Wednesday, August 27, 2014

TDOTL Spoiler Zone

You all know the drill.

This comments section is ONLY for people who have read the final book. Even so, when you comment, try to be subtle about it. I'm always astonished that people will happily go reading stuff that has SPOILERS written all over it, and they have no idea what they've wandered into...

The Dying of the Light

The final book.

The last Skulduggery.

I've been writing these books since 2005, so for me it's been nine years of living with these characters, in this world. I knew saying goodbye was not going to be easy...

But I haven't had to say goodbye yet. Not really. I wrote the book. I edited. I went through it again and again. I decided on covers, on approaches. I approved tour schedules and special events. I prepared. I tweeted. I blogged. I kept busy. I kept looking forward...

But now... now (most of) the preparation is done. I just have to turn up now, and talk, or sign, or talk and sign, and meet people and go places.

It's going to sink in NOW. I can feel it.

No more Skulduggery Pleasant.


I'm going to give my usual "No Spoilers" speech now. So, like, no spoilers, people. The comment section above is for spoilers, not this one.

But even outside of this blog, please be considerate of your fellow Minions. Don't go blasting spoilers on Facebook or Twitter or Tumblr. Be subtle about it, and if you can't be subtle, go LOUD with the spoiler warning.

And when I say spoiler I don't just mean" "Oh my god, I can't believe THIS CHARACTER did THAT to THAT OTHER CHARACTER!"

I also mean spoilers in a more general sense. For example, saying things like: "Derek, I can't believe you did that! I'll never forgive you! How could you?? That was my favourite character!!"

Or: "I'm so delighted! I loved it and the ending was just what I wanted!"

You have friends, Minions, who know your hopes and dreams. They know your favourite characters. They know what you're dreading. So don't confirm any of these things when you comment, even if you make sure not to get too specific. If you love the book, tell me. If you hate the book, tell me that too. But keep in mind that other people will be reading, and if you give away what kind of ending the book has, you've just cheated them out of finding out for themselves.

I love your enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm makes these books what they are. So while you're being considerate of your friends, be sure to revel in your enthusiasm, and your excitement, and your dread, and your horror, and your happiness and your despair.

I hope you like it.

Friday, August 22, 2014

TDOTL Trailer

This time next week, many of you will have the final book in your hands. Most of you will be reading it. Some of you will be finished it.

I am so utterly delighted with the book and how it turned out — I really think it's the best one of the series — and so I am thrilled with the trailer that artist extraordinaire Tom Percival has come up with.

The clocking is counting down...

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

The Back Cover

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: the Harbinger of Doom, the Apocalypse Kid, the Hostess with the Mostess (blood on her hands), the World-Breaker...

Darquesse.


Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Black Edition

Ladies and gentlemen, for those who haven't heard, head over to the Waterstones site for a very special special edition announcement...

http://www.waterstones.com/blog/2014/08/the-dying-of-the-light-black-edition/#more-59340

This is something I've had in mind for years — a super supreme limited edition of only 1000 copies— the Black Edition. Those lucky few who have managed to get your hands on a proof copy of the first book should recognise the design we're echoing, bringing the whole thing full circle...

We're working with Waterstones on this, and so the Black Edition will only be available in their shops. You won't be able to preorder these. You won't be able to reserve one online or in person. Not even Waterstones STAFF can preorder these for THEMSELVES! On the day of publication, they will be put on the SHELVES — not on a table, not in the store window, not on a table out in front, but on the SHELVES. So you'll have to go hunting for them.

We already have 5000 copies of a Special Edition that comes signed, with that stunning cover, but the Black Edition will NOT be signed, and there will be a ONE PER PERSON policy. Basically, we're torturing you. We're making you choose.

The fact is, because there will only be 1000 printed, and so each store will only get a limited amount of copies, the chances of YOU, individual Minion, managing to snag one is pretty low. Because there is no way to guarantee that you get one, you're just going to have to be EXTREMELY lucky. Oh, and you should also check Twitter that day, because the stores will be tweeting how many copies they've got left. Until they tweet, there is no way of telling how many copies a particular store will have received.

Ooooh I can't wait to get mine....

Friday, August 1, 2014

A Note From Nadir

I'm watching.

I'm watching you scramble, all confused. "But this one is HARD!" "But where do we even START?"

You make me laugh. Call yourselves sorcerers when you can't even identify six of the most well-known magical alphabets in the world?



Time is a-ticking, and skulduggery@harpercollins.co.uk are awaiting your responses EVER so anxiously.

I've decided that if you can't figure out where I am in the next three days, I'm going to kill one of you. Because I know who you are.

And I'm watching.

Silas