As for those who cursed me for drawing it out so long, all I can say is... "heh." It amuses me to torture you, have you not learned this yet?
Over the coming weeks and months you'll be finding out a lot more about Demon Road, but I figured I'd answer a few questions now.
For starters, this is NOT the cover.
This is just a nifty holding image we give out so that people can pre-order if they want to. Hence the following link: http://www.pages01.net/harpercollinspublishersltd/DerekLandy-DemonRoad/
The ACTUAL cover, and the new cover artist, will be revealed in due time.
The release date is, as you can see, the 27th of August. Yesterday we said the 28th, but we figured out a way to get it to you a day earlier, and we took it.
Demon Road is both the name of the first book AND the name of the overall trilogy.
It WILL be a trilogy.
The books will be released 6 months apart. This is the way the publishing industry is going, to be honest — especially for children's books/YA. It's a hectic, bruising schedule, which will mean I'm gonna be overworked for the rest of the year, but hey... I'm quite looking forward to it, actually. I always felt bizarrely guilty for making you wait a year between Skulduggery books, so I'm going to see if this way is better.
Ah yes, and it will be Young Adult as well. There's nothing in it (yet) that is amazingly inappropriate for younger readers — maybe a word or two, slipping into older territory — but it's just the overall feel of the thing.
I'm TRYING to write shorter books. I was aiming for a Dark Days length, roughly 80,000 words. I have to write three of these books this year, and I can't have them spiralling out of control like Skulduggery did. I'm currently at 91,000 words. Hopefully I won't go above 100,000, which is roughly where Mortal Coil was. Hopefully.
Right now, I've only signed a contract with Harper Collins UK, which will publish the books in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and Canada. Over the next while, I'll be signing with foreign language publishers also — but for most of them, I'll need to show them the finished book. Harper UK trust me enough to sign a contract with what they've already seen of the book as I'm writing it.
There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be published in America as well.
Oh, and yes, I will be touring with Demon Road, but it's far too early to say where.
Posts
4,785 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 800 of 4785 Newer› Newest»Onwa: Easier said than done when we can't find her..
*rolls eyes*
Please say a date..
MrBBWolf: *swallows and shouts back*
Y-yeah.. one sec-c..
*looks back at Lilith*
Lil: *giggles* dada!
(hey Val!)
*hugs Gemma* Hey! :)
Hi, Valkyrie! :)
wbd
(Hey Val.)
MrBBWolf: Shh.. Shh.. it's okay..
*kisses her forehead*
*whispers*
Look after Chris, okay?
Liliana: She will be around here somewhere.
Bethany: ... What date is it today?
Hey Chloe. Hello Taia. Hi Silente.
I'm so bored. Apparently today is every maniacal supervillain's day off.
...
Technically, I guess that's a good thing, but it leaves Skulduggery and me with nothing interesting to do.
Lil: *tilts her head*
Chris: cooooommmmmmmmmme onnnnnnnnnn!
Would you like it if I came in and told you the world was about to die?
(So make something interesting happen, duh.
*rolls eyes*
Stupid mortal.)
Onwa: Indeed. somewhere..
The 6th of March.
MrBBWolf: *is crying again*
Daddy l-loves you..
*steps back, taking out his watch*
(hey Skully!)
Lil: *cries* dada!
Well no, not exactly, but at least it'd be something to do!
(hey inky :))
You did not just call me that.
*Scowls*
(how art thou?)
Meh...
(Actually I did. After all, you ARE mortal.)
MrBBWolf: Shh.. i-its ok-kay..
*steps back to her a second, tucking her in with the teddy*
*places his hat on her head gently*
(*hugs gemma*)
Chris: *walks upstairs* come on! food is all ready!
I was saying hi to chloe, not everything is about you :P (I am great actually wbu?) What would you like to do then ?
(*huggles Gem* you are more thana a thing
so are you Jai
so please, change your names)
(im good
watching markplier)
Do you know how many vampires I've killed? They were all bigger than you, too, so you can stop talking now.
Liliana: It is her dream. She has to be close. *a faint sobbing can be heard*
Bethany: Say... the twentieth? That should give me enough time to meet everyone... I think.
(Not till gem changes her name..)
MrBBWolf: Sorry I..d-dirty diaper again..
Skulduggery, she's insulting my honor. This would be a good time for a witty comeback or something.
Not that I'm not capable of witty comebacks or anything.
Chris: okay... have you been crying?
Lil: *sniffles and whimpers*
(*chuckles* big talk ms Cain. *looks at skully* tell you dog to stop barking.)
Onwa: *walks towards the sobbing*
Six days..?
Ah the mortal thing, you can die you know? she's not wrong, just because you have escaped it so many times doesn't make it impossible. ( I love him :P~not as much as bae~)
MrBBWolf: N-no..
Hello again.
Jai, Gem, you're people, not things.
Chris: really? are you sure?
(I know. But it's funny to wind her up.)
You're accusing me of big talk? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds coming from you? How old were you when you were bitten? Ten?
MrBBWolf: Yeah..
*gently fidgets with the covers*
I'll be down in a sec.
I could tell the dog to stop barking but then it'll bite.
Chris: okay... *leaves*
(Twelve, actually. And I could hardly control that now could I?)
(*grins* The dog, bite? She'd hardly leave a scratch.)
MrBBWolf: *licks his lips slightly*
*kisses Lilith's forehead*
Be a big girl for a-daddy..
In this world we use the word mortal to refer to a normal, non-magical person who is usually really oblivious and clueless. Somebody boring. I may not live forever, but I'm hardly one of them.
Lil: dada...dada *cries*
Oh, so now you're both calling me a dog?
Here we go again. You are a sorcerer yes but you can die therefore making you mortal she meant the literal sense not figurative as far as I know?
(Oh, so you're referring to your own family a boring?)
MrBBWolf: P-please Lily.. d-don't cry.. you still have mama.. and ch-chris..
Oh, shut up. She clearly meant it in the most offensive sense possible.
Also, you're supposed to be on my side here!
Chris: comes back* whats with the racket?
Lil: dada! dada! *cries*
(brb)
MrBBWolf: Sh-she won't stop c-crying..
(Kk..)
Liliana: *she follows*
Lorelei: *she is hidden in the corner behind a column of rock, crying softly*
Liliana: *she checks behind them*
*a ghostly figure pops up in front of Liliana, and slaps her hard across the face* *the ghost has a skull for a head, and is wearing a tattered white wedding dress*
Liliana: *she hisses* You did not just do that. *she slaps the ghost back, hard enough to break its neck* *she promptly generates a black and purple orb in her hand, and presses it against the ghost's head* *the ghost convulses before turning into ash* Bitch.
Bethany: Fourteen days... including the time for the holiday... That won't be enough... Will it?
I'm on my side. You can deal with vampires we know that, just because one insulted you doesn't mean I have to come to your rescue.
Actually, isn't calling mortals inferior and boring sort of considered elitist and offensive?
Toodloo.
Shut up, monster.
Don't look at me, look at Silente.
(Oh wow. Oldest line in the book. 'Monster'. Geez if you're gonna insult someone at least be original. Airhead.)
Onwa: *smirks and walks over to Lorelei*
Probably not no..
(Hi trip.)
Well, you are a monster. Also, airhead really isn't that original, either.
Besides, what do you know about family? Your family's probably dead, and it's probably your fault too, knowing your type.
*leans against wall watching the amusing argument* you wanted something interesting I think I found it.
Do you have to turn everything into some sort of character lesson?
(More original than monster.
*smirks*
Not quite all my family. Although, yes, it was partially my fault. But I can hardly help that. You're the one who deserts your family daily.)
Yes I do, I rather think it is a helpful lesson to take the good whilst they are coming. Enjoy now for the little things.
(I thought Phaestra revived Silente's family.)
Lorelei: ... You're here?
Liliana: *she rubs her cheek gently*
Bethany: ... Thirtieth?
(She did.. but like she killed them the first time, and with distant family.. *shrugs*)
Onwa: we are.
*kisses Liliana's cheek*
Hmm.. thats only eight days..
I don't "desert" them. I keep Valkyrie Cain and Stephanie Edgely as two separate people so morons like you decide that attacking my family is a good way to get at me and Skulduggery.
Also you may be a couple hundred years old or whatever, but you're a snot-brained little brat who thinks she's superior to everyone else because she's a vampire but she's actually really annoying and whenever she's around someone who's actually really awesome, she gets all jealous and starts acting like a little baby who thinks she's special but really isn't.
You know where my powers come from? Practice, hard work, a bit of natural awesomeness and charm, that's where.
You know where your powers come from? Being bitten on the neck.
Liliana: *she smiles* No one out-slaps me.
Lorelei: Good... This is full of ghosts...
Bethany: Twelfth of April?
Whatever, Skulduggery.
*rolls eyes*
(Do you know nothing about vampires? Well of course you know nothing about vampires, why would you. All my magic has been practiced, I've just had years to perfect them and will have years more. And ask China how long it takes to master sigils. Just cause I got bit doesn't mean I lost my magic or that I don't work hard. Get off your high horse.)
Onwa: Good. Although I may have to test that claim later.
*smirks*
Oh. Yeah, that could work. April 13th..Hmm..
On that lovely note, I think I'm wasting my time here.
Sorry to all you lovely folks who aren't stuck-up little vampires. :)
Bye!
(*grunts* Bye Valkyrie! T'was a pleasure. Hope I entertained you enough.)
Liliana: Hmm... I like the sound of that.
Bethany: Would that be alright?
Onwa: *grins*
Good.
Yeah. Monday the thirteen of April.
*grins*
Sounds perfect.
Bye val *smirks that was ammusing*
*another ghost pops up beside Liliana, but her hands glow purple and the ghost's empty eye sockets turn purple*
Liliana: The parasite is not exceptionally good.
Bethany: Good. *she smiles* Just like you.
(I will be back soon.)
Onwa: Mm..indeed...
*shakes head, smiling*
Or like you..
(*frowns* hmm.. it may've been smarter to have it on the eleventh.. at, like, 8pm..)
(I am back.)
Liliana: I enjoy controlling the dead.
Bethany: *she shakes her head*
I'm having to fight to hold Kes back from, like, attacking Skul.
(Not really here)
(xD don't do it Kes!)
Onwa: It is rather cool
*waves at the ghost*
*kisses her gently*
Definitely like you.
She thinks she'd win, too.
She's not very bright.
(Naww don't be mean. I bet she wouldn't do so bad..)
Not bright at all.
Don't encourage her. She doesn't have anything that could challenge Vile, and has decided on the worst time ever to stop being a coward.
Anyway. T'sup? Does Val come on and insult you often?
Skul, it's be appreciated if you DIDN'T insult her. She's loud enough as it is.
Have to go, bbs.
(Meh. Not really. She's a newbie.)
Doubt I'd have to bring out vile.
*the ghost waves back*
Bethany: I'm not perfect...
Onwa: You're amazing
*smiles at Liliana*
You know that?
Shh. You are.
:)
It's cool we're seeing original chqracters.
Well
actually
they're non-original characters. XD
Haha irony.
I mean, SP characters. Original to the canon. :P
Also, my room looks like a room with the wallpaper stripped off. O_O
Liliana: I am not, and I do not. Lorelei, do you know where the parasite is?
Lorelei: *she shakes her head*
Ghost: I do.
Bethany: I'm really not...
Claire: *she calls from outside the changing room* I've found some clothes you might like.
Onwa: Show us
Okay.. coming.
*squeezes Beth then steps out*
Clothes?
Also, I have PILES of books on the landing, and those are just mu REJECT BOOKS THAT WON'T FOT ON MY BOOMCASE
AND THERE'S PILES OF THEM
STORMS. O_O
Ghost: *it starts floating further into the cave*
Claire: *she holds up a short, dark green skirt and black tights* I thought Bethany would like these?
Onwa: *starts following the ghost*
*smiles*
Yeah. I'll have her try them on. You okay?
Liliana: *she follows behind Onwa, taking Lorelei's hand and pulling her with them*
Claire: Yep, I'm fine. There's a chair. *she shrugs* Sure it's taking up space next to the shoes but who cares?
(Star, that is exactly what I used to be like when I was younger.)
Onwa: *keeps following the ghost*
*rolls eyes and kisses her forehead*
Behave.
@Star: That's an awesome feeling. :)
But, you withdraw books from the library, too, don't you? That'd add a way to your piles, too. :0
(Side note that there was once a time I could listen to Johnny Cash without crying.
That time is not now.)
Liliana: Allow me to go in front, Onwa.
Claire: I will don't worry. *she smiles, walking off again*
Onwa: *smiles, looking back over her shoulder*
Unlikely.
*ducks back into the changing rooms*
From Claire.
*holds up the skirt and tights*
Liliana: *she raises her hand and the ghost stops* Let me go first or we are not going any further.
Bethany: *she nods* I'll try them on. *she slips off the jeans*
Onwa: *frowns*
Liliana..
*shrugs, walking past the ghost and continuing to walk*
*folds the jeans for her*
Liliana: Onwa, stop. Please, allow me to go first. I want you to look after Lorelei. I am sure that I will be able to defeat the parasite.
Bethany: Thanks. *she smiles, putting on the tights* *she pulls them up, before slipping on the skirt* *it finishes rather far up her thigh* Hmm... It's rather short... But I suppose the tights cover everything... And they're black...
Onwa: *sighs and stops*
If there's any chance of you being hurt then you back up, okay?
*grins*
Mmm.. Claire has good taste.. although I think it'd be just as nice without the tights.
Liliana: I shall, do not worry. *she moves in front of Onwa*
Ghost: *continues to walk*
Bethany: I like it with the tights... It's a very short skirt... I don't think I'd be alright wearing it without them? Because... nervous. And... cold.
Onwa: *walks little more than a step to Liliana's side, slightly behind her*
*nods*
I know.
*smiles*
Hmm.. wedding dress..
Liliana: Thank you, Onwa. It does mean a lot.
Bethany: *she gently flaps the skirt a little with her hand, attempting to get used to it a little* We'll both have to have one... What if I trip over the long bit at the back?
(I will be back soon.)
Onwa: *nods*
You're welcome..
*smiles*
I could always wear a suit.. and you won't trip over the train.
*really, really considers rewatching 28 Days Later*
Liliana: *she continues to follow the ghost through the cave*
Bethany: Would you prefer to wear a suit?
...
*floats around Blogland ghostly(ghostily?)*
With a flourish, a flash, a flock of fantastic fowl flying fitly, fair and foul, the figure flings itself in.
*looks at this new Foolishly Foolish Fool*
*waves slightly in greeting*
*looks at her picture*
...
*wants to change it again*
*fades distantly to do so*
The figure straightens up, rollings its shoulders.
'ello, there.
*can't find any pictures, so just leaves it blank*
...
*tilts her head, wondering if she knows him*
*hesitates*
... Hi.
*sits with Zanida and for once lets her lay on him*
*waves to Loki and Zaf*
He(?) solemnly clear his throat, and withdraws a tattered piece of parchment from deep within his equally tattered cloak.
"I come bearing the gravest of news. Upon this day, the twenty-seventh of June, seven thousand and four, any and all roleplay is forevermore disallowed."
Beat.
And the figure promptly dissolves into high-pitched laughter, clutching at his stomach. Big, hiccuping giggles, the kind that you could suffocate a child with.
*(Or she?)*
*tilts her head at this news*
*has no idea what to think*
The figure spreads their arms wide, the cloak hanging lamely from them.
Behold, the harbinger of your destruction!
They don't cut a very impressive figure. Scrawny, wrapped in scraggly, scuffed clothes, not scared stiff but surely so stunted that they wouldn't last in a scrap.
(I rather approve of all the alliterations.)
*appears again*
Hello? :/
(Hello, Tia.)
The figure airily twirls to face Keating, dropping into a grandiose bow.
Naught but a trick of the trade, m'dam.
*decides to stop not-speaking because it's not really working*
Hi Kas, Soph.
*just blinks at the 'figure', not wanting to call it simply Fool, but not knowing who it is to call it otherwise*
Hello, Sophia and F.
@F "Voilà ! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. [carves 'V' into poster on wall] The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V." - V
*cuddles Hopeymoth* Hey, dear. :)
(Nevertheless, it must be hard to speak continuously in such a manner.
Lavender, if my memory serves me well, I have an idea of who it is.)
*can barely read any of that V stuff*
Like whoa @.@
*nods in acknowledgement to Soph because she can't think of a response to say*
*hugs Kas back*
Oh, but V is full of great ideas.
Almost birdlike, the figure's head bobs and tilts to one side as they stare at Hope.
As the tricks of the trade of tricks take time to truly titillate, I suppose the thunderous applause will come later.
As for YOU, m'dam, while I always enjoy a compliment from a lady, I believe I'll have to direct this one to the way of a used fruit skin.
Oh my gosh.
C basically texted me luke "Do you have Whatsapp?" and I was luke "No" and she was like "Get it" and I was like "Whhhyyyy?" and she was like "I'll tell you on Whatsapp. Me and B had an idea and it's very important "
So I got Whatsapp
and basically
they decided to make a forum group chat thing for fandoms.
Like
all fandoms
for us to post whatever.
And then C was like "Let's write characters crom different fandoms" so I taught the others gow to roleplay ans I've been roleplayung Kaladin wirh Katniss and Sam and Dean and Nico for the past few hours and it iz the BEST.
Awesome this comes out a month after my birthday
*nods, half dazed*
Right, applause coming later.
Hopeymoth! ^.^
[Blinks]
And, no, none of them are library books. XD
Star-Bubble! *huggles*
Whoopsies, read that wrong.
TJ: Maybe you'll be able to get the book as a late present. :)
Star: O.O Whoa, awesome idea.
*hugs Moss*
Hey, Fabi. Deleted comment?
Mine, it was incorrect. Sorry.
S'okay. *hugs Hope and just smiles*
S'okay. *hugs Hope and just smiles*
He, they, insert pronoun of choice withdraws a decrepit "APPLAUSE" sign from within the cloak.
It weakly flickers with a faint red light as they hold it up, obviously not putting its heart into it.
*hugs back*
Whatchu so smiley abouts?
Hi :)
Sorry, I'm going soon. . . I need to get to sleep so I canwake up and continue roleplating as Kaladin with my schoolfriends at eight. :P
But like
when I finish roleplaying with them
I'm totally coming here and roleplaying Kaladin here, I think. XD
*claps as half-heartedly as the sign's efforts*
:P
...
I can never stay in a mood for long, even if I kinda want to...
Apologizes, my author decided to write a letter to her brother.
Looking forward to seeing what he's like, Star. :)
If I'm even here for it...
It's okay, Loki. How /is/ your author doing?
And, of course, yourself?
@Zaf ... *doesn't really know what to say* ... how are you and your brother doing?
@Hopeymoth You! :)
What makes me so smile worthy? I'm not doing anything, really.
Eh, you probably won't like him. He's rather unpleasant and dislikeable. XD
@Star: Well, that's nice. *sarcastic*
:P
[A passing sound-mixer sees the sign and quickly pieces together an applause track]
Yeah! Woo hoo!
No idea.
The jester gestures with a gesticulation of geniality, gently giving the great gal a thumbs up.
Alright as can be...
*nods*
-Zaf
I am fine, I am waiting in hope my dearest Rose will be on soon.
[The sound-mixer smiles slightly and shrugs shyly.]
*smiles in amusement at the foolish figure*
*offers Zaf a hug*
*hasn't seen Danni or her characters since she (can't remember exactly if this was the right words she used) wanted to be forgotten from peoples' memories*
...
...
*mentally adds more curses to herself for forgetting to give Noelle a hug today*
*gives Noelle extra hugs today*
Sliding over like an oil spill, they wrap an arm around the sound mixer's shoulders.
Both hands being occupied, the "APPLAUSE" sign clatters gently on the grass, nearby.
Why, a sound mixer than willn't speak and a Fool who willn't stop! If we put our minds together, I have no doubt we'd take the world by storm.
[The sound-mixer contemplates the concept, then creates a cacophany of cyclone-noises]
A smile rises up on the Fool's face, like the sun, if the sun had an overbite and buckteeth.
Marvelous, my magnificently magnanimous maker of mixed mayhem!
*Watches the Fool curiously*
[The sound-mixer pulls a lever on the odd little sound-mixing device, which plays some cheerful birdsong]
[The sound-mixer, while superb at mixing sound, is unfortunately untalented at alliteration]
Yeah, I'm missing Danni too... though she probably hates me now.
*waves at Blake*
*hugs Kas*
*is back to not talking*
...
*at least at the moment*
Unable to help him/her/it/their/our/your-self, the Fool drops into a deep bow, springing back up to brightly meet Soul's gaze.
What dreary, drab ditz dares despondently look on from shade?
Blake Soul, and I do not appreciate being called a "ditz".
A smile of simple joy continues to shine on their face.
Drudge, then, or perhaps dreg? After all, one as dark as you can hardly lay claim to something as light as a Soul!
...
*leaves hugs and waves*
*vanishes quietly*
You mean to call me soulless?
*hugs Hopeymoth and falls asleep in her arms*
To the contrary, I call you nameless! Everyone knows that the Name is not the Soul.
The Fool mock-wrings out their cloak.
A wave? How oceanic!
I have met a great deal of strange people, and you are slowly climbing their ranks.
Excellent! Always been a fan of meritocracy.
What an odd note to start a page on, or, in this case, end a conversation on.
Or in this case, for you to have to dedicate on. If you are unaware of the rule of dedication I shall explain it to you.
Whomever posts the first comment of a page must dedicate that page to anything of their choosing, simple as that.
It used to be a spam war for it, from what I recall through Zafira.
[The sound mixer mixes sound without making a sound]
Crap. My friend who helps on my game is out all weekend and I ended up on the Jabberwock.
*cries*
NEXT TO FREAKIN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST TO SOLO
*cries*
-ZF
Onwa: *walks along behind her, listening carefully, watching Lorelei and Liliana*
I don't mind? Dresses are nice but.. black suit and white dress work well together. The joining of two near complete opposites..
*smiles*
((Also Soph, when you wake up, May we reschedule to Saturday the 11th of April as opposed to the Monday?)
Hi.
I'm awake.
You know those moods where tou have to tidy everything . . . ? I got into one of those yesterday whilst cleqring out my cupboards, but despite the dact I was todying for about four hours yesterday my room STILL LOOKS LIKE A TIP how depressing.
Kaladin just makes me want to laugh and slam my head into a brick wall sometimes.
Tip: Don't stick stickers/sellotape on your wallpaper. I'n pulling some I stuck on off and the wallpaper's tearing off with it. Ouch. Good thing I'm getting new wallpaper.
(Hello.
Jaimie, as long as we can fit it in to the roleplay, yes.)
*another ghost pops up*
Liliana: *her hand glows purple and the ghost's eyes do likewise*
Bethany: We're not complete opposites... We can wear what we want.
(*cuddles star*
Okay Soph.
*super mega huggles*)
Onwa: *laughs*
Moronic parasite..
Shh. I mean it in a good way.
*smiles*
I want you to be the one in a dress. Plus, I look dashing in a suit.
*winks*
(Hello Jaimie. *cuddles her tightly*)
Liliana: Indeed.
Bethany: But we can both wear dresses if you want...
(*cuddles tightly back*)
Onwa: how much farther?
It's fine. I like suits.
Ghost: She is close.
Bethany: ... Now I'm worried you'll wear something you don't want to at the wedding... Please wear what you want?
Onwa: Good.
Don't worry
*kisses her gently*
I want to wear a suit.
Ghost: Indeed. *it crosses over a narrow bridge*
Bethany: *she kisses her back, moving closer to her* Promise?
Onwa: *waits for Liliana to go first, like she said she would*
*holds her close*
Promise.
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