there's this wasp down in the basement.

I told my mom through email.

She's telling me to kill it.

BUT I'M AFRAID!

*grabs a cup and a frypan*

WAAAAAAAAH!

*charges down in the basement*

Mar-Chu said...

Um...

Mom through email: It has pretty wings. It's makes such a musical buzz xxxx

UUUUUUUUM...

Mar-Chu said...

Mom: Waspy, Waspy I hear you sleeping. Waspy , Waspy all day long . Buzz buzz so merrily, stinging so hairily, Waspy Waspy so far from home!!

Aquila Felis said...

gtg for my dinner / tea (first one English lesson, second one Dragona... I have no clue, really.)

Mar-Chu said...

...eh?

Okay, well, uh, see you later!

*waves*

Min (Thalia) said...

*kicks another stone into Blogland*

Mar-Chu said...

*a stone shoots past none other then Mar's face*

*Mar jumps back and shrieks*

WHAT?! THIS IS JUST LIKE SECOND GRADE GYM!

Min (Thalia) said...

*cackles evilly*

*throws confetti at Mar*

Mar-Chu said...

*screams*

Aquila Felis said...

*returns*

Min (Thalia) said...

Sorry for the delay, had to go help mum with something. And then I finished typing up a poem.

Min (Thalia) said...

Hi again Aquila!

Aquila Felis said...

Hi again Thalia!

Aquila Felis said...

... I wish I could value your poetry, but my English isn't really good enough to tell a good poem from a bad one. Not to mention I don't understand most of your poems... ^^

Min (Thalia) said...

Ah, that's perfectly fine ^^ Most of my poems are...well, dark and sad, and not the best thing around.

Aquila Felis said...

At least they're no love poems. Most poems we have to read for school are love poems. *sighs*

Min (Thalia) said...

I dislike love poems, for the most part. Most aren't very well written.

Aquila Felis said...

They are all well written, but ... *shrugs*

Min (Thalia) said...

The ones we have to read aren't. Their mostly just cliche 'Roses are red, violets are blue....'.

Violets are PURPLE.

Rachel McCoach said...

unless its a viola sororia :) theyre blue...

and heyaa!! *hugs*

Min (Thalia) said...

Hi Rachel!

*hugs*

How're you?

Aquila Felis said...

Ours ARE well written. Not to mention there are A LOT of stylistic devices in them. And some are sad, others happy, others hopefully... they are quite different, actually. But most are love poems. ... *shrugs*

Rachel McCoach said...

:) im awesome, U?

a few of us are on the chat thing :)

Min (Thalia) said...

That's actually pretty cool Aquila!

Rachel - Eeeeehhhhhh, I guess I'm okay. Just had one of those days when I looked in the mirror and see everything wrong with myself. But other than that, I'm good.

Who's on the chat?

Quinnera Elviana: 5th Seat of the Council of the Lost Ones said...

I AM!









HI THALIA! *hugs* :D

Rachel McCoach said...

aquila, nj, taia and quinn...and me!

:)

Aquila Felis said...

Me, Rachel, NJ, Taia and Quinn.

Min (Thalia) said...

Hi Quinn!

*hugs*

I'm tempted to join the chat. Tempted. But not quite there.

Rachel McCoach said...

quinn, nj, aquila and i are now SDMF!!

:P

Min (Thalia) said...

Whaaaa????

Min (Thalia) said...

There. A poem.

http://yourealllatefortea.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-is-poem.html

Rachel McCoach said...

Saving Drowning Men Foundation!!

Min (Thalia) said...

Okaaayyy....

Min (Thalia) said...

I g2g. Bye all!

Aquila Felis said...

Bye Thalia!

Mar-Chu said...

...we're...going to the beach.

and by beach, I mean Lake Erie.

...you know, the past two years we've been spending more...family time...

...it's weird. I found out one of my cousins can't swim. And that another is terrified of butterflies.

..hmmmm....

Aquila Felis said...

I love my cousins. All 10 of them... ^^

Falcon Rider said...

hey guys! :P

Aquila Felis said...

Hi Falcon!

Falcon Rider said...

hey Aqulia

Aquila Felis said...

Sorry, I'm on the chat, so I'm kinda slow...

Bekka said...

Hi, my name is Bekka and I am one of your avid American fans. I am doing my best to spread the minionship here but it is dificult because the fourth and fifth books are not out here. Do you know if your publisher has any plans to release them here? Congradulations on securing the Irish book thingy! I will be sure to get a copy of the End Of The World even if I have to fly to Ireland to get a hold of it. Luckily that will not be necessary, I realize you don't actually have to know this but I like to type. Again, congradulations.

nights.raven said...

hi everyone

Jackskin said...

hi everyone god I hav'nt chatted in ages damn for being so busy

nights.raven said...

lol hi jack

Jackskin said...

is it just me *lets out a long string of swear words and then says sorry* great :(

Jackskin said...

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I love you RAV you saved me from lonliness thank you so much *starts crying*

Jackskin said...

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

nights.raven said...

np

Jackskin said...

whats np

nights.raven said...

no problem

Jackskin said...

oh see I didn't get that so what you been doing I've just finished re reading harry potter and the goblet of fire

Jackskin said...

yesssssssss I made 3401 and first on last page

nights.raven said...

cool, i'm still reading The Belgariad lol

nights.raven said...

congratz

Jackskin said...

cooooool have you ever read this series called cherub or hendersons boys there spy books about childeren who do the spying chereub is the first series and hendersons boys are the second series about how chereub came into being during world war two

nights.raven said...

no i haven't, sounds cool though

Jackskin said...

+_________________^

Jackskin said...

yeah it is though hendersons boys are my fave

Jackskin said...

though there nothing compared to the enemie its this book about everyone over fourteen die or are turned into mindless creatures who eat the children its amazing but still nothing compared to sp

Jackskin said...

........ RAve you still there also what you doing

nights.raven said...

im here, srry im listening to music

Jackskin said...

sorry I talk and chat alot

Jackskin said...

ahhh I see

Jackskin said...

yeah I'm listing to music

Jackskin said...

what music do you like

nights.raven said...

rock

nights.raven said...

whats ur favorite artist?

Jackskin said...

um thats a hard one um I like rock music like alice cooper maralyn manson rainbow and others I also like soft rock like the human league gary nueman softsell andkaiser chiefs (you can see on my profile if you click on jackskin wht other artists I like)

nights.raven said...

cool, i basically like one main band, its called Disturbed, but i like others too, like Three Days Grace, Theory of a Deadman, and stuff like that, lol

Jackskin said...

I've never heard of them sorry whats your fave book other than belgaraid

nights.raven said...

i like Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, Ranger's Apprentice, and Pendragon, and, of course, SP lol

Jackskin said...

I've heard of nichols flamel but none of the others I like sp cherub and hendersons boys the medusa project harry potter alpha force the enemy lotr (lord of the rings) um maximum ride long reach and darren shan (both sereis demmonata and vampires assitant) what tv shows do you like

Jackskin said...

RAVE speak to me oh no someone call an ambulance

nights.raven said...

i like NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, Sanctuary, Supernatural, Charmed, and Angel lol

Jackskin said...

cool I don't watch loads so I don't know what i paticulay like though I know i like friends and my name is earl and scubs

Jackskin said...

sorry thats ment to be friends my name is earl and scrubs ;) ;0

nights.raven said...

lol its ok

Jackskin said...

yeah any sisters or brothers

nights.raven said...

i have one older sister

Jackskin said...

I have one younger brother

Jackskin said...

well I'm going to bed so au'revior madame night raven we should do this again sometime au'revior*gives you massive bear hug and kisses your hand goes to the door does little bow than leaves*

nights.raven said...

night jack

Jackskin said...

goodnight tommorow mabye we will be able to chat who knows hopefully we will good luck reading the belgaraid

Jackskin said...

<_> #_#

Jackskin said...

sorry goodnight RAVE

Jackskin said...

byyye anyone whos on here

nights.raven said...

night jack, thx :)

Jackskin said...

yess my last comment before this was 3440

Jackskin said...

whats thx

nights.raven said...

thanks

Jackskin said...

I thought so oh well night ... night RAVE

nights.raven said...

night

nights.raven said...

hi kallista, ok

nights.raven said...

srry im so quiet, watching NCIS lol

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*twidles thumbs*

Gepard Valk said...

Shmello

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Smello mrister Valk *bows*

Gepard Valk said...

Shmello Mrisses Croga -bows and falls over-

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*sweeps up Shepard with a giant brush*

nights.raven said...

hey everyone

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*gepard

*glares at iPod* we have talked about your auto correct Okaii!

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Hello raven! *bows and falls over before getting brushed away by her giant brush also

Oh fudge monkeys!

Niamhy Jay said...

Hey

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Heya NJ!

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*yawns* just restin me eyes :P

Niamhy Jay said...

Hey Nicolette

How's you??

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Tired :P 9 hours sleep in 72 hours is ridiculous

Niamhy Jay said...

that really is

Gepard Valk said...

Back

Niamhy Jay said...

Hey Gepard

Gepard Valk said...

Hi

Niamhy Jay said...

*raises hand slowly and unsure*

nights.raven said...

*raises hand slowly* i think...

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

LOL Kallista!!!¡¡¡!!!

And yes, hi all!!!¡¡¡!!!

nights.raven said...

hi pyro

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

Hi Raven!!!¡¡¡!!!

nights.raven said...

how r u?

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

I'm very good thanks

And you?

nights.raven said...

im good :)

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

I wandered lonely as a cloud,
That floats on high o'er dales and hills,
When all at once I came upon,
My dog being sick on the daffodils.

(\(\
( -.-)
o_(")(")

Niamhy Jay said...

Hey Pyro How's you??

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

Good thanks NJ!

How's you too?

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

(_8^(|)

*<):o)


(\(\
( -.-)
o_(")(")


. _________
/' 'T' '|[__|__]
[---T--L -OIIIIIIIO-]
()_)"""()_)/"**"\)_)

Niamhy Jay said...

I'm OK :)

nights.raven said...

brb

Niamhy Jay said...

kk

nights.raven said...

back

Niamhy Jay said...

I want kal back!!
to get rid of them ones!!

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

. _|''|_
. (',' )
.<( : )>
. (___)

This will fail won't it?

Niamhy Jay said...

THE CHAT IS SAVED

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

I baked you a pie!

Oh boy! What flavour?

(-_-)

Pie flavour!

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

*glares at xat*

Niamhy Jay said...

Kewl... Can i have some Pie flavoured Pie??

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

Random quotes are cool…

Niamhy Jay said...

Why dont you go on Xat Pyro??

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

For example: someone's last words were 'Die my dear? Why that's the last thing I'll do!'

Pyro-Dawn Tyromant said...

It requires flash and apple don't seem to like flash all that much…

Niamhy Jay said...

Umm...

Niamhy Jay said...

Stupid Apple

Ann Marie said...

It's really been half an hour since anyone's been here? :-(

lego said...

hi ann!

lego said...

*is sad*

Ann Marie said...

Hi Legolas! How are you?

Ann Marie said...

... why sad?

lego said...

back!

lego said...

I was only sad because I thought no one was here.

lego said...

but now I am happy!

Ann Marie said...

I'm just really slow. How's it going?

nights.raven said...

hi ann, how r you?

Ann Marie said...

I'm ok. Kinda hot. Tired as usual... LOL. Cause you really wanted to know.

How are you?

nights.raven said...

lol, im good

Ann Marie said...

I'm meant to be writing, but I can't get away from distractions.

Not the best way to think of my youngest child, eh.

Ann Marie said...

Hi Kal! Where you been?

Ann Marie said...

Very late birthday fic for Ev. I don't know why I agreed to that. I can't write. :-P

I guessed wrong on the typo! I like binding better than bringing right there.

I love the new verse, so pretty!

You didn't mess up bad. It was a tiny typo.

lego said...

sorry, I had to go

Ann Marie said...

*thinks* No. You would love it no matter what. Ev is a little more judgmental than you are. XD

Ann Marie said...

*yelps at swinging Legolas and retreats out of the way quickly*

lego said...

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! *crashes into ann*

Ann Marie said...

Owwww.

*flails and moans piteously*

lego said...

sorry 'bout that.

Ann Marie said...

*laughs* You don't need my permission to give her a noogie! Really, noogie away!

So, when's your birthday?

Ann Marie said...

I'm sorry, Kal. RS pulled me away for a bit. December 25!

Goodnight! *hugs*

nights.raven said...

any1 on?

nights.raven said...

anyone on?

Jaffa Morbid said...

Ahhhhhhhh! Exciting!

Updated my blog btw

nights.raven said...

hi jaffa

Jackskin said...

anyone here

Jackskin said...

just me oh well proberly will come off then

Jackskin said...

I always miss people

Niamhy Jay said...

Hello??

Isabella Midnight said...

anyone on?

Isabella Midnight said...

Nope ah well. I won't speak then. Not going back on chat

nights.raven said...

im gonna go to sleep, ill be on later *waves* bye anyone whos on, and anyone who comes on, srry i missed u

Hazel Picturesque said...

Hey Onliners!

Hazel Picturesque said...

*Curses in fustration*
DAMN IT! No one is on at the times I am!!!

Well 'Hi' to whoever read this!

Isabella Midnight said...

HIIIIIIIII

Min (Thalia) said...

*throws her pillow into Blogland, feeling that it is more safe than rocks*

Min (Thalia) said...

*frowns*

*goes to get breakfast*

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